Shloka 46
Āśauca, Daśāha Piṇḍa-Rites, Vṛṣotsarga, Sāpiṇḍīkaraṇa, and the Yama-mārga
Path to Yama
मृत्तिकाभिस्तु दर्भैर्वा वृषं कृत्वा विमोचयेत् / यदिष्टं जीवतस्तस्य दद्यादेकादशे ऽहनि
mṛttikābhistu darbhairvā vṛṣaṃ kṛtvā vimocayet / yadiṣṭaṃ jīvatastasya dadyādekādaśe 'hani
Aus Lehmklumpen oder aus Darbha-Gras forme man einen Stier und lasse ihn dann frei. Und am elften Tag gebe man die Gabe dar, die dem Verstorbenen zu Lebzeiten lieb war.
Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda/Vinata-putra)
Afterlife Stage: Pretayoni
Ritual Type: Ekoddishta
Beneficiary: Pitr
Timing: Eleventh day (ekādaśāha).
Concept: If a real bull is unavailable, a symbolic bull may be fashioned from clay or darbha and released; additionally, offer on the eleventh day what was dear to the deceased.
Vedantic Theme: Bhāva (intent) with vidhi (form): dharma allows pratinidhi (symbolic substitute) to preserve ritual purpose; remembrance and offering connect the living and departed through karma.
Application: When ideal resources are lacking, use sanctioned substitutes (clay/darbha effigy) rather than abandoning the rite; personalize the ekādaśāha offering to the deceased’s known preferences within dharmic bounds.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Related Themes: Garuda Purana 2.5.43-45 (bull requirement; preparation; timing); Garuda Purana Pretakalpa on ekādaśāha offerings and preta-śānti
FAQs
This verse prescribes making a symbolic bull from clay or darbha and releasing it, treating it as a meritorious rite connected to the departed’s post-death welfare.
It instructs that offerings aligned with the person’s cherished gifts are to be given on the eleventh day, framing shraddha as a personalized act of dharmic giving for the preta’s benefit.
On the eleventh-day observance, perform charity or offerings thoughtfully—preferably items the departed valued—while keeping the rite sincere and within one’s means.