Garuda Purana — Brahma Khanda, Shloka 11

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

मार्गरोधी मार्दवकृत्स एकः परिषेवितः / गात्रकण्डूकोष्ठशोथवैवर्ण्यं जनयेद्रसः / रक्तवातं पित्तरक्तं पुंस्त्वेन्द्रियरुजादिकम्

mārgarodhī mārdavakṛtsa ekaḥ pariṣevitaḥ / gātrakaṇḍūkoṣṭhaśothavaivarṇyaṃ janayedrasaḥ / raktavātaṃ pittaraktaṃ puṃstvendriyarujādikam

Kapag ang “lasa ng alat” (lavaṇa) ay labis na pinagsasawaan, hinaharangan nito ang mga daluyan ng katawan at nagdudulot ng paglambot at pagkaluyloy. Nagbubunga ito ng pangangati sa mga bahagi ng katawan, paglobo ng tiyan, pamamaga/edema, at pagbabago ng kulay; at nagdudulot ng mga karamdaman gaya ng raktavāta, pittarakta, at mga sakit na sumasaling sa lakas-panlalaki at sa mga pandama, at iba pa.

मार्गरोधीobstructing the channels/passages
मार्गरोधी:
Predicate/Qualifier (विशेषण)
TypeAdjective
Rootमार्ग + रोधिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
Formपुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st case), एकवचन; समासः—मार्गं रुणद्धि इति (उपपद-तत्पुरुष)
मार्दवकृत्producing softness
मार्दवकृत्:
Predicate/Qualifier (विशेषण)
TypeAdjective
Rootमार्दव + कृत् (प्रातिपदिक)
Formपुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st case), एकवचन; समासः—मार्दवं करोति इति (उपपद-तत्पुरुष)
सःit/that (substance)
सः:
Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
TypeNoun
Rootतद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
Formपुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st case), एकवचन; सर्वनाम
एकःalone; by itself
एकः:
Qualifier (विशेषण)
TypeAdjective
Rootएक (प्रातिपदिक)
Formपुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st case), एकवचन; विशेषण (of सः)
परिषेवितःwhen used/consumed
परिषेवितः:
Predicate/Qualifier (विशेषण)
TypeAdjective
Rootपरि + सेव् (धातु) → परिषेवित (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
Formपुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st case), एकवचन; भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (past passive participle)
गात्रकण्डूकोष्ठशोथवैवर्ण्यम्itching of the body, constipation, swelling, discoloration (collectively)
गात्रकण्डूकोष्ठशोथवैवर्ण्यम्:
Karma (Object/कर्म)
TypeNoun
Rootगात्र + कण्डू + कोष्ठ + शोथ + वैवर्ण्य (प्रातिपदिक)
Formनपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd case), एकवचन; समासः—समाहार-द्वन्द्व (collective)
जनयेत्may produce; causes
जनयेत्:
Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
TypeVerb
Rootजन् (धातु)
Formविधिलिङ् (optative), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन; परस्मैपद
रसःthe taste/essence (here: saline taste/substance)
रसः:
Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
TypeNoun
Rootरस (प्रातिपदिक)
Formपुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st case), एकवचन
रक्तवातम्blood-disorder with vāta (raktavāta)
रक्तवातम्:
Karma (Object/कर्म)
TypeNoun
Rootरक्त + वात (प्रातिपदिक)
Formपुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd case), एकवचन; समासः—रक्तेन सह/सम्बद्धो वातः (तत्पुरुष)
पित्तरक्तम्pitta-and-blood disorder (pittarakta)
पित्तरक्तम्:
Karma (Object/कर्म)
TypeNoun
Rootपित्त + रक्त (प्रातिपदिक)
Formनपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd case), एकवचन; समासः—समाहार-द्वन्द्व (pitta and blood disorder collectively)
पुंस्त्वेन्द्रियरुजादिकम्male-virility issues, sense-organ pains, etc.
पुंस्त्वेन्द्रियरुजादिकम्:
Karma (Object/कर्म)
TypeNoun
Rootपुंस्त्व + इन्द्रिय + रुजा + आदि (प्रातिपदिक)
Formनपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd case), एकवचन; समासः—समाहार-द्वन्द्व (collective of conditions)

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

Concept: Ati-sevana (overindulgence) in a rasa causes srotorodha and systemic disorder; moderation is a form of right conduct.

Vedantic Theme: Indriya-nigraha (restraint of senses) as support for inner steadiness; unchecked taste-seeking binds one to suffering.

Application: Limit excessive salty taste; watch for signs like edema, itching, discoloration; adjust diet and seek balancing measures.

Primary Rasa: bhayanaka

Secondary Rasa: bibhatsa

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.173 (rasa effects: benefits vs harms of excess)

FAQs

It provides a clear dietary caution: overindulgence in salty taste leads to channel obstruction and systemic disorders, reinforcing disciplined living.

It supports the Purana’s broader ethic that uncontrolled senses (including taste) create suffering; restraint sustains health and steadiness for dharmic life.

Moderate salt, especially if prone to swelling, itching, discoloration, or inflammatory conditions; prioritize balanced diet and medical guidance.