Shloka 46

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

Devanagari script

मसूरी विदली शष्पा कालिन्दीति निरुच्यते / कण्टकाख्या महाश्यामा वृक्षपादीति वक्ष्यते

Transliteration

masūrī vidalī śaṣpā kālindīti nirucyate / kaṇṭakākhyā mahāśyāmā vṛkṣapādīti vakṣyate

Translation

‘مسوری’، ‘ودلی’ اور ‘ششپا’—انہیں ‘کالِندی’ کے نام سے بھی پکارا جاتا ہے۔ اسی طرح ‘کنٹکا’ نامی نبات کو ‘مہاشیاما’ اور ‘ورکشپادی’ بھی کہا جاتا ہے۔

Word by Word

• मसूरी: masūrī (lentil/plant name)
• मसूरी: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मसूरी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

• विदली: vidalī (name)
• विदली: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विदली (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

• शष्पा: śaṣpā (young grass; name)
• शष्पा: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शष्पा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

• कालिन्दी: kālindī (name)
• कालिन्दी: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कालिन्दी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

• इति: thus/so-called
• इति: Sambandha (Quotative/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: इति (अव्यय)
• Form: उद्धरण/नामनिर्देशार्थक-अव्यय (quotative particle: ‘thus/so-called’)

• निरुच्यते: is called/expressed
• निरुच्यते: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: निर् + वच् (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), आत्मनेपद, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन; कर्मणि प्रयोगः (passive sense)

• कण्टकाख्या: named ‘kaṇṭaka’
• कण्टकाख्या: Visheshana (Adjective/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कण्टक + आख्या (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुष (कण्टक-आख्या = ‘named kaṇṭaka’)

• महाश्यामा: very dark/blackish
• महाश्यामा: Visheshana (Adjective/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महा + श्यामा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; समासः—कर्मधारय (महती श्यामा)

• वृक्षपादी: ‘vṛkṣapādī’ (tree-foot; plant name)
• वृक्षपादी: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वृक्ष + पादी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुष (वृक्षस्य पादी/पादः)

• इति: thus/so-called
• इति: Sambandha (Quotative/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: इति (अव्यय)
• Form: उद्धरण/नामनिर्देशार्थक-अव्यय (quotative particle)

• वक्ष्यते: will be said/declared
• वक्ष्यते: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वच् (धातु)
• Form: लृट् (Simple Future), आत्मनेपद, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन; कर्मणि/भावे प्रयोगः (will be said)

Speaker

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

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Synonyms and alternate appellations are authoritative when transmitted by śāstra; knowing them prevents confusion in practice.

Vedantic Theme: Śabda as reliable means within its domain; disciplined learning as dharma-supporting knowledge.

Application: In procurement, treat Masūrī/Vidalī/Śaṣpā as Kālindī; recognize Kaṇṭakā as Mahāśyāmā and also as Vṛkṣapādī—record local equivalences for consistent use.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.204.46 (Kālindī; Mahāśyāmā; Vṛkṣapādī identifications)

Characters & Entities

• Lord Vishnu
• Garuda

FAQs

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

This verse preserves traditional synonymy (nāma-bheda) so that ritual, medicinal, or textual references to herbs are not misunderstood across regions and lineages.

How does this verse connect to Garuda Purana teachings?

Within the Garuda Purana’s encyclopedic sections, such verses function as a glossary—clarifying terminology used elsewhere for remedies, rites, or descriptive passages.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

When consulting traditional remedies or ritual manuals, cross-check Sanskrit synonyms to avoid misidentifying herbs; use qualified Ayurvedic guidance for actual medicinal use.