Shloka 24

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

Devanagari script

शालग्रामं च संस्थाप्य वैष्णवं श्राद्धमाचरेत् / वृषं सम्पूज्य तत्रैव वस्त्रालङ्कारभूषणैः

Transliteration

śālagrāmaṃ ca saṃsthāpya vaiṣṇavaṃ śrāddhamācaret / vṛṣaṃ sampūjya tatraiva vastrālaṅkārabhūṣaṇaiḥ

Translation

เมื่อสถาปนาศาลครามแล้ว พึงประกอบศราทธะแบบไวษณพ; และ ณ ที่นั้นเองพึงบูชาวัวเพศผู้ด้วยผ้า เครื่องประดับ และเครื่องตกแต่งอันเป็นมงคล

Word by Word

• śālagrāmam: Śālagrāma (sacred stone)
• śālagrāmam: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śālagrāma (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, द्वितीया-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (Connector/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक-अव्ययम्

• saṃsthāpya: having installed
• saṃsthāpya: Kriya-viseshana (Adverbial/क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: sam-sthā (स्था धातु) + णिच् → saṃsthāpay + ल्यप् → saṃsthāpya (कृदन्त-अव्यय)
• Form: ल्यपन्त-अव्ययम् (absolutive): ‘having installed’

• vaiṣṇavam: Vaiṣṇava (pertaining to Viṣṇu)
• vaiṣṇavam: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vaiṣṇava (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे, द्वितीया-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्; विशेषणम् (śrāddham)

• śrāddham: śrāddha rite
• śrāddham: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śrāddha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे, द्वितीया-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्

• ācaret: should perform/observe
• ācaret: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ā-car (चर् धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ्, परस्मैपदम्, प्रथमपुरुषः, एकवचनम्

• vṛṣam: a bull
• vṛṣam: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vṛṣa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, द्वितीया-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्

• sampūjya: having worshipped
• sampūjya: Kriya-viseshana (Adverbial/क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: sam-pūj (पूज् धातु) + ल्यप् → sampūjya (कृदन्त-अव्यय)
• Form: ल्यपन्त-अव्ययम् (absolutive): ‘having worshipped’

• tatra: there
• tatra: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tatra (अव्यय)
• Form: देशवाचक-अव्ययम् (there)

• eva: indeed
• eva: Sambandha (Emphasis/अवधारण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: eva (अव्यय)
• Form: अवधारणार्थक-निपातः

• vastra-alaṅkāra-bhūṣaṇaiḥ: with clothes, ornaments, and adornments
• vastra-alaṅkāra-bhūṣaṇaiḥ: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vastra + alaṅkāra + bhūṣaṇa (प्रातिपदिक); समासः: vastrālaṅkārabhūṣaṇa
• Form: द्वन्द्व-समासः (वस्त्राणि च अलङ्काराः च भूषणानि च); नपुंसकलिङ्गे, तृतीया-विभक्तिः, बहुवचनम्

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in dialogue with Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Shraddha Ritual

Ritual Type: Parvana

Beneficiary: Pitr

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Anchor śrāddha in Viṣṇu through Śālagrāma installation; honor dharmic supports (the bull) with respectful offerings, integrating devotion with rite.

Vedantic Theme: Bhakti as sanctifier of karma; Viṣṇu as refuge (śaraṇāgati) even in rites for the departed; sacred presence through arcā (icon).

Application: If following Vaiṣṇava tradition, place Śālagrāma/Viṣṇu at the center of ancestral rites; practice reverence toward cows/bulls and support dharmic institutions through gifts.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhakti

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: household shrine/ritual pavilion

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 2.14 (Vaiṣṇava śrāddha procedures; Śālagrāma centrality)

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Śālagrāma
• Vaiṣṇava Śrāddha
• Vṛṣa (bull)

FAQs

What is the importance of Śālagrāma in Garuda Purana śrāddha rituals?

This verse prescribes installing Śālagrāma (a Viṣṇu-emblem) as the sanctifying center of a Vaiṣṇava śrāddha, indicating that the rite is to be performed in a Viṣṇu-oriented (Vaiṣṇava) manner for spiritual merit and ancestral benefit.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul after death?

While not describing the soul’s journey directly, it gives a practical prescription from the Preta Kanda: performing proper śrāddha (here, Vaiṣṇava śrāddha centered on Viṣṇu) is presented as supportive dharma for the departed, aligning post-death rites with auspicious divine worship.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

If one follows Vaiṣṇava tradition, conduct śrāddha with sincere Viṣṇu-centered worship (e.g., Śālagrāma reverence where customary) and include respectful honoring of prescribed symbols/animals (here, the bull) through dignified offerings, emphasizing devotion, gratitude, and ritual purity.