Introduction — Purpose of the Synonym Glossary

The Anekarthanama Varga (chapter on words with multiple meanings) is a unique glossary section of the Bhavaprakash Nighantu. Its purpose is to address the widespread problem of polysemy in Ayurvedic nomenclature — the fact that a single Sanskrit drug name often refers to multiple different substances depending on context. This chapter is essential for correct identification and interpretation of drug names found across Ayurvedic literature. The introductory note explains that many synonyms used in various Nighantu texts refer to different drugs by the same name, and without this disambiguation guide, serious errors in drug identification could occur. Some terms even refer to substances in completely different categories (e.g., a plant, a mineral, and an animal product all sharing the same name). The chapter is divided by the number of meanings each term carries: Dvyarthaka (two meanings), Tryarthaka (three meanings), Chaturarthaka (four meanings), Pancharthaka (five meanings), and so on up to Bahvarthaka (many meanings). Verse reference: Introduction.