Shloka 26

Rasa-Dravya Varga: Sweet, Sour, Salty, Pungent, Bitter, Astringent; Snehana and Svedana Guidelines

Devanagari script

तथा धीस्मृतिमेधाग्निकाङ्क्षिणां शस्यते घृतम् / केवलं पैत्तिके सर्पिर्वातिके लवणान्वितम्

Transliteration

tathā dhīsmṛtimedhāgnikāṅkṣiṇāṃ śasyate ghṛtam / kevalaṃ paittike sarpirvātike lavaṇānvitam

Translation

เช่นเดียวกัน ผู้ปรารถนาปัญญา ความจำ เมธา และไฟย่อยอาหาร ควรรับประทานเนยใส; ในอาการปิตตะให้เนยใสล้วน และในอาการวาตะให้เนยใสผสมเกลือ।

Word by Word

• tathā: likewise/also
• tathā: Sambandha (Connector/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tathā (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (adverb ‘thus/likewise’)

• dhī-smṛti-medhā-agni-kāṅkṣiṇām: of those desiring intellect, memory, comprehension, and digestive fire
• dhī-smṛti-medhā-agni-kāṅkṣiṇām: Sambandha (Genitive/षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dhī (प्रातिपदिक) + smṛti (प्रातिपदिक) + medhā (प्रातिपदिक) + agni (प्रातिपदिक) + kāṅkṣin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th case), बहुवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुष (धीयः स्मृतेः मेधायाः अग्नेः च काङ्क्षिणः = ‘desirous of intellect, memory, understanding, digestive fire’)

• śasyate: is recommended/praised
• śasyate: Kriya (Predicate/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √śaṃs (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (present), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; कर्मणि प्रयोग (passive)

• ghṛtam: ghee
• ghṛtam: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ghṛta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st case), एकवचन; कर्तृस्थानी (कर्मणि-क्रियायाः विषयः)

• kevalam: only
• kevalam: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण-भाव)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: kevala (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययीभावेन प्रयुक्तम् (adverbial accusative: ‘only/merely’)

• paittike: in pitta-type (disorder/condition)
• paittike: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: paittika (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th case), एकवचन; ‘पैत्तिके (रोगे/दोषे)’ इति लुप्त-शब्दान्वयः

• sarpis: ghee (sarpis)
• sarpis: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sarpis (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st case), एकवचन; (घृतस्य पर्यायः)

• vātike: in vāta-type (disorder/condition)
• vātike: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vātika (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th case), एकवचन; ‘वातिके (रोगे/दोषे)’ इति लुप्त-शब्दान्वयः

• lavaṇa-anvitam: mixed with salt
• lavaṇa-anvitam: Visheshana (Adjective/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: lavaṇa (प्रातिपदिक) + anvita (प्रातिपदिक; √i + ni + kta)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st case), एकवचन; कृदन्त-विशेषण (क्त), समासः—तत्पुरुष (लवणेन अन्वितम् = ‘accompanied with salt’); sarpis इत्यस्य विशेषणम्

Speaker

Lord Vishnu

Medical Ayurveda

Dosha: Vata/Pitta

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Right means (upāya) for strengthening intellect and digestion through doṣa-appropriate use of ghṛta.

Vedantic Theme: Sattva-śuddhi supports jñāna and smṛti; bodily balance aids inner clarity.

Application: For cognition and agni: use ghee; in pitta conditions: plain ghee; in vāta conditions: ghee with salt (as directed by a practitioner).

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.173.27 (kapha modification with trikaṭu/alkali); Garuda Purana 1.173.28 (taila indications)

FAQs

What is the importance of ghee (ghṛta/sarpiḥ) in Garuda Purana?

This verse presents ghee as a premier support for cognition (dhī, smṛti, medhā) and digestive strength (agni), and specifies its doṣa-wise use.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

It does not discuss the soul’s post-death route; it teaches embodied discipline—supporting clarity and vitality, which are treated as foundations for righteous living.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Use ghee thoughtfully: plain ghee is traditionally favored when pitta is aggravated, while ghee with a little salt is suggested for vāta-type imbalance—adapted to individual needs.