Shloka 138

Vṛṣotsarga (Bull-Release Gift): Procedure, Merit, and Narratives on Dharma, Karma, and Liberation

Devanagari script

प्रणम्य दण्डवद्राजा कृताञ्जलिः पुरः स्थितः / तुष्टाव बहुधा देवं हर्षपुरितमानसः

Transliteration

praṇamya daṇḍavadrājā kṛtāñjaliḥ puraḥ sthitaḥ / tuṣṭāva bahudhā devaṃ harṣapuritamānasaḥ

Translation

Nachdem der König sich wie ein Stab in voller Niederwerfung verneigt hatte, stand er vor Ihm mit zum Añjali gefalteten Händen und pries den Herrn auf vielerlei Weise, sein Geist von Freude erfüllt.

Word by Word

• praṇamya: having bowed down
• praṇamya: Kriya-viseshana (Adverbial modifier)
• Type: Verb
• Root: pra-√nam (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (absolutive/gerund), अव्ययभावः; क्रियाविशेषणरूपेण—“having bowed”

• daṇḍavat: prostrating fully
• daṇḍavat: Kriya-viseshana (Manner)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: daṇḍa + vat (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्यय (adverb), प्रकारवाचक—“like a staff/fully prostrate”

• rājā: the king
• rājā: Karta (Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rājan (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

• kṛtāñjaliḥ: with joined palms
• kṛtāñjaliḥ: Karta (Subject-qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: kṛta (कृ-धातु-निष्पन्न) + añjali (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; समासः—कृतः अञ्जलिः यस्य/कृताञ्जलिः (hands joined)

• puraḥ: in front
• puraḥ: Adhikarana (Locative sense)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: puras (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्यय (adverb of place)—“in front”

• sthitaḥ: standing
• sthitaḥ: Karta (Subject-qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: √sthā (धातु)
• Form: क्त (past passive participle), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन—“standing/placed”

• tuṣṭāva: praised
• tuṣṭāva: Kriya (Main verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √stu (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

• bahudhā: in many ways
• bahudhā: Kriya-viseshana (Manner)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: bahudhā (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (adverb)—“in many ways/abundantly”

• devam: the god
• devam: Karman (Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: deva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• harṣapuritamānasaḥ: whose mind was filled with joy
• harṣapuritamānasaḥ: Karta (Subject-qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: harṣa + purita (√pṝ/√pṛ-निष्पन्न) + mānasa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; समासः—हर्षेण पूरितं मानसं यस्य

Speaker

Narrator (contextual description within the Vishnu–Garuda dialogue framework)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Humility and heartfelt praise (stuti) as direct devotional approach to the Divine.

Vedantic Theme: Īśvara-prādhānya and śaraṇāgati: the finite self approaches the Supreme through surrender and reverent speech.

Application: Begin worship with daṇḍavat-praṇāma and kṛtāñjali; cultivate gratitude and articulate stotra-style praise daily.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana Pretakalpa: motifs of stuti before judgment/transition; Garuda Purana: praise of Viṣṇu as purifier (stotra passages)

Characters & Entities

• Raja (the king)
• Deva (the Lord)

FAQs

What is the importance of daṇḍavat praṇāma in the Garuda Purana?

This verse highlights total surrender and humility—full prostration and folded hands—as a devotional posture that prepares the mind for divine grace and right conduct.

How does this verse connect to the Garuda Purana’s teachings on the soul and afterlife?

Even within afterlife-oriented instruction, the text repeatedly centers devotion and reverence to the Lord as the inner support for dharma, repentance, and spiritual steadiness.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Approach prayer with humility (prostration or sincere reverence), cultivate gratitude, and let devotion guide ethical choices—especially during grief, rites, or major life transitions.