Shloka 50

Explanation of the Sapiṇḍana Rite; Causes of Pretahood; Viṣṇu Worship and Preta-ghaṭa Dāna

Devanagari script

आरभेत विनीतात्मा क्रोधलोभविवर्जितः / श्राद्धानि कुर्यात्सर्वाणि वृषस्योत्सर्जनं तथा

Transliteration

ārabheta vinītātmā krodhalobhavivarjitaḥ / śrāddhāni kuryātsarvāṇi vṛṣasyotsarjanaṃ tathā

Translation

వినయశీలుడై, క్రోధ‑లోభాలను విడిచి, ఈ కర్తవ్యాలను ప్రారంభించాలి; మరియు సమస్త శ్రాద్ధకర్మలను, అలాగే వృషోత్సర్జనం (ఎద్దు విమోచనం) కూడా చేయాలి।

Word by Word

• आरभेत: should begin
• आरभेत: Kriya (Action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: आ + रभ् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative), आत्मनेपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

• विनीतात्मा: disciplined-minded
• विनीतात्मा: Karta (Subject-qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विनीत + आत्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: बहुव्रीहिसमासः, पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; कर्तृविशेषण

• क्रोधलोभविवर्जितः: free from anger and greed
• क्रोधलोभविवर्जितः: Karta (Subject-qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: क्रोध + लोभ + विवर्जित (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: समासः (क्रोधलोभयोः विवर्जितः), क्त-प्रत्ययान्त कृदन्त 'विवर्जित', पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; कर्तृविशेषण

• श्राद्धानि: Śrāddha rites
• श्राद्धानि: Karma (Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: श्राद्ध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, बहुवचन

• कुर्यात्: should perform
• कुर्यात्: Kriya (Action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

• सर्वाणि: all
• सर्वाणि: Karma (Object-qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सर्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, बहुवचन; विशेषण (श्राद्धानि)

• वृषस्य: of the bull
• वृषस्य: Sambandha (Genitive relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वृष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/सम्बन्ध), एकवचन

• उत्सर्जनम्: the releasing (setting free)
• उत्सर्जनम्: Karma (Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: उत् + सृज् (धातु) + ल्युट् (प्रत्यय)
• Form: ल्युट्-प्रत्ययान्त कृदन्त-नाम (verbal noun), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• तथा: also
• तथा: Sambandha (Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, समुच्चयार्थ (also)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda)

Shraddha Ritual

Ritual Type: Parvana

Beneficiary: Pitr

Timing: Ongoing śrāddha cycle following death; includes ancillary vṛṣotsarga

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Perform all śrāddha rites with humility and without krodha/lobha; include vṛṣotsarga as an ancillary meritorious act.

Vedantic Theme: Antaḥkaraṇa-śuddhi (purification of mind) as the true support of ritual efficacy; niṣkāma-karma orientation.

Application: During memorial duties, avoid conflict and financial bargaining; keep charity sincere; treat ritual as service, not social competition.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: karuna

Geographic Context

Type: ritual ground and charitable release site

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana: śrāddha classifications and sequences (ekoddiṣṭa, sapīṇḍana, pārvaṇa); Garuda Purana: vṛṣotsarga as pitṛ-śānti/puṇya-kriyā

Characters & Entities

• Pitris

FAQs

What is the importance of śrāddha in the Garuda Purana?

This verse frames śrāddha as a mandatory Pitṛ-duty to be performed in a disciplined, pure-minded state, indicating that inner disposition (freedom from anger and greed) is integral to the rite’s efficacy.

How does this verse relate to the soul’s post-death journey described in Preta Kanda?

In Preta Kanda, prescribed rites support the departed and fulfill obligations to the Pitṛs; this verse emphasizes that correct performance—paired with ethical self-control—forms part of the dharmic response to death and post-death responsibilities.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

When performing any memorial or ancestor-observance, cultivate calmness and generosity, avoid conflict and bargaining-mindedness, and complete the duties respectfully and consistently.