Shloka 396
Nṛga-upākhyāna: Brāhmaṇa-sva and the Consequence of Misappropriated Gift-Cattle (कृकलास-रूपे नृगोपाख्यानम्)
अस्थिभिश्नोपकुर्वन्ति शृंगैवलिश्व भारत । भरतनन्दन! ये गौएँ अपने दूध, दही, घी, गोबर, चमड़ा, हड्डी, सींग और बालोंसे भी जगत्का उपकार करती रहती हैं
asthibhiś copakurvanti śṛṅgair valiśva bhārata | bharatanandana ye gāvaḥ svadugdhadadhighṛtagomayacarmāsthiśṛṅgakeśaiḥ api jagata upakāraṃ kurvanti satatam ||
Bhishma said: “O Bharata, O delight of the Bharatas—cows render service even through their bones and through their horns. Indeed, those cows continually benefit the world by their milk, curd, ghee, dung, hide, bones, horns, and hair.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhishma emphasizes the ethical and dharmic value of the cow by highlighting how it benefits society in many ways—even through parts of its body—thereby supporting ideals of gratitude, protection of benefactors, and welfare-oriented living.
In Anushasana Parva, Bhishma instructs Yudhiṣṭhira on dharma. Here he praises the cow’s manifold usefulness to the world, reinforcing a broader discourse on righteous conduct, social duties, and honoring sources of sustenance.