Shloka 21

Preparations of Medicated Ghee and Oils (Ghṛta–Taila Yoga); Brāhmī-ghṛta and Nārāyaṇa Taila

Devanagari script

अजमोदं ससिन्दूरं हरितालं निशाद्वयम् / क्षारद्वयं फेनयुतमार्द्रक सर (शवः लोद्भवम्

Transliteration

ajamodaṃ sasindūraṃ haritālaṃ niśādvayam / kṣāradvayaṃ phenayutamārdraka sara (śavaḥ lodbhavam

Translation

అజమోదం సిందూరంతో, హరితాలం, రెండు నిశా ద్రవ్యాలు, రెండు క్షారాలు, ఫేనయుక్త ద్రవ్యం, మరియు ఆర్ద్రక సారం—అలాగే ‘శవ-లోద్భవ’ అని పేర్కొన్న అదనపు ద్రవ్యం—ఈ యోగంలో గ్రహించాలి.

Word by Word

• अजमोदम्: ajamoda (ajmoda)
• अजमोदम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अजमोद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग (औषधिनाम), द्वितीया (कर्म), एकवचन — Accusative singular

• ससिन्दूरम्: with red lead (sindūra)
• ससिन्दूरम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स + सिन्दूर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (कर्म), एकवचन — ‘with sindūra’; विशेषणम्

• हरितालम्: haritāla (orpiment)
• हरितालम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: हरिताल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (कर्म), एकवचन — orpiment

• निशाद्वयम्: the two niśā-s (two turmerics)
• निशाद्वयम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: निशा + द्वय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (कर्म), एकवचन — dvigu ‘two niśā-s’ (two kinds of turmeric)

• क्षारद्वयम्: two alkalis
• क्षारद्वयम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: क्षार + द्वय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (कर्म), एकवचन — dvigu ‘two alkalis’

• फेनयुतम्: mixed with foam
• फेनयुतम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: फेन + युत (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (क्त), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (कर्म), एकवचन — ‘endowed with foam’; विशेषणम्

• आर्द्रकम्: fresh ginger
• आर्द्रकम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आर्द्रक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (कर्म), एकवचन — fresh ginger

• सर: (unclear; possibly essence)
• सर: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: (अस्पष्ट) सम्भाव्यः: सार (प्रातिपदिक) / सर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अस्पष्ट-पाठः; रूपनिर्णयः अनिश्चितः — unclear; possibly ‘सारम्’ (essence) intended

• शवः: corpse (reading doubtful)
• शवः: (Unclear)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (कर्ता), एकवचन — ‘corpse’; परन्तु अत्र पाठः अत्यन्त-संदिग्धः (औषधिसूची-प्रसङ्गे)

• लोद्भवम्: produced from (unclear source)
• लोद्भवम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ल + उद्भव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन — ‘arising from/produced from’; परन्तु पूर्वपद ‘ल’ अस्पष्ट (सम्भाव्यः ‘लोद्र-उद्भवम्’?)

Speaker

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

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Precision and restraint in potent formulations, especially with mineral/alkaline substances; knowledge must be paired with care.

Vedantic Theme: Ahimsā through competence—reducing harm by right knowledge and measured action.

Application: Handle and dose strong ingredients (kṣāra, haritāla, sindūra, etc.) carefully; ensure proper processing and qualified supervision.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bibhatsa

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.174 (continuing pharmacopeia; strong formulations alongside oils)

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Garuda

FAQs

What is the importance of listing ingredients like ajamoda and haritāla in the Garuda Purana?

This verse functions as a technical recipe-list: it preserves a traditional formulation by naming precise substances used in a classical remedy context.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

It does not address afterlife doctrine here; this section shifts to practical remedial formulations, presented within the Vishnu–Garuda instructional frame.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Treat it as historical textual evidence of traditional formulations; do not self-administer mineral/arsenic-containing substances without qualified medical supervision.