Shloka 36

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

Devanagari script

चतसृभिर्वत्सतरीभिः परिणयनमाचरेत् / वामे चक्रं प्रदातव्यं त्रिशूलं दक्षिणे तथा

Transliteration

catasṛbhirvatsatarībhiḥ pariṇayanamācaret / vāme cakraṃ pradātavyaṃ triśūlaṃ dakṣiṇe tathā

Translation

Hendaklah dilakukan upacara memimpin (membawa persembahan/ternakan menurut aturan) dengan empat ekor anak lembu betina. Di sebelah kiri hendaklah diberikan cakra, dan di sebelah kanan demikian juga triśūla.

Word by Word

• चतसृभिः: with four
• चतसृभिः: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: चतस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; संख्यावाचक-विशेषण

• वत्सतरीभिः: with heifer-calves / young cows
• वत्सतरीभिः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वत्सतरी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• परिणयनम्: the leading/bringing (ceremonial leading)
• परिणयनम्: Karman (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: परि-नी (धातु) → परिणयन (प्रातिपदिक; भाववाचक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; क्रियानाम (verbal noun)

• आचरेत्: should perform
• आचरेत्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: आ-चर् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative), प्रथम-पुरुष, एकवचन

• वामे: on the left (side)
• वामे: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वाम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग/पुंलिङ्ग (स्थानवाचक), सप्तमी-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• चक्रम्: disc (chakra)
• चक्रम्: Karman (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: चक्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• प्रदातव्यम्: to be given / should be given
• प्रदातव्यम्: Kriya (Obligation/विधेय-क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्र-दा (धातु) → प्रदातव्य (कृदन्त; तव्यत्)
• Form: तव्यत्-प्रत्ययान्त कृदन्त (gerundive/obligatory), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; विधेय (to be given)

• त्रिशूलम्: trident
• त्रिशूलम्: Karman (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: त्रि-शूल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुष (त्रीणि शूलानि यस्य/त्रिशूल)

• दक्षिणे: on the right (side)
• दक्षिणे: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दक्षिण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग/पुंलिङ्ग (स्थानवाचक), सप्तमी-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• तथा: likewise
• तथा: Kriya-visheshana (Adverbial/क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: प्रकारवाचक-अव्यय (adverb: likewise)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Shraddha Ritual

Beneficiary: Pitr

Timing: During adjunct śrāddha procedures (pariṇayana step)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Ritual efficacy depends on exact performance (pariṇayana with specified animals) and correct directional placement of sacred emblems.

Vedantic Theme: Form (vidhi) as a discipline that trains attention and surrender; symbolic implements point to divine governance over transitions (life/death).

Application: Perform the prescribed leading rite using four young heifers; place/give the cakra on the left and the triśūla on the right as instructed.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: śrāddha-maṇḍala/ritual pathway for pariṇayana (leading)

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 2.14.35–39 (sequence of śrāddha adjunct rites including vṛṣotsarga and subsequent observances)

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Shiva

FAQs

What is the importance of cow-related rites in Garuda Purana death rituals?

This verse indicates that specific cow-related elements (here, four young heifers) are used to correctly conduct a prescribed ritual action, showing how Garuda Purana treats such offerings as structured aids within preta-kriya.

Why are the chakra and trishula mentioned in this Garuda Purana verse?

The verse prescribes placing/giving the chakra on the left and the trishula on the right, reflecting the use of powerful divine symbols (Vishnu and Shiva) as protective and ritually significant emblems during funeral/preta rites.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Even when full traditional rites are not feasible, the takeaway is to approach last rites with discipline, clarity of procedure, and reverence—using authorized guidance and avoiding improvised or careless ritual practice.