The text opens with a short Nighaṇṭu (glossary/lexicon) section compiled by the commentator or author to identify the botanical and aromatic ingredients before detailing the specific formulations.
Part 1: The Nighaṇṭu (Glossary of Aromatics)
Verse 1
अथार्त्र व्यवहारार्थं निघण्टुरभिलिख्यते । कस्तूरी मदनी नाभिर्मदो दर्पो मृगोद्भवा ॥
athārtra vyavahārārthaṃ nighaṇṭurabhilikhyate | kastūrī madanī nābharmado darpo mṛgodbhavā ||
Translation: For practical use in this context, a glossary (nighaṇṭu) is being written down here. Kastūrī (Musk) is also called madanī, nābhi, mada, darpa, and mṛgodbhavā.
Verse 2
मृगदर्पो मृगमदो गन्धचेत्येकवाचकाः । स्फटिकेन्दुतुषाराख्यं कर्पूरं घनसारकम् ॥
mṛgadarpo mṛgamado gandhacetyekavācakāḥ | sphaṭikendutuṣārākhyaṃ karpūraṃ ghanasārakam ||
Translation: Mṛgadarpa, mṛgamada, and gandha are also synonyms for musk. Karpūra (Camphor) is known by terms signifying crystal (sphaṭika), moon (indu), and frost (tuṣāra), as well as ghanasāra.
Verse 3
काश्मीरं घूसृणं रक्तसंज्ञकं कुङ्कुमं विदुः । वानराख्यं चलाख्यं च तैलं सिंहं तुरुष्ककम् ॥
kāśmīraṃ ghūsṛṇaṃ raktasaṃjñakaṃ kuṅkumaṃ viduḥ | vānarākhyaṃ calākhyaṃ ca tailaṃ siṃhaṃ turuṣkakam ||
Translation: Kuṅkuma (Saffron) is known as kāśmīra, ghūsṛṇa, and by names meaning red (raktasaṃjñaka). Turuṣkaka (Liquid Storax/Olibanum) is designated by terms meaning monkey (vānara), moving (cala), oil (taila), and lion (siṃha).
Verse 4
कालीयं जोङ्गकं लोहं खलः कार्पासिकोऽगुरुः । हिमं शीताख्यमाहेयं मलयाख्यं च चन्दनम् ॥
kālīyaṃ joṅgakaṃ lohaṃ khalaḥ kārpāsiko'guruḥ | himaṃ śītākhyamāheyaṃ malayākhyaṃ ca candanam ||
Translation: Aguru (Agarwood/Aloeswood) is called kālīya, joṅgaka, loha, khala, and kārpāsika. Candana (Sandalwood) is called hima, names meaning cold (śītākhya), āheya, and names associated with Malaya (malayākhya).
Verse 5
सूक्ष्मैला बहुलाख्या च चन्द्रैला द्राविडी त्रुटिः । श्रीपुष्पं देवपुष्पं च लघुपुष्पं लवङ्गकम् ॥
sūkṣmailā bahulākhyā ca candrailā drāviḍī truṭiḥ | śrīpuṣpaṃ devapuṣpaṃ ca laghupuṣpaṃ lavaṅgakam ||
Translation: Sūkṣmailā (Small Cardamom) is called bahulā, candrailā, drāviḍī, and truṭi. Lavaṅga (Clove) is termed śrīpuṣpa, devapuṣpa, and laghupuṣpa.
Verse 6
कोलं कोलककक्कोले फलं जातीफलं विदुः । उष्णं कटुफलं जातिं मालतीं जातिपत्रिकाम् ॥
kolaṃ kolakakakkole phalaṃ jātīphalaṃ viduḥ | uṣṇaṃ kaṭuphalaṃ jātiṃ mālatīṃ jātipatrikām ||
Translation: The fruit known as Jātīphala (Nutmeg) is called kola, kolaka, and kakkola. Jātipatrikā (Mace) is known as uṣṇa, kaṭuphala, jāti, and mālatī.
Verse 7
फलं पत्रं तमालं च गन्धपत्रं च नेत्रकम् । भृङ्गाख्यं नेत्रराजं च वराङ्गं त्वक् तनुत्वचम् ॥
phalaṃ patraṃ tamālaṃ ca gandhapatraṃ ca netrakam | bhṛṅgākhyaṃ netrarājaṃ ca varāṅgaṃ tvak tanutvacam ||
Translation: Tamāla (Cinnamon leaf/Malabathrum) is known by terms like phala, patra, gandhapatra, and netraka. Tvak (Cinnamon bark) is called bhṛṅgākhya, netrarāja, varāṅga, and tanutvac.
Verse 8
गणकाख्यं काञ्चनाख्यं केसरं नागकेसरम् । रसं गन्धरसं पिण्डरसं बोलं चलं विदुः ॥
gaṇakākhyaṃ kāñcanākhyaṃ kesaraṃ nāgakesaram | rasaṃ gandharasaṃ piṇḍarasaṃ bolaṃ calaṃ viduḥ ||
Translation: Nāgakesara (Mesua ferrea) is known by terms containing gaṇaka, kāñcana, and kesara. Bola (Myrrh) is known as rasa, gandharasa, piṇḍarasa, and cala.
Verse 9
पूतिकोशो विडालाख्यश्रे लिस्टज्जातकाभिधः । लता लतानाभि नाम्नी रेणुः कुन्ती हरेणुका ॥
pūtikośo viḍālākhyaśre listajjātakābhidhaḥ | latā latānābhi nāmnī reṇuḥ kuntī hareṇukā ||
Translation: Pūtikośa (Civet / Musk-cat gland extract) is known by terms related to a cat (viḍālākhya). Hareṇukā (a medicinal seed) is known as latā, latānābhi, reṇu, and kuntī.
Verse 10
मेघाख्यं मुस्तमिच्छन्ति वक्राख्यं तगरं नतम् । करजाख्यं नखं शङ्खं तथा नखपदं स्मृतम् ॥
meghākhyaṃ mustamicchanti vakrākhyaṃ tagaraṃ natam | karajākhyaṃ nakhaṃ śaṅkhaṃ tathā nakhapadaṃ smṛtam ||
Translation: Musta (Nut grass) is denoted by words meaning cloud (meghākhya). Tagara (Valerian) is known as vakrākhya and nata. Nakha (an aromatic operculum shell) is remembered as karajākhya, śaṅkha, and nakhapada.
Verse 11
ज्वरक्षयोत्पलाख्यं च वाप्यं कुष्ठं गदोऽथ रुक् । मांसीं केशीं पिशाचीं च नलदं कमलं जटाम् ॥
jvarakṣayotpala\k_hyaṃ ca vāpyaṃ kuṣṭhaṃ gado'tha ruk | māṃsīṃ keśīं piśācīṃ ca naladaṃ kamalaṃ jaṭām ||
Translation: Kuṣṭha (Saussurea costus) is termed jvarakṣaya, utpalākhya, vāpya, gada, and ruk. Māṃsī (Spikenard) is known as keśī, piśācī, nalada, kamala, and jaṭā.
Verse 12
श्यामा प्रियाख्या श्रीसंज्ञा प्रियङ्गुः फलिनी स्मृता । ग्रन्थिपर्णी ग्रन्थिपर्णं शुकं स्थौणेयकं विदुः ॥
śyāmā priyākhyā śrīsaṃjñā priyaṅguḥ phalinī smṛtā | granthiparṇī granthiparṇaṃ śukaṃ sthauṇeyakaṃ viduḥ ||
Translation: Priyaṅgu (Aglaia elaeagnoidea) is remembered as śyāmā, priyā, śrīsaṃjñā, and phalinī. Sthauṇeyaka (a resinous/aromatic plant substance) is known as granthiparṇī, granthiparṇa, and śuka.
Verse 13
ह्रीबेरं वारिसंज्ञं च हीबारं बालकं स्मृतम् । रणं सेव्यं मृणालाख्यमुशीरमिह कथ्यते ॥
hrīberaṃ vārisaṃjñaṃ ca hībāraṃ bālakaṃ smṛtam | raṇaṃ sevyaṃ mṛṇālākhyamuśīramiha kathyate ||
Translation: Hrībera (Pavonia odorata) is remembered as vārisaṃjña (water-named), hībāra, and bālaka. Uśīra (Vetiver) is stated here as raṇa, sevya, and mṛṇālākhya.
Verse 14
रोमो मृणालो रामज्झो व्यामकं दवदग्धकम् । प्रवालं विद्रुमाख्यं च वल्ली स्यान्नलिका नली ॥
romo mṛṇālo rāmajjho vyāmakaṃ davadagdhakam | pravālaṃ vidrumākhyaṃ ca vallī syānnalikā nalī ||
Translation: Vyāmaka (an aromatic grass) is called roma, mṛṇāla, rāmajjha, and davadagdhaka. Nalikā (a stalk-like perfume substance) is called pravāla, vidrumākhya, vallī, and nalī.
Verse 15
स्पृक्काऽसृग्ब्राह्मणी माला देवी च परिभाष्यते । चक्राङ्गी कटुकी गन्धा जटिलाोग्रा जया वचा ॥
spṛkkā'sṛgbrāhmaṇī mālā devī ca paribhāṣyate | cakrāṅgī kaṭukī gandhā jaṭilāogrā jayā vacā ||
Translation: Spṛkkā (Anisomeles malabarica/Trigonella corniculata) is defined as asṛgbrāhmaṇī, mālā, and devī. Vacā (Sweet flag) is called cakrāṅgī, kaṭukī, gandhā, jaṭilā, ugrā, and jayā.
Verse 16
कर्चुं कर्चूरमुग्रं च गन्धमूलं च कीर्त्यते । पुष्पा समन्तपुष्पा च शतपुष्पा शता मसिः ॥
karcuṃ karcūramugraṃ ca gandhamūlaṃ ca kīrtyate | puṣpā samantapuष्pā ca śatapuṣpā śatā masiḥ ||
Translation: Karcūra (Zedoary/White turmeric) is celebrated as karcu, ugra, and gandhamūla. Śatapuṣpā (Dill) is called puṣpā, samantapuṣpā, śatā, and masiḥ.
Verse 17
कुसुमालो भवेच्छण्डः स्तेनश्चौरोऽथ तस्करः । आकृष्टं केशपलितं जरा स्थविरसंज्ञितम् ॥
kusumālo bhavecchaṇḍaḥ stenaścauro'tha taskaraḥ | ākṛṣṭaṃ keśapalitaṃ jarā sthavirasaṃjñitam ||
Translation: Kusumāla is called chaṇḍa, stena, caura, and taskara (synonyms for a specific plant or aromatics associated with thieves/stealing names, like Coraka). Jarā (old age/graying) is designated as ākṛṣṭa, keśapalita, and sthavira.
Verse 18
गिर्याख्यं गिरिजाख्यं च शैलेयं समुदाहृतम् । दार्वी दारु निशाख्या च कालेयं पीतचन्दनम् ॥
giryākhyaṃ girijākhyaṃ ca śaileyaṃ samudāhṛtam | dārvī dāru niśākhyā ca kāleyaṃ pītacandanam ||
Translation: Śaileya (Stone-flower/Lichen) is properly declared by terms meaning mountain-born (giryākhya, girijākhya). Kāleya (Yellow sandalwood) is known as dārvī, dāru, niśākhya, and pītacandana.
Verse 19
पीता हरिद्रा नक्ताख्या दारु तद्देवदारु यत् । रक्ता समङ्गा मञ्जिष्ठा मधुकं मधूयष्टिका ॥
pītā haridrā naktākhyā dāru taddevadāru yat | raktā samaṅgā mañjiṣṭhā madhukaṃ madhūyaṣṭikā ||
Translation: Haridrā (Turmeric) is called pītā and naktākhyā. The wood called dāru refers to Devadāru (Deodar cedar). Mañjiṣṭhā (Madder) is called raktā and samaṅgā. Madhūyaṣṭikā (Licorice) is called madhuka.
Verse 20
धान्याकं धान्यकं धानीयकं कुस्तुम्बुरु स्मृतम् । मरुं मरुबकं मूर्वी फणिज्जं सानवं तथा ॥
dhānyākaṃ dhānyakaṃ dhānīyakaṃ kustumburu smṛtam | maruṃ marubakaṃ mūrvī phaṇijjaṃ sānavaṃ tathā ||
Translation: Kustumburu (Coriander) is remembered as dhānyāka, dhānyaka, and dhānīyaka. Phaṇijja (Marjoram/Wild basil) is called maru, marubaka, mūrvī, and sānava.
Verse 21
सर्जा सर्जरसासंज्ञा राला चेह निगद्यते । पुरं गुग्गुलु भद्रं च भद्राख्यं महिषाक्षकम् ॥
sarjā sarjarasāsaṃjñā rālā ceha nigadyate | puraṃ guggulu bhadraṃ ca bhadrākhyaṃ mahiṣākṣakam ||
Translation: Rālā (Resin of Shorea robusta) is spoken of here as sarjā and sarjarasā. Guggulu (Bdellum resin) is called pura, bhadra, bhadrākhya, and mahiṣākṣaka.
Verse 22
रोहिषं पेशलं प्राहुः पर्यासं च कुठेरकम् । क्षीरदध्याज्यसंज्ञश्च श्रीवासः श्रीश्च वासकः ॥
rohiṣaṃ peśalaṃ prāhuḥ paryāsaṃ ca kuṭherakam | kṣīradadhyājyasaṃjñaśca śrīvāsaḥ śrīśca vāsakaḥ ||
Translation: Kuṭheraka (a type of basil) is spoken of as rohiṣa, peśala, and paryāsa. Śrīvāsa (Pine resin/Turpentine) is called by names meaning milk, curd, or ghee (kṣīra-dadhi-ājya-saṃjña), as well as śrī and vāsaka.
Verse 23
जतु लाक्षा कृमिस्तज्जा धात्रीमामलकं विदुः । हरीतक्यभया पथ्या विजया प्राणदाऽपि च ॥
jatu lākṣā kṛmistajjā dhātrīmāmalakaṃ viduḥ | harītakyabhayā pathyā vijayā prāṇadā'pi ca ||
Translation: Lākṣā (Lac) is called jatu and kṛmistajjā (insect-born). Āmalaka (Indian gooseberry) is known as dhātrī. Harītaki (Chebulic myrobalan) is known as abhayā, pathyā, vijayā, and prāṇadā.
Verse 24
कलिविभीतकं चाक्षं त्रिफलं स्यादिदं त्रिकम् । शुण्ठीमरीचपिप्पल्यस्त्र्यूषणं सर्वसंयुता ॥
kalivibhītakaṃ cākṣaṃ triphalaṃ syādidaṃ trikam | śuṇṭhīmarīcapippalyastryūṣaṇaṃ sarvasaṃyutā ||
Translation: Vibhītaka (Belleric myrobalan) is called kali and akṣa. These three combined (āmalaka, harītaki, vibhītaka) form Triphalā. Śuṇṭhī (dry ginger), Marīca (black pepper), and Pippalī (long pepper) together form Tryūṣaṇa (the three pungents).
Verse 25
त्रिफला सत्रिजाता च त्रिवर्गं त्रितयं स्मृतम् । त्वक् पत्रैला त्रिजातं स्याच्चतुर्जातं सकेसरम् ॥
triphalā satrijātā ca trivargaṃ tritayaṃ smṛtam | tvak patrailā trijātaṃ syāccaturjātaṃ sakesaram ||
Translation: Triphalā along with Trijāta is remembered as the triad or Trivarga. Trijāta consists of tvak (cinnamon bark), patra (cinnamon leaf), and elā (cardamom). When kesara (nagakesara) is added to it, it becomes Caturjāta.
Verse 26
त्रिफला स्यातु कक्कोलकटुजातिफलैस्त्रिभिः । घृतेन्दुकुङ्कुमैः पञ्चसुगन्धिः कोलपुष्पवृत ॥
triphalā syātu kakkolakaṭujātipalaistribhiḥ | ghṛtendukuṅkumaiḥ pañcasugandhiḥ kolapuṣpavṛta ||
Translation: An alternative aromatic Triphalā is made of three items: kakkola, kaṭu (mace/black pepper), and jātīphala (nutmeg). These combined with ghṛta (ghee), indu (camphor), kuṅkuma (saffron), and kolapuṣpa (clove) form Pañcasugandhi (the five aromatics).
Verse 27
कोलोज्झितः सदर्पश्च देवराजः सदैव हि । कर्पूरं कुङ्कुमं दर्प त्रितयं स्यात् त्रिगन्धिकम् ॥
kolojjhitaḥ sadarpaśca devarājaḥ sadaiva hi | karpūraṃ kuṅkumaṃ darpa tritayaṃ syāt trigandhikam ||
Translation: The mixture omitting kola but containing darpa (musk) is called Devarāja. Karpūra (camphor), kuṅkuma (saffron), and darpa (musk)—this triad is called Trigandhika.
Verse 28
लवङ्गफलकक्कोलकटुकर्पूरकुङ्कुमैः ॥ त्वग्लताजातिचूतोत्थैः सदैः शसुगन्धिकः ।
lavaṅgaphalakakkolakaṭukarpūrakuṅkumaiḥ || tvaglatājāticūtotthaiḥ sadaiḥ śasugandhikaḥ |
Translation: A highly fragrant combination (Sugandhika) is prepared using lavaṅga (clove), phala (nutmeg), kakkola, kaṭu, karpūra (camphor), kuṅkuma (saffron), along with tvak (cinnamon bark), latā (musk-mallow/hareṇu), jāti (mace), and derivatives of cūta (mango shoots).
Verse 29
तीक्ष्णं मरीचमिच्छन्ति चित्रकं वह्निसंज्ञकम् । रोचना रुचिरा ज्ञेया शर्करा सिकता सिता ॥
tīkṣṇaṃ marīcapmicchanti citrakaṃ vahnisaṃjñakam | rocanā rucirā jñeyā śarkarā sikatā sitā ||
Translation: Marīca (black pepper) is called tīkṣṇa. Citraka (Leadwort) is designated by names meaning fire (vahnisaṃjñaka). Gorocanā (bezoar) should be known as rucirā. Śarkarā (sugar) is called sikatā and sitā.
Verse 30
पुष्पासवः पुप्परसः सारघं मधु माक्षिकम् । क्षौद्रं भ्रामरमित्याहुस्तन्मलं सिक्थकं विदुः ॥
puṣpāsavaḥ pupparasaḥ sāraghaṃ madhu mākṣikam | kṣaudraṃ bhrāmaramityāhustanmalaṃ sikthakaṃ viduḥ ||
Translation: Madhu (Honey) is called puṣpāsava, pupparasa, sāragha, mākṣika, kṣaudra, and bhrāmara. Its residue or byproduct (tanmala) is known as Sikthaka (Beeswax).
Verse 31
मदनं च मधूच्छिष्टं मधुसारं च पण्डिताः ॥
madanaṃ ca madhūcchiṣṭaṃ madhusāraṃ ca paṇḍitāḥ ||
Translation: The wise call it (beeswax) madana, madhūcchiṣṭa, and madhusāra.
Verse 32
द्राक्षा फलोत्तमा विल्वः श्रीफलः श्रीतरुस्तथा । लुङ्गं च मातुलुङ्गं च केशरी बीजपूरकम् ॥
drākṣā phalottamā vilvaḥ śrīphalaḥ śrītarustathā | luṅgaṃ ca mātuluṅgaṃ ca keśarī bījapūrakam ||
Translation: Drākṣā (Grapes) is called phalottamā. Bilva (Bael fruit) is called śrīphala and śrītaru. Bījapūraka (Citron) is called luṅga, mātuluṅga, and keśarī.
Verse 33
सौभाञ्जनं सुभाञ्जं च शिग्रुवत्पलपल्लवाः । अजो बस्तो जरश्छागो मूत्रं स्रावस्तदम्बु वा ॥
saubhāñjanaṃ subhāñjaṃ ca śigruvatpalapallavāḥ | ajo basto jaraścchāgo mūtraṃ srāvastadambu vā ||
Translation: Śigru (Drumstick/Moringa) is called saubhāñjana, subhāñja, and its leaves/sprouts are noted. Words like aja, basta, jara, and chāga denote a goat; its urine (mūtra) is called srāva or ambu.
Verse 34
त्वक्सहा सुरभिर्वज्री सुरभिश्च महातरुः । स्वर्णक्षीरी स्वर्णलता ज्योतिष्मत्यभिधीयते ॥
tvaksahā surabhirvajrī surabhiśca mahātaruḥ | svarṇakṣīrī svarṇalatā jyotiṣmatyaibhīdhīyate ||
Translation: Vajrī / Mahātaru (Euphorbia species) is called tvaksahā and surabhi. Jyotiṣmatī (Celastrus paniculatus) is called svarṇakṣīrī and svarṇalatā.
Verse 35
सुवीरं काचिकं वीरं तालुमालं च तालुकम् । सौभाग्यं टङ्कणं टङ्कं बाकुची मालतीभवम् ॥
suvīraṃ kācikaṃ vīraṃ tālumālaṃ ca tālukam | saubhāgyaṃ ṭaṅkaṇaṃ ṭaṅkaṃ bākucī mālatībhavam ||
Translation: Kāñjika (Sour rice gruel/vinegar) is called suvīra, vīra, tālumāla, and tāluka. Ṭaṅkaṇa (Borax) is called saubhāgya and ṭaṅka. Bākucī (Psoralea corylifolia) is called mālatībhava.
Verse 36
निःसारं राक्षसं पद्मं कच्छं कतकजं फलम् । आम्रश्चूतश्च कामाङ्गः सहकारः स्मरप्रियः ॥
nihsāraṃ rākṣasaṃ padmaṃ kacchaṃ katakajaṃ phalam | āmraścūtaśca kāmāṅgaḥ sahakāraḥ smarapriyaḥ ||
Translation: The fruit of Kataka (Clearing nut tree) is called niḥsāra, rākṣasa, padma, and kaccha. Āmra (Mango) is designated as cūta, kāmāṅga, sahakāra, and smarapriya.
Verse 37
अक्षरं कोकिलाक्षश्च निघण्टुर्जैरुदाहृतः ॥
akṣaraṃ kokilākṣaśca nighaṇṭurjairudāhṛtaḥ ||
Translation: Kokilākṣa (Asteracantha longifolia) is also called akṣara. Thus ends the definitions declared by the compilers of the glossary (nighaṇṭu).
