13.082
The question about Goloka.
Bhishma said;
O Yudhiṣṭhira, those who give cows and those who eat the remnants of the offerings—their sacrificial sessions and sacrifices are ever indeed ongoing. (13-82-1)
A sacrifice does not take place here without curds and ghee. Therefore, the essential character of a sacrifice—and its root—is thus recognized. (13-82-2)
Among all gifts, the gift of cows is praised. Cows are excellent and pure, and this gifting is indeed the most purifying and the best. (13-82-3)
One should use these (milk, curds, and ghee) for nourishment and also for achieving peace, for these offer liberation from all sins. (13-82-4)
Cows are declared to be the supreme brilliance here in this world and in the next; O best among men, there is nothing purer or greater than cows. (13-82-5)
Here too, O Yudhishthira, they recite this ancient legend, the conversation between Pitaamaha and Indra. (13-82-6)
When the Daityas were defeated and Indra, lord of the three worlds, reigned, all the people came together, and all were devoted to truth and righteousness. (13-82-7)
Now, O Kauravya, sages along with Gandharvas, Kinnaras, serpents, Rākṣasas, gods, asuras, Suparṇas, and the lords of beings likewise, once indeed all worshipped the grandsire. (13-82-8)
Nārada, Parvata, and also Viśvāvasu, Haha, and Hūhū, sang in celestial melodies and attended upon him, the Lord. (13-82-9)
There, the wind likewise carried divine flowers. The seasons also brought fragrant flowers, each separately. (13-82-10)
In that assembly of the gods, when all beings had gathered, and as celestial instruments sounded and the company was surrounded by divine women and bards, Indra respectfully bowed and asked the lord of the gods. (13-82-11)
O grandfather of the lords of the worlds, O revered one, why is there a world above that of the cows belonging to the gods? I wish to know this. (13-82-12)
O lord, is the happiness dwelling above the gods, which is free from impurity, attained here by austerity, by celibacy, or by actions performed with cows? (13-82-13)
Then Brahmā said to Śakra, the destroyer of force: "Cows have always been disregarded by you, O destroyer of force." (13-82-14)
Because of that, you do not know the greatness of these; listen, O lord, to the supreme influence and greatness of the cows, O bull among the gods. (13-82-15)
O Indra, cows are called a limb of sacrifice and, indeed, are the sacrifice itself; without them, a sacrifice could not take place in any way. (13-82-16)
Creatures are supported indeed by milk and by offerings as well; and the sons of these also undertake the activity of farming. (13-82-17)
They generate grains and various seeds; from those, sacrifices arise—oblation and ancestor offerings in all manner. (13-82-18)
O lord of the gods, these virtuous ones who produce milk, curd, and clarified butter, bear many burdens, being afflicted by hunger and thirst. (13-82-19)
Here, sages and also the subjects are supported by action; those who bear the peaks of Indra (are supported) by action and good deeds; above us from there, these always indeed dwell. (13-82-20)
This, O Śakra, is the reason today for your dwelling being established here. O Śatakratu, it is indeed said that the place of the cows is higher than the gods. (13-82-21)
O Indra, these indeed are both endowed with boons and bestow boons; they are fragrant, performers of virtuous deeds, pure, and possess auspicious characteristics. (13-82-22)
O best of the gods, hear from me completely the purpose for which the cows and Saurabhya have gone, O destroyer of Bala. (13-82-23)
Long ago, in the age of the gods, O dear one, when the great-souled Daitya lords were ruling the three worlds, Viṣṇu entered the state of being in the womb. (13-82-24)
O best of immortals, the Ādityās, for the sake of a son, always performed terrible austerities, very hard to undertake, standing on one foot for her who was being tormented. (13-82-25)
But having seen her, the great goddess performing great austerity, the goddess Surabhi, the daughter of Dakṣa, by name, thus (was present). (13-82-26)
She, joyful and devoted to dharma, performed severe austerities on the beautiful peak of Kailāsa, which is attended by gods and gandharvas. (13-82-27)
Standing on one foot, she remained established in supreme concentration for ten thousand and one thousand years. (13-82-28)
Burned by her austerity, the gods, along with sages and great serpents, went there with me and devotedly served that auspicious lady. (13-82-29)
Then I said there to the goddess, who was endowed with austerity: "For what reason are you performing this intense austerity, O goddess, O blameless one?" (13-82-30)
O greatly fortunate and beautiful one, I am pleased with you because of this penance. O goddess, choose a boon; I, Purandara, am the giver thus. (13-82-31)
Surabhi said.
O Lord, O grandsire of the worlds, by granting me the boon, you have fulfilled my desire. This alone is my boon today: that you are pleased with me, O sinless one. (13-82-32)
Brahmā said.
O Indra, lord of the gods, listen to what I replied to the goddess Surabhi when she spoke thus, O lord of Śacī. (13-82-33)
O goddess, because of your freedom from greed and your auspicious austerity, I am pleased; therefore, I grant you the boon of immortality. (13-82-34)
You will reside above the three worlds, and by my favor, that Goloka will become well-known. (13-82-35)
O greatly fortunate one, among men, your sons performing actions and all your daughters also will live (there). (13-82-36)
The enjoyments, both divine and human, that you have thought of in your mind, and any heavenly happiness, O goddess, all that shall come to you, O auspicious one. (13-82-37)
O Indra, the worlds belonging to her are endowed with all desires. There, O thousand-eyed one, neither death, nor old age, nor fire exist. Nor is there any misery or anything inauspicious, O Vāsava. (13-82-38)
There, O Indra, are divine forests, divine dwellings, and aerial vehicles that are equipped and move at will. (13-82-39)
O lotus-eyed, Goloka can be attained by vows, various meritorious acts, resorting to holy places, great austerity, good deeds, and actions. (13-82-40)
All this has been told to you by me upon your asking, O Śakra. You should not commit any disrespect, O destroyer of the enemies of cows. (13-82-41)
Bhīṣma said.
Upon hearing this, Indra, the thousand-eyed, always began to worship; he constantly honored the cows among them, O Yudhishthira. (13-82-42)
O greatly resplendent one, all this has been declared to you—purifying, holy, and supremely excellent—the highest greatness of cows, which has been renowned as the destroyer of all sins, O tiger among men. (13-82-43)
Whoever always attentively recites this to Brāhmaṇas—at offerings to gods and ancestors, in sacrifices, and in ancestral rites—attains for his ancestors imperishable and all-desire-fulfilling results. (13-82-44)
Whoever is devoted to cows obtains whatever desires a human being may have. Likewise, women devoted to cows also attain their wishes. (13-82-45)
He who desires a son obtains a son; a maiden attains a husband; he who seeks wealth gains wealth; and he who seeks righteousness attains righteousness. (13-82-46)
He who seeks knowledge attains it; he who seeks happiness attains happiness; indeed, O Bhārata, nothing is difficult to obtain for a devotee of cows. (13-82-47)
