Shloka 52

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

Devanagari script

उत्सृष्टो वृषभो यत्र पिबत्यपो जलाशये / शृङ्गेणालिखते वापि भूमिं नित्यं प्रहर्षितः

Transliteration

utsṛṣṭo vṛṣabho yatra pibatyapo jalāśaye / śṛṅgeṇālikhate vāpi bhūmiṃ nityaṃ praharṣitaḥ

Translation

Wo ein freigelassener Stier an einem Wasserbecken trinkt und, stets voller Freude, sogar mit seinem Horn die Erde aufkratzt—ein solcher Ort wird hier in diesem Zusammenhang beschrieben.

Word by Word

• उत्सृष्टः: released
• उत्सृष्टः: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: utsṛṣṭa (कृदन्त; ut-√sṛj सृज्)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (past passive participle: “released/let loose”)

• वृषभः: bull
• वृषभः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vṛṣabha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन

• यत्र: where
• यत्र: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: yatra (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; देशवाचक (relative adverb: “where”)

• पिबति: drinks
• पिबति: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √pā (पा)
• Form: लट् (वर्तमान), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• अपः: water
• अपः: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ap (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (आपः), द्वितीया (2nd), बहुवचन; “waters”

• जलाशये: in a pond/reservoir
• जलाशये: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: jalāśaya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th), एकवचन; अधिकरण (in a water-reservoir)

• शृङ्गेण: with (its) horn
• शृङ्गेण: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śṛṅga (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd), एकवचन; करण (instrumental: “with the horn”)

• आलिखते: scratches/scribes
• आलिखते: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ā-√likh (लिख्)
• Form: लट् (वर्तमान), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; आत्मनेपद

• वा: or
• वा: Sambandha (Relation/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: vā (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; विकल्प (disjunctive particle: “or”)

• अपि: also
• अपि: Sambandha (Relation/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: api (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चय/अपि-कार (particle: “also/even”)

• भूमिम्: ground
• भूमिम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhūmi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन

• नित्यम्: always
• नित्यम्: Kriya-vishesana (Adverbial/क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: nitya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययीभाव-प्रयोगे अव्ययवत्; क्रियाविशेषण (adverbial accusative: “always”)

• प्रहर्षितः: delighted
• प्रहर्षितः: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: praharṣita (कृदन्त; pra-√hṛṣ हृष्)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; भूतकृदन्त (past participle: “delighted”)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vainateya)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Śakuna/cihna (auspicious indicators) in choosing a ritually fit place; harmony of beings as a sign of dharmic suitability.

Vedantic Theme: Rita-like order: outer auspiciousness mirrors inner purity and right action; sattvic environment supports ritual efficacy.

Application: When performing rites, choose clean, peaceful places with signs of non-fear and natural contentment; prioritize ecological cleanliness of water sources.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: tirtha-like waterbody / rural reservoir

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 2.14 (context likely describing signs of proper place/occasion for rites such as śrāddha or offerings)

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Garuda
• Vṛṣabha (bull)

FAQs

What is the importance of omens like a bull at a water-reservoir in the Garuda Purana?

This verse uses a vivid natural image as a traditional indicator within the text’s discussion of signs/conditions connected to death-related observation and ritual timing.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

Indirectly: it belongs to the section that frames observable signs around the transition period; such markers are used to guide family duties and ritual preparedness as the jīva approaches the post-death journey.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Treat it as a reminder to be attentive and prepared: keep end-of-life duties, prayers, and ethical living in order, rather than relying on uncertainty when signs of transition appear.