Garudapurana 2.41

The glorious Garuḍa Mahāpurāṇa — [Chapter] 41. / The Holy Viṣṇu said: / One should perform the release of a bull according to the rules, O King of Birds, / during the months starting with Kārtika, on the full moon day, an auspicious day.

One should undertake the marriage [of the bull and heifer], the release, the śrāddha, and the Nāndīmukha [rite]; / and one should perform the consecration of the ground and the establishment of the sacred fire.

Having established the fire according to rule at a tank, a well, or a cowshed, / one should perform everything according to the marriage ritual, along with the recitation of blessings by brāhmaṇas.

The placing of the vessels, cooking [of the oblation], the tying of the kuśa grass and so forth, / and at the conclusion of sprinkling around [the altar], the homa should indeed be performed by a brāhmaṇa.

He should offer the two continuous libations of clarified butter and the two clarified butter portions, and the two [oblations called] eyes; / with the mantra 'prathame 'har...', six oblations are to be offered.

The two continuous libations of clarified butter and the two portions of clarified butter [are offered], and to the limb deities [an oblation] with milk-rice: / to Agni, to Rudra, to Śarva, to Paśupati, to Ugra, to Śiva, / to Bhava, to Mahādeva, to Īśāna, and to Yama.

A single homa [is made] with flour-cake using the mantra 'pūṣā gāḥ...'; / for both [bull and heifer], the sviṣṭakṛt oblation [is offered] with boiled rice-offering and milk-rice.

First is the homa with the vyāhṛtis, then the expiation to Prajāpati; / one should partake of the sacrificial remains and release the Praṇītā water.

Then disposal of the purifying kuśa grass, and the priestly gift to the brāhmaṇa; / by the recitation of the Rudra [hymn] with its six limbs, the deceased attains liberation.

Having bathed a bull of a single color, and likewise a heifer once, O bird, / he should then make them adorned with all ornaments.

Having consecrated that pair, the deceased attains liberation; / water-libation should be offered at the raised tail with the recitation of mantras; / afterwards, he should feed brāhmaṇas and satisfy them with priestly gifts.

Then the śrāddha intended [for him], the ekoddiṣṭa, [should be performed] according to rule; / water and food should likewise be given for the purpose of rescuing the deceased.

Then on the twelfth day he should perform it, and month after month separately; / indeed, the rite endowed in this manner brings about liberation for the deceased.

Thus ends the forty-first chapter, entitled 'Determination of the Release of a Bull', in the Pretakalpa of the Dharmakāṇḍa, in the second section of the Uttarakhaṇḍa of the glorious Garuḍa Mahāpurāṇa, in the dialogue between Śrī Kṛṣṇa and Garuḍa.