Shloka 52

Netra–Nāsa–Mukha Cikitsā, Vraṇa/Bhasma Prayoga, Jvara–Vāta Remedies, and Protective/Uccāṭana Procedures

Devanagari script

अश्वगन्धामूलकाभ्यां सिद्धा वल्मीकमृत्तिका / एतया मर्दनाद्रुद्र ऊरुस्तम्भः प्रशाम्यति

Transliteration

aśvagandhāmūlakābhyāṃ siddhā valmīkamṛttikā / etayā mardanādrudra ūrustambhaḥ praśāmyati

Translation

अश्वगन्धामूलसंयुक्ता सिद्धा वल्मीकमृत्तिका । अनया मर्दनात् रुद्र ऊरुस्तम्भः प्रशाम्यति ॥

Word by Word

• अश्वगन्धामूलकाभ्याम्: with the roots of aśvagandhā
• अश्वगन्धामूलकाभ्याम्: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अश्वगन्धा (प्रातिपदिक) + मूलक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (करण/Instrumental), द्विवचन; समासः—षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (अश्वगन्धायाः मूलकम्)

• सिद्धा: prepared, accomplished
• सिद्धा: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सिध् (धातु) → सिद्ध (कृदन्त/PPP)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (past passive participle)

• वल्मीकमृत्तिका: anthill clay
• वल्मीकमृत्तिका: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वल्मीक (प्रातिपदिक) + मृत्तिका (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; समासः—षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (वल्मीकस्य मृत्तिका)

• एतया: with this
• एतया: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: एतद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• मर्दनात्: from rubbing/massage
• मर्दनात्: Apadana (Source/अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मर्दन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी-विभक्ति (अपादान/Ablative), एकवचन

• रुद्र: O Rudra
• रुद्र: Sambodhana (Address/सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: रुद्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन-प्रथमा (Vocative/Nominative form used as संबोधन), एकवचन

• ऊरुस्तम्भः: thigh stiffness/rigidity
• ऊरुस्तम्भः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ऊरु (प्रातिपदिक) + स्तम्भ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; समासः—षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (ऊरोः स्तम्भः)

• प्रशाम्यति: subsides, is alleviated
• प्रशाम्यति: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्र-शम् (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (Present), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपदम्

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda)

Medical Ayurveda

Dosha: Vata

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Right application of appropriate means (upāya) yields tangible alleviation of suffering.

Vedantic Theme: Duḥkha-nivṛtti through proper knowledge of prakṛti and its guṇas (applied wisdom).

Application: Prepare anthill clay with aśvagandhā roots; apply as massage to reduce thigh stiffness.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.177 (Ayurveda/medicine section context: vāta-roga and remedies)

Characters & Entities

• Rudra

FAQs

What is the importance of herbal remedies in the Garuda Purana?

This verse shows the text also preserves practical dharmic life-knowledge—simple formulations using known herbs and substances to relieve bodily afflictions.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

It does not discuss the soul’s journey here; it focuses on a physical therapeutic measure, reflecting the Purana’s broader scope that includes health guidance alongside afterlife teachings.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

As a traditional reference, it points to massage with aśvagandhā-based preparations for stiffness; in modern practice, use it as contextual heritage knowledge and consult a qualified Ayurvedic practitioner for safe formulation and use.