Shloka 28

Varuṇābhiṣeka–Agni-anveṣaṇa–Kaubera-tīrtha

Varuṇa’s Consecration; Search for Agni; Kaubera Sacred Site

Devanagari script

पशुदा वित्तदा चैव सुखदा च महायशा: । पयोदा गोमहिषदा सुविशाला च भारत

Transliteration

paśudā vittadā caiva sukhadā ca mahāyaśāḥ | payodā gomahiṣadā suviśālā ca bhārata

Translation

Vaiśampāyana sprach: „O Bhārata, (diese Kühe) spenden Vieh, spenden Reichtum und spenden Wohlergehen; sie sind von großem Ruhm. Sie geben Milch, vermehren Kühe und Büffel (das heißt, sie lassen die Herden anwachsen) und sind breit und wohlgebaut.“

Word by Word

पशुदाgiver of cattle/animals

वित्तदाgiver of wealth

चand

एवindeed/just

सुखदाgiver of happiness/comfort

चand

महायशाःof great fame/glory

पयोदाgiver of milk

गोमहिषदाgiver of cows and buffaloes

सुविशालाvery large/broad

चand

भारतO Bharata (descendant of Bharata)

Speaker

वैशम्पायन उवाच

Characters & Entities

Vaiśampāyana

Bhārata (Janamejaya)

cows (go)

buffaloes (mahiṣa)

Character Dynamics

Dharma Sankata (Moral Dilemma)

War Context

Verse Rasa (Emotional Essence)

Philosophical Teaching

Political Layer

Meter (Chandas)

Sandhi Notes

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse praises cows as a dharmic source of sustenance and prosperity—supporting livelihood (livestock), wealth, and comfort—thereby implying the ethical value of protecting and gifting such life-supporting resources in accordance with dāna-dharma.

What is happening in the narrative?

Vaiśampāyana, narrating to King Janamejaya, describes the qualities and benefits of cows (notably their milk and their role in increasing herds), in a context that highlights their esteemed status and the merit associated with their possession or gifting.