13.075
Relating to the giving of a cow.
Yudhishthira said.
I wish to hear in truth about the supreme method relating to cows, by which we may attain all those eternal worlds. (13-75-1)
Bhīṣma said.
O lord of the earth, there exists nothing greater than the gift of a cow. Indeed, a cow that is properly obtained and then given immediately saves the entire family. (13-75-2)
For the sake of the virtuous, what is properly produced becomes truly suitable and rightly given to the people. Therefore, in former times, at the beginning, the practice began for offering cows—hear from me, O king, the proper procedure. (13-75-3)
Long ago, when the cows were brought in, while among the cows, Bṛhaspati spoke the appropriate answer to the question asked by the doubting Māndhātr̥. (13-75-4)
After honoring the twice-born and determining the time for the next day, one of steadfast vow should employ the Rohiṇī cow for the intended charity. (13-75-5)
One should offer the invocation as well as, in the full ritual, utter the phrase ‘bahula’; then, entering (the place), one should recite the middle pitch of the cows' call. (13-75-6)
The cow is my mother; the bull is my father; heaven is my happiness, and the earth is my support. Having thus entered and spent the night among cows, the sage should recite these words at the gifting of a cow. (13-75-7)
If he, together with cows, friends, and like-minded companions, passes one night in unity with her, he is immediately freed from impurity. (13-75-8)
Cows with their bull-calf let loose are to be given at sunrise; three types are to be recognized: praise, benediction, and hymns. (13-75-9)
O energetic one, the sacrifice whose essence is vigour is the womb of immortality and the foundation of the world. Its origin in the earth is ever rooted in prosperity and belongs wholly to Prajāpati. Thus, this is an expression of praise. (13-75-10)
May the cows, radiant ones, drive away my sin; likewise, may the gentle ones be for going to heaven. Those that have been recited, may they grant me support; and likewise, may all unspoken blessings be mine. (13-75-11)
At the time of final release, by virtuous actions, in liberation from the body, O Sarasvatī goddesses engaged in the supreme good, you who are ever bearers of meritorious deeds, lead me, now surrendered, to the path I desire. (13-75-12)
I, who indeed am what you all are, am today of one essence with you; having given you (all), I am the giver of myself. Having fallen from mind, I have come into the mind itself; O you of gentle and fierce forms, stir up (the energies). (13-75-13)
Thus, in front of him, the giver of cows should recite the first half, as prescribed by rule. The recipient, knowledgeable of the ordinance, being a twice-born, should reply with the remaining half while accepting, at the cow-giving. (13-75-14)
One should declare, ‘I shall give the cow;’ the bestower of arghya (offering), cloth, and wealth. The udder should be filled, and the cow should be prompted with the name ‘Vaishnavi’. (13-75-15)
Whoever recites her name, as many times as the number specified and more, indeed receives the fruit: twenty-six thousand and twenty-eight. (13-75-16)
In this way, the giver of cows attains all the increased virtues of cows and the like in their respective order, all at the eighth stage. (13-75-17)
O Bhārata, a giver of cows, one devoted to virtue, fearless, a giver of arghya, who does not suffer sorrow, a giver of wealth, free from desire, one who has a wife and who is learned—all these have been described; they are Vaishnavas and are like the lunar world (radiant, pure). (13-75-18)
One who has given a cow indeed should observe the cow-vow for three nights; and should spend one night here with those (cows). On the desired aṣṭamī (eighth lunar day), one should remain for three nights, subsisting on liquids, or with cow-dung, or with the stream of milk. (13-75-19)
By giving a bull, one devoted to the Vedas may be so called; attainment of the Vedas is through the gifting of a pair of cows. Similarly, a sacrificer who adopts the proper method concerning cows attains the best worlds, but not one who is ignorant of the correct procedure. (13-75-20)
Having assembled all desirable and royal things in one place, one should truly give a wish-fulfilling cow. The best cows are those pure ones abounding in offerings, and among them, the gift of the greatest bulls is considered the highest. (13-75-21)
This should not be taught to the unworthy, to the vowless, to those lacking faith, or to those of crooked intellect. This is a secret dharma of all people and should not be discussed indiscriminately. (13-75-22)
There are in the world faithful people; among men, there are also petty, demonic ones. The gifts given by such unrighteous ones are truly unwelcome; they also take refuge in unbelief. (13-75-23)
O king, having listened to this statement of Bṛhaspati: Those virtuous and well-conducted kings who made gifts of cows and attained the worlds—know those, praised by me. (13-75-24)
Uśīnara, Viśvagaśva, Nṛga, Bhagīratha, the renowned Yauvanāśva, Māndhātā, indeed King Mucukunda, Bhūridyumna, Naishadha, and Somaka. (13-75-25)
Purūravas, Bharata the universal monarch, in whose line are all the Bhāratas; so too the heroic Rāma, son of Daśaratha, and other illustrious ones renowned and famous. (13-75-26)
Thus, King Dilipa, performer of great deeds, attained heaven by properly giving cows. Mandhata too was engaged in sacrifices, gifts, austerities, royal duties, and by giving cows. (13-75-27)
Therefore, O Pārtha, you also should accept this Bārhaspatī speech that I have spoken; after obtaining the kingdom of the Kurus, give meritorious cows to the foremost of the Brāhmaṇas with conviction. (13-75-28)
Vaiśampāyana said.
Thus Dharmarāja accomplished everything as instructed by Bhīṣma regarding the proper giving of cows. He, like Māndhātu, upheld the dharma taught by the god of gods, the king. (13-75-29)
Thus, O king, as he continuously gave away cows, subsisting on barley-flakes with cow-dung, lying on the bare ground, wearing a topknot and with self-mastery, he then became like a royal bull. (13-75-30)
He, the king, always attentive to those cows, indeed, with a devoted mind continually praising them. He no longer yoked cows to the royal cart; instead, with excellent horses, he traveled wherever he wished. (13-75-31)
