13.072
brahmovāca॥
Brahmā said.
yo'yaṃ praśnas tvayā pṛṣṭo gopradānādhikāravān। nāsya praṣṭāsti loke'smiṃs tvatto'nyo hi śatakrato ॥13-72-1॥
O Śatakratu, this question about the authority for cow-bestowal, which has been asked by you—there is surely no one else in this world other than you to ask it. (13-72-1)
santi nānāvidhā lokā yāṁs tvaṁ śakra na paśyasi। paśyāmi yān ahaṁ lokān ekapatnyaś ca yāḥ striyaḥ॥13-72-2॥
There are many kinds of worlds that you, O Śakra, do not see. I see those worlds, and the women who each have one husband. (13-72-2)
karmabhiś cāpi suśubhaiḥ suvratā ṛṣayas tathā। saśarīrā hi tān yānti brāhmaṇāḥ śubhavṛttayaḥ॥13-72-3॥
Brāhmaṇas of auspicious conduct, performing very auspicious actions and possessing good vows, just like the sages, indeed go to those [states] even with their bodies. (13-72-3)
śarīranyāsamokṣeṇa manasā nirmalena ca। svapnabhūtāṃś ca tāṃl lokān paśyantīhāpi suvratāḥ ॥13-72-4॥
By bodily withdrawal and with a pure mind, the virtuous, while still here, see those worlds as if in a dream. (13-72-4)
te tu lokāḥ sahasrākṣa śṛṇu yādṛg-guṇānvitāḥ। na tatra kramate kālaḥ na jarā na ca pāpakam॥ tathā anyat na aśubham kiñcit na vyādhiḥ tatra na klamaḥ॥13-72-5॥
O thousand-eyed, listen: those worlds are endowed with such qualities. There, time does not enter; neither old age, nor evil is present. Likewise, there is nothing else inauspicious, no disease, and no fatigue. (13-72-5)
yadyacca gāvo manasā tasminvāñchanti vāsava. tatsarvaṃ prāpayanti sma mama pratyakṣadarśanāt ॥ kāmagāḥ kāmacāriṇyaḥ kāmātkāmāṃśca bhuñjate ॥13-72-6॥
O Vāsava, whatever the cows desired in their mind of him, they all indeed made available for me by direct perception. These cows, moving and acting as they wish, enjoy all pleasures they wish for. (13-72-6)
vāpyaḥ sarāṃsi sarito vividhāni vanāni ca। gṛhāṇi parvatāścaiva yāvad dravyaṃ ca kiñcana॥13-72-7॥
Tanks, lakes, rivers, various forests, houses, mountains, all kinds of wealth and possessions—whatever there is. (13-72-7)
manojñaṃ sarvabhūtebhyaḥ sarvaṃ tatra pradṛśyate. īdṛśān viddhi tāṃl lokān nāsti lokaḥ tato'dhikaḥ ॥13-72-8॥
Everything seen there is pleasing to the mind and beneficial to all beings. Know such worlds; there is no world greater than those. (13-72-8)
tatra sarvasahāḥ kṣāntā vatsalā guru-vartinaḥ | ahaṅkārair virahitā yānti śakra narottamāḥ ॥13-72-9॥
There, O Śakra, those who are tolerant of all, forgiving, loving, obedient to elders, and free from pride become the best among men. (13-72-9)
yaḥ sarvamāṁsāni na bhakṣayīta; pumān sadā yāvad-antāya yuktaḥ. mātā-pitror arcitā satya-yuktaḥ; śuśrūṣitā brāhmaṇānām anindyaḥ ॥13-72-10॥
He who does not eat any kind of flesh, who is always devoted until the end, who honors his mother and father, is devoted to truth, who serves the brāhmaṇas and is blameless, (13-72-10)
akrodhano goṣu tathā dvijeṣu; dharme rato guruśuśrūṣakaś ca. yāvajjīvaṃ satyavṛtte rataś ca; dāne rato yaḥ kṣamī cāparādhe ॥13-72-11॥
He who is not wrathful toward cows or the twice-born, who delights in dharma, who serves his elders; who throughout his life remains engaged in truthfulness, is devoted to giving, is forgiving and in matters of offence, (13-72-11).
mṛdurdānto devaparāyaṇaśca; sarvātithiścāpi tathā dayāvān। īdṛgguṇo mānavaḥ samprayāti; lokaṃ gavāṃ śāśvataṃ cāvyayaṃ ca ॥13-72-12॥
A gentle, self-restrained, god-devoted, universally hospitable, and compassionate person—such a person proceeds to the eternal and indestructible realm of the cows. (13-72-12)
na pāradārī paśyati lokam enaṃ; na vai gurughno na mṛṣāpralāpī. sadāpavādī brāhmaṇaḥ śāntavedo; doṣair anyair yaś ca yukto durātmā ॥13-72-13॥
He is not an adulterer who sees these people, nor a killer of the teacher, nor a liar. (But) always a Brāhmaṇa who is a slanderer whose Vedas are inactive, and who is endowed with other faults, is wicked-souled. (13-72-13)
na mitradhruṅ naikr̥tikaḥ kr̥taghnaḥ; śaṭho'nr̥jur dharmavidveṣakaś ca. na brahmahā manasā'pi prapaśye; dugāṃ lokaṃ puṇyakr̥tāṃ nivāsam ॥13-72-14॥
Neither the betrayer of a friend, nor the hypocrite, the ingrate, the deceitful, the dishonest, the hater of righteousness, nor a slayer of a Brāhmaṇa can ever, even in mind, behold the realm that is the abode of the virtuous and blessed. (13-72-14)
etat te sarvam ākhyātam naipuṇena sureśvara। gopradānaratānāṃ tu phalaṃ śṛṇu śatakrato ॥13-72-15॥
O lord of the gods, all this has been told to you with skill; but now, O Indra, listen to the result of those devoted to giving cows. (13-72-15)
dāyādyalabdhair arthair yo gāḥ krītvā samprayacchati। dharmārjita-dhana-krītān sa lokān aśnute’kṣayān ॥13-72-16॥
He who, with inherited wealth, buys cows and gives them as gifts attains those imperishable worlds earned by righteously obtained wealth. (13-72-16)
yo vai dyūte dhanaṃ jitvā gāḥ krītvā samprayacchati। sa divyam ayutaṃ śakra varṣāṇāṃ phalam aśnute॥13-72-17॥
Whoever indeed, having gained wealth in gambling and then purchases cows and gives them away, he enjoys the fruit of ten thousand years in the heavenly realm of Indra. (13-72-17)
dāyādyā yasya vai gāvo nyāyapūrvair upārjitāḥ। pradattās tāḥ pradātṝṇāṃ sambhavanty akṣayā dhruvāḥ ॥13-72-18॥
The cows righteously acquired by heirs and given away, indeed, certainly bring imperishable benefits to the donors. (13-72-18)
pratigṛhya ca yo dadyād gāḥ suśuddhena cetasā । tasyāpi iha akṣayān lokān dhruvān viddhi śacī-pate ॥13-72-19॥
O lord of Śacī, know that even for him who, after accepting, gives cows with a very pure mind, here exist steady, imperishable worlds. (13-72-19)
janmaprabhṛti satyaṁ ca yo brūyān niyatendriyaḥ। guru-dvija-sahaḥ kṣāntaḥ tasya gobhiḥ samā gatiḥ॥13-72-20॥
He who speaks truth from birth, whose senses are restrained, who endures elders and the twice-born, and is forbearing—his attainment is equal to that of the cows. (13-72-20)
na jātu brāhmaṇo vācyo yad avācyaṃ śacīpate| manasā goṣu na druhyed govṛttir gonukampakaḥ ॥13-72-21॥
O lord of Śacī (Indra), a Brāhmaṇa should never be spoken of in a manner that is improper. One who is devoted to cows and compassionate towards them should never harbor any ill intent toward cows, even in thought. (13-72-21)
satye dharme ca niratastasya śakra phalaṃ śṛṇu। gosahasreṇa samitā tasya dhenurbhavatyuta ॥13-72-22॥
O Indra, hear: The fruit of him who is engaged in truth and righteousness is that his cow becomes equal to a thousand cows. (13-72-22)
kṣatriyasya guṇair ebhir anvitasyā phalaṃ śṛṇu. tasyāpi śatatulyā gaur bhavatīti viniścayaḥ ॥13-72-23॥
Hear the fruit of a kṣatriya who is endowed with these virtues: for him too, a single cow becomes equal to a hundred—this is certain. (13-72-23)
vaiśyasyaite yadi guṇās tasya pañcāśataṃ bhavet। śūdrasyāpi vinītasya caturbhāgaphalaṃ smṛtam ॥13-72-24॥
If these qualities are found in the Vaiśya, his share is fifty. For the humble Śūdra also, it is remembered that he receives one-fourth of the fruit. (13-72-24)
etac caivaṁ yo'nutiṣṭheta yuktaḥ; satyena yukto guruśuśrūṣayā ca। dāntaḥ kṣānto devatārcī praśāntaḥ; śucir buddho dharmaśīlo'nahaṁvāk ॥13-72-25॥
Whoever, being self-controlled, performs this as thus stated, engaged in truth and in service to the teacher; who is subdued, patient, a worshipper of the gods, calm, pure, wise, righteous, and without arrogance in speech—he indeed (is laudable). (13-72-25)
mahatphalaṃ prāpnute sa dvijāya; dattvā dogdhrīṃ vidhinā anena dhenum. nityaṃ dadyād ekabhaktaḥ sadā ca; satye sthitaḥ guruśuśrūṣitā ca ॥13-72-26॥
He obtains great reward who, having given a milk-yielding cow to a Brāhmaṇa in accordance with this rule, always gives, takes food only once a day, is always established in truth, and has served his teacher. (13-72-26)
vedādhyāyī goṣu yo bhaktimāṁś ca; nityaṁ dṛṣṭvā yo'bhinandeta gāś ca. ā jātito yaś ca gavāṁ nameta; idaṁ phalaṁ śakra nibodha tasya ॥13-72-27॥
He who, being a Veda-reciter, is devoted among cows, and who always greets the cows when he sees them, and who bows to cows from birth—O Śakra, understand this is the fruit belonging to him. (13-72-27)
yatsyādiṣṭvā rājasūye phalaṃ tu; yatsyādiṣṭvā bahunā kāñcanena। etattulyaṃ phalamasya āhuragryaṃ; sarve santastvṛṣayo ye ca siddhāḥ ॥13-72-28॥
The reward attained by performing the Rājasūya sacrifice, and the reward attained by worship with abundant gold—these, all sages, good people, and accomplished ones say, are equal to the highest fruit of this. (13-72-28)
yo’graṃ bhaktānkiñcidaprāśya dadyā; dgobhyo nityaṃ govratī satyavādī. śānto buddho gosahasrasya puṇyaṃ; saṃvatsareṇāpnuyāt puṇyaśīlaḥ ॥13-72-29॥
He who, without eating even a little of the first portion, gives it to devotees, always gives to cows, observes the vow concerning cows, speaks the truth, is peaceful and wise—such a virtuous person gains the merit of giving a thousand cows in a year. (13-72-29)
ya ekaṁ bhaktam aśnīyāt dadyāt ekaṁ gavāṁ ca yat। daśa varṣāṇy anantāni govratī go-nukampakaḥ ॥13-72-30॥
Whoever should eat one cooked-rice and should give one thing of cows also, he who observes the vow regarding cows and is a protector of cows obtains endless ten years of merit. (13-72-30)
ekenaīva ca bhaktena yaḥ kr̥tvā gāṃ prayacchati. yāvanti tasya proktāni divasāni śatakrato ॥ tāvacchatānāṃ sa gavāṃ phalam āpnoti śāśvatam ॥13-72-31॥
If a devotee purchases and gives a single cow, O Indra, then for as many days as are spoken (prescribed), he obtains the eternal fruit of hundreds of cows. (13-72-31)
brāhmaṇasya phalaṃ hīdaṃ kṣatriye'bhihitaṃ śṛṇu। pañcavārṣikam etat tu kṣatriyasya phalaṃ smṛtam॥ tato'rdhena tu vaiśyasya śūdro vaiśyārdhataḥ smṛtaḥ॥13-72-32॥
The reward of a Brāhmaṇa—listen to what is declared for a Kṣatriya. This is considered the Kṣatriya’s reward for five years. Thereafter, the Vaiśya receives half of that, and a Śūdra is regarded as receiving half of the Vaiśya’s portion. (13-72-32)
yaś cātmavikrayaṃ kṛtvā gāḥ krītvā samprayacchati। yāvatīḥ sparśayed gā vai tāvattu phalamaśnute॥ lomni lomni mahābhāga lokāś cāsyākṣayāḥ smṛtāḥ॥ 13-72-33॥
Whoever, having sold himself, purchases cows and gives them away; for as many cows as he touches, he attains reward accordingly. On each and every hair, O greatly fortunate one, imperishable worlds for him are declared. (13-72-33)
saṅgrāmeṣvarjayitvā tu yo vai gāḥ samprayacchati. ātmavikrayatulyāstāḥ śāśvatā viddhi kauśika ॥13-72-34॥
O Kauśika, know that those who give cows acquired in battles, their gift is as if they have sold themselves; such gifts are enduring. (13-72-34)
alābhe yo gavāṃ dadyāt tiladhenum yatavrataḥ। durgāt sa tārito dhenvā kṣīranadyāṃ pramodate ॥13-72-35॥
If one who is self-restrained in vow, in case cows are not available, gives a cow made of sesame seeds, he is rescued from peril by a cow and rejoices in the river of milk. (13-72-35)
na tvevāsāṃ dānamātraṃ praśastaṃ; pātraṃ kālo goviśeṣo vidhiś ca. kālajñānaṃ vipra gavāntaraṃ hi; duḥkhaṃ jñātuṃ pāvakādityabhūtam ॥13-72-36॥
The mere act of giving these is not truly praiseworthy; one must consider the recipient, the timing, the particular kind of cow, and the rule. Knowing the correct time and the differences among cows, O Brāhmaṇa, is truly difficult—to discern the subtleties related to fire, the sun, and the elements. (13-72-36)
svādhyāyāḍhyaṃ śuddhayoniṃ praśāntaṃ; vaitanāsthaṃ pāpabhīruṃ kṛtajñam. goṣu kṣāntaṃ nātitīkṣṇaṃ śaraṇyaṃ; vṛttiglīnaṃ tādṛśaṃ pātram āhuḥ ॥13-72-37॥
One who is abundant in self-study, of pure lineage, peaceful, engaged in Vaitāna rites, afraid of sin, grateful; who is patient towards cows, not excessively harsh, offers refuge, and whose livelihood is distressed—such a person, they say, is a fit recipient. (13-72-37)
vṛttiglāne sīdati cātimātraṃ; kṛṣyartham vā homahetor prasūtyām. gurvartham vā bālasaṃvṛddhaye vā; dhenuṃ dadyād deśakāle viśiṣṭe ॥13-72-38॥
If a cow is excessively weakened by old age, or for purposes such as agriculture, sacrificial rites, after giving birth, for the benefit of a teacher, or for raising a child, then one should give a cow at the proper place and time. (13-72-38)
antarjātāḥ sukrayajñānalabdhāḥ; prāṇakrītā nirjitāścaukajāśca। kṛcchrotsṛṣṭāḥ poṣaṇābhyāgatāśca; dvārairetairgoviśeṣāḥ praśastāḥ ॥13-72-39॥
Cows of these special categories—those born within, properly purchased and known, acquired by ransoming life, won in contests, secured from cattle pens, released due to distress, and those that have come for nourishment—are all regarded as commendable. (13-72-39)
balānvitāḥ śīlava yopapannāḥ; sarvāḥ praśaṁsanti sugandhavatyaḥ. yathā hi gaṅgā saritām variṣṭhā; tathārjunīnām kapilā variṣṭhā ॥13-72-40॥
Endowed with strength, possessing good character and age, all praise the fragrant ones. Just as Gaṅgā is the foremost among rivers, so the tawny cow is the best among arjunī cows. (13-72-40)
tisro rātrīs tvadbhir upoṣya bhūmau; tṛptā gāvas tarpitebhyaḥ pradeyāḥ. vatsaiḥ puṣṭaiḥ kṣīrapaiḥ supracārā; stryahaṃ dattvā gorasair vartitavyam ॥13-72-41॥
You must fast on the ground for three nights; afterward, cows that are satisfied should be given to those who are satisfied. With well-nourished, milk-drinking, well-behaved calves (attached), after giving them for three days, one should sustain oneself only on cow products. (13-72-41)
dattvā dhenuṃ suvratāṃ sādhuvatsāṃ; kalyāṇavṛttāmapalāyinīṃ ca। yāvanti lomāni bhavanti tasyā; stāvanti varṣāṇi vasatyamutra ॥13-72-42॥
One who gives a cow of good vows, with a good calf, auspicious conduct, and not running away—he dwells there (in heaven) for as many years as there are hairs on her body. (13-72-42)
tathā naḍvāhaṃ brāhmaṇāyātha dhuryaṃ; dattvā yuvānaṃ balinaṃ vinītam। halasya voḍhāram anantavīryaṃ; prāpnoti lokān daśadhenudasya ॥13-72-43॥
In this way, one who gives a young, strong, and well-trained draught animal—capable of bearing the plough and of endless strength—to a Brāhmaṇa, attains the worlds (merit) that are obtained by the giver of ten cows. (13-72-43)
kāntāre brāhmaṇān gāś ca yaḥ paritrāti kauśika। kṣemeṇa ca vimucyeta tasya puṇyaphalaṃ śṛṇu॥ aśvamedhakratoḥ tulyaṃ phalaṃ bhavati śāśvatam॥13-72-44॥
O Kauśika, whoever rescues Brāhmaṇas and cows in the forest and brings them to safety, listen to the merit he obtains: he gains an eternal result equal to that of an Aśvamedha sacrifice. (13-72-44)
mṛtyukāle sahasrākṣa yāṃ vṛttim anukāṅkṣate। lokān bahuvidhān divyān yad vā asya hṛdi vartate॥13-72-45॥
O Thousand-eyed one, at the time of death, whichever state a person desires or whichever diverse divine worlds are present in his heart, (13-72-45)
tatsarvaṃ samavāpnoti karmaṇā tena mānavaḥ. gobhiśca samanujñātaḥ sarvatra sa mahīyate ॥13-72-46॥
That human being, by such action, attains all; being approved by the cows also, he is honored everywhere. (13-72-46)
yas tv etenaiva vidhinā gāṃ vaneṣv anugacchati। tṛṇagomayaparṇāśī niḥspṛho niyataḥ śuciḥ॥13-72-47॥
But he who, by this same method, follows the cow (the earth) in the forests, subsisting on grass, cow-dung, and leaves, being free from desire, disciplined, and pure, (he is virtuous). (13-72-47)
akāmaṃ tena vastavyaṃ muditena śatakrato। mama loke suraiḥ sārdhaṃ loke yatrāpi cecchati ॥13-72-48॥
O Śatakratu, without desire, he should live joyfully in my world, together with the gods, wherever he may wish, in any world. (13-72-48)
