Adhyāya 138: Vāyu’s Exempla on Brāhmaṇa-Prabhāva and a Cosmological Clarification
मया होता हानुज्ञाता: पूर्वमासन् कृते युगे | ततो5हमनुनीतो वै ब्रह्मणा पच्मययोनिना,मैंने पहले सत्ययुगमें गौओंको अपने पास रहनेकी आज्ञा दी थी। पद्मयोनि ब्रह्माजीने इसके लिये मुझसे बहुत अनुनय-विनय की थी
mayā hotāḥ ānujñātāḥ pūrvam āsan kṛte yuge | tato 'ham anunīto vai brahmaṇā padmayayoninā ||
Maheśvara said: “In the Kṛta Yuga, I had formerly granted permission for the cows to remain with me. Thereafter, Brahmā—born of the lotus—earnestly entreated me (to release them and set their proper course).”
महेश्वर उवाच
The verse highlights divine stewardship and dharmic negotiation: even among deities, the welfare and rightful placement of sacred beings (here, cows) is handled through permission, request, and alignment with cosmic order (yuga-dharma).
Maheśvara recounts a past event: in the Kṛta Yuga he allowed the cows to stay with him, and later Brahmā (the lotus-born) earnestly petitioned him regarding them—setting up the subsequent explanation of their proper role and disposition.