Shloka 41

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

Devanagari script

कांस्यपात्रे घृतं स्थाप्य वैतरण्या निमित्ततः / नावारोहणं कुर्यात्पूजयेद्गरुडध्वजम्

Transliteration

kāṃsyapātre ghṛtaṃ sthāpya vaitaraṇyā nimittataḥ / nāvārohaṇaṃ kuryātpūjayedgaruḍadhvajam

Translation

เพื่อเกื้อหนุนการข้ามไวตระณี จงวางเนยใสในภาชนะสำริด แล้วประกอบพิธีขึ้นเรือ และบูชาพระผู้มีธงเป็นครุฑ (วิษณุ) ให้สมควร

Word by Word

• कांस्यपात्रे: in a bronze vessel
• कांस्यपात्रे: Adhikarana (Locus/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कांस्य + पात्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास; नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (अधिकरण), एकवचन; Locative singular

• घृतम्: ghee
• घृतम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: घृत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (कर्म), एकवचन; Accusative singular

• स्थाप्य: having placed
• स्थाप्य: Kriya (Adverbial action/क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: स्था (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त-अव्यय (Gerund/Absolutive) रूप; having placed/established

• वैतरण्याः: of the Vaitaraṇī (river)
• वैतरण्याः: Sambandha (Relation/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वैतरणी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति (सम्बन्ध), एकवचन; Genitive singular

• निमित्ततः: for the purpose (thereof)
• निमित्ततः: Hetu (Cause/Purpose/हेतु)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: निमित्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तसिल्-प्रत्ययान्त अव्यय (Ablatival adverb); 'for the sake of/because of'

• नावारोहणम्: boarding the boat
• नावारोहणम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नाव + आरोहण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास; नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (कर्म), एकवचन; Accusative singular

• कुर्यात्: should perform
• कुर्यात्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; should do/perform

• पूजयेत्: should worship
• पूजयेत्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: पूज् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; should worship

• गरुडध्वजम्: the one whose banner is Garuḍa (Viṣṇu)
• गरुडध्वजम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गरुड + ध्वज (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (गरुडः ध्वजः यस्य); पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (कर्म), एकवचन; Accusative singular

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda)

Pretakalpa Layer

Afterlife Stage: Yamaloka Journey

Shraddha Ritual

Ritual Type: Ekoddishta

Beneficiary: Pitr

Timing: During prescribed śrāddha sequence aimed at the preta’s passage

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Devotion to Garuḍadhvaja (Viṣṇu) and prescribed offerings function as salvific support amid afterlife peril.

Vedantic Theme: Īśvara-anugraha (divine grace) complements karma; remembrance/worship of Viṣṇu as refuge (śaraṇāgati).

Application: Offer ghee in a bronze vessel with the Vaitaraṇī intention; enact the symbolic ‘embarking the boat’ rite; perform Viṣṇu-pūjā with focused devotion.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka

Geographic Context

Type: mythic-river / ritual-site

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana Pretakalpa: Vaitaraṇī descriptions and remedies (dāna, nāva, ghṛta, tilā); Garuda Purana: Garuḍadhvaja/Vāsudeva worship in śrāddha contexts

Characters & Entities

• Vaitaraṇī
• Garuda
• Vishnu

FAQs

What is the importance of the Vaitaraṇī-related rite in the Garuda Purana?

This verse frames a specific supportive ritual—placing ghee in a bronze vessel and performing a symbolic boat-boarding—intended to help the departed in the feared transition associated with the Vaitaraṇī.

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

It assumes an after-death journey with difficult crossings (like the Vaitaraṇī) and prescribes ritual and devotion—especially worship of Viṣṇu (Garuḍa-dhvaja)—as aids for safe passage.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

It emphasizes doing śrāddha-related duties with sincerity and anchoring them in devotion to Viṣṇu—prioritizing remembrance, prayer, and ethically guided living alongside ritual observance.