Shloka 5

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

Devanagari script

विषशीतापहो मन्त्रवह्निः किं दोषभाजनम् / दातव्यं प्रत्यहं पात्रे निमित्तेषु विशेषतः

Transliteration

viṣaśītāpaho mantravahniḥ kiṃ doṣabhājanam / dātavyaṃ pratyahaṃ pātre nimitteṣu viśeṣataḥ

Translation

Das rituelle Feuer, durch Mantra-Kraft beseelt, vertreibt Gift und Kälte; wie könnte es da ein Gefäß der Schuld sein? Darum soll man die vorgeschriebene Gabe täglich einem würdigen Empfänger darbringen, und erst recht bei besonderen rituellen Anlässen.

Word by Word

• viṣa-śīta-āpa-haḥ: remover of poison, cold, and affliction
• viṣa-śīta-āpa-haḥ: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: viṣa (प्रातिपदिक) + śīta (प्रातिपदिक) + āpa (प्रातिपदिक) + han (धातु)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; समासान्त-प्रत्यययुक्त विशेषण (विषं च शीतं च आपश्च हन्ति इति)

• mantra-vahniḥ: the fire of mantra (mantric fire)
• mantra-vahniḥ: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mantra (प्रातिपदिक) + vahni (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (मन्त्रस्य वह्निः)

• kim: what?
• kim: Prashna (Interrogative/प्रश्न)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kim (प्रातिपदिक/सर्वनाम)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd), एकवचन; प्रश्नवाचक सर्वनाम

• doṣa-bhājanam: a receptacle of fault (blameworthy vessel)
• doṣa-bhājanam: Predicate/Viśeṣya (विधेय)
• Type: Noun
• Root: doṣa (प्रातिपदिक) + bhājana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (दोषस्य भाजनम्)

• dātavyam: should be given
• dātavyam: Vidhi (Obligation/विधि)
• Type: Verb
• Root: dā (धातु) + tavya (कृत्प्रत्यय)
• Form: तव्यत्-कृदन्त (gerundive/obligative), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; विधिलिङ्गार्थः—‘देयम्/दातुम् उचितम्’

• prati-aham: every day
• prati-aham: Adhikarana (Time/अधिकरण-काल)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: prati (अव्यय) + ahan (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययीभाव-समास; क्रियाविशेषणम् (प्रत्यहं = प्रतिदिनम्)

• pātre: in/into a worthy vessel (recipient)
• pātre: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pātra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/Locative), एकवचन

• nimitteṣu: on occasions
• nimitteṣu: Adhikarana (Occasion/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: nimitta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/Locative), बहुवचन

• viśeṣataḥ: especially
• viśeṣataḥ: Prakaraṇa (Manner/प्रकार)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: viśeṣa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्यय; क्रियाविशेषणम् (विशेषेण/विशेषतः)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in dialogue with Garuda)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Mantra-yukta agni is intrinsically purifying; therefore prescribed dāna should be done regularly to a worthy recipient, especially at nimitta-kāla (ritual occasions).

Vedantic Theme: Karma-yoga orientation: purity of means (śuddhi) and right offering (yajña/dāna) as preparation for inner clarity (citta-śuddhi).

Application: Maintain daily giving within capacity; prioritize qualified recipients (pātra) and increase diligence on saṅkrānti, śrāddha-days, eclipses, vrata-days, and life-cycle rites.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Geographic Context

Type: ritual-space (agni-kunda/vedi implied)

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana Pretakalpa/Dharmakanda themes: pātra-apātra dāna, agni as purifier, nimitta-kāla dāna (general)

Characters & Entities

• Agni

FAQs

What is the importance of daily dāna (charity/offering) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse frames daily giving as a purifying, faultless act when done properly—like mantra-fired Agni that dispels harm—hence it is recommended regularly, not only occasionally.

How does this verse relate to Garuda Purana death rituals and śrāddha?

In the Preta-kāṇḍa context, it supports the principle that offerings for the departed should be made consistently to a suitable pātra, with added emphasis on key ritual occasions (nimittas) connected to śrāddha observances.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Give regularly (time, food, resources) to genuinely worthy recipients and be especially mindful on family memorial/ritual days—keeping intention, purity, and proper selection of the recipient central.