Shloka 16

Keśa-vardhana, Pālitā-nāśa, Śiraḥ-roga and Karṇa-śūla Cikitsā

Hair Growth, Greying Reversal, Head & Ear Remedies

Devanagari script

कष्ठमाषमरीचानि तगरं मधु पिप्पली / अपामार्गो ऽश्वगन्धा च बृहती सितसर्षपाः

Transliteration

kaṣṭhamāṣamarīcāni tagaraṃ madhu pippalī / apāmārgo 'śvagandhā ca bṛhatī sitasarṣapāḥ

Translation

काष्ठमाषा मरीचानि तगरं मधु पिप्पली। अपामार्गोऽश्वगन्धा च बृहती सितसर्षपाः॥

Word by Word

• कष्ठ: kaṣṭha (wood/medicinal wood)
• कष्ठ: Vishaya (Item listed/विषय)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कष्ठ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन — द्रव्यनाम (ingredient)

• माष: black gram
• माष: Vishaya (Item listed/विषय)
• Type: Noun
• Root: माष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन — द्रव्यनाम

• मरीचानि: pepper (grains)
• मरीचानि: Vishaya (Item listed/विषय)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मरीच (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन — ‘pepper-corns’

• तगरम्: tagara (valerian)
• तगरम्: Vishaya (Item listed/विषय)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तगर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd), एकवचन — द्रव्यनाम

• मधु: honey
• मधु: Vishaya (Item listed/विषय)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मधु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd), एकवचन — ‘honey’

• पिप्पली: long pepper
• पिप्पली: Vishaya (Item listed/विषय)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पिप्पली (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन — ‘long pepper’

• अपामार्गः: apāmārga (prickly chaff flower)
• अपामार्गः: Vishaya (Item listed/विषय)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अपामार्ग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन — द्रव्यनाम

• अश्वगन्धा: aśvagandhā (withania)
• अश्वगन्धा: Vishaya (Item listed/विषय)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अश्वगन्धा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन — ‘aśvagandhā’

• च: and
• च: Avyaya (Conjunction/अव्यय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय — समुच्चयबोधक (conjunction)

• बृहती: bṛhatī (Solanum indicum)
• बृहती: Vishaya (Item listed/विषय)
• Type: Noun
• Root: बृहती (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन — द्रव्यनाम

• सितसर्षपाः: white mustard seeds
• सितसर्षपाः: Vishaya (Item listed/विषय)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सित + सर्षप (प्रातिपदिक; समास-रूप)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन — ‘white mustard seeds’ (कर्मधारयः: सिताः सर्षपाः)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Right knowledge of substances (dravya-jñāna) supports protection of life and social well-being.

Vedantic Theme: Prakṛti’s resources as instruments for loka-saṅgraha (welfare of beings).

Application: Assemble the named ingredients (kāṣṭhamāṣa, marīca, tagara, madhu, pippalī, apāmārga, aśvagandhā, bṛhatī, sita-sarṣapa) according to the surrounding recipe context.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.176.15 (preceding pus-discharge remedy); Garuda Purana 1.176.17–18 (applications/unctions and growth-strengthening); Garuda Purana 1.177.1 (another topical remedy)

Characters & Entities

• Garuda
• Vishnu

FAQs

What is the importance of these herbs in the Garuda Purana?

This verse functions as a precise inventory of ritual/medicinal substances, indicating that post-death observances in the Garuda Purana include specific, named materials rather than vague offerings.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul after death?

Indirectly: it supports the broader Preta Kanda framework where correct rites and prescribed substances are used to aid the departed’s transition and reduce obstacles faced by the preta in the post-death journey.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

If performing śrāddha or related rites, follow a qualified tradition/priestly guidance and use clearly identified, appropriate substances—this verse emphasizes accuracy and intention in ritual practice.