Shloka 23

Bhāiṣajya-yoga

Remedial Formulas), Rakṣā-prayoga (Protections), and Adbhuta-kriyā (Wonder-Working Procedures

Devanagari script

रात्रौ च सार्षपं तैलं कीटं खद्यो तनामकम् / ताभ्यां दीपः प्रज्वलितो वाग्मिज्वालकलापवत्

Transliteration

rātrau ca sārṣapaṃ tailaṃ kīṭaṃ khadyo tanāmakam / tābhyāṃ dīpaḥ prajvalito vāgmijvālakalāpavat

Translation

ในยามราตรี ด้วยน้ำมันมัสตาร์ดและแมลงชื่อ ‘คัทยोतะ’ (หิ่งห้อย) ทั้งสองนี้ทำให้ประทีปติดสว่าง เปล่งประกายดุจหมู่เปลวเพลิงอันลุกโชติช่วง

Word by Word

• रात्रौ: at night
• रात्रौ: Adhikarana (Location/Time/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: रात्रि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7), एकवचन; अधिकरण

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Connector/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक अव्यय (conjunction)

• सार्षपम्: mustard (related)
• सार्षपम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सार्षप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2), एकवचन; ‘सर्षपसम्बन्धि’ (mustard)

• तैलम्: oil
• तैलम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तैल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2), एकवचन

• कीटम्: insect
• कीटम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कीट (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2), एकवचन

• खद्यः: firefly (khadyota)
• खद्यः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: खद्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), एकवचन

• तत्: that
• तत्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन; (पाठे ‘तनामकम्’ इति सन्ध्यन्तर)

• नामकम्: named/called
• नामकम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: नामक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन; ‘called/named’

• ताभ्याम्: by/with those two
• ताभ्याम्: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्री/नपुंसक, तृतीया (3), द्विवचन; करण

• दीपः: lamp
• दीपः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दीप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), एकवचन

• प्रज्वलितः: kindled/ignited
• प्रज्वलितः: Kriya (Result state/क्रिया)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्र-ज्वल् (धातु) + क्त (कृदन्त)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त, पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), एकवचन; (दीपः इति विशेष्य)

• वाग्मिज्वालकलापवत्: like a cluster of eloquent flames
• वाग्मिज्वालकलापवत्: Sambandha (Manner/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वाग्मि-ज्वाला-कलाप-वत् (प्रातिपदिक; वाग्मि + ज्वाला + कलाप + वत्)
• Form: उपमानवाचक ‘-वत्’ अन्त; अव्ययवत् प्रयोग (adverbial comparison)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vainateya)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Harnessing natural luminescence (firefly) and oil to kindle light; ingenuity in using available means.

Vedantic Theme: Light as a metaphor for knowledge dispelling darkness (avidya) at the level of instruction and imagery.

Application: As metaphor: cultivate small sources of ‘light’ (learning, discipline) to dispel ignorance; as history: note traditional observations of bioluminescence inspiring practical/ritual imagination.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: domestic/outdoor nocturnal scene

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.184.21 (lamp-based occult effect)

Characters & Entities

• Garuda

FAQs

What is the importance of the lamp imagery in this Garuda Purana verse?

The verse uses a vivid natural image—mustard oil and a firefly-like glow—to describe a sudden, striking illumination, suggesting subtle signs or extraordinary appearances perceived at night.

How does this verse relate to Garuda Purana themes of death and the subtle realm?

In the Preta Kanda’s narrative style, sensory images like unusual lights function as markers of liminal states—nighttime visions and signs that accompany discussions of unseen forces and transitions connected with the preta condition.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Treat unusual signs and intense impressions with discernment: remain steady, avoid panic or superstition, and focus on dharmic conduct and appropriate rites (such as prayer and remembrance) rather than fear-driven reactions.