Shloka 33

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

Devanagari script

स्वदत्तं परदत्तं वा नेहामुत्रोपतिष्ठति / त्रयोदशा तथा सप्त पञ्च त्रीणी क्रमेण तु

Transliteration

svadattaṃ paradattaṃ vā nehāmutropatiṣṭhati / trayodaśā tathā sapta pañca trīṇī krameṇa tu

Translation

Ob man es selbst darbringt oder durch die Gabe eines anderen vollziehen lässt: Es wird weder hier noch im Jenseits wirksam, wenn es nicht in der rechten Reihenfolge geschieht—nämlich dreizehn, dann sieben, dann fünf, dann drei.

Word by Word

• स्वदत्तम्: what is given by oneself
• स्वदत्तम्: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्व (प्रातिपदिक) + दत्त (क्त-कृदन्त; √दा)
• Form: समास: तत्पुरुष (स्वेन दत्तम्/स्वदत्तम्), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन

• परदत्तम्: what is given by another
• परदत्तम्: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पर (प्रातिपदिक) + दत्त (क्त-कृदन्त; √दा)
• Form: समास: तत्पुरुष (परेण दत्तम्/परदत्तम्), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन

• वा: or
• वा: Sambandha (Alternative/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वा (अव्यय)
• Form: विकल्प-अव्यय (disjunctive particle: or)

• न: not
• न: Sambandha (Negation/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: न (अव्यय)
• Form: निषेध-अव्यय (negation)

• इह: here
• इह: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: इह (अव्यय)
• Form: देशवाचक-अव्यय (here)

• अमुत्र: there (in the next world)
• अमुत्र: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अमुत्र (अव्यय)
• Form: देशवाचक-अव्यय (there/in the other world)

• उपतिष्ठति: is available/stands by/benefits
• उपतिष्ठति: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: उप + स्था (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), आत्मनेपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

• त्रयोदश: thirteen
• त्रयोदश: Sankhya (Number/संख्या)
• Type: Noun
• Root: त्रयोदश (संख्या-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययवत् संख्या-शब्दः; प्रथमा/द्वितीया, बहुवचनार्थे (thirteen)

• तथा: also/likewise
• तथा: Sambandha (Connector/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: प्रकार/समुच्चय-अव्यय (thus/also)

• सप्त: seven
• सप्त: Sankhya (Number/संख्या)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सप्त (संख्या-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययवत् संख्या-शब्दः; प्रथमा/द्वितीया, बहुवचनार्थे (seven)

• पञ्च: five
• पञ्च: Sankhya (Number/संख्या)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पञ्च (संख्या-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययवत् संख्या-शब्दः; प्रथमा/द्वितीया, बहुवचनार्थे (five)

• त्रीणि: three
• त्रीणि: Sankhya (Number/संख्या)
• Type: Noun
• Root: त्रि (संख्या-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, बहुवचन (three)

• क्रमेण: in order/stepwise
• क्रमेण: Karana (Manner/Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: क्रम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental/करण), एकवचन; अव्ययीभावार्थे (in order/ क्रमशः)

• तु: indeed/and
• तु: Sambandha (Discourse particle/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: अन्वय-अव्यय (particle)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (teaching Garuda)

Shraddha Ritual

Beneficiary: Pitr

Timing: Post-death observance sequence indicated by counts (13 → 7 → 5 → 3)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Rites—whether done personally or through delegated giving—do not yield fruit here or hereafter unless performed in the prescribed sequence (13, 7, 5, 3).

Vedantic Theme: Dharma as niyama (rule-governed action); karma-phala depends on proper vidhi (injunction) and krama (order).

Application: Follow the traditional post-death schedule precisely; if outsourcing to priests/relatives, ensure the sequence and counts are correctly observed and documented.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka

Geographic Context

Type: ritual context (domestic/śrāddha venue)

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana enumerations of post-death day-count rites (daśāha/ekādaśāha/tryodaśāha) and associated offerings; Garuda Purana procedural lists for śrāddha items and counts

Characters & Entities

• Garuda
• Preta
• Pitris

FAQs

What is the importance of doing post-death rites in the correct order in the Garuda Purana?

This verse states that the efficacy of offerings/rites depends on proper sequence; without the prescribed order (13, 7, 5, 3), the act does not ‘stand’—i.e., it fails to yield the intended spiritual result here or in the next world.

How does this verse explain whether offerings done by oneself or through others are effective?

It contrasts self-given and other-given arrangements and emphasizes that mere sponsorship is not enough; correctness of procedure and sequence is what makes the rite effective for the departed and for the doer.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

When performing śrāddha/pinda-related duties, prioritize accuracy and orderly observance (with competent guidance) rather than treating the ritual as a formality; disciplined, step-by-step practice is taught as the key to meaningful results.