Shloka 3

On Untimely Death and the Explanation of Pleasure and Pain, Gain and Loss

Vṛṣotsarga and Preta-Uddhāra Rites

Devanagari script

वाप्यां कूपे गवां गोष्ठे स्थाप्याग्निं विधिवत्ततः / विवाहविधिना सर्वं कुर्याद्ब्राह्मणवाचनम्

Transliteration

vāpyāṃ kūpe gavāṃ goṣṭhe sthāpyāgniṃ vidhivattataḥ / vivāhavidhinā sarvaṃ kuryādbrāhmaṇavācanam

Translation

พึงตั้งไฟศักดิ์สิทธิ์ตามวินัย ณ สระน้ำ ที่บ่อน้ำ หรือในคอกโค แล้วให้ประกอบกิจทั้งหมดตามแบบพิธีวิวาหะ พร้อมให้พราหมณ์สวดมนต์ตามกำหนด

Word by Word

• वाप्याम्: in a pond/reservoir
• वाप्याम्: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वापी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (अधिकरण/Locative), एकवचन

• कूपे: in a well
• कूपे: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कूप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (Locative), एकवचन

• गवाम्: of cows
• गवाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गो (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (गो-शब्दः), षष्ठी (Genitive), बहुवचन

• गोष्ठे: in the cowshed
• गोष्ठे: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गोष्ठ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (Locative), एकवचन

• स्थाप्य: having established
• स्थाप्य: Kriya (क्रिया—पूर्वकर्म)
• Type: Verb
• Root: स्था (धातु) + णिच्/ल्यप् (कृदन्त)
• Form: ल्यप्-प्रत्ययान्त अव्ययकृदन्त (gerund), ‘स्थापयित्वा’ = having established/placed

• अग्निम्: fire
• अग्निम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अग्नि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (Accusative), एकवचन

• विधिवत्: according to rule
• विधिवत्: Kriya-visheshana (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: विधि + वत् (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, क्रियाविशेषण (adverb)

• ततः: then/thereafter
• ततः: Kriya-visheshana (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ततः (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, क्रियाविशेषण (adverb)

• विवाहविधिना: by the marriage-rite procedure
• विवाहविधिना: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विवाह-विधि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (विवाहस्य विधिः), पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (Instrumental), एकवचन

• सर्वम्: everything
• सर्वम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सर्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (Accusative), एकवचन

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

• ब्राह्मणवाचनम्: recitation by a Brahmin / Brahmin’s recitation
• ब्राह्मणवाचनम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ब्राह्मण-वाचन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (ब्राह्मणेन वाचनम्/ब्राह्मणस्य वाचनम्), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (Accusative), एकवचन

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in dialogue with Garuda)

Shraddha Ritual

Ritual Type: Parvana

Beneficiary: Pitr

Timing: During Nāndīmukha-associated proceedings; site selection precedes main offerings.

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Ritual efficacy depends on proper place (deśa), procedure (vidhi), and mantra-śruti via qualified Brahmins; marriage-rite protocol is used as a template.

Vedantic Theme: Śraddhā and niyama refine karma; sacred sound (mantra) and right context align action with dharma.

Application: Choose a clean, sanctioned site (near water or cowshed as prescribed), establish agni correctly, and ensure competent Brahmins recite and guide the rite.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: water-source/cowshed/ritual site

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana ritual manuals on agni-sthāpana and śrāddha auxiliaries; 2.41.4–2.41.5 for implements and oblations

Characters & Entities

• Brahmanas
• Agni

FAQs

What is the importance of establishing Agni in Garuda Purana death rituals?

This verse emphasizes that the rites must be anchored in properly established sacred fire (Agni) and performed vidhivat (according to rule), ensuring ritual correctness and intended spiritual efficacy.

Why does the verse mention performing everything in the manner of a marriage-rite (vivāha-vidhi)?

By invoking vivāha-vidhi, the text indicates a structured, fully sanctioned ritual format—complete with formal procedures and mantra-recitation—applied here to the prescribed ceremonies so they are done with the same completeness and authority.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Follow a clear, traditional procedure for rites, ensure qualified recitation/chanting is arranged, and prioritize doing the ceremony carefully and respectfully rather than casually or incompletely.