Shloka 3

Ṛtucaryā, Āhāra–Aushadha Prayoga, Viṣa-haraṇa, and Mantra Procedures

Devanagari script

कुष्ठं संचूर्णितं कृत्वा घृतमाक्षिकसंयुतम् / भक्षयेत्स्वप्नवेलायां बलीपलितनाशनम्

Transliteration

kuṣṭhaṃ saṃcūrṇitaṃ kṛtvā ghṛtamākṣikasaṃyutam / bhakṣayetsvapnavelāyāṃ balīpalitanāśanam

Translation

కుష్ఠం (కోస్తస్) ను పొడిచేసి నెయ్యి, తేనెతో కలిపి నిద్రించే వేళ భక్షించాలి; ఇది ముడతలు మరియు జుట్టు తెల్లబడుటను నశింపజేస్తుందని చెప్పబడింది।

Word by Word

• कुष्ठम्: kuṣṭha (a medicinal herb)
• कुष्ठम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कुष्ठ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• संचूर्णितम्: powdered
• संचूर्णितम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सम् + चूर्णित (कृदन्त; चूर्ण्/चूर्णय् धातु)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त (PPP), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; कुष्ठ-विशेषण

• कृत्वा: having made/done
• कृत्वा: Purvakala (Prior action)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: कृ (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वा-प्रत्ययान्त अव्यय (gerund/absolutive)

• घृतम्: ghee
• घृतम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: घृत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• माक्षिकसंयुतम्: mixed with honey
• माक्षिकसंयुतम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: माक्षिक + संयुत (कृदन्त/प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; तृतीया-तत्पुरुष (माक्षिकेन संयुतम्) घृत-विशेषण

• भक्षयेत्: should eat
• भक्षयेत्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: भक्ष् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथम-पुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• स्वप्नवेलायाम्: at bedtime/sleep-time
• स्वप्नवेलायाम्: Adhikarana (Time/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्वप्न + वेला (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (7th/Locative), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (स्वप्नस्य वेला)

• बलीपलितनाशनम्: destroyer of wrinkles and grey hair
• बलीपलितनाशनम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: बली + पलित + नाशन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (बलीनां पलितानां नाशनम्) कर्म-विशेषण (the remedy)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Care of the body through disciplined regimen (especially at proper time—bedtime) supports longevity and well-being.

Vedantic Theme: Embodiment as a field for disciplined practice; moderation and routine (niyama) as supportive of higher aims.

Application: Powder kuṣṭha (costus), mix with ghee and honey, consume at bedtime as a traditional anti-wrinkle/anti-greying remedy (subject to safety and medical guidance).

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.182 (rasāyana formulations)

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Garuda

FAQs

What is the remedy described in this Garuda Purana verse?

It prescribes powdered kuṣṭha mixed with ghee and honey, to be taken at bedtime, traditionally said to reduce wrinkles and premature greying.

Does this verse relate to afterlife teachings like Yama or preta rituals?

No—this specific verse is a practical rasāyana-style health instruction, not a description of Yama’s realm, preta states, or death rites.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

It highlights a traditional approach to rejuvenation (rasāyana) through simple dietary formulations; if applied today, it should be done cautiously and ideally with qualified Ayurvedic guidance.