Shloka 10

On Untimely Death and the Explanation of Pleasure and Pain, Gain and Loss

Vṛṣotsarga and Preta-Uddhāra Rites

Devanagari script

एकवर्णं वृषञ्चैव सकृद्वत्सतरीं खग / स्नापयित्वा ततः कुर्यात्सर्वालङ्कारभूषितम्

Transliteration

ekavarṇaṃ vṛṣañcaiva sakṛdvatsatarīṃ khaga / snāpayitvā tataḥ kuryātsarvālaṅkārabhūṣitam

Translation

O Khaga (Garuda), nachdem man einen einfarbigen Stier und, einmal, die Kuh, die beim Überschreiten der Vaitaraṇī hilft, gebadet hat, soll man sie danach mit allerlei Schmuck und Zierde ausstatten.

Word by Word

• ekavarṇam: One-colored/Single-colored
• ekavarṇam: Visheshana (Adjective to vṛṣam)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ekavarṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular

• vṛṣam: Bull
• vṛṣam: Karma (Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vṛṣa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular

• ca: And
• ca: Sambandha
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Conjunction

• eva: Indeed/Only
• eva: Avadharana (Emphasis)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: eva (अव्यय)
• Form: Particle

• sakṛt: Once/At the same time
• sakṛt: Kriya-visheshana
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: sakṛt (अव्यय)
• Form: Adverb

• vatsatarīm: Heifer/Young cow
• vatsatarīm: Karma (Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vatsatarī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular

• khaga: O Bird (Garuda)
• khaga: Sambodhana (Address)
• Type: Noun
• Root: khaga (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Vocative (Sambodhana), Singular

• snāpayitvā: Having bathed/washed
• snāpayitvā: Purvakalika Kriya (Prior Action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: snā (धातु) + ṇic (णिच्)
• Form: Ktva Pratyaya (Gerund/Absolutive)

• tataḥ: Then
• tataḥ: Kriya-visheshana
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tatas (अव्यय)
• Form: Adverb

• kuryāt: Should do/make
• kuryāt: Kriya
• Type: Verb
• Root: kṛ (धातु)
• Form: Vidhilin (Optative), Parasmaipada, 3rd Person, Singular

• sarvālaṅkārabhūṣitam: Adorned with all ornaments
• sarvālaṅkārabhūṣitam: Visheshana (Adjective to vṛṣam/vatsatarīm)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sarvālaṅkārabhūṣita (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in dialogue with Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Pretakalpa Layer

Afterlife Stage: Yamaloka Journey

Shraddha Ritual

Beneficiary: Pitr

Timing: Post-death/antyeṣṭi-associated dāna sequence (contextual)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Compassionate ritual gifting and honoring of sacred animals functions as supportive merit (puṇya) for safe passage in the afterlife.

Vedantic Theme: Karma and dāna as upāya for alleviating post-mortem suffering; ritual symbols externalize inner surrender and care.

Application: Practice generosity and compassionate stewardship; in bereavement, perform meaningful acts of giving and remembrance that embody care.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: karuna

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: mythic river / liminal crossing

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana Pretakalpa themes: Vaitaraṇī crossing and dāna as aid (elsewhere in the Purana); Adjacent 2.41 ritual instructions indicating funerary context

Characters & Entities

• Garuda (Khaga)
• Vaitarani (implied by vatsatarī)

FAQs

What is the importance of the Vaitaraṇī-tāriṇī cow (vatsatarī) in Garuda Purana?

This verse treats the vatsatarī as a ritual aid connected with ‘crossing’ the Vaitaraṇī; bathing and adorning it signifies reverent preparation of the dāna meant to support the departed on the difficult after-death passage.

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

By referencing the ‘crossing’ cow, the verse aligns post-death travel with obstacles like the Vaitaraṇī; prescribed rites and gifts are presented as supports that ease the preta’s transition on the way to Yama’s domain.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Perform śrāddha-related giving with purity and respect—offer charity thoughtfully (not casually), and treat ritual or charitable acts as disciplined dharma meant to reduce suffering and cultivate compassion.