Shloka 20
Pūtanā-mokṣa — The Witch Pūtanā’s Attempt and Kṛṣṇa’s Deliverance
गोमूत्रेण स्नापयित्वा पुनर्गोरजसार्भकम् । रक्षां चक्रुश्च शकृता द्वादशाङ्गेषु नामभि: ॥ २० ॥
go-mūtreṇa snāpayitvā punar go-rajasārbhakam rakṣāṁ cakruś ca śakṛtā dvādaśāṅgeṣu nāmabhiḥ
The child was thoroughly washed with cow urine and then smeared with the dust raised by the movements of the cows. Then different names of the Lord were applied with cow dung on twelve different parts of His body, beginning with the forehead, as done in applying tilaka. In this way, the child was given protection.
FAQs
This verse describes Vraja’s caretakers bathing the infant with cow urine, applying cow-dust and cow dung, and chanting sacred names as a protective rite—showing traditional Vedic faith in cow-associated purificatory and protective practices.
In the immediate context of Chapter 6 (Pūtanā’s attack), the elders feared further inauspicious influences and therefore performed customary protection for the child, combining practical village tradition with devotion and prayer.
It highlights caring protection offered with faith and remembrance of the Divine—encouraging devotees to safeguard loved ones through sincere prayer, sacred chanting, and a conscientious, dharmic lifestyle.