Shloka 55

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

Devanagari script

वत्सतर्यः प्रदातव्या ब्राह्मणेभ्यः पदानि च / तिलपात्राणि देयानि शिवभक्तद्विजेषु च

Transliteration

vatsataryaḥ pradātavyā brāhmaṇebhyaḥ padāni ca / tilapātrāṇi deyāni śivabhaktadvijeṣu ca

Translation

ควรถวายลูกวัวอายุหนึ่งปีเป็นทานแก่พราหมณ์ พร้อมทั้งปาทุกา (รองเท้า) และควรถวายภาชนะที่บรรจุงาเต็มด้วย—โดยเฉพาะแก่พราหมณ์ทวิชผู้ภักดีต่อพระศิวะ

Word by Word

• वत्सतर्यः: calves/cow-related gifts called vatsatarī
• वत्सतर्यः: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वत्सतरी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन; ‘वत्सतरी’ इति दानवस्तु-नाम

• प्रदातव्याः: should be given
• प्रदातव्याः: Predicate (Vidhi/विधि)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्र-दा (धातु) + तव्यत् (कृत्-प्रत्यय)
• Form: कृदन्त (तव्यत्/gerundive), स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; विधेय-भावः ‘देयाः/प्रदातव्याः’ (to be given)

• ब्राह्मणेभ्यः: to Brahmins
• ब्राह्मणेभ्यः: Sampradana (Recipient/सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ब्राह्मण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी-विभक्ति (4th/Dative), बहुवचन

• पदानि: footwear/steps (pads)
• पदानि: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्ति (1st/2nd), बहुवचन; अत्र कर्मरूपेण

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय (conjunction)

• तिलपात्राणि: sesame-filled vessels/bowls
• तिलपात्राणि: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तिल (प्रातिपदिक) + पात्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (तिलस्य पात्रम्); नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, बहुवचन; अत्र कर्म

• देयानि: are to be given
• देयानि: Predicate (Vidhi/विधि)
• Type: Verb
• Root: दा (धातु) + यत् (कृत्-प्रत्यय)
• Form: कृदन्त (यत्/gerundive), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, बहुवचन; ‘देयानि’ = to be given

• शिवभक्तद्विजेषु: among Brahmins devoted to Śiva
• शिवभक्तद्विजेषु: Adhikarana (Location/Scope/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शिव (प्रातिपदिक) + भक्त (कृदन्त/प्रातिपदिक) + द्विज (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समासः (शिवस्य भक्ताः द्विजाः); पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (7th/Locative), बहुवचन

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय (conjunction)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in dialogue with Garuda)

Shraddha Ritual

Ritual Type: Parvana

Beneficiary: Pitr

Timing: As part of ūrdhva-daihika/śrāddha-associated gifting (contextual; often around śrāddha days).

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Dāna to worthy recipients (brāhmaṇas, especially Śiva-devotees) as a dharmic act producing puṇya and support for post-death welfare.

Vedantic Theme: Karma-yoga orientation: purifying action offered with right intention and right adhikārin (recipient).

Application: Practice structured charity: donate cattle/food/essentials (e.g., footwear, sesame) to vetted, disciplined recipients; treat giving as a vow with accountability.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: karuna

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana Pretakalpa/ūrdhva-daihika sections on dāna and śrāddha-supporting gifts (tiladāna, vastradāna, pātradāna)

Characters & Entities

• Brahmanas
• Shiva

FAQs

What is the importance of tilapātra (sesame-vessel) dāna in the Garuda Purana?

This verse prescribes sesame-vessel donation as a meritorious gift connected with death rites, directing it to qualified brāhmaṇas (especially Śiva-devotees), implying it supports the deceased’s welfare through dharmic charity.

How does this verse relate to Garuda Purana death rituals and the departed soul’s journey?

In the Preta Kanda context, such prescribed dānas are part of righteous post-death observances; they are presented as supportive actions performed by the living to aid auspicious outcomes for the departed and uphold dharma.

What is a practical application of this teaching today?

Perform charity with discernment—support learned and ethical recipients, give necessities (food, clothing/footwear), and make ritual-linked donations (like sesame) with sincerity during memorial rites or in remembrance of ancestors.