Shloka 66

Babhruvāhana Meets a Preta: Vṛṣotsarga, Heirless Death, and the Signs of Preta-Affliction

Devanagari script

रेवतीयुक्तदिवसे कृषीष्ठा मे वृषोत्सवम् / पुण्यान्विप्रान्समाहूय वह्निं स्थाप्य विधानतः

Transliteration

revatīyuktadivase kṛṣīṣṭhā me vṛṣotsavam / puṇyānviprānsamāhūya vahniṃ sthāpya vidhānataḥ

Translation

രേവതീ നക്ഷത്രയുക്തമായ ദിവസത്തിൽ എന്റെ വേണ്ടി വൃഷോത്സവം നടത്തുക. പുണ്യശീലരായ ബ്രാഹ്മണരെ ക്ഷണിച്ച്, വിധിപ്രകാരം അഗ്നി സ്ഥാപിക്കുക.

Word by Word

• रेवती-युक्त-दिवसे: on the day joined with (the nakṣatra) Revatī
• रेवती-युक्त-दिवसे: Adhikarana (Time/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: रेवती (प्रातिपदिक) + युक्त (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक) + दिवस (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन; Locative singular (time); समासः—तत्पुरुष (रेवत्या युक्तः दिवसः)

• कृषीष्ठाः: you should perform/do
• कृषीष्ठाः: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (धातु)
• Form: लोट् (आज्ञार्थ), मध्यमपुरुष, एकवचन; Imperative 2nd person singular; परस्मैपद (वेद/छान्दस रूप)

• मे: my/of me
• मे: Sambandha (Possessor/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अस्मद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम, षष्ठी, एकवचन; Genitive singular

• वृषोत्सवम्: the bull-festival
• वृषोत्सवम्: Karman (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वृष (प्रातिपदिक) + उत्सव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; Accusative singular; तत्पुरुष

• पुण्यान्: pious
• पुण्यान्: Karman (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पुण्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, बहुवचन; Masculine accusative plural (qualifying विप्रान्)

• विप्रान्: brahmins
• विप्रान्: Karman (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विप्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, बहुवचन; Masculine accusative plural

• समाहूय: having summoned
• समाहूय: Kriya-viseshana (Adverbial/क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: सम्+आह्वा (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (absolutive/gerund); ‘having summoned’

• वह्निम्: fire
• वह्निम्: Karman (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वह्नि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; Masculine accusative singular

• स्थाप्य: having established
• स्थाप्य: Kriya-viseshana (Adverbial/क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: स्था (धातु)
• Form: ल्यप्-प्रत्ययान्त कृदन्त (absolutive/gerund); ‘having placed/established’

• विधानतः: according to the prescribed procedure
• विधानतः: Kriya-viseshana (Manner/क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: विधानतः (अव्यय; विधान + तस्)
• Form: तसिल्-प्रत्ययान्त अव्यय (adverb); ‘according to rule’

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda/Vinata-putra within the Garuda Purana dialogue)

Shraddha Ritual

Ritual Type: Parvana

Beneficiary: Pitr

Timing: Revatī-yukta divasa (day under Revatī nakṣatra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Ritual efficacy depends on proper timing (nakṣatra), qualified participants (puṇya vipra), and correct procedure (vidhāna) including agni-sthāpana.

Vedantic Theme: Rita/niyama: harmony with cosmic order; disciplined action as purifier of mind.

Application: When undertaking sacred or communal acts, ensure right timing, competent guidance, and procedural integrity.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Geographic Context

Type: celestial timing marker applied on earth

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana ritual passages: nakṣatra/tithi selection, brāhmaṇa invitation, agni establishment

Characters & Entities

• Revatī
• Vipras (Brāhmaṇas)
• Agni (Vahni)

FAQs

What is the importance of performing Vṛṣotsava on a Revatī-yukta day in the Garuda Purana?

This verse links the rite’s proper timing (Revatī nakṣatra) with correct observance, indicating that śrāddha-related ceremonies gain efficacy when performed at the prescribed astral time and with due ritual order.

How does this verse relate to Garuda Purana death rituals and preta-karma?

In the Preta Kanda context, it emphasizes formal rites—inviting qualified brāhmaṇas and establishing Agni—features typical of śrāddha/preta-karma procedures intended to support the departed through dharmic offerings done ‘vidhānataḥ’ (by rule).

Practical application of this wisdom today?

If performing ancestral or memorial rites, follow an authorized procedure, involve competent officiants, and keep the observance disciplined and ethical—prioritizing sincerity and correctness over mere display.