Shloka 84

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

Devanagari script

निम्बो ऽरिष्टः समाख्यातः पटोलं कोलकं विदुः / वयस्था च विशल्या च च्छिन्ना छिन्नरुहा मता

Transliteration

nimbo 'riṣṭaḥ samākhyātaḥ paṭolaṃ kolakaṃ viduḥ / vayasthā ca viśalyā ca cchinnā chinnaruhā matā

Translation

نیم کو ‘ارِشٹ’ بھی کہا گیا ہے۔ پٹول کو ‘کولک’ سمجھا جاتا ہے۔ اسی طرح ‘ویستھا’ کو ‘وشلیا’ کہا جاتا ہے، اور ‘چھِنّا’ کو ‘چھِنّنرُہا’ مانا گیا ہے۔

Word by Word

• nimbaḥ: Nimba (neem)
• nimbaḥ: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: nimba (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• ariṣṭaḥ: Ariṣṭa (a name)
• ariṣṭaḥ: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ariṣṭa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• samākhyātaḥ: is well-known / is called
• samākhyātaḥ: Kriya (Predicate/क्रियाविशेष)
• Type: Verb
• Root: sam-√khyā (धातु)
• Form: कृदन्त (क्त-प्रत्यय, Past Passive Participle), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; कर्मणि-भावः

• paṭolam: Paṭola (pointed gourd)
• paṭolam: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: paṭola (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• kolakam: Kolaka (a name)
• kolakam: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kolaka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• viduḥ: they know / they call (as)
• viduḥ: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √vid (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकार (Perfect), प्रथम-पुरुष, बहुवचन; परस्मैपद

• vayasthā: Vayasthā (a name)
• vayasthā: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vayas-thā (प्रातिपदिक; वयस् + स्था)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष (वयसि स्थिता)

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (Connector/समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय (conjunction)

• viśalyā: Viśalyā (a name)
• viśalyā: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vi-śalya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (Connector/समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय (conjunction)

• cchinnā: cut / severed (as a name)
• cchinnā: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: √chid (धातु)
• Form: कृदन्त (क्त-प्रत्यय, Past Passive Participle), स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• chinnaruhā: Chinnaruhā (one that sprouts when cut; a name)
• chinnaruhā: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: chinna-ruhā (प्रातिपदिक; छिन्न + रुहा)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; कर्मधारय (छिन्ना रुहा यस्या)

• matā: is considered / is regarded
• matā: Kriya (Predicate/क्रियाविशेष)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √man (धातु)
• Form: कृदन्त (क्त-प्रत्यय, Past Passive Participle), स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

Speaker

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

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Knowledge that prevents confusion and error is itself a form of dharma when used for healing and non-harm.

Vedantic Theme: Ahimsa through right knowledge; śabda-pramāṇa guiding practical life.

Application: Recognize that common plants may appear under different names; verify identity before preparation/administration.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.204: continued paryāya lists

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Garuda

FAQs

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

This verse functions like a nighaṇṭu (synonym glossary), helping practitioners correctly identify herbs across regional names—e.g., Nimba as Ariṣṭa and Paṭola as Kolaka.

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

Alongside teachings on dharma and post-death rites, the text also preserves practical knowledge such as Ayurvedic identification of plants, indicating a broader encyclopedic scope.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Use it as a cross-reference when reading traditional Ayurvedic recipes or ritual-health manuals, ensuring the correct herb is chosen when multiple synonyms exist.