Shloka 29

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

Devanagari script

नाभिमूले समास्थाय तदम्बु मूर्धनि न्यसेत् / अन्न (आत्म) श्राद्धं ततः कुर्याद्दद्याद्दानं द्विजोत्तमे

Transliteration

nābhimūle samāsthāya tadambu mūrdhani nyaset / anna (ātma) śrāddhaṃ tataḥ kuryāddadyāddānaṃ dvijottame

Translation

Indem man sich an der Wurzel des Nabels aufstellt, lege man jenes Wasser auf das Haupt. Danach vollziehe man die Anna-Śrāddha, das Speise-Śrāddha (für sich selbst/für die Seele), und gebe Gaben als Dāna an einen vortrefflichen Brāhmaṇa.

Word by Word

• नाभि-मूले: at the base of the navel
• नाभि-मूले: Adhikarana (Locus/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नाभि (प्रातिपदिक) + मूल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/Locative), एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः (‘navel’ + ‘root/base’)

• समास्थाय: having stood/positioned oneself
• समास्थाय: Purvakala-kriya (Prior action/पूर्वकालक्रिया)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सम्+आ+स्था (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (absolutive/gerund), अव्ययभाव; ‘having stood/placed oneself’

• तत्-अम्बु: that water
• तत्-अम्बु: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक) + अम्बु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; कर्मधारयः (‘that’ + ‘water’)

• मूर्धनि: on the head
• मूर्धनि: Adhikarana (Locus/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मूर्धन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/Locative), एकवचन

• न्यसेत्: should place
• न्यसेत्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: नि+अस्/स्य (धातु; न्यस्)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

• अन्न-श्राद्धम्: food-offering śrāddha
• अन्न-श्राद्धम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अन्न (प्रातिपदिक) + श्राद्ध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः (‘food’ + ‘śrāddha’)

• आत्म-श्राद्धम्: śrāddha for oneself (variant)
• आत्म-श्राद्धम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आत्मन् (प्रातिपदिक) + श्राद्ध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः; पाठान्तर/विकल्प (variant reading)

• ततः: then
• ततः: Kāla-adhikaraṇa (Sequence/क्रम)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ततः (अव्यय)
• Form: क्रमवाचक अव्यय (sequential adverb)

• कुर्यात्: should perform
• कुर्यात्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

• दद्यात्: should give
• दद्यात्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: दा (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

• दानम्: a gift, charity
• दानम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• द्विज-उत्तमे: to/for the best brāhmaṇa (excellent twice-born)
• द्विज-उत्तमे: Sampradana/Adhikarana (Recipient/Locative)
• Type: Noun
• Root: द्विज (प्रातिपदिक) + उत्तम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/Locative), एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः (‘twice-born’ + ‘best’); संबोधनार्थेऽपि प्रयोगः (often used as address)

Speaker

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

Shraddha Ritual

Beneficiary: Pitr

Timing: After abhiṣeka placement of Rudra-kumbha water; then anna-śrāddha is performed, followed by dāna.

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Purification (abhiṣeka) followed by śrāddha and dāna produces merit and pacifies subtle obligations (ṛṇa) toward ancestors and society.

Vedantic Theme: Karma as purifier and harmonizer of relationships; dāna reduces possessiveness (mamatā) and supports sattva.

Application: After any inner renewal, seal it with tangible service: feed others, give charity, and honor elders/lineage—turning purification into compassionate action.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: karuna

Geographic Context

Type: ritual space (near vedi; later feeding/gifting area)

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 2.14.25 (homa completion context); Garuda Purana 2.14.28 (Rudra-kumbha water used for abhiṣeka)

Characters & Entities

• Brahmana (Dvija)

FAQs

What is the importance of anna śrāddha in the Garuda Purana?

This verse presents anna-śrāddha as a required step after the water rite, emphasizing food-offerings as a key ritual support for the departed/self in post-death observances.

How does this verse connect ritual water actions with śrāddha and dāna?

It sequences the acts: first applying the ritual water to the head, then performing anna-śrāddha, and finally giving charitable gifts—showing a complete rite that joins purification, offering, and merit through giving.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

When conducting śrāddha-related observances, keep the order and intent clear: perform rites with cleanliness and focus, and pair ritual acts with sincere charity (especially food/support) to worthy recipients.