Shloka 80

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

Devanagari script

करञ्जौ नक्तमालः स्यात्पूतिकश्चिरबिल्वकः / शिग्रुः शोभाञ्जनो नाम ज्ञानमानश्च कीर्तितः

Transliteration

karañjau naktamālaḥ syātpūtikaścirabilvakaḥ / śigruḥ śobhāñjano nāma jñānamānaśca kīrtitaḥ

Translation

‘కరంజ’ను ‘నక్తమాల’ అని కూడా అంటారు; ‘పూతిక’ను ‘చిరబిల్వక’ అని పిలుస్తారు. ‘శిగ్రు’ ‘శోభాంజన’ అనే పేరుతో ప్రసిద్ధి, అలాగే ‘జ్ఞానమాన’ అని కూడా కీర్తించబడింది।

Word by Word

करञ्जौkarañja (two forms/varieties; or dual mention)

नक्तमालःnaktamāla (a tree; Pongamia)

स्यात्would be; is said to be

पूतिकःpūtika (name)

चिरबिल्वकःcirabilvaka (long-lived bilva; name)

शिग्रुःśigru (moringa)

शोभाञ्जनःśobhāñjana (name; moringa variety)

नामby name; indeed

ज्ञानमानःjñānamāna (name)

चand

कीर्तितःis proclaimed/mentioned

Speaker

Lord Viṣṇu (in discourse to Garuḍa/Vinatā-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Synonym knowledge preserves continuity of tradition across dialects and time; praise indicates recognized efficacy.

Vedantic Theme: Śabda as a carrier of tradition (āgama) in practical disciplines; correct understanding supports right action.

Application: Map karañja↔naktamāla; pūtika↔cirabilvaka; śigru↔śobhāñjana (and here ‘jñānamāna’). Use when reading regional formularies.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.204 dravya-paryāya sequence

Characters & Entities

Vishnu

Garuda

FAQs

What is the importance of listing plant synonyms in the Garuda Purana?

This verse preserves authoritative alternate names for key trees, helping readers correctly identify plants used in dharmic observances, offerings, and traditional knowledge systems.

How does this verse relate to Garuda Purana teachings beyond afterlife topics?

Kanda 1 often addresses conduct and practical dharma; here it supports accurate identification of sacred/utility plants by giving their recognized Sanskrit synonyms.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Use these synonym mappings when reading ritual manuals or Ayurvedic references so the intended plant is correctly understood (e.g., Śigru = Śobhāñjana).