Shloka 14

Devanagari script

मुण्डीत्वक्च वचा मुस्तं मरिचं तगरं तथा / चर्वित्वा च त्विमं सद्यो जिह्वया ज्वलनं लिहेत्

Transliteration

muṇḍītvakca vacā mustaṃ maricaṃ tagaraṃ tathā / carvitvā ca tvimaṃ sadyo jihvayā jvalanaṃ lihet

Translation

ముండీ తొక్క, వచా, ముస్తా, మరిచం, తగరం—ఇవన్నీ నమలాలి. నమిలిన వెంటనే నాలుకతో అగ్నిని నాకినట్లుగా, దాహం తక్షణమే శమిస్తుంది.

Word by Word

• मुण्डीत्वक्: bark/skin of muṇḍī (plant)
• मुण्डीत्वक्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मुण्डी (प्रातिपदिक) + त्वच् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (muṇḍyāḥ tvak)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Connector/समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, समुच्चयबोधक (conjunction)

• वचा: sweet flag (Acorus)
• वचा: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वचा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

• मुस्तम्: musta (nut-grass)
• मुस्तम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मुस्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

• मरिचम्: pepper
• मरिचम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मरिच (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

• तगरम्: tagara (valerian)
• तगरम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तगर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

• तथा: also, likewise
• तथा: Sambandha (Connector/समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, समुच्चय/प्रकारवाचक (also/likewise)

• चर्वित्वा: having chewed
• चर्वित्वा: Kriya-viseshana (Adverbial/क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: चर्व् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वा-प्रत्ययान्त अव्यय (Gerund/Absolutive)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Connector/समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, समुच्चयबोधक (conjunction)

• तु: then/indeed
• तु: Sambandha (Discourse particle/निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, विरोध/विशेषबोधक निपात (particle: ‘then/indeed/but’)

• इमम्: this
• इमम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: इदम् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• सद्यः: immediately
• सद्यः: Kriya-viseshana (Adverbial/क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सद्यः (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, कालवाचक क्रियाविशेषण (temporal adverb)

• जिह्वया: with the tongue
• जिह्वया: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: जिह्वा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन

• ज्वलनम्: fire, flame
• ज्वलनम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ज्वलन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• लिहेत्: should lick
• लिहेत्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: लिह् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन, परस्मैपद

Speaker

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

Medical Ayurveda

Dosha: Pitta

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Immediate effect is promised from correct combination and method (chewing) of substances.

Vedantic Theme: Skillful means (upāya-kauśalya) in embodied life; managing sensations supports steadiness (dhairya) for higher pursuits.

Application: Use pungent/aromatic herbs cautiously for oral/heat sensations; recognize traditional pharmacology and consult qualified practitioners.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: vira

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.182 (agni-stambhana/śamana), herb-based subduing of burning

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Garuda

FAQs

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

This verse shows that the Garuda Purana also preserves practical, body-based guidance—using specific herbs to pacify acute burning sensations—supporting dharmic life through health and self-care.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

Indirectly: by emphasizing bodily discipline and relief from suffering, it reflects the text’s broader concern with reducing duḥkha (pain) and cultivating steadiness—qualities also stressed in its teachings on death, rites, and the afterlife.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

It encourages using traditional, ingredient-based remedies thoughtfully; in modern practice, one may consult qualified Ayurvedic guidance before using herbs, especially for dosage and safety.