Oṣadhi-nāma-nirdeśa: Paryāya (Synonyms) of Herbs, Minerals, and Classical Measures
अश्वारिश्चैव बोद्धव्यः करवीरो ऽश्वमारकः / सिन्धुः सैन्धवसिन्धूत्थमणिमन्थमुदाहृतम्
aśvāriścaiva boddhavyaḥ karavīro 'śvamārakaḥ / sindhuḥ saindhavasindhūtthamaṇimanthamudāhṛtam
‘అశ్వారి’ అనే ద్రవ్యాన్ని కూడా తెలుసుకోవాలి; అదే ‘కరవీర’ (గన్నేరు), ‘అశ్వమారక’—గుర్రాలను హానిచేసేది—అని ప్రసిద్ధి. అలాగే ‘సింధు’ అనగా ‘సైంధవ’ (రాతి ఉప్పు) మరియు ‘సింధూత్థ మణిమంథ’ అని కూడా వివరణ.
Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda)
Concept: One term may denote multiple referents (polysemy): plant synonymy (aśvāri=karavīra) and substance synonymy (sindhu=saindhava/maṇimantha).
Vedantic Theme: Viveka in language-use; context (prakaraṇa) determines meaning.
Application: In recipes, distinguish whether ‘sindhu’ means rock-salt (saindhava) or another substance; treat karavīra/oleander with caution due to toxicity.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Type: river/region
Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.204.61 (continues with alkali types)
This verse functions like a traditional glossary, clarifying that multiple regional or technical names can refer to the same substance, which prevents mistakes in ritual, remedy, or textual interpretation.
Alongside afterlife teachings, the Garuda Purana also preserves practical knowledge; here it records authoritative identifications of plants/minerals so readers understand what specific terms denote.
Use it as a caution for accurate identification: traditional names vary, so confirm botanical/mineral identity (especially for toxic plants like Karavīra) before any ritual or medicinal use.