13.076
Vaiśampāyana said.
Then King Yudhiṣṭhira, endowed with humility, again asked the son of Śantanu, O king, intelligently and in detail concerning the giving of cows. (13-76-1)
Yudhishthira said.
O Bhārata, tell again, properly, the qualities in the giving of cows. O hero, I am not satisfied with hearing such nectar. (13-76-2)
When thus addressed by Dharmarāja, then the king, the son of Śāntanu, properly explained to him only the qualities of giving a cow. (13-76-3)
Bhīṣma said.
Whoever gives an affectionate, virtuous, young cow, covered with cloth, to a Brāhmaṇa is freed from all sins. (13-76-4)
Those worlds called 'not-luminous', he attains there, having given a cow that has drunk water, eaten grass, lost its milk, and is devoid of strength. (13-76-5)
If one gives an old village, worn out and no longer useful, like a well without water, to a Brāhmaṇa, he enters darkness; such a gift brings hardship to the Brāhmaṇa. (13-76-6)
One should not give women who are corrupt, angry, diseased, or weak, nor those acquired for unpaid prices. Whoever associates a brahmin with fruitless hardships—his worlds become powerless and fruitless indeed. (13-76-7)
Endowed with strength, good character, and age, all the fragrant ones are praised. Just as Gaṅgā is the foremost among rivers, in the same way Kapilā is the foremost among the Arjunī trees. (13-76-8)
Yudhiṣṭhira said.
Why, when equal abundant gifts are given, is the offering of a brown cow especially praised by the good? O great one, I wish to hear the distinction; for you are indeed capable of explaining it. (13-76-9)
Bhīṣma said.
O dear one, what you have spoken, which I learned from elders and those who speak, I will now explain in full—how the Rohiṇī cows were created. (13-76-10)
Formerly, Dakṣa, having been instructed by Svayambhū to 'create offspring', at first established only the way of life for the offspring, desiring their welfare. (13-76-11)
O mighty one, just as the dwellers of heaven live by resorting to nectar, so too do creatures live by depending on livelihood. (13-76-12)
Among beings, the moving are superior to the non-moving; among the moving, humans are superior; among humans, Brāhmaṇas are superior; and among them, sacrifices are established. (13-76-13)
Through sacrifices, Soma is nourished, and he is established in cows. All the gods rejoice, as did those who came before; from that, creatures are born. (13-76-14)
But these very creatures cried out, longing for livelihood. Thirsty, they followed after the provider of livelihood as if (he were) their father and mother. (13-76-15)
Thus, Prajapati, having mentally attained this for the sake of creation, then drank the nectar of strength for himself. (13-76-16)
He, having gone and emitting a pleasant fragrance, saw his daughter, who was born from his mouth and had become fragrant from eructation, as a result of his satisfaction. (13-76-17)
Surabhi created the cows born of herself, who are mothers of the world; they are golden in color, tawny, the nourishing cows for all beings. (13-76-18)
Foam born of nectar arose from those nectar-colored and flowing ones on all sides, like the foam produced by the waves of flowing waters. (13-76-19)
He, fallen from the mouth of the calf, on the head of Bhava (Śiva) standing on the earth, then in anger, the Lord looked up at it; with his eye born of the forehead, he seemed to burn the Rohiṇīs (wives of the Moon). (13-76-20)
But that splendor then brought the tawny cows, O lord of men, into various colors, like the sun (does) to clouds. (13-76-21)
But those who, having withdrawn from him, took refuge solely in Soma, have remained in their own class as they were born and have not been brought to another caste. (13-76-22)
Then Prajāpati spoke to Mahādeva, who was angry: "Since you have been anointed with amṛta, there are no remnants left from the cows." (13-76-23)
Just as Soma, having absorbed nectar, flows forth again, so these Rohini cows of nectar origin produce milk. (13-76-24)
The wind is not corrupted, nor fire, nor gold, nor the ocean. Nectar is not changed by nectar, nor does the cow become less loving when her milk is drunk by the calves. (13-76-25)
These worlds will be sustained by the oblation and the residue. Enjoy the prosperity of these offerings, all of which are composed of immortality and are auspicious. (13-76-26)
Prajāpati gave a bull to him along with those women. By that, he caused Rudra's mind to be pleased, O Bhārata. (13-76-27)
Being pleased, Mahadeva at that time made the Bull, both as his banner and his vehicle; therefore, he is called the Bull-bannered one. (13-76-28)
Then Mahadeva was made Pashupati by the gods at that time. The Lord, among cows, is also called Vṛṣāṅka. (13-76-29)
Thus, regarding the tawny beings of unagitated color and great energy, in the offering, the first rite for all has been declared. (13-76-30)
Those who are eldest among people, following the worldly way, associated with Rudra and possessing the essence of Soma, gentle and auspicious, givers of desires and life—having truly given cows, one attains the fulfillment of all desires. (13-76-31)
Whoever, pure and very fond of auspiciousness, always recites this excellent origin-procedure of cows is freed from the impurity of the Kali age; he also attains dear sons and cattle-wealth. (13-76-32)
O king, the giver of cows indeed always attains all these virtues: oblation (to gods), offering for ancestors, satisfaction of the manes, peace-bringing rites, a vehicle, clothing, nourishment of the old and the young. (13-76-33)
Vaiśampāyana said.
Then, having heard the grandsire's words, King Ajamiḍha, together with his brothers, Pārtha gave cows, which had golden and bronze milk-pails, to the best of the Brāhmaṇas. (13-76-34)
Similarly, he gave to those twice-born Brahmins thousands and hundreds of cows. With reference to sacrifices and for the sake of gifts, to conquer worlds and attain supreme fame. (13-76-35)
