Shloka 13

Saṅkara-jāti-nirṇaya and Gṛhastha-ācāra: Daily Rites, Purity, Anadhyāya, and Food Discipline

Devanagari script

भूतपित्रमरब्रह्ममनुष्याणां महामखाः / देवेभ्यस्तु हुतं चाग्नौ क्षिपेद्भूतबलिं हरेत्

Transliteration

bhūtapitramarabrahmamanuṣyāṇāṃ mahāmakhāḥ / devebhyastu hutaṃ cāgnau kṣipedbhūtabaliṃ haret

Translation

The great sacrifices (mahā-yajñas) are ordained for beings, the Pitṛs, the Devas, Brahmā, and human beings. What is offered to the Devas should be cast into the fire, and the bhūta-bali should be taken out and presented.

Word by Word

• भूतपितृ-अमरब्रह्म-मनुष्याणाम्: of beings, ancestors, gods, Brahmā, and humans
• भूतपितृ-अमरब्रह्म-मनुष्याणाम्: Sambandha (Genitive relation/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भूत (प्रातिपदिक) + पितृ (प्रातिपदिक) + अमर (प्रातिपदिक) + ब्रह्मन् (प्रातिपदिक) + मनुष्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; समासः इतरेतर-द्वन्द्व (भूताः च पितरः च अमराः च ब्रह्माणः/ब्रह्म (देववर्गः) च मनुष्याः च)

• महामखाः: great sacrifices
• महामखाः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महामख (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; समासः कर्मधारय (महान् मखः)

• देवेभ्यः: to the gods
• देवेभ्यः: Sampradana (Recipient/सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी-विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• तु: indeed/but
• तु: Sambandha (Particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: विरोध/विशेषार्थक-निपात (but/indeed)

• हुतम्: (that which is) offered
• हुतम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Verb
• Root: हु (धातु)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त कृदन्त (past passive participle), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; ‘offered’

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक-निपात (conjunction)

• अग्नौ: in the fire
• अग्नौ: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अग्नि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• क्षिपेत्: should cast/offer
• क्षिपेत्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: क्षिप् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), परस्मैपद, प्रथम-पुरुष, एकवचन

• भूतबलिम्: offering for beings/spirits
• भूतबलिम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भूत (प्रातिपदिक) + बलि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; समासः षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (भूतानां बलिः)

• हरेत्: should take/offer away (carry out)
• हरेत्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: हृ (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), परस्मैपद, प्रथम-पुरुष, एकवचन

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vainateya)

Shraddha Ritual

Ritual Type: Parvana

Beneficiary: Pitr

Timing: Within daily/occasional household yajña context

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Yajña is multi-recipient (bhūta, pitṛ, deva, brahmā, manuṣya); correct ritual routing matters—deva-havis into agni, bhūta-bali presented separately.

Vedantic Theme: Ritual order (ṛta/dharma) sustains harmony; disciplined action without confusion of ends purifies the doer and supports social/ecological balance.

Application: When performing worship/food offerings, consciously allocate: a portion to fire/Deity, a portion to beings (animals/birds), a portion to humans/guests, and remembrance for ancestors.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: gṛhastha altar/homa space

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.96.12 (bali, svadhā, homa); Garuda Purana 1.96.14 (food for dogs/crows/outcastes; offerings to pitṛs and humans)

Characters & Entities

• Bhūtas
• Pitṛs
• Devas (Amaras)
• Brahmā
• Humans
• Agni

FAQs

What is the importance of bhūta-bali in the Garuda Purana?

This verse treats bhūta-bali as a required share of sacred offerings, ensuring that beings beyond the human sphere (including subtle or unseen entities) are respectfully provided for as part of dharmic ritual order.

How does this verse relate to the Garuda Purana’s teachings on death rituals and ancestors?

By explicitly including Pitṛs among the rightful recipients of offerings, the verse supports the Garuda Purana’s broader emphasis on ancestor-related rites (such as śrāddha/tarpaṇa) as a dharmic duty connected to post-death welfare and familial continuity.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

When performing household worship or śrāddha-related observances, keep the intention of proper distribution: offer Deva portions into fire (or in a formal worship substitute), and set aside a respectful bhūta-bali portion—cultivating gratitude, responsibility, and ritual discipline.