Shloka 9

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

Devanagari script

अपुत्रो ऽपि विशेषेण क्रियां चैवान्ध्वदौहिकीम् / प्रकुर्यान्मोक्षकामश्च निर्धनश्च विशेषतः

Transliteration

aputro 'pi viśeṣeṇa kriyāṃ caivāndhvadauhikīm / prakuryānmokṣakāmaśca nirdhanaśca viśeṣataḥ

Translation

Selbst ein Mann ohne Sohn soll besonders die Riten vollziehen, die mit der Reise auf dem Pfad nach dem Tod verbunden sind, sowie die Ahnenopfer. Und wer nach Moksha verlangt – zumal wenn er arm ist –, soll sie mit besonderer Sorgfalt ausführen.

Word by Word

• aputraḥ: sonless
• aputraḥ: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: aputra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; नञ्-तत्पुरुषार्थः (पुत्रो न यस्य)

• api: even
• api: Avadhāraṇa (Concessive/अवधारण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: api (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; अपि = even/also

• viśeṣeṇa: especially
• viśeṣeṇa: Prakaraṇa (Manner/प्रकार)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: viśeṣa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तृतीया-एकवचनरूपेण प्रयुक्तं क्रियाविशेषणम् (instrumental used adverbially)

• kriyām: rite, act (ritual)
• kriyām: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kriyā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• ca: and
• ca: Samuccaya (Conjunction/समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक-अव्यय

• eva: indeed
• eva: Avadhāraṇa (Emphasis/अवधारण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: eva (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; अवधारणार्थक (only/indeed)

• andhva-dauhikīm: beneficial for the path (for the journey after death)
• andhva-dauhikīm: Karma (Object qualifier/कर्म-विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: andhva (प्रातिपदिक) + dauhikī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः (अन्ध्वनि/मार्गे उपकारिणी—‘यात्रोपयोगिनी’ इत्यर्थे)

• prakuryāt: should perform
• prakuryāt: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: pra-kṛ (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; ‘प्रकुर्यात्’ = should perform

• mokṣa-kāmaḥ: desiring liberation
• mokṣa-kāmaḥ: Karta (Subject qualifier/कर्ता-विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: mokṣa (प्रातिपदिक) + kāma (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः (मोक्षस्य कामः)

• ca: and
• ca: Samuccaya (Conjunction/समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक-अव्यय

• nirdhanaḥ: poor
• nirdhanaḥ: Karta (Subject qualifier/कर्ता-विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: nirdhana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; निः-उपसर्गयुक्त (धनरहितः)

• ca: and
• ca: Samuccaya (Conjunction/समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक-अव्यय

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

Speaker

Lord Vishnu

Pretakalpa Layer

Afterlife Stage: Yamaloka Journey

Shraddha Ritual

Ritual Type: Parvana

Beneficiary: Pitr

Timing: As prescribed by śrāddha calendar and death-related observances; performed ‘especially’ with care even when sonless/poor.

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Even without a son, one should perform post-death journey-supporting rites and ancestral offerings; for the mokṣa-seeker—especially the poor—these should be done with special care.

Vedantic Theme: Sādhana through dharmic rites as support for inner release; recognizes that mokṣa is not barred by lack of progeny or wealth—intent and correctness matter.

Application: If childless/financially constrained, perform simplified but sincere śrāddha-related duties (as per capacity and guidance), combine with nāma-smaraṇa and ethical living.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: karuna

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: śrāddha/antyeṣṭi-related ritual setting (implied)

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana Pretakalpa: path of the preta, importance of rites; Śrāddha-kāṇḍa themes: offerings for pitṛs and the departed

Characters & Entities

• Pitris

FAQs

What is the importance of performing death and śrāddha rites even if one is sonless (aputra) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse states that being without a son is not a valid reason to omit the prescribed post-death-path (andhva) rites and pitṛ offerings; they should be performed especially carefully to support dharma and the after-death journey.

How does this verse relate to the soul’s journey after death in the Preta Kanda?

By emphasizing “andhva” (the path/journey), the verse links ritual duties to the deceased’s onward passage and welfare, indicating that proper rites are considered supportive for the post-mortem transition described in the Preta Kanda.

What is a practical application of this teaching today?

Arrange essential last rites and periodic śrāddha within one’s means—especially if resources are limited—prioritizing sincerity and correct intent (dharma and mokṣa-oriented living) over display or expense.