Shloka 50

Ācāra-Nirṇaya: Varṇa-Āśrama Dharma, Śauca, Snāna, Sandhyā, Japa, Tarpaṇa, and Gṛhastha-Dinacaryā

Devanagari script

क्षीरिकण्टकिवृक्षाद्याः प्रशस्ता दन्तधावने / कटुतिक्तकषायाश्च धनारोग्यसुखप्रदाः

Transliteration

kṣīrikaṇṭakivṛkṣādyāḥ praśastā dantadhāvane / kaṭutiktakaṣāyāśca dhanārogyasukhapradāḥ

Translation

Tumbuhan seperti pokok kṣīrikaṇṭakī dan yang lain dipuji sebagai baik untuk membersihkan gigi. Oleh kerana rasanya pedas, pahit dan kelat, ia menganugerahkan kemakmuran, kesihatan dan kesejahteraan.

Word by Word

• क्षीरिकण्टकिवृक्षाद्याः: trees such as kṣīrī and kaṇṭakī etc.
• क्षीरिकण्टकिवृक्षाद्याः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: क्षीरि + कण्टकि + वृक्ष + आदि (प्रातिपदिक-समूह)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (1st), बहुवचन; ‘...आद्याः’ = ‘beginning with ...’ (समूहवाचक)

• प्रशस्ताः: recommended, excellent
• प्रशस्ताः: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्रशस्त (प्रातिपदिक; कृदन्त-भाव)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (1st), बहुवचन; विशेषण (क्षीरिकण्टकिवृक्षाद्याः)

• दन्तधावने: for tooth-cleaning
• दन्तधावने: Adhikarana (Locus/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दन्त (प्रातिपदिक) + धावन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (7th/अधिकरण), एकवचन

• कटुतिक्तकषायाः: pungent, bitter and astringent (in taste)
• कटुतिक्तकषायाः: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कटु + तिक्त + कषाय (प्रातिपदिक-समाहार)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (1st), बहुवचन; गुणसमुच्चयः; विशेषण (ते/वृक्षाः)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Conjunction/समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (समुच्चय/ conjunction)

• धनारोग्यसुखप्रदाः: bestowing wealth, health, and happiness
• धनारोग्यसुखप्रदाः: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: धन + आरोग्य + सुख + प्रद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (1st), बहुवचन; विशेषण (ते/वृक्षाः); ‘प्रद’ = ददाति इति

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in dialogue with Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Proper ācāra yields both visible (health) and subtle (discipline, auspiciousness) fruits; guṇa/rasa-based selection matters.

Vedantic Theme: Citta-śuddhi supported by sattvic regimen; karma in the form of daily niyama produces saṃskāra and steadiness.

Application: Prefer cleansing agents with bitter/astringent profiles (where safe) for oral care; keep a consistent morning routine to support health and clarity.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Geographic Context

Type: herbal/forest resource context

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.213.48-49 (plant lists); Garuda Purana 1.213.51 (clean eating and ācamana)

Characters & Entities

• Garuda

FAQs

What is the importance of dantadhavana (tooth-cleaning) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse treats tooth-cleaning as a dharmic purification practice and recommends specific medicinal plant twigs whose tastes (pungent, bitter, astringent) support health and well-being.

How does this verse relate to Garuda Purana’s broader teachings?

While the Garuda Purana is famous for afterlife themes, it also preserves practical dharma and health guidance; here it links daily bodily purity with the outcomes of health, happiness, and prosperity.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Adopt a consistent oral-hygiene routine and, where culturally and medically appropriate, use traditional herbal supports (under safe guidance), emphasizing cleanliness as part of disciplined daily living.