Garuda Purana — Preta Kalpa, Shloka 23
Praise of Vṛṣotsarga (Bull-release), Worthy Dāna, and the Procedure for Kṣayāha & Ūrdhva-daihika Rites
मातॄणां पूजनं कार्यं वसोर्धारां च पातयेत् / वह्निं संस्थाप्य तत्रैव पूर्णं होमं तु कारयेत्
mātṝṇāṃ pūjanaṃ kāryaṃ vasordhārāṃ ca pātayet / vahniṃ saṃsthāpya tatraiva pūrṇaṃ homaṃ tu kārayet
One should worship the Mātṛs (Divine Mothers) and also pour the Vasordhārā, the continuous stream of ghee. Having established the sacred fire there itself, one should then perform a complete and full homa.
Lord Vishnu (in dialogue to Garuda/Vinata-putra)
Beneficiary: Pitr
Concept: Invoke protective divine forces (Mātṛs), offer continuous ghee stream (Vasordhārā), establish Agni, and complete the homa for ritual wholeness.
Vedantic Theme: Ritual completeness (pūrṇatā) and continuity symbolize sustained merit and ordered duty; the sacred fire as witness (sākṣin) to karma.
Application: Include prescribed pūrvāṅga devatā worship; maintain continuity and attentiveness in offerings; ensure rites are properly concluded, not left partial.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: fire-altar space
Related Themes: Garuda Purana 2.14 (pūjā → vasordhārā → agni-sthāpana → pūrṇa-homa)
FAQs
This verse prescribes Vasordhārā—continuous pouring of ghee/oblations—as a key rite alongside worship of the Mātṛs and a full homa, indicating it is considered ritually strengthening and completion-oriented within the prescribed ceremonies.
In the Preta Kanda context, correctly performed rites (puja and homa) are taught as supportive dharmic acts done for the departed; this verse highlights specific ritual steps believed to aid orderly post-death observances rather than describing punishments or Yama’s path directly.
If one follows traditional śrāddha/funeral observances, this verse emphasizes doing them systematically—honoring the prescribed deities (Mātṛs), maintaining continuity in offerings (Vasordhārā), and completing the rite with a proper homa under competent guidance.