The Fruit of Gifts Given in Life and Death, and the Kshayaha Rite

Verse 1 (garuda.2.14.1)

गरुड उवाच । आर्तेन म्रियमाणेन यद्दत्तं तत्फलं वद । स्वस्थावस्थेन दत्तेन विधिहीनेन वा विभो

garuḍa uvāca | ārtena mriyamāṇena yaddattaṁ tatphalaṁ vada | svasthāvasthena dattena vidhihīnena vā vibho

Garuda said: O mighty one, tell me the fruit of a gift given by one in distress, at the point of death; and of one given while in health, or given without proper rite.

Verse 2 (garuda.2.14.2)

श्रीकृष्ण उवाच । एका गौः स्वस्थचित्तस्य ह्यातुरस्य च गोशतम् । सहस्रं म्रियमाणस्य दत्तं वित्तविवर्जितम्

śrīkṛṣṇa uvāca | ekā gauḥ svasthacittasya hyāturasya ca gośatam | sahasraṁ mriyamāṇasya dattaṁ vittavivarjitam

Shri Krishna said: A single cow given by one of sound mind equals a hundred cows given by one who is ill; a gift given by one at the point of death, even if given without wealth, equals a thousand cows.

Verse 3 (garuda.2.14.3)

मृतस्यैव पुनर्लक्षं विधिपूतं च तत्समम् । तीर्थपात्रसमायोगादेका गौर्लक्षपुण्यदा

mṛtasyaiva punarlakṣaṁ vidhipūtaṁ ca tatsamam | tīrthapātrasamāyogādekā gaurlakṣapuṇyadā

A gift given on behalf of the dead is worth a hundred thousand times, and a gift purified by proper rite is equal to it. Through the combination of a tirtha and a worthy recipient, even a single cow bestows merit a hundred thousandfold.

Verse 4 (garuda.2.14.4)

पात्रे दत्ते खगश्रेष्ठ अहन्यहनि वर्धते । दातुर्दानमपापाय ज्ञानिनां च प्रतिग्रहः

pātre datte khagaśreṣṭha ahanyahani vardhate | dāturdānamapāpāya jñānināṁ ca pratigrahaḥ

O best of birds, when given to a worthy recipient, a gift grows day by day. The giver's gift is for the sake of freedom from sin, and its acceptance by the wise is likewise so.

Verse 5 (garuda.2.14.5)

विषशीतापहो मन्त्रवह्निः किं दोषभाजनम् । दातव्यं प्रत्यहं पात्रे निमित्तेषु विशेषतः

viṣaśītāpaho mantravahniḥ kiṁ doṣabhājanam | dātavyaṁ pratyahaṁ pātre nimitteṣu viśeṣataḥ

Does the mantra-purified fire, which dispels poison and cold, ever become a vessel of fault? A gift should be given daily to a worthy recipient, and especially on special occasions.

Verse 6 (garuda.2.14.6)

नापात्रे विदुषा किञ्चिदात्मनः श्रेय इच्छता । अपात्रे जातु गौर्दत्ता दातारं नरकं नयेत्

nāpātre viduṣā kiñcidātmanaḥ śreya icchatā | apātre jātu gaurdattā dātāraṁ narakaṁ nayet

The learned man, desiring his own welfare, should give nothing at all to an unworthy recipient. Even a cow given to an unworthy recipient may lead the giver to hell,

Verse 7 (garuda.2.14.7)

कुलैकविंशतियुतं ग्रहीतारं च पातयेत् । देहान्तरं परिप्राप्य स्वहस्तेन कृतं च यत्

kulaikaviṁśatiyutaṁ grahītāraṁ ca pātayet | dehāntaraṁ pariprāpya svahastena kṛtaṁ ca yat

and casts down, together with him, twenty-one generations of his lineage as well. Upon obtaining another body, whatever has been done with one's own hands,

Verse 8 (garuda.2.14.8)

धनं भूमिगतं यद्वत्स्वहस्तेन निवेशितम् । तद्वत्फलमवाप्नोति ह्यहं वच्मि खगेश्वर

dhanaṁ bhūmigataṁ yadvatsvahastena niveśitam | tadvatphalamavāpnoti hyahaṁ vacmi khageśvara

that alone is the fruit obtained, O lord of birds — just as wealth buried in the earth, placed there by one's own hand, remains secure there — this I tell you.

Verse 9 (garuda.2.14.9)

अपुत्रोऽपि विशेषेण क्रियां चैवान्ध्वदौहिकीम् । प्रकुर्यान्मोक्षकामश्च निर्धनश्च विशेषतः

aputro'pi viśeṣeṇa kriyāṁ caivāndhvadauhikīm | prakuryānmokṣakāmaśca nirdhanaśca viśeṣataḥ

Even the sonless man, desiring liberation, should in particular — and even the poor man, in particular — certainly perform the funerary rite.

Verse 10 (garuda.2.14.10)

स्वल्पेनापि हि वित्तेन स्वयं हस्तेन यत्कृतम् । अक्षयं याति तत्सर्वं यथाज्यं च हुताशने

svalpenāpi hi vittena svayaṁ hastena yatkṛtam | akṣayaṁ yāti tatsarvaṁ yathājyaṁ ca hutāśane

Even with meager wealth, whatever is done with one's own hands becomes entirely imperishable, like ghee cast into the fire.

Verse 11 (garuda.2.14.11)

एका चैकस्य दातव्या शय्या कन्या पयस्विनी । सा विक्रीता वा दहत्यासप्तमं कुलम्

ekā caikasya dātavyā śayyā kanyā payasvinī | sā vikrītā vā dahatyāsaptamaṁ kulam

A single bed, a single maiden, a single milk-giving cow should be given to a single recipient; if sold on, it burns away the family up to the seventh generation.

Verse 12 (garuda.2.14.12)

तस्मात्सर्वं प्रकुर्वीत चञ्चले जीविते सति । गृहीतदानपाथेयः सुखं याति महाध्वनि

tasmātsarvaṁ prakurvīta cañcale jīvite sati | gṛhītadānapātheyaḥ sukhaṁ yāti mahādhvani

Therefore, while this fickle life still remains, one should accomplish everything. He who has taken up the provisions of giving proceeds happily upon the great journey.

Verse 13 (garuda.2.14.13)

अन्यथा क्लिश्यते जन्तुः पाथेयरहितः पथि । एवं ज्ञात्वा खगश्रेष्ठ वृषयज्ञं समाचरेत्

anyathā kliśyate jantuḥ pātheyarahitaḥ pathi | evaṁ jñātvā khagaśreṣṭha vṛṣayajñaṁ samācaret

Otherwise, the creature without provisions suffers upon the road. Knowing this, O best of birds, the bull-sacrifice should be performed.

Verse 14 (garuda.2.14.14)

अकृत्वा म्रियते यस्तु अपुत्रो नैव मुक्तिभाक् । अपुत्रोऽपि हि यः कुर्यात्सुखं याति महापथे

akṛtvā mriyate yastu aputro naiva muktibhāk | aputro'pi hi yaḥ kuryātsukhaṁ yāti mahāpathe

The sonless man who dies without doing this never attains liberation; but the sonless man who does perform it proceeds happily upon the great path.

Verse 15 (garuda.2.14.15)

अग्निहोत्राधिभिर्यज्ञैर्दानैश्च विविधैरपि । न तां गतिमवाप्नोति वृषोत्सर्गेण या गतिः

agnihotrādhibhiryajñairdānaiśca vividhairapi | na tāṁ gatimavāpnoti vṛṣotsargeṇa yā gatiḥ

Through the fire-oblation and other sacrifices, and through various gifts as well, one does not attain the state that is attained through the vrishotsarga.

Verse 16 (garuda.2.14.16)

यज्ञानां चैव सर्वेषां वृषयज्ञस्तथोत्तमः । तस्मात्सर्वप्रयत्नेन वृषयज्ञं समाचरेत्

yajñānāṁ caiva sarveṣāṁ vṛṣayajñastathottamaḥ | tasmātsarvaprayatnena vṛṣayajñaṁ samācaret

Among all sacrifices, the bull-sacrifice alone is supreme; therefore, with every effort, the bull-sacrifice should be performed.

Verse 17 (garuda.2.14.17)

गरुड उवाच । कथयस्व प्रसादेन क्षयाहं चौर्ध्वदैहिकम् । कस्मिन्काले तिथौ कस्यां विधिना केन तद्भवेत्

garuḍa uvāca | kathayasva prasādena kṣayāhaṁ caurdhvadaihikam | kasminkāle tithau kasyāṁ vidhinā kena tadbhavet

Garuda said: Graciously tell me of the funerary rite performed on the lost lunar day — at what time, on what date, by what procedure it should be done.

Verse 18 (garuda.2.14.18)

कृत्वा किं फलमाप्नोति एतन्मे वद साम्प्रतम् । त्वत्प्रसादेन गोविन्द मुक्ते भवति मानवः

kṛtvā kiṁ phalamāpnoti etanme vada sāmpratam | tvatprasādena govinda mukte bhavati mānavaḥ

Tell me now what fruit is obtained by performing it. O Govinda, by your grace a man attains liberation.

Verse 19 (garuda.2.14.19)

श्रीकृष्ण उवाच । कार्तिकादिषु मासेषु याम्यायतगते रवौ । शुक्लपक्षे तथा पक्षिन्द्वादश्यादितिथौ शुभे

śrīkṛṣṇa uvāca | kārtikādiṣu māseṣu yāmyāyatagate ravau | śuklapakṣe tathā pakṣindvādaśyāditithau śubhe

Shri Krishna said: In the months beginning with Kartika, while the sun moves southward, in the bright fortnight, O bird, on the twelfth or some other auspicious lunar day,

Verse 20 (garuda.2.14.20)

शुभे लग्ने मुहूर्ते वा शुचौ देशे समाहितः । ब्राह्मणं तु समाहूय विधिज्ञं शुभलक्षणम्

śubhe lagne muhūrte vā śucau deśe samāhitaḥ | brāhmaṇaṁ tu samāhūya vidhijñaṁ śubhalakṣaṇam

at an auspicious ascendant or hour, in a pure place, with focused mind, having summoned a brahmin learned in the procedure, marked with auspicious signs,

Verse 21 (garuda.2.14.21)

जपहोमैस्तथा दानैः कुर्याद्दहेस्य शोधनम् । पुण्येऽभिजित्सुनक्षत्रे ग्रहान्देवान्समर्चयेत्

japahomaistathā dānaiḥ kuryāddahesya śodhanam | puṇye'bhijitsunakṣatre grahāndevānsamarcayet

through recitation, oblation, and gifts, this day should be purified. At the sacred hour of Abhijit, the planets and deities should be worshipped,

Verse 22 (garuda.2.14.22)

होमं कुर्याद्यथाशक्ति मन्त्रैश्च विविधैरपि । ग्रहाणां स्थापनं कुर्यात्पूर्वं चैव खगेश्वर

homaṁ kuryādyathāśakti mantraiśca vividhairapi | grahāṇāṁ sthāpanaṁ kuryātpūrvaṁ caiva khageśvara

and, according to one's means, oblation should be offered with various mantras. O lord of birds, first the establishment of the planets should also be performed,

Verse 23 (garuda.2.14.23)

मातॄणां पूजनं कार्यं वसोर्धारां च पातयेत् । वह्निं संस्थाप्य तत्रैव पूर्णं होमं तु कारयेत्

mātṝṇāṁ pūjanaṁ kāryaṁ vasordhārāṁ ca pātayet | vahniṁ saṁsthāpya tatraiva pūrṇaṁ homaṁ tu kārayet

the divine mothers should be worshipped, and the vasudhara (a libation) offered. Having established the fire, the full oblation should be performed there.

Verse 24 (garuda.2.14.24)

शालग्रामं च संस्थाप्य वैष्णवं श्राद्धमाचरेत् । वृषं सम्पूज्य तत्रैव वस्त्रालङ्कारभूषणैः

śālagrāmaṁ ca saṁsthāpya vaiṣṇavaṁ śrāddhamācaret | vṛṣaṁ sampūjya tatraiva vastrālaṁkārabhūṣaṇaiḥ

Having established a shalagrama stone, the Vaishnava shraddha should be performed. There, the bull should be worshipped with garments, ornaments, and adornments,

Verse 25 (garuda.2.14.25)

चतस्रो वत्सतर्यश्च पूर्वं समधिवासयेत् । प्रदक्षिणं ततः कुर्याद्धोमान्ते च विसर्जनम्

catasro vatsataryaśca pūrvaṁ samadhivāsayet | pradakṣiṇaṁ tataḥ kuryāddhomānte ca visarjanam

and beforehand the four heifers should undergo the auspicious consecration. Then circumambulation should be performed, and at the end of the oblation, the release.

Verse 26 (garuda.2.14.26)

इमं मन्त्रं समुच्चार्य उत्तराभिमुखः स्थितः । धर्म त्वं वृषरूपेण ब्रह्मणा निर्मितः पुरा

imaṁ mantraṁ samuccārya uttarābhimukhaḥ sthitaḥ | dharma tvaṁ vṛṣarūpeṇa brahmaṇā nirmitaḥ purā

Facing north, one should stand and utter this mantra — 'O Dharma, you who, in the form of a bull, were fashioned of old by Brahma —

Verse 27 (garuda.2.14.27)

तवोत्सर्गप्रभावान्मामुद्धरस्वभवार्णावात् । अबिषिच्य शुभैर्मन्त्रैः पावनैर्विधिपूर्वकम्

tavotsargaprabhāvānmāmuddharasvabhavārṇāvāt | abiṣicya śubhairmantraiḥ pāvanairvidhipūrvakam

by the power of your release, deliver me from the ocean of worldly existence.' Having duly consecrated it with auspicious, purifying mantras,

Verse 28 (garuda.2.14.28)

तनक्रीडन्तिमन्त्रेण वृषोत्सर्गं तु कारयेत् । अभिषिञ्चेत्ततो नीलं रुद्रकुम्भो दकेन तु

tanakrīḍantimantreṇa vṛṣotsargaṁ tu kārayet | abhiṣiñcettato nīlaṁ rudrakumbho dakena tu

with the mantra 'tanakriḍanti' the vrishotsarga should be performed. Then the 'blue-marked' bull should be consecrated with the water of the Rudra-vessel,

Verse 29 (garuda.2.14.29)

नाभिमूले समास्थाय तदम्बु मूर्धनि न्यसेत् । अन्न (आत्म) श्राद्धं ततः कुर्याद्दद्याद्दानं द्विजोत्तमे

nābhimūle samāsthāya tadambu mūrdhani nyaset | anna (ātma) śrāddhaṁ tataḥ kuryāddadyāddānaṁ dvijottame

placing that water at the base of the navel, and then upon the head. Then the shraddha for oneself should be performed, and a gift given to a foremost brahmin.

Verse 30 (garuda.2.14.30)

उदकेचैव गन्तव्यं जलं तत्र प्रदापयेत् । यदिष्टं जीवतस्त्वासीत्तच्च दद्यात्स्वशक्तितः

udakecaiva gantavyaṁ jalaṁ tatra pradāpayet | yadiṣṭaṁ jīvatastvāsīttacca dadyātsvaśaktitaḥ

One should proceed into water, and there offer water. Whatever was dear to the deceased while he lived should also be given, according to one's means.

Verse 31 (garuda.2.14.31)

न्यूनं संपूर्णतां याति वृषोत्सर्गे कृते सति । सुतृप्तो दुस्तरे मार्गे मृतो याति न संशयः

nyūnaṁ saṁpūrṇatāṁ yāti vṛṣotsarge kṛte sati | sutṛpto dustare mārge mṛto yāti na saṁśayaḥ

Once the vrishotsarga is duly performed, whatever was deficient attains completeness. Fully satisfied, the deceased proceeds along that difficult path, without doubt.

Verse 32 (garuda.2.14.32)

यमलोकं न पश्यन्ति सदा दानरता नराः । यावन्न दीयते जन्तोः श्राद्धं चैकादशाहिकम्

yamalokaṁ na paśyanti sadā dānaratā narāḥ | yāvanna dīyate jantoḥ śrāddhaṁ caikādaśāhikam

Men who are ever devoted to giving never behold the world of Yama. So long as the shraddha of the eleventh day is not given to a being,

Verse 33 (garuda.2.14.33)

स्वदत्तं परदत्तं वा नेहामुत्रोपतिष्ठति । त्रयोदशा तथा सप्त पञ्च त्रीणी क्रमेण तु

svadattaṁ paradattaṁ vā nehāmutropatiṣṭhati | trayodaśā tathā sapta pañca trīṇī krameṇa tu

then, whether given by oneself or by another, that gift avails nothing, neither here nor in the next world. Thirteen, then seven, five, and three — in this same descending order,

Verse 34 (garuda.2.14.34)

पददानानि कुर्वीत श्रद्धाभक्तिसमन्वितः । तिलपात्राणि कुर्वीत सप्त पञ्च यथाक्रमम्

padadānāni kurvīta śraddhābhaktisamanvitaḥ | tilapātrāṇi kurvīta sapta pañca yathākramam

the foot-gifts should be made, with faith and devotion. Vessels of sesame too, seven, five — in this same order, should be given.

Verse 35 (garuda.2.14.35)

ब्राह्मणान् भोजयेत्पश्चादेकां गां च प्रदापयेत् । वृषं हि शन्नोदेवीति वेदोक्तविधिना ततः

brāhmaṇān bhojayetpaścādekāṁ gāṁ ca pradāpayet | vṛṣaṁ hi śannodevīti vedoktavidhinā tataḥ

After feeding the brahmins, a cow too should be given. Then, according to the Vedic procedure with the mantra 'śan no devī', the bull's

Verse 36 (garuda.2.14.36)

चतसृभिर्वत्सतरीभिः परिणयनमाचरेत् । वामे चक्रं प्रदातव्यं त्रिशूलं दक्षिणे तथा

catasṛbhirvatsatarībhiḥ pariṇayanamācaret | vāme cakraṁ pradātavyaṁ triśūlaṁ dakṣiṇe tathā

'marriage' should be performed with four heifers. A discus-mark should be given on the left, and a trident-mark on the right.

Verse 37 (garuda.2.14.37)

मूल्यं दद्याद्वृषस्यापि तं वृषं च विसर्जयेत् । एकोद्दिष्टविधानेन स्वाहाकारेण वुद्धिमान्

mūlyaṁ dadyādvṛṣasyāpi taṁ vṛṣaṁ ca visarjayet | ekoddiṣṭavidhānena svāhākāreṇa vuddhimān

The price of the bull should also be given, and then that bull should be released. By the ekoddishta procedure and with the exclamation 'svaha', the wise man,

Verse 38 (garuda.2.14.38)

कुर्यादेकादशाहं च द्वादशाहं च यत्नतः । सपिण्डीकरणादर्वाक्कुर्याच्छ्राद्धानि षोडश

kuryādekādaśāhaṁ ca dvādaśāhaṁ ca yatnataḥ | sapiṇḍīkaraṇādarvākkuryācchrāddhāni ṣoḍaśa

with diligence, should perform the shraddha of the eleventh and twelfth days. Before the sapindikarana, the sixteen shraddhas should be performed,

Verse 39 (garuda.2.14.39)

ब्राह्मणान् भोजयित्वा तु पददानानि दापयेत् । कापोसोपरि संस्थाप्य ताम्रपात्रे तथाच्युतम्

brāhmaṇān bhojayitvā tu padadānāni dāpayet | kāposopari saṁsthāpya tāmrapātre tathācyutam

and, having fed the brahmins, the foot-gift too should be given. Having placed an image of Achyuta upon cotton in a copper vessel,

Verse 40 (garuda.2.14.40)

वस्त्रेणाच्छाद्य तत्रस्थमर्घं दद्याच्छुभैः फलैः । नावमिक्षुमयीं कृत्वा पट्टसूत्रेण वेष्टयेत्

vastreṇācchādya tatrasthamarghaṁ dadyācchubhaiḥ phalaiḥ | nāvamikṣumayīṁ kṛtvā paṭṭasūtreṇa veṣṭayet

and covering it with cloth, arghya should be offered there together with auspicious fruits. A boat made of sugarcane should be fashioned and wound with a silken thread,

Verse 41 (garuda.2.14.41)

कांस्यपात्रे घृतं स्थाप्य वैतरण्या निमित्ततः । नावारोहणं कुर्यात्पूजयेद्गरुडध्वजम्

kāṁsyapātre ghṛtaṁ sthāpya vaitaraṇyā nimittataḥ | nāvārohaṇaṁ kuryātpūjayedgaruḍadhvajam

and, placing ghee in a bronze vessel, dedicated to the crossing of the Vaitarani, embarkation upon that boat should be performed, and the god of the Garuda-banner [Vishnu] worshipped.

Verse 42 (garuda.2.14.42)

आत्मवित्तानुसारेण तच्च दानमनन्तकम् । भवसागरमग्नानां शोकतापार्तिदुः खिनाम्

ātmavittānusāreṇa tacca dānamanantakam | bhavasāgaramagnānāṁ śokatāpārtiduḥ khinām

According to one's own means, that boundless gift too should be given. For those sunk in the ocean of worldly existence, afflicted by the pain of grief and anguish,

Verse 43 (garuda.2.14.43)

धर्मप्लवविहीनानां तारको हि जनार्दनः । तिला लोहं हिरण्यं च कार्पासं लवणं तथा

dharmaplavavihīnānāṁ tārako hi janārdanaḥ | tilā lohaṁ hiraṇyaṁ ca kārpāsaṁ lavaṇaṁ tathā

and lacking the raft of dharma, Janardana alone is the deliverer. Sesame, iron, gold, cotton, salt,

Verse 44 (garuda.2.14.44)

सप्तधान्यं क्षितिर्गावो ह्येकैकं पावनं स्मृतम् । तिलपात्राणि कुर्वीत शय्यादानं च दापयेत्

saptadhānyaṁ kṣitirgāvo hyekaikaṁ pāvanaṁ smṛtam | tilapātrāṇi kurvīta śayyādānaṁ ca dāpayet

the seven grains, land, and a cow — each of these is declared purifying. Vessels of sesame should be made, and the gift of a bed given too.

Verse 45 (garuda.2.14.45)

दीनानाथविशिष्टेभ्यो दद्याच्छक्त्या च दक्षिणाम् । एवं यः कुरुते तार्क्ष्य पुत्रवानप्यपुत्रवान्

dīnānāthaviśiṣṭebhyo dadyācchaktyā ca dakṣiṇām | evaṁ yaḥ kurute tārkṣya putravānapyaputravān

A fee should be given, according to one's means, to the wretched, the helpless, and the distinguished. O Tarkshya, whoever does this in this manner, whether he has sons or not,

Verse 46 (garuda.2.14.46)

स सिद्धिं समवाप्नोति यथा ते ब्रह्मचारिणः । नित्यं नैमित्तिकं कुर्याद्यावज्जीवति मानवः

sa siddhiṁ samavāpnoti yathā te brahmacāriṇaḥ | nityaṁ naimittikaṁ kuryādyāvajjīvati mānavaḥ

attains perfection, just as your celibate students do. A man should perform his daily and occasional rites throughout his life.

Verse 47 (garuda.2.14.47)

यः कश्चित्क्रियते धर्मस्तत्फलं चाक्षयं भवेत् । तीर्थयात्राव्रतादीनां श्राद्धं संवत्सरस्य हि

yaḥ kaścitkriyate dharmastatphalaṁ cākṣayaṁ bhavet | tīrthayātrāvratādīnāṁ śrāddhaṁ saṁvatsarasya hi

Whatever act of dharma is performed, its fruit is imperishable. Of pilgrimage, vows, and the like, and of the yearly shraddha,

Verse 48 (garuda.2.14.48)

देवतानां गुरूणां च मातापित्रोस्तथैव च । पुण्यं देयं प्रयत्नेन प्रत्यहं वर्धते खग

devatānāṁ gurūṇāṁ ca mātāpitrostathaiva ca | puṇyaṁ deyaṁ prayatnena pratyahaṁ vardhate khaga

and of the gods, the gurus, and one's parents as well, merit should diligently be offered — this, O bird, grows day by day.

Verse 49 (garuda.2.14.49)

अस्मिन्यज्ञेः हियः कश्चिद्भूरिदानं प्रयच्छति । तत्तस्य चाक्षयं सर्वं वेदिकायां यथा किल

asminyajñeḥ hiyaḥ kaścidbhūridānaṁ prayacchati | tattasya cākṣayaṁ sarvaṁ vedikāyāṁ yathā kila

Whoever in this sacrifice gives an abundant gift, all of it becomes imperishable for him, as though offered upon the very altar.

Verse 50 (garuda.2.14.50)

यथा पूज्यतमा लोके यतयो ब्रह्मचारिणः । तथैव प्रतिपूज्यन्ते लोके सर्वे च नित्यशः

yathā pūjyatamā loke yatayo brahmacāriṇaḥ | tathaiva pratipūjyante loke sarve ca nityaśaḥ

Just as ascetics and celibate students are the most revered in this world, so too are these givers ever honored throughout the world.

Verse 51 (garuda.2.14.51)

वरदोऽहं सदा तस्य चतुर्वक्त्रस्तथा हरः । ते यान्ति परमांल्लोकानिति सत्यं वचो मम

varado'haṁ sadā tasya caturvaktrastathā haraḥ | te yānti paramāṁllokāniti satyaṁ vaco mama

'I am ever the giver of boons to him, and so too are the four-faced Brahma and Shiva. They go to the highest worlds' — this is my true word.

Verse 52 (garuda.2.14.52)

उत्सृष्टो वृषभो यत्र पिबत्यपो जलाशये । शृङ्गेणालिखते वापि भूमिं नित्यं प्रहर्षितः

utsṛṣṭo vṛṣabho yatra pibatyapo jalāśaye | śṛṁgeṇālikhate vāpi bhūmiṁ nityaṁ praharṣitaḥ

Wherever the released bull drinks water from a lake, or scrapes the earth with its horn, ever content,

Verse 53 (garuda.2.14.53)

पितॄणामन्नपानं च प्रभूतमुपतिष्ठति । पौर्णमास्याममायां वा तिलपात्राणि दापयेत्

pitṝṇāmannapānaṁ ca prabhūtamupatiṣṭhati | paurṇamāsyāmamāyāṁ vā tilapātrāṇi dāpayet

there, abundant food and drink present themselves to the ancestors. On the full moon or the new moon, vessels of sesame should be given.

Verse 54 (garuda.2.14.54)

संक्रान्तीनां सहस्राणि सूर्यपर्वशतानि च । दत्त्वा यत्फलमाप्नोति तद्वै नीलविसर्जने

saṁkrāntīnāṁ sahasrāṇi sūryaparvaśatāni ca | dattvā yatphalamāpnoti tadvai nīlavisarjane

The fruit obtained by giving gifts on thousands of solstice-days and hundreds of solar festivals — that same fruit is obtained by the release of the black bull.

Verse 55 (garuda.2.14.55)

वत्सतर्यः प्रदातव्या ब्राह्मणेभ्यः पदानि च । तिलपात्राणि देयानि शिवभक्तद्विजेषु च

vatsataryaḥ pradātavyā brāhmaṇebhyaḥ padāni ca | tilapātrāṇi deyāni śivabhaktadvijeṣu ca

Heifers should be given to brahmins, and the foot-gift as well. Vessels of sesame should also be given to brahmins devoted to Shiva.

Verse 56 (garuda.2.14.56)

उमामहेश्वरं चैकं परिधाप्य प्रिदापयेत् । अतसीपुष्पसङ्काशं पीतवाससमच्युतम्

umāmaheśvaraṁ caikaṁ paridhāpya pridāpayet | atasīpuṣpasaṁkāśaṁ pītavāsasamacyutam

An image of Uma-Maheshvara, clothed in garments, should be given, and likewise an image of Achyuta, hued like the flax-flower, clad in yellow raiment.

Verse 57 (garuda.2.14.57)

ये नमस्यन्ति गोविन्दं न तेषां विद्यते भयम् । प्रेतत्वान्मोक्षमिच्छन्तो ये करिष्यन्ति सत्क्रियाम्

ye namasyanti govindaṁ na teṣāṁ vidyate bhayam | pretatvānmokṣamicchanto ye kariṣyanti satkriyām

Those who bow to Govinda have no fear whatsoever. Those who, desiring release from the state of a preta, shall perform this auspicious rite,

Verse 58 (garuda.2.14.58)

यास्यन्ति ते परांल्लोकानिति सत्यं वचो मम । एतत्ते सर्वमाख्यातं मया चैवोर्ध्वदैहिकम्

yāsyanti te parāṁllokāniti satyaṁ vaco mama | etatte sarvamākhyātaṁ mayā caivordhvadaihikam

shall go to the highest worlds — this is my true word. All this have I now told you, this whole funerary discipline.

Verse 59 (garuda.2.14.59)

यच्छ्रुत्वा सर्वपापेभ्यो मुच्यते नात्र संशयः । श्रुत्वा महात्म्यमतुलं गरुडो हर्षमागतः । मानुषाणां हितार्थाय पुनः प्रपच्छकेशवम्

yacchrutvā sarvapāpebhyo mucyate nātra saṁśayaḥ | śrutvā mahātmyamatulaṁ garuḍo harṣamāgataḥ | mānuṣāṇāṁ hitārthāya punaḥ prapacchakeśavam

Hearing which, a man is freed from every sin — of this there is no doubt. Hearing this incomparable glory, Garuda was filled with joy, and, for the welfare of mankind, once more began to question Keshava.