Shloka 26

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

Devanagari script

वृषं तत्सतरीयुक्तं पूजयित्वा समुत्सृजेत्

Transliteration

vṛṣaṃ tatsatarīyuktaṃ pūjayitvā samutsṛjet

Translation

Nachdem man den Stier verehrt hat, geschmückt mit jenem (rituellen) Tuch, soll man ihn danach freilassen (als Teil des Totenritus).

Word by Word

• वृषम्: the bull
• वृषम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वृष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), द्वितीया (Accusative, 2nd), एकवचन (Singular)

• तत्: that
• तत्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), द्वितीया (Accusative, 2nd), एकवचन (Singular)

• सतरीयुक्तम्: provided with a 'satarī' (cover/cloth)
• सतरीयुक्तम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सतरी (प्रातिपदिक) + युक्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त (Past passive participle/क्त), नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), द्वितीया (Accusative, 2nd), एकवचन (Singular); तत्पुरुष: 'सतर्या युक्तम्'

• पूजयित्वा: having worshipped
• पूजयित्वा: Purvakala (Prior action/पूर्वकाल)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: पूज् (धातु) + त्वा (क्त्वा)
• Form: क्त्वान्त अव्यय (Gerund/Absolutive): 'having worshipped'

• समुत्सृजेत्: should release/let go
• समुत्सृजेत्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: सम्-उत्-सृज् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन (Singular), परस्मैपद

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Shraddha Ritual

Ritual Type: Ekoddishta

Beneficiary: Pitr

Timing: As an auxiliary funerary rite performed in the śrāddha sequence

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Ritual action (kriyā) performed with worship and proper adornment yields intended karmic support; release is the operative completion.

Vedantic Theme: Karma-kāṇḍa efficacy within dharmic order; intention and correct procedure shape results.

Application: When undertaking duties (ritual or secular), complete them properly—prepare, honor stakeholders, then execute the final step without negligence.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: ritual-site

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 2.6: vṛṣotsarga procedural steps (pūjā, vastra, utsarga)

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Garuda

FAQs

What is the importance of worshipping and releasing the bull in Garuda Purana?

This verse indicates a prescribed funerary act: the bull is ritually honoured (with a designated cloth covering) and then released, symbolizing a sanctioned offering/act of dharma connected with post-death rites.

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

In the Preta Kanda, such rites are presented as supportive dharmic observances performed by the living for the departed; this verse contributes a specific step—honour and release of the ritual bull—within that ritual framework.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Follow authentic guidance from trained priests and family tradition for antyeṣṭi/śrāddha; the takeaway is to complete prescribed duties respectfully—first with reverence (pūjā), then with proper completion (release/letting go).