Shloka 22

Anupāna and the Doṣa-Effects of Foods, Waters, Dairy, Oils, and Preparations

Devanagari script

सरमामलकं वृष्यं मधुरं हृद्यमम्लकृत् / भुक्तप्ररोचका पुण्या हरीतक्यमृतोपमा

Transliteration

saramāmalakaṃ vṛṣyaṃ madhuraṃ hṛdyamamlakṛt / bhuktaprarocakā puṇyā harītakyamṛtopamā

Translation

ஆமலகம் (நெல்லிக்காய்) சிறந்தது, வृष்யம், இனிமை, இதயத்திற்கு இனியது; நலமான புளிப்புத் தன்மையை உண்டாக்கும். ஹரீதகீ உணவுக்குப் பின் ருசியை வளர்க்கும், புண்ணியமிக்கது, அமிர்தத்துக்கு ஒப்பானது.

Word by Word

• सरमा: Saramā (a plant/fruit name)
• सरमा: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सरमा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन; नाम (proper/common noun)

• आमलकम्: āmalaka (Indian gooseberry)
• आमलकम्: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आमलक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन

• वृष्यम्: aphrodisiac; virility-promoting
• वृष्यम्: Visheshana (Adjective/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वृष्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन; विशेषण

• मधुरम्: sweet
• मधुरम्: Visheshana (Adjective/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मधुर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन; विशेषण

• हृद्यम्: pleasant/beneficial for the heart
• हृद्यम्: Visheshana (Adjective/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: हृद्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन; विशेषण

• अम्लकृत्: acid-forming; producing sourness
• अम्लकृत्: Visheshana (Adjective/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अम्ल (प्रातिपदिक) + कृ (धातु)
• Form: कृदन्त (कृत्-प्रत्यय: कृत्/क्विप्), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन; ‘अम्लं करोति’ इति

• भुक्त: eaten; after eating
• भुक्त: Purva-pada (Compound member/समासाङ्ग)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: भुज् (धातु)
• Form: कृदन्त, भूतकृदन्त (क्त), नपुंसकलिङ्ग/पुंलिङ्ग (समासाङ्ग), ‘eaten/after eating’ अर्थे

• प्ररोचका: appetite-stimulating; pleasing to taste
• प्ररोचका: Visheshana (Adjective/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्र + रुच् (धातु) + ण्वुल् (प्रातिपदिक: प्ररोचक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन; विशेषण; ‘रुचिं जनयति’

• पुण्या: meritorious; auspicious
• पुण्या: Visheshana (Adjective/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पुण्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन; विशेषण

• हरीतकी: harītakī (Terminalia chebula)
• हरीतकी: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: हरीतकी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन

• अमृतोपमा: like nectar; nectar-like
• अमृतोपमा: Visheshana (Adjective/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अमृत (प्रातिपदिक) + उपमा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन; विशेषण; ‘अमृतस्य उपमा’ (उपमान-तत्पुरुष)

Speaker

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

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Right use of food and herbs as a dharmic support for health, clarity, and steadiness of mind.

Vedantic Theme: Śarīra as sādhana—care of the body as an instrument for dharma and (eventually) mokṣa.

Application: Use āmalaka as a heart-pleasing rasāyana; use harītakī to kindle post-meal relish/digestion and regularity, with moderation per constitution.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.169 (Ayurveda/dravya-guṇa section; fruit and herb properties)

Characters & Entities

• Garuda
• Vishnu

FAQs

What is highlighted about āmalaka in this verse?

Āmalaka is praised as highly beneficial—vitality-promoting, pleasing to the heart, and having a distinctive sour effect despite a sweet overall quality.

Why is harītakī called “amṛtopamā” (like nectar)?

The verse elevates harītakī as exceptionally beneficial—especially for appetite/relish and digestive well-being—thus comparing it to nectar.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Āmalakī and harītakī are traditionally used to support vitality and digestion; the verse suggests their role in promoting appetite balance and overall well-being.