Shloka 52

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

Devanagari script

उत्सृष्टो वृषभो यत्र पिबत्यपो जलाशये / शृङ्गेणालिखते वापि भूमिं नित्यं प्रहर्षितः

Transliteration

utsṛṣṭo vṛṣabho yatra pibatyapo jalāśaye / śṛṅgeṇālikhate vāpi bhūmiṃ nityaṃ praharṣitaḥ

Translation

എവിടെ വിട്ടുവിട്ട കാള ജലാശയത്തിൽ വെള്ളം കുടിക്കുകയും, നിത്യവും ആനന്ദത്തോടെ കൊമ്പുകൊണ്ട് നിലത്തെയും ചുരണ്ടുകയും ചെയ്യുന്നു—അത്തരം സ്ഥലം ഇവിടെ വിവരണമാണ്।

Word by Word

• उत्सृष्टः: released
• उत्सृष्टः: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: utsṛṣṭa (कृदन्त; ut-√sṛj सृज्)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (past passive participle: “released/let loose”)

• वृषभः: bull
• वृषभः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vṛṣabha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन

• यत्र: where
• यत्र: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: yatra (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; देशवाचक (relative adverb: “where”)

• पिबति: drinks
• पिबति: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √pā (पा)
• Form: लट् (वर्तमान), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• अपः: water
• अपः: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ap (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (आपः), द्वितीया (2nd), बहुवचन; “waters”

• जलाशये: in a pond/reservoir
• जलाशये: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: jalāśaya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th), एकवचन; अधिकरण (in a water-reservoir)

• शृङ्गेण: with (its) horn
• शृङ्गेण: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śṛṅga (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd), एकवचन; करण (instrumental: “with the horn”)

• आलिखते: scratches/scribes
• आलिखते: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ā-√likh (लिख्)
• Form: लट् (वर्तमान), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; आत्मनेपद

• वा: or
• वा: Sambandha (Relation/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: vā (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; विकल्प (disjunctive particle: “or”)

• अपि: also
• अपि: Sambandha (Relation/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: api (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चय/अपि-कार (particle: “also/even”)

• भूमिम्: ground
• भूमिम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhūmi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन

• नित्यम्: always
• नित्यम्: Kriya-vishesana (Adverbial/क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: nitya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययीभाव-प्रयोगे अव्ययवत्; क्रियाविशेषण (adverbial accusative: “always”)

• प्रहर्षितः: delighted
• प्रहर्षितः: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: praharṣita (कृदन्त; pra-√hṛṣ हृष्)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; भूतकृदन्त (past participle: “delighted”)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vainateya)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Śakuna/cihna (auspicious indicators) in choosing a ritually fit place; harmony of beings as a sign of dharmic suitability.

Vedantic Theme: Rita-like order: outer auspiciousness mirrors inner purity and right action; sattvic environment supports ritual efficacy.

Application: When performing rites, choose clean, peaceful places with signs of non-fear and natural contentment; prioritize ecological cleanliness of water sources.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: tirtha-like waterbody / rural reservoir

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 2.14 (context likely describing signs of proper place/occasion for rites such as śrāddha or offerings)

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Garuda
• Vṛṣabha (bull)

FAQs

What is the importance of omens like a bull at a water-reservoir in the Garuda Purana?

This verse uses a vivid natural image as a traditional indicator within the text’s discussion of signs/conditions connected to death-related observation and ritual timing.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

Indirectly: it belongs to the section that frames observable signs around the transition period; such markers are used to guide family duties and ritual preparedness as the jīva approaches the post-death journey.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Treat it as a reminder to be attentive and prepared: keep end-of-life duties, prayers, and ethical living in order, rather than relying on uncertainty when signs of transition appear.