13.080
युधिष्ठिर उवाच॥
Yudhishthira said.
पवित्राणां पवित्रं यच्छ्रेष्ठं लोके च यद्भवेत्। पावनं परमं चैव तन्मे ब्रूहि पितामह ॥१३-८०-१॥
O grandsire, tell me which is the purest and supreme purifier among all purifying things that may exist in the world. (13-80-1)
भीष्म उवाच॥
Bhīṣma said.
गावो महार्थाः पुण्याश्च तारयन्ति च मानवान्। धारयन्ति प्रजाश्चेमाः पयसा हविषा तथा ॥१३-८०-२॥
Cows are of great value, auspicious, and they save humans. These also support all creatures with their milk and clarified butter. (13-80-2)
न हि पुण्यतमं किञ्चिद्गोभ्यो भरतसत्तम। एताः पवित्राः पुण्याश्च त्रिषु लोकेष्वनुत्तमाः ॥१३-८०-३॥
O best of the Bharatas, there is indeed nothing more meritorious than cows; these are holy purifiers, unsurpassed in all the three worlds. (13-80-3)
देवानामुपरिष्टाच्च गावः प्रतिवसन्ति वै। दत्त्वा चैता नरपते यान्ति स्वर्गं मनीषिणः ॥१३-८०-४॥
Cows dwell above the gods, and wise men, O king, having given these (cows), indeed go to heaven. (13-80-4)
मान्धाता यौवनाश्वश्च ययातिर्नहुषस्तथा। गावो ददन्तः सततं सहस्रशतसंमिताः ॥ गताः परमकं स्थानं देवैरपि सुदुर्लभम् ॥१३-८०-५॥
Māndhātā, Yauvanāśva, Yayāti, and Nahuṣa also, and cows that gave constantly, numbering in hundreds and thousands, have reached the highest abode, which is very difficult for even the gods to attain. (13-80-5)
अपि चात्र पुरावृत्तं कथयिष्यामि तेऽनघ। ऋषीणामुत्तमं धीमान्कृष्णद्वैपायनं शुकः। अभिवाद्याह्निकं कृत्वा शुचिः प्रयतमानसः ॥ पितरं परिपप्रच्छ दृष्टलोकपरावरम् ॥१३-८०-७॥
Now, O sinless one, I shall narrate here an ancient tale: Śuka, the wise son of Vyāsa, the best among sages, after saluting (his father), having performed his daily observances, pure and with a disciplined mind, thoroughly questioned his father, who had witnessed all aspects of the world. (13-80-7)
को यज्ञः सर्वयज्ञानां वरिष्ठ उपलक्ष्यते। किं च कृत्वा परं स्वर्गं प्राप्नुवन्ति मनीषिणः ॥१३-८०-८॥
Which sacrifice is regarded as the highest among all sacrifices? And what deed do the wise perform to attain supreme heaven? (13-80-8)
केन देवाः पवित्रेण स्वर्गमश्नन्ति वा विभो। किं च यज्ञस्य यज्ञत्वं क्व च यज्ञः प्रतिष्ठितः ॥१३-८०-९॥
By what do the gods reach heaven through purification, O mighty One? What constitutes the sacrificial essence of sacrifice, and where is sacrifice established? (13-80-9)
दानानामुत्तमं किं च किं च सत्रमतः परम्। पवित्राणां पवित्रं च यत्तद्ब्रूहि ममानघ ॥१३-८०-१०॥
Tell me, O sinless one, what is the best among gifts, and what is the highest sacrifice; and what is the supreme purifier among purifiers. (13-80-10)
एतच्छ्रुत्वा तु वचनं व्यासः परमधर्मवित्। पुत्रायाकथयत्सर्वं तत्त्वेन भरतर्षभ ॥१३-८०-११॥
O best of the Bharatas, having heard this, Vyāsa, the knower of the highest dharma, spoke everything truly to his son. (13-80-11)
व्यास उवाच॥
Vyāsa said.
गावः प्रतिष्ठा भूतानां तथा गावः परायणम्। गावः पुण्याः पवित्राश्च पावनं धर्म एव च ॥१३-८०-१२॥
Cows are the foundation and refuge of all beings; they are holy, pure, purifying, and embody righteousness itself. (13-80-12)
पूर्वमासन्नशृङ्गा वै गाव इत्यनुशुश्रुमः। शृङ्गार्थे समुपासन्त ताः किल प्रभुमव्ययम् ॥१३-८०-१३॥
We have heard that, in former times, the cows, when they had just grown horns, indeed approached the imperishable Lord for the sake of their horns. (13-80-13)
ततो ब्रह्मा तु गाः प्रायमुपविष्टाः समीक्ष्य ह। ईप्सितं प्रददौ ताभ्यो गोभ्यः प्रत्येकशः प्रभुः ॥१३-८०-१४॥
Then Brahmā, having observed the cows seated nearby, indeed gave to each of them individually what they desired, the lord. (13-80-14)
तासां शृङ्गाण्यजायन्त यस्या यादृङ्मनोगतम्। नानावर्णाः शृङ्गवन्त्यस्ता व्यरोचन्त पुत्रक ॥१३-८०-१५॥
O dear son, among them, the horns were born according to what was in their minds; those having horns of various colors shone brightly. (13-80-15)
ब्रह्मणा वरदत्तास्ता हव्यकव्यप्रदाः शुभाः। पुण्याः पवित्राः सुभगा दिव्यसंस्थानलक्षणाः ॥ गावस्तेजो महद्दिव्यं गवां दानं प्रशस्यते ॥१३-८०-१६॥
Cows, bestowed as a boon by Brahmā, are givers of offerings to gods and ancestors, are auspicious, meritorious, pure, fortunate, and bear divine marks. Cows possess great divine lustre. The gift of cows is especially praised. (13-80-16)
ये चैताः सम्प्रयच्छन्ति साधवो वीतमत्सराः। ते वै सुकृतिनः प्रोक्ताः सर्वदानप्रदाश्च ते ॥ गवां लोकं तथा पुण्यमाप्नुवन्ति च तेऽनघ ॥१३-८०-१७॥
Those who, being virtuous and free from envy, bestow these cows—they are indeed called the truly meritorious and givers of all gifts. And they attain the world of cows and merit, O sinless one. (13-80-17)
यत्र वृक्षा मधुफला दिव्यपुष्पफलोपगाः। पुष्पाणि च सुगन्धीनि दिव्यानि द्विजसत्तम ॥१३-८०-१८॥
O best of twice-born, where the trees are honey-fruited and bear divine flowers and fruits, and where the flowers are fragrant and divine. (13-80-18)
सर्वा मणिमयी भूमिः सूक्ष्मकाञ्चनवालुका। सर्वत्र सुखसंस्पर्शा निष्पङ्का नीरजा शुभा ॥१३-८०-१९॥
The entire earth was made of jewels, covered with fine golden sand; everywhere was pleasant to the touch, spotless, dustless, and auspicious. (13-80-19)
रक्तोत्पलवनैश्चैव मणिदण्डैर्हिरण्मयैः। तरुणादित्यसङ्काशैर्भान्ति तत्र जलाशयाः ॥१३-८०-२०॥
There, reservoirs of water shine, adorned with groves of red lotuses and columns of jewels and gold, resembling the youthful sun. (13-80-20)
महार्हमणिपत्रैश्च काञ्चनप्रभकेसरैः। नीलोत्पलविमिश्रैश्च सरोभिर्बहुपङ्कजैः ॥१३-८०-२१॥
With leaves made of most precious gems and filaments radiant like gold, with lakes interspersed with blue lotuses and filled with many lotuses. (13-80-21)
करवीरवनैः फुल्लैः सहस्रावर्तसंवृतैः। सन्तानकवनैः फुल्लैर्वृक्षैश्च समलङ्कृताः ॥१३-८०-२२॥
They were splendidly adorned with forests of blossoming oleander, encircled by countless whirls, and with blooming santānaka forests and blossoming trees. (13-80-22)
निर्मलाभिश्च मुक्ताभिर्मणिभिश्च महाधनैः। उद्धूतपुलिनास्तत्र जातरूपैश्च निम्नगाः ॥१३-८०-२३॥
There, the sandbanks of rivers are heaped with pure pearls, jewels, great treasures, and gold nuggets. (13-80-23)
सर्वरत्नमयैश्चित्रैरवगाढा नगोत्तमैः। जातरूपमयैश्चान्यैर्हुताशनसमप्रभैः ॥१३-८०-२४॥
She was surrounded by the best mountains, brilliantly adorned with all sorts of gems, variegated and immersed, and with others made of gold, shining with radiance equal to that of fire. (13-80-24)
सौवर्णगिरयस्तत्र मणिरत्नशिलोच्चयाः। सर्वरत्नमयैर्भान्ति शृङ्गैश्चारुभिरुच्छ्रितैः ॥१३-८०-२५॥
There, the golden mountains, heaps of gemstone rocks, shine with peaks that are beautifully lofty and made of all kinds of jewels. (13-80-25)
नित्यपुष्पफलास्तत्र नगाः पत्ररथाकुलाः। दिव्यगन्धरसैः पुष्पैः फलैश्च भरतर्षभ ॥१३-८०-२६॥
O best of the Bharatas, there the trees bear flowers and fruits at all times, are covered with leafy canopies, and are adorned with flowers and fruits of divine fragrance and taste. (13-80-26)
रमन्ते पुण्यकर्माणस्तत्र नित्यं युधिष्ठिर। सर्वकामसमृद्धार्था निःशोका गतमन्यवः ॥१३-८०-२७॥
There, O Yudhiṣṭhira, those who perform meritorious deeds always rejoice; with all desires fulfilled, free from sorrow and with anger gone. (13-80-27)
विमानेषु विचित्रेषु रमणीयेषु भारत। मोदन्ते पुण्यकर्माणो विहरन्तो यशस्विनः ॥१३-८०-२८॥
O Bhārata, the illustrious ones of virtuous deeds, rejoicing and wandering, move about in delightful and varied aerial vehicles. (13-80-28)
उपक्रीडन्ति तान्राजञ्शुभाश्चाप्सरसां गणाः। एताँल्लोकानवाप्नोति गां दत्त्वा वै युधिष्ठिर ॥१३-८०-२९॥
O King, auspicious groups of apsarases play with them. Having given a cow, Yudhiṣṭhira, one indeed attains these worlds. (13-80-29)
यासामधिपतिः पूषा मारुतो बलवान्बली। ऐश्वर्ये वरुणो राजा ता मां पान्तु युगन्धराः ॥१३-८०-३०॥
May the Yugandharās, of whom Pūṣā is the lord, the mighty Maruta is strong, and Varuṇa is king in sovereignty, protect me. (13-80-30)
सुरूपा बहुरूपाश्च विश्वरूपाश्च मातरः। प्राजापत्या इति ब्रह्मञ्जपेन्नित्यं यतव्रतः ॥१३-८०-३१॥
O Brāhmaṇa, one who is devoted to discipline should always recite: 'Of beautiful form, of many forms, of universal forms, and mothers, daughters of Prajāpati.' (13-80-31)
गास्तु शुश्रूषते यश्च समन्वेति च सर्वशः। तस्मै तुष्टाः प्रयच्छन्ति वरानपि सुदुर्लभान् ॥१३-८०-३२॥
But cows, being satisfied, grant even those boons that are very difficult to obtain to the one who serves and attends them completely in every way. (13-80-32)
न द्रुह्येन्मनसा चापि गोषु ता हि सुखप्रदाः। अर्चयेत सदा चैव नमस्कारैश्च पूजयेत् ॥ दान्तः प्रीतमना नित्यं गवां व्युष्टिं तथाश्नुते ॥१३-८०-३३॥
One should not harbor hostility even in the mind toward cows, for they are truly the givers of happiness. One should always worship and honor them with salutations. A self-restrained person, with a pleased mind, always attains the good fortune associated with cows. (13-80-33)
येन देवाः पवित्रेण भुञ्जते लोकमुत्तमम्। यत्पवित्रं पवित्राणां तद्घृतं शिरसा वहेत् ॥१३-८०-३४॥
The clarified butter by which the gods enjoy the highest world, which is the purifier among purifiers, that one should carry on the head. (13-80-34)
घृतेन जुहुयादग्निं घृतेन स्वस्ति वाचयेत्। घृतं प्राशेद्घृतं दद्याद्गवां व्युष्टिं तथाश्नुते ॥१३-८०-३५॥
One should make offerings into fire with ghee and proclaim well-being with ghee. One should eat ghee and give ghee; thereby, one attains the increase of cattle. (13-80-35)
त्र्यहमुष्णं पिबेन्मूत्रं त्र्यहमुष्णं पिबेत्पयः। गवामुष्णं पयः पीत्वा त्र्यहमुष्णं घृतं पिबेत् ॥ त्र्यहमुष्णं घृतं पीत्वा वायुभक्षो भवेत्त्र्यहम् ॥१३-८०-३६॥
He should drink warm urine for three days and warm milk for three days; after drinking the warm milk of cows, he should drink hot ghee for three days. After drinking hot ghee for three days, he should live on air for three days. (13-80-36)
निर्हृतैश्च यवैर्गोभिर्मासं प्रसृतयावकः। ब्रह्महत्यासमं पापं सर्वमेतेन शुध्यति ॥१३-८०-३७॥
By subsisting for a month on daily portions of dehusked barley and with the aid of cows, all sin equal to brahminicide is purified by this. (13-80-37)
पराभवार्थं दैत्यानां देवैः शौचमिदं कृतम्। देवत्वमपि च प्राप्ताः संसिद्धाश्च महाबलाः ॥१३-८०-३८॥
This purification was performed by the Devas in order to defeat the Daityas. The greatly powerful ones have thus attained both divinity and perfection. (13-80-38)
गावः पवित्राः पुण्याश्च पावनं परमं महत्। ताश्च दत्त्वा द्विजातिभ्यो नरः स्वर्गमुपाश्नुते ॥१३-८०-३९॥
Cows are pure, holy, purifying, supremely great; and by gifting them to the twice-born, a man obtains heaven. (13-80-39)
गवां मध्ये शुचिर्भूत्वा गोमतीं मनसा जपेत्। पूताभिरद्भिराचम्य शुचिर्भवति निर्मलः ॥१३-८०-४०॥
One who, after being purified in the midst of cows, mentally recites (the name of) the Gomatī, and after sipping purified waters, becomes pure and spotless. (13-80-40)
अग्निमध्ये गवां मध्ये ब्राह्मणानां च संसदि। विद्यावेदव्रतस्नाता ब्राह्मणाः पुण्यकर्मिणः ॥१३-८०-४१॥
In the midst of fire, amid cows, and in a gathering of brāhmaṇas, brāhmaṇas who are dedicated to knowledge, the Veda, and vows, and who perform virtuous deeds, are especially notable. (13-80-41)
अध्यापयेरञ्शिष्यान्वै गोमतीं यज्ञसंमिताम्। त्रिरात्रोपोषितः श्रुत्वा गोमतीं लभते वरम् ॥१३-८०-४२॥
One should indeed instruct students about the Gomati, which is equal to a sacrifice. One who, after fasting for three nights, hears about the Gomati attains a boon. (13-80-42)
पुत्रकामश्च लभते पुत्रं धनमथापि च। पतिकामा च भर्तारं सर्वकामांश्च मानवः ॥ गावस्तुष्टाः प्रयच्छन्ति सेविता वै न संशयः ॥१३-८०-४३॥
A person who desires a son obtains a son and also wealth; a woman wishing for a husband also gets a husband, and a man attains all his wishes. When pleased and served, cows certainly grant (these desires); there is no doubt about it. (13-80-43)
एवमेता महाभागा यज्ञियाः सर्वकामदाः। रोहिण्य इति जानीहि नैताभ्यो विद्यते परम् ॥१३-८०-४४॥
Know that these Rohiṇīs, who are highly fortunate, worthy of sacrifice, and givers of all desires, are supreme; there is nothing higher than these. (13-80-44)
इत्युक्तः स महातेजाः शुकः पित्रा महात्मना। पूजयामास गा नित्यं तस्मात्त्वमपि पूजय ॥१३-८०-४५॥
After being thus addressed by his great-souled father, Śuka, who was of great brilliance, always worshipped cows; therefore, you too should worship. (13-80-45)
