Shloka 39

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

Devanagari script

इन्दी वरं कुवलयं पद्मं नीलोत्पलं स्मृतम् / सौगन्धिकं शतदलमब्जं कमलमुच्यते

Transliteration

indī varaṃ kuvalayaṃ padmaṃ nīlotpalaṃ smṛtam / saugandhikaṃ śatadalamabjaṃ kamalamucyate

Translation

ఇందీవరాన్ని ‘కువలయ’ అని కూడా అంటారు; ‘పద్మం’ ‘నీలోత్పల’గా స్మరించబడుతుంది. అలాగే సుగంధి కమలం ‘శతదల’ అని పిలవబడుతుంది; దానిని ‘అబ్జ’ మరియు ‘కమల’ అని కూడా అంటారు.

Word by Word

• इन्दीवरम्: indīvara (blue lotus)
• इन्दीवरम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: इन्दीवर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• कुवलयम्: kuvalaya (lotus)
• कुवलयम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कुवलय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• पद्मम्: padma (lotus)
• पद्मम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पद्म (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• नीलोत्पलम्: blue lotus
• नीलोत्पलम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नील (प्रातिपदिक) + उत्पल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: कर्मधारय-समास (‘नीलं उत्पलम्’), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन

• स्मृतम्: is mentioned/called
• स्मृतम्: Karta (Predicate/विधेय)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स्मृ (धातु) + त (कृत्) → स्मृत (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त (क्त), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; ‘is called/mentioned’

• सौगन्धिकम्: saugandhika (fragrant lotus)
• सौगन्धिकम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सुगन्ध (प्रातिपदिक) + इक (तद्धित) → सौगन्धिक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• शतदलम्: hundred-petalled (lotus)
• शतदलम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शत (प्रातिपदिक) + दल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: द्विगु-समास (‘शतं दलानि यस्य’/‘शत-दल’), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन

• अब्जम्: abja (water-born; lotus)
• अब्जम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अब्ज (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• कमलम्: kamala (lotus)
• कमलम्: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कमल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• उच्यते: is called
• उच्यते: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वच् (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (Present), कर्मणि-प्रयोग (Passive), प्रथम-पुरुष (3rd), एकवचन; ‘is said/called’

Speaker

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

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Synonymy in sacred-poetic vocabulary—one object (lotus) apprehended through multiple epithets (abja ‘water-born’, kamala, śatadala).

Vedantic Theme: Unity-in-diversity at the level of nāma; supports contemplative seeing of one referent beneath many designations.

Application: In pūjā/offerings and textual study, recognize that indīvara/kuvalaya and abja/kamala/śatadala may refer to lotus types; avoid mis-offering or mistranslation.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: waterbody

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.204 (synonym lists for plants/objects)

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Garuda

FAQs

What is the importance of lotus synonyms in the Garuda Purana?

This verse functions as a glossary entry, clarifying multiple Sanskrit names for lotus varieties—useful for accurate ritual wording, offerings, and correct understanding of Purana terminology.

How does this verse relate to Garuda Purana ritual practice?

By listing accepted names (padma, kamala, abja, śatadala), it helps practitioners and reciters identify the intended flower in pūjā or dāna contexts where specific offerings may be prescribed.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Use these synonym sets when reading or chanting: if a text says abja or kamala, understand it as lotus; this avoids confusion in translation, study, and devotional offerings.