Shloka 78

Vṛṣotsarga (Bull-Release Gift): Procedure, Merit, and Narratives on Dharma, Karma, and Liberation

Devanagari script

अनुग्रहाय भूतानां चरन्ति चरितव्रताः / त्वं गुरुः सर्वर्णानां विद्यया वयसाधिकः

Transliteration

anugrahāya bhūtānāṃ caranti caritavratāḥ / tvaṃ guruḥ sarvarṇānāṃ vidyayā vayasādhikaḥ

Translation

เพื่อเกื้อกูลสรรพชีวิต ผู้สำเร็จพรตอันมั่นคงย่อมจาริกไปในโลก ท่านเป็นครูของวรรณะทั้งปวง เลิศด้วยวิทยาและวุฒิภาวะอันแก่กล้า.

Word by Word

• अनुग्रहाय: for (the sake of) favor/grace
• अनुग्रहाय: Sampradana (Recipient/Purpose)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अनुग्रह (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी (4th/Dative), एकवचन; प्रयोजन/सम्प्रदानार्थे

• भूतानाम्: of beings/creatures
• भूतानाम्: Shashthi-sambandha (Genitive relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भूत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/Genitive), बहुवचन

• चरन्ति: they move/they practice (go about)
• चरन्ति: Kriya (Action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: चर् (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), बहुवचन; परस्मैपद

• चरितव्रताः: those whose vows are practiced/observed (vow-observers)
• चरितव्रताः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: चरित-व्रत (प्रातिपदिक; चरित = √चर् क्त-प्रत्ययान्त कृदन्त + व्रत)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुष (चरितं व्रतं येषाम्/चरितव्रत)

• त्वम्: you
• त्वम्: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: युष्मद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: उत्तमपुरुष-सर्वनाम, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

• गुरुः: teacher, guru
• गुरुः: Predicate/Pradhana (Copular complement)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गुरु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

• सर्ववर्णानाम्: of all classes/castes (varṇas)
• सर्ववर्णानाम्: Shashthi-sambandha (Genitive relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सर्व-वर्ण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/Genitive), बहुवचन; समासः—कर्मधारय (सर्वे वर्णाः)

• विद्यया: by knowledge/learning
• विद्यया: Karana (Instrument/Means)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विद्या (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन

• वयसाधिकः: superior in age/older
• वयसाधिकः: Predicate/Qualifier (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वयस्-अधिक (प्रातिपदिक; वयस् + अधिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुष (वयसः अधिकः)

Speaker

Garuda (Vinata-putra) addressing Lord Vishnu

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Vow-perfected ascetics act for the welfare of beings; true authority rests in vidyā and ripeness (vayaḥ-adhikatva).

Vedantic Theme: Loka-saṅgraha and the ideal of the jñānī/ṛṣi whose conduct benefits others; implicit praise of sattva and tapas as supports for right instruction.

Application: Seek counsel from those established in discipline and learning; orient one’s practice toward benefiting others, not mere self-display.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: vira

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana (dialogue sections where a questioner praises the teacher before inquiry; general dharma-upadeśa framing)

Characters & Entities

• Garuda
• Vishnu
• Bhutas
• Varna

FAQs

What is the importance of vrata (vows) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse presents accomplished vow-observers as moving through the world for the benefit of beings, implying that disciplined spiritual practice should culminate in compassion and guidance, not mere personal austerity.

How does this verse relate to the Garuda Purana’s afterlife teachings?

In the Preta Kanda’s dialogue, Garuda establishes Vishnu’s authority as the supreme teacher; this frames the subsequent instructions on death rites, dharma, and the soul’s post-death journey as reliable, compassion-driven guidance.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Practice self-discipline (vrata) in a way that benefits others—through ethical conduct, service, and sharing knowledge—while seeking guidance from authentic teachers grounded in learning and lived maturity.