Shloka 57

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

Devanagari script

ये नमस्यन्ति गोविन्दं न तेषां विद्यते भयम् / प्रेतत्वान्मोक्षमिच्छन्तो ये करिष्यन्ति सत्क्रियाम्

Transliteration

ye namasyanti govindaṃ na teṣāṃ vidyate bhayam / pretatvānmokṣamicchanto ye kariṣyanti satkriyām

Translation

Wer sich vor Govinda verneigt, kennt keine Furcht. Und wer im Zustand eines Preta nach Mokṣa verlangt und die rechte Satkriyā (die gebührenden Totenriten) vollzieht, erlangt Befreiung.

Word by Word

• ये: those who
• ये: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; सम्बन्धि-सर्वनाम

• नमस्यन्ति: worship/bow to
• नमस्यन्ति: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: नमस्-य (धातु/नामधातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), प्रथमपुरुष, बहुवचन; ‘नमस्यति’ = to bow to, worship

• गोविन्दम्: Govinda
• गोविन्दम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गोविन्द (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

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

• तेषाम्: of them
• तेषाम्: Sambandha (Possessor/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति (6th/Genitive), बहुवचन

• विद्यते: exists
• विद्यते: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: विद् (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; आत्मनेपद; ‘विद्यते’ = exists/is found

• भयम्: fear
• भयम्: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• प्रेतत्वात्: from the state of being a preta (departed spirit)
• प्रेतत्वात्: Hetu/Apadana (Cause/Source)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रेतत्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी-विभक्ति (5th/Ablative), एकवचन

• मोक्षम्: liberation
• मोक्षम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मोक्ष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• इच्छन्तः: desiring
• इच्छन्तः: Karta (Agent/कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: इष् (धातु) + शतृ (कृत्-प्रत्यय)
• Form: वर्तमान-कृदन्त (शतृ/Present active participle), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; ‘इच्छन्तः’ = desiring

• ये: those who
• ये: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; पुनरुक्त-सम्बन्धि

• करिष्यन्ति: will perform
• करिष्यन्ति: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (धातु)
• Form: लृट् (Simple Future), प्रथमपुरुष, बहुवचन; परस्मैपद

• सत्क्रियाम्: proper rite/virtuous ritual
• सत्क्रियाम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सत् (प्रातिपदिक) + क्रिया (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: कर्मधारय-समासः (सत् क्रिया); स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Pretakalpa Layer

Afterlife Stage: Pretayoni

Shraddha Ritual

Ritual Type: Ekoddishta

Beneficiary: Pitr

Timing: Immediately after death and during the initial preta period (contextual satkriyā/antyeṣṭi and subsequent observances).

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Govinda-prapatti removes fear; for the departed in preta-bhāva, proper rites (satkriyā) aligned with dharma support liberation/release from the preta condition.

Vedantic Theme: Bhakti as āśraya (refuge) and grace; karma (rites) as supportive means—fear dissolves in surrender to the Lord.

Application: Maintain daily remembrance of Govinda; ensure dignified last rites and śrāddha observances for family members; cultivate fearlessness through devotion and ethical living.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhayanaka

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: liminal realm

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana Pretakalpa teachings on preta-hood, satkriyā, and the role of Viṣṇu-nāma in crossing fear and suffering

Characters & Entities

• Govinda
• Pretas

FAQs

What is the importance of satkriyā (proper funeral rites) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse states that performing satkriyā—rightly done post-death rites—supports the preta’s transition and is presented as a means aligned with the desire for moksha.

How does this verse explain fearlessness in the afterlife?

It links fearlessness to devotion: those who bow to Govinda are said to be free from fear, implying divine refuge even amidst post-death conditions.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Maintain devotion to Govinda and ensure respectful, dharmic last rites (as per family tradition and śāstra), treating death rituals as acts of duty and spiritual support.