Shloka 8

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

Vṛṣotsarga and Preta-Uddhāra Rites

Devanagari script

प्रथमं व्याहृतिहोमः प्रायश्चित्तं प्रजापतिः / संस्त्रवप्राशनं कुर्यात्प्रणीतापरिमोक्षणम्

Transliteration

prathamaṃ vyāhṛtihomaḥ prāyaścittaṃ prajāpatiḥ / saṃstravaprāśanaṃ kuryātpraṇītāparimokṣaṇam

Translation

Zuerst ist die Vyāhṛti‑Homa zu vollziehen; und als Sühne (prāyaścitta) auch der Prājāpatya‑Ritus. Danach soll man das saṃstrava (den geheiligten Rest/Überfluss der Gabe) zu sich nehmen und schließlich die parimokṣaṇa vollziehen, das Freigeben des geweihten Wassers (praṇītā).

Word by Word

• prathamam: First
• prathamam: Kriya-visheshana (Adverbial)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: prathama (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (used adverbially)

• vyāhṛtihomaḥ: Oblation with Vyahritis (sacred utterances)
• vyāhṛtihomaḥ: Karma (Object - in passive sense) or Karta of implied asti
• Type: Noun
• Root: vyāhṛtihoma (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular

• prāyaścittam: Atonement/Expiation
• prāyaścittam: Karma (Object) or Predicate
• Type: Noun
• Root: prāyaścitta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular

• prajāpatiḥ: Lord of Creatures (Prajapati)
• prajāpatiḥ: Devata (Deity associated with the rite)
• Type: Noun
• Root: prajāpati (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular

• saṃstravaprāśanam: Drinking the remnants (of the oblation)
• saṃstravaprāśanam: Karma (Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: saṃstravaprāśana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular

• kuryāt: Should do/perform
• kuryāt: Kriya (Action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: kṛ (धातु)
• Form: Vidhilin (Optative/विधिलिङ्), Parasmaipada, Prathama Purusha (3rd), Singular

• praṇītāparimokṣaṇam: Release/Disposal of the Pranita water
• praṇītāparimokṣaṇam: Karma (Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: praṇītāparimokṣaṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Errors in sacred action require conscious expiation; purification includes both corrective rites and mindful handling of remnants and consecrated elements.

Vedantic Theme: Acknowledging doṣa (fault) and performing prāyaścitta reduces karmic friction and supports inner purity (citta-śuddhi).

Application: When mistakes occur, apply a structured remedy: admit, correct, accept consequences, and formally ‘close’ the process.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: karuna

Geographic Context

Type: homa space with water vessel (praṇītā)

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 2.41.7 (sviṣṭikṛt completion); Garuda Purana 2.41.9 (pavitra-pratipatti, dakṣiṇā, japa)

Characters & Entities

• Prajapati

FAQs

What is the importance of Vyāhṛti-homa in the Garuda Purana?

This verse places Vyāhṛti-homa first among corrective rites, indicating it as a primary purificatory offering that restores ritual fitness before continuing with expiation and related procedures.

How does this verse relate to Garuda Purana death rituals and post-death observances?

In the Preta Kanda context, the verse outlines specific expiatory and purificatory steps (homa, Prājāpatya, sanctified intake, and water-release) that support correctness and purity in rites connected with preta-related observances and śrāddha preparations.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

It emphasizes doing remedial steps in the proper sequence—acknowledging mistakes, performing appropriate atonement, and completing rituals with due closure—applicable both in formal worship and in ethical discipline (accountability and rectification).