औषध
auṣadha/ɑːu̯.ʂɐ.dʱɐ́/neuter
The English phrase 'medicine' can be translated into Sanskrit as औषध (auṣadha). If unsure, use औषध. Wiktionary also lists भेषज (bheṣaja) and अगद (agada).
Meaning: substance which promotes healing (noun)
Ways to say it
| Sanskrit | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| औषध | auṣadha | /ɑːu̯.ʂɐ.dʱɐ́/ (Vedic) /ɑu̯.ʂɐ.d̪ʱɐ/ (Classical Sanskrit) |
neuter |
| भेषज | bheṣaja | /bʱɐi̯.ʂɐ.d͡ʑɐ́/ (Vedic) /bʱeː.ʂɐ.d͡ʑɐ/ (Classical Sanskrit) |
neuter |
| अगद | agada | /ɐ.ɡɐ.dɐ́/ (Vedic) /ɐ.ɡɐ.d̪ɐ/ (Classical Sanskrit) |
masculine |
Sanskrit uses different terms for medicine depending on the type of substance or the specific context of use.
Which one should you use?
औषध is the most common and general term for medicine or a medicinal substance. भेषज is used in more formal or technical contexts, such as in Ayurvedic texts, to refer to a remedy or healing agent. अगद is a specialized term that specifically refers to an antidote or a substance used to neutralize poison.
How does it change in a sentence?
The default form औषध is a neuter noun. The form अगद is a masculine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
The word auṣadha is pronounced /ɑːu̯.ʂɐ.dʱɐ́/ and consists of 3 syllables.
Did you know?
- In some classical texts, औषध is used metaphorically to describe a wise teacher or a philosophy that cures the 'disease' of ignorance.
- In the ancient Ayurvedic tradition, भेषज can refer to a 'remedy' that is not a physical substance, such as a specific spiritual practice or a change in lifestyle.
- भेषज shares a common ancestor with the Avestan word baēšaza, linking the Sanskrit concept of healing to the ancient Iranian language of the Zoroastrian scriptures.
Examples in context
- इदं औषधं सुलभम् अस्ति।idaṃ auṣadhaṃ sulabham asti.This medicine is easy to find.
- किं औषधं शीघ्रं कार्यं करोति?kiṃ auṣadhaṃ śīghraṃ kāryaṃ karoti?Does the medicine work quickly?
- एतत् औषधं कस्य अस्ति?etat auṣadhaṃ kasya asti?Whose medicine is this?
Example conversation
Vivan and Isha are talking about a cold.
- विवान Vivaanईशा, किं त्वं औषधं गृहीतवती?Īśā, kiṃ tvaṃ auṣadhaṃ gṛhītavatī?Isha, did you take the medicine?
- ईशा Ishaन विवान, अहं न गृहीतवती।Na Vivāna, ahaṃ na gṛhītavatī.No Vivan, I did not take it.
- विवान Vivaanत्वं शीघ्रं औषधं खाद।Tvaṃ śīghraṃ auṣadhaṃ khāda.Take the medicine quickly.
- ईशा Ishaअहं अधुना खादामि।Ahaṃ adhunā khādāmi.I am taking it now.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “medicine” translations and entries औषध, भेषज, अगद, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries अगद, औषध, भेषज, CC BY-SA 4.0.
