Shloka 24

Praise of Vṛṣotsarga (Bull-release), Worthy Dāna, and the Procedure for Kṣayāha & Ūrdhva-daihika Rites

Devanagari script

शालग्रामं च संस्थाप्य वैष्णवं श्राद्धमाचरेत् / वृषं सम्पूज्य तत्रैव वस्त्रालङ्कारभूषणैः

Transliteration

śālagrāmaṃ ca saṃsthāpya vaiṣṇavaṃ śrāddhamācaret / vṛṣaṃ sampūjya tatraiva vastrālaṅkārabhūṣaṇaiḥ

Translation

Nachdem man den Śālagrāma, das heilige Sinnbild Viṣṇus, eingesetzt hat, soll man das vaiṣṇavische Śrāddha vollziehen. Dort selbst soll man auch den Stier verehren und ihn mit Gewändern, Schmuck und Zierat ehren.

Word by Word

• śālagrāmam: Śālagrāma (sacred stone)
• śālagrāmam: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śālagrāma (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, द्वितीया-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (Connector/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक-अव्ययम्

• saṃsthāpya: having installed
• saṃsthāpya: Kriya-viseshana (Adverbial/क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: sam-sthā (स्था धातु) + णिच् → saṃsthāpay + ल्यप् → saṃsthāpya (कृदन्त-अव्यय)
• Form: ल्यपन्त-अव्ययम् (absolutive): ‘having installed’

• vaiṣṇavam: Vaiṣṇava (pertaining to Viṣṇu)
• vaiṣṇavam: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vaiṣṇava (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे, द्वितीया-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्; विशेषणम् (śrāddham)

• śrāddham: śrāddha rite
• śrāddham: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śrāddha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे, द्वितीया-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्

• ācaret: should perform/observe
• ācaret: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ā-car (चर् धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ्, परस्मैपदम्, प्रथमपुरुषः, एकवचनम्

• vṛṣam: a bull
• vṛṣam: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vṛṣa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, द्वितीया-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्

• sampūjya: having worshipped
• sampūjya: Kriya-viseshana (Adverbial/क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: sam-pūj (पूज् धातु) + ल्यप् → sampūjya (कृदन्त-अव्यय)
• Form: ल्यपन्त-अव्ययम् (absolutive): ‘having worshipped’

• tatra: there
• tatra: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tatra (अव्यय)
• Form: देशवाचक-अव्ययम् (there)

• eva: indeed
• eva: Sambandha (Emphasis/अवधारण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: eva (अव्यय)
• Form: अवधारणार्थक-निपातः

• vastra-alaṅkāra-bhūṣaṇaiḥ: with clothes, ornaments, and adornments
• vastra-alaṅkāra-bhūṣaṇaiḥ: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vastra + alaṅkāra + bhūṣaṇa (प्रातिपदिक); समासः: vastrālaṅkārabhūṣaṇa
• Form: द्वन्द्व-समासः (वस्त्राणि च अलङ्काराः च भूषणानि च); नपुंसकलिङ्गे, तृतीया-विभक्तिः, बहुवचनम्

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in dialogue with Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Shraddha Ritual

Ritual Type: Parvana

Beneficiary: Pitr

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Anchor śrāddha in Viṣṇu through Śālagrāma installation; honor dharmic supports (the bull) with respectful offerings, integrating devotion with rite.

Vedantic Theme: Bhakti as sanctifier of karma; Viṣṇu as refuge (śaraṇāgati) even in rites for the departed; sacred presence through arcā (icon).

Application: If following Vaiṣṇava tradition, place Śālagrāma/Viṣṇu at the center of ancestral rites; practice reverence toward cows/bulls and support dharmic institutions through gifts.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhakti

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: household shrine/ritual pavilion

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 2.14 (Vaiṣṇava śrāddha procedures; Śālagrāma centrality)

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Śālagrāma
• Vaiṣṇava Śrāddha
• Vṛṣa (bull)

FAQs

What is the importance of Śālagrāma in Garuda Purana śrāddha rituals?

This verse prescribes installing Śālagrāma (a Viṣṇu-emblem) as the sanctifying center of a Vaiṣṇava śrāddha, indicating that the rite is to be performed in a Viṣṇu-oriented (Vaiṣṇava) manner for spiritual merit and ancestral benefit.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul after death?

While not describing the soul’s journey directly, it gives a practical prescription from the Preta Kanda: performing proper śrāddha (here, Vaiṣṇava śrāddha centered on Viṣṇu) is presented as supportive dharma for the departed, aligning post-death rites with auspicious divine worship.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

If one follows Vaiṣṇava tradition, conduct śrāddha with sincere Viṣṇu-centered worship (e.g., Śālagrāma reverence where customary) and include respectful honoring of prescribed symbols/animals (here, the bull) through dignified offerings, emphasizing devotion, gratitude, and ritual purity.