Garuda Purana — Preta Kalpa, Shloka 6
Vṛṣotsarga (Bull-Release Gift): Procedure, Merit, and Narratives on Dharma, Karma, and Liberation
स कदाचिद्वनं वीरो महात्माखेटकं गतः / किञ्चित् प्रष्टुमनास्तार्क्ष्य वसिष्ठस्याश्रमं ययौ
sa kadācidvanaṃ vīro mahātmākheṭakaṃ gataḥ / kiñcit praṣṭumanāstārkṣya vasiṣṭhasyāśramaṃ yayau
噢，塔尔克夏（迦楼罗）啊：有一次，那位英勇而伟大的君王入林狩猎；心怀一问，遂前往婆悉吒仙人的道场（阿湿罗摩）。
Primary narrator (within the Vishnu–Garuda dialogue), addressing Garuda as “Tārkṣya”
Concept: Approaching a realized sage for clarification; transition from worldly pursuit to dharma-guided action.
Vedantic Theme: Guru-upāsanā and humility as prerequisites for right knowledge and right action.
Application: When moral/ritual uncertainty arises, seek counsel from wise, disciplined mentors; create space (retreat) for reflection.
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: hermitage/forest
Related Themes: Garuda Purana narrative pattern: king approaches a sage’s āśrama to learn a rite or dharma (motif-level)
FAQs
This verse frames the tradition of seeking authoritative dharmic guidance—before acting, the seeker goes to a realized ṛṣi, establishing that correct ritual and ethical practice begins with right instruction.
Although it is a narrative setup, it signals a forthcoming inquiry to a sage—typical of the Garuda Purana’s method of introducing precise teachings on dharma, rites, and the consequences of actions.
When facing major duties—especially family rites or ethical dilemmas—seek guidance from competent teachers and reliable śāstra sources rather than acting impulsively.