Shloka 128

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

Devanagari script

श्रुत्वा विपश्चिद्वाक्यं स विस्मयं परमं गतः / गृहं जगाम विप्रो ऽसौ प्रापितो राजसेवकैः

Transliteration

śrutvā vipaścidvākyaṃ sa vismayaṃ paramaṃ gataḥ / gṛhaṃ jagāma vipro 'sau prāpito rājasevakaiḥ

Translation

വിദ്വാന്റെ വാക്കുകൾ കേട്ട് അവൻ പരമ വിസ്മയത്തിലായി. രാജസേവകരുടെ അനുഗമനത്തോടെ ആ ബ്രാഹ്മണൻ ഗൃഹത്തിലേക്ക് പോയി.

Word by Word

• श्रुत्वा: having heard
• श्रुत्वा: Kriya (पूर्वकर्म/पूर्वक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: श्रु (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (absolutive/gerund), अव्ययभावः; पूर्वकालिकक्रिया (having heard)

• विपश्चित्-वाक्यम्: the wise man’s statement
• विपश्चित्-वाक्यम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विपश्चित् (प्रातिपदिक) + वाक्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (विपश्चितः वाक्यम्)

• सः: he
• सः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• विस्मयम्: astonishment
• विस्मयम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विस्मय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• परमम्: supreme, great
• परमम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: परम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; विशेषणम् (विस्मयम्)

• गतः: attained, went into
• गतः: Kriya (Predicate/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: गम् (धातु)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त कृदन्त (past passive participle used actively), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; (he) has gone/attained

• गृहम्: home
• गृहम्: Karma (Goal/कर्म-गत्यर्थ)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गृह (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; गन्तव्य (destination)

• जगाम: went
• जगाम: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: गम् (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• विप्रः: the brahmin
• विप्रः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विप्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

• असौ: that man
• असौ: Apposition (समानाधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: असद्/अदस् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; सर्वनाम (deictic: that/this person)

• प्रापितः: was brought
• प्रापितः: Kriya (Predicate/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्र-आप् (धातु)
• Form: णिच्-प्रेरणार्थक-धातोः क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (causative PPP), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; ‘caused to reach/brought’

• राज-सेवकैः: by the king’s servants
• राज-सेवकैः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: राज (प्रातिपदिक) + सेवक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), बहुवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (राज्ञः सेवकाः)

Speaker

Narrator (Vishnu-to-Garuda discourse framework; this verse functions as narrative description)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Śravaṇa (hearing) of the wise leads to clarity and right action; honoring dharma-teachers is itself meritorious.

Vedantic Theme: Satsaṅga and śravaṇa as gateways to viveka (discernment) and dharmic resolve.

Application: Seek counsel from learned elders/teachers; respond with humility and follow-through rather than debate.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: royal setting (implied court/assembly)

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 2.6.129-132 (immediate continuation: vṛṣotsarga instruction and performance)

Characters & Entities

• Brahmana
• King's attendants (rājasevaka)

FAQs

What is the importance of respecting the wise in the Garuda Purana?

This verse highlights the transformative impact of wise counsel—hearing a vipaścit’s words produces deep realization, and society (even royal authority) supports and honors such dharmic figures.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

Indirectly, it sets a narrative tone: the Garuda Purana often frames afterlife teachings through episodes where insight arises from hearing authoritative instruction—preparing the listener to understand karma, consequences, and post-death realities.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Seek guidance from genuinely learned and ethical teachers, and ensure institutions and leaders protect and respectfully support those who uphold dharma.