Shloka 3
Upāyas for Cattle and Horses: Bonding, Parasites, Wounds, Swellings, and Mane Itching
गोजङ्गनाभिपातः स्याद्गुञ्जामूलस्य भक्षणात्
gojaṅganābhipātaḥ syādguñjāmūlasya bhakṣaṇāt
गुञ्जामूलस्य भक्षणात् गोजङ्गनाभिपातो भवति।
Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda/Vinata-putra, in the sin–result enumeration typical of this section)
Concept: Certain acts/substances precipitate ‘pāta’ (downfall) with suffering; actions have predictable consequences.
Vedantic Theme: Karma-phala operates through both moral and physical causality; heed śāstra to avoid self-harm and adharma.
Application: Avoid ingesting unknown or toxic roots; treat traditional ‘pāta’ warnings as safety and ethics guidance.
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: raudra
Related Themes: Garuda Purana lists of pāta/mahāpātaka-like downfalls and harmful substances in nearby material
FAQs
This verse shows that specific foods (here, guñjā root) are treated as causes of defined pāpa with named consequences, reinforcing ethical restraint and purity as part of karmic accountability.
The Garuda Purana often maps particular actions to particular downfalls and sufferings; this verse is one item in that mapping, implying that such pāpa can ripen into painful experiences in Yama’s domain unless corrected through dharmic living and prāyaścitta.
Avoid knowingly harmful, intoxicating, or ritually prohibited substances; practice mindful consumption (āhāra-śuddhi) and, if a wrong is done, seek correction through repentance, restraint, and appropriate remedial vows.