Shloka 49

Oṣadhi-nāma-nirdeśa: Paryāya (Synonyms) of Herbs, Minerals, and Classical Measures

Devanagari script

काम्पिल्लको ऽथ रक्ताङ्गो गुण्डा रोचनिकेति च / हेमक्षीरी स्मृता पीता गौरी वै कालदुग्धिका

Transliteration

kāmpillako 'tha raktāṅgo guṇḍā rocaniketi ca / hemakṣīrī smṛtā pītā gaurī vai kāladugdhikā

Translation

काम्पिल्लकः, अथ रक्ताङ्गः, गुण्डा, रोचनिका च; हेमक्षीरी स्मृता; तथा पीता, गौरी, कालदुग्धिका इति च।

Word by Word

• काम्पिल्लकः: Kāmpillaka (plant-name)
• काम्पिल्लकः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: काम्पिल्लक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• अथ: then; also
• अथ: Sambandha
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अथ (अव्यय)
• Form: अनन्तर/प्रसङ्गबोधक अव्यय (then/now)

• रक्ताङ्गः: Raktāṅga (plant-name)
• रक्ताङ्गः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: रक्त (प्रातिपदिक) + अङ्ग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; कर्मधारय (red-limbed)

• गुण्डा: Guṇḍā (plant-name)
• गुण्डा: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: गुण्डा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• रोचनिका: Rocanikā (plant-name)
• रोचनिका: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: रोचनिका (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• इति: thus; called
• इति: Sambandha
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: इति (अव्यय)
• Form: उद्धरण/समाप्तिबोधक अव्यय

• च: and
• च: Sambandha
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक अव्यय

• हेमक्षीरी: Hemakṣīrī (plant-name)
• हेमक्षीरी: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: हेम (प्रातिपदिक) + क्षीरी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; कर्मधारय (golden-milky/with golden latex)

• स्मृता: is said/known (as)
• स्मृता: Kriya (Predicate/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: स्मृ (धातु) + त (कृत् प्रत्यय)
• Form: कृदन्त-भूतकर्मणि/भूतकालिक-कर्तरि प्रयोग; स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; भूतकृदन्त (PPP) — 'is called/known'

• पीता: yellow
• पीता: Visheshana
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पीत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषण

• गौरी: Gaurī (plant-name)
• गौरी: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: गौरी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• वै: indeed
• वै: Sambandha
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वै (अव्यय)
• Form: निश्चयार्थक/एवकारार्थक अव्यय (indeed/emphatic particle)

• कालदुग्धिका: Kāladugdhikā (plant-name)
• कालदुग्धिका: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: काल (प्रातिपदिक) + दुग्धिका (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; कर्मधारय (black-milky/with dark latex)

Speaker

Lord Viṣṇu (in discourse to Garuḍa/Vainateya)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Practical discernment (viveka) in identifying substances—names, qualities, and observable markers (like color) guide correct use.

Vedantic Theme: Viveka applied to vyavahāra; right knowledge precedes right action.

Application: When sourcing ingredients, use distinguishing features (e.g., color/appearance implied by names) alongside textual synonyms to avoid substitution.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.204 (dravya-nāma lists; adjacent verses continue with further substances)

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Garuḍa

FAQs

What is the importance of listing substances like Kāmpillaka in the Garuḍa Purāṇa?

This verse functions as a traditional catalog of named varieties used/recognized in ritual and dhārmic contexts, helping practitioners preserve correct terminology for offerings and ceremonial materials.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

It does not directly describe the soul’s journey; rather, it supports the ritual framework (Ācāra) that the Purāṇa presents as part of dharma—often connected in the text to merit-making acts such as śrāddha and prescribed observances.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Use the verse as a reference for accurate Sanskrit nomenclature when studying or documenting Garuḍa Purāṇa ritual sections, and consult qualified tradition/ācāryas for identifying the exact modern equivalents before employing any material in ceremonies.