Shloka 63
Babhruvāhana Meets a Preta: Vṛṣotsarga, Heirless Death, and the Signs of Preta-Affliction
वृषोत्सर्गो यदि भवेत्प्रेतत्वान्मुच्यते तदा / तस्मान्नप त्वमप्येवं वृषोत्सर्गं कुरु प्रभो
vṛṣotsargo yadi bhavetpretatvānmucyate tadā / tasmānnapa tvamapyevaṃ vṛṣotsargaṃ kuru prabho
वृषोत्सर्गो यदि क्रियते, तदा प्रेतत्वान्मुच्यते। तस्मात्, राजन् प्रभो, त्वमप्येवं विधिना वृषोत्सर्गं कुरु।
Lord Vishnu (in discourse to Garuda/Vinata-putra; addressed here as 'nṛpa/prabho' in the cited line)
Afterlife Stage: Pretayoni
Beneficiary: Pitr
Timing: Performed as a remedial śānti when preta-doṣa is identified; often coordinated with śrāddha cycles per local tradition
Concept: Proper ritual action (kriyā) can release a being from preta-bhāva; dharmic rites repair post-death disorder.
Vedantic Theme: Karma-kāṇḍa as upāya within vyavahāra to remove obstacles; purification as preparation for higher pursuits.
Application: Perform vṛṣotsarga according to tradition (with qualified guidance) as part of preta-śānti; accompany with charity, śrāddha, and Viṣṇu-smaraṇa.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: ritual setting (yajña/śānti space)
Related Themes: Garuda Purana Pretakalpa: vṛṣotsarga as preta-mocana remedy (contextual continuation from 2.9.59–62)
FAQs
This verse states that performing vṛṣotsarga is a direct remedial rite that frees the departed from the preta-condition, emphasizing it as a potent post-death ritual act.
It implies that the soul can remain in a troubled intermediate preta-state, and that prescribed rites—specifically vṛṣotsarga—aid the transition toward release from that condition.
It encourages timely, dharma-based funeral and post-funeral observances done with sincerity and guidance, focusing on acts of charity/ritual duty intended for the welfare of the departed.