Shloka 41

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

Devanagari script

कांस्यपात्रे घृतं स्थाप्य वैतरण्या निमित्ततः / नावारोहणं कुर्यात्पूजयेद्गरुडध्वजम्

Transliteration

kāṃsyapātre ghṛtaṃ sthāpya vaitaraṇyā nimittataḥ / nāvārohaṇaṃ kuryātpūjayedgaruḍadhvajam

Translation

Indem man Ghee in ein bronzenes Gefäß legt zum Zwecke der Vaitaraṇī, vollziehe man den Ritus des Besteigens des Bootes und verehre den Herrn, dessen Banner Garuḍa trägt (Garuḍa-dhvaja).

Word by Word

• कांस्यपात्रे: in a bronze vessel
• कांस्यपात्रे: Adhikarana (Locus/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कांस्य + पात्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास; नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (अधिकरण), एकवचन; Locative singular

• घृतम्: ghee
• घृतम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: घृत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (कर्म), एकवचन; Accusative singular

• स्थाप्य: having placed
• स्थाप्य: Kriya (Adverbial action/क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: स्था (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त-अव्यय (Gerund/Absolutive) रूप; having placed/established

• वैतरण्याः: of the Vaitaraṇī (river)
• वैतरण्याः: Sambandha (Relation/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वैतरणी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति (सम्बन्ध), एकवचन; Genitive singular

• निमित्ततः: for the purpose (thereof)
• निमित्ततः: Hetu (Cause/Purpose/हेतु)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: निमित्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तसिल्-प्रत्ययान्त अव्यय (Ablatival adverb); 'for the sake of/because of'

• नावारोहणम्: boarding the boat
• नावारोहणम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नाव + आरोहण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास; नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (कर्म), एकवचन; Accusative singular

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

• पूजयेत्: should worship
• पूजयेत्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: पूज् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; should worship

• गरुडध्वजम्: the one whose banner is Garuḍa (Viṣṇu)
• गरुडध्वजम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गरुड + ध्वज (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (गरुडः ध्वजः यस्य); पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (कर्म), एकवचन; Accusative singular

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda)

Pretakalpa Layer

Afterlife Stage: Yamaloka Journey

Shraddha Ritual

Ritual Type: Ekoddishta

Beneficiary: Pitr

Timing: During prescribed śrāddha sequence aimed at the preta’s passage

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Devotion to Garuḍadhvaja (Viṣṇu) and prescribed offerings function as salvific support amid afterlife peril.

Vedantic Theme: Īśvara-anugraha (divine grace) complements karma; remembrance/worship of Viṣṇu as refuge (śaraṇāgati).

Application: Offer ghee in a bronze vessel with the Vaitaraṇī intention; enact the symbolic ‘embarking the boat’ rite; perform Viṣṇu-pūjā with focused devotion.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka

Geographic Context

Type: mythic-river / ritual-site

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana Pretakalpa: Vaitaraṇī descriptions and remedies (dāna, nāva, ghṛta, tilā); Garuda Purana: Garuḍadhvaja/Vāsudeva worship in śrāddha contexts

Characters & Entities

• Vaitaraṇī
• Garuda
• Vishnu

FAQs

What is the importance of the Vaitaraṇī-related rite in the Garuda Purana?

This verse frames a specific supportive ritual—placing ghee in a bronze vessel and performing a symbolic boat-boarding—intended to help the departed in the feared transition associated with the Vaitaraṇī.

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

It assumes an after-death journey with difficult crossings (like the Vaitaraṇī) and prescribes ritual and devotion—especially worship of Viṣṇu (Garuḍa-dhvaja)—as aids for safe passage.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

It emphasizes doing śrāddha-related duties with sincerity and anchoring them in devotion to Viṣṇu—prioritizing remembrance, prayer, and ethically guided living alongside ritual observance.