Shloka 28

Praise of Vṛṣotsarga (Bull-release), Worthy Dāna, and the Procedure for Kṣayāha & Ūrdhva-daihika Rites

Devanagari script

तनक्रीडन्तिमन्त्रेण वृषोत्सर्गं तु कारयेत् / अभिषिञ्चेत्ततो नीलं रुद्रकुम्भो दकेन तु

Transliteration

tanakrīḍantimantreṇa vṛṣotsargaṃ tu kārayet / abhiṣiñcettato nīlaṃ rudrakumbho dakena tu

Translation

‘തനക്രീഡന്തീ’ എന്ന മന്ത്രം ഉപയോഗിച്ച് വൃഷോത്സർഗ്ഗ കർമ്മം നടത്തണം. തുടർന്ന് രുദ്രകുംഭത്തിലെ ജലത്തോടെ നീലവർണ്ണ (രുദ്രചിഹ്നം) അഭിഷേകം ചെയ്യണം.

Word by Word

• तना-क्रीडन्ति-मन्त्रेण: with the ‘tanā-krīḍantī’ mantra
• तना-क्रीडन्ति-मन्त्रेण: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तना (प्रातिपदिक) + क्रीडन्ती (प्रातिपदिक/कृदन्त-स्त्री) + मन्त्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन; बहुपद-तत्पुरुषसमासः (मन्त्रविशेषः)

• वृष-उत्सर्गम्: the release of the bull (vṛṣotsarga rite)
• वृष-उत्सर्गम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वृष (प्रातिपदिक) + उत्सर्ग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः (‘bull’ + ‘release’)

• तु: indeed, then
• तु: Sambandha (Particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; विशेषार्थक/विरोधार्थक (emphatic/contrast particle)

• कारयेत्: should cause to be performed
• कारयेत्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; णिच्-प्रेरण (causative: ‘cause to be done’)

• अभिषिञ्चेत्: should anoint/sprinkle
• अभिषिञ्चेत्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अभि+सिच् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

• ततः: then
• ततः: Kāla-adhikaraṇa (Sequence/क्रम)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ततः (अव्यय)
• Form: क्रमवाचक अव्यय (sequential adverb)

• नीलम्: Nīla (a named being/recipient)
• नीलम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नील (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; (व्यक्तिनाम/विशेष्य)

• रुद्र-कुम्भ-उदकेन: with water from the Rudra-pot
• रुद्र-कुम्भ-उदकेन: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: रुद्र (प्रातिपदिक) + कुम्भ (प्रातिपदिक) + उदक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन; बहुपद-तत्पुरुषः (‘Rudra’ + ‘pot’ + ‘water’)

• तु: indeed
• तु: Sambandha (Particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; विशेषार्थक (emphatic particle)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in dialogue with Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Shraddha Ritual

Beneficiary: Pitr

Timing: Within śrāddha-associated ancillary rite sequence; vṛṣotsarga performed before subsequent śrāddha/dāna steps.

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Specific mantras and consecrations empower symbolic acts (release of bull, abhiṣeka) to generate merit and purification.

Vedantic Theme: Ritual symbolism as upāya: outward act mirrors inner release (tyāga) and cleansing (śuddhi).

Application: When performing traditional rites, preserve mantra-precision and sequence; in personal practice, pair ‘letting go’ (release) with ‘cleansing’ (abhiṣeka-like renewal).

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: ritual space with animal-release boundary (goshālā/temple precinct)

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 2.14.29 (placement of water and subsequent śrāddha/dāna); Garuda Purana 2.14.26-27 (Dharma invocation and uplift prayer preceding the act)

Characters & Entities

• Rudra (Shiva)
• Garuda

FAQs

What is the importance of vṛṣotsarga in the Garuda Purana?

This verse presents vṛṣotsarga as a prescribed śrāddha-related act: releasing/donating a bull with the proper mantra is treated as a merit-bearing rite intended to support the departed and please the ancestral line.

How does this verse connect Rudra-related abhiṣeka with post-death rites?

It instructs that after vṛṣotsarga, an abhiṣeka should be done using water from a Rudra-kumbha, indicating a Śaiva/ Rudra sanctification step integrated into the funeral-ancillary ritual sequence described in the Preta Kanda.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

If one follows traditional śrāddha systems, this verse emphasizes performing rites with correct mantras and orderly steps; more broadly, it teaches disciplined, intention-filled ritual action as a way to express duty (dharma) toward ancestors and community.