Praise of Vṛṣotsarga (Bull-release), Worthy Dāna, and the Procedure for Kṣayāha & Ūrdhva-daihika Rites
यास्यन्ति ते परांल्लोकानिति सत्यं वचो मम / एतत्ते सर्वमाख्यातं मया चैवोर्ध्वदैहिकम्
yāsyanti te parāṃllokāniti satyaṃ vaco mama / etatte sarvamākhyātaṃ mayā caivordhvadaihikam
“Makakarating sila sa mga dakilang daigdig”—ito ang tunay kong salita. Kaya’t ipinaliwanag ko na sa iyo ang lahat, kabilang ang mga ritwal at tungkuling isinasagawa matapos ang kamatayan (ūrdhva-daihika).
Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinata-putra)
Afterlife Stage: Yamaloka Journey
Ritual Type: Parvana
Beneficiary: Pitr
Timing: Post-death sequence broadly (ūrdhva-daihika) rather than a single day; includes the continuum of rites.
Concept: Faith in śāstra-vākya: proper post-death rites and duties (ūrdhva-daihika) lead to higher worlds; the teacher’s word is सत्य.
Vedantic Theme: Śraddhā in authoritative teaching; karma-kāṇḍa as a ladder toward auspicious gati, potentially preparing for higher realization.
Application: Follow prescribed post-death observances with steadiness and without cynicism; document family rites and ensure continuity of practice.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Related Themes: Garuda Purana sections explicitly titled/concerned with ūrdhva-daihika and preta-karma; concluding phala-śruti style assurances
This verse closes the instruction by affirming that post-death observances (ūrdhva-daihika) are a complete, authoritative teaching meant to aid the departed toward higher realms.
It summarizes the promise of progression to “higher worlds” and frames the preceding guidance as the practical means—through prescribed post-death duties—to support that onward journey.
Treat last rites and remembrance duties as dharma: perform them with sincerity and ethical living, aligning actions with the aim of uplifting the departed and oneself.