Shloka 1
Go-dāna-stuti and Ghṛta-Japa
Praise of cow-gift and ghee-centered recitation
/ अपन क्रात बछ। सं: षट्सप्ततितमो< ध्याय: गोदानकी विधि
yudhiṣṭhira uvāca | vidhiṁ gavāṁ paraṁ śrotum icchāmi nṛpa tattvataḥ | yena tān śāśvatāl lokān arthināṁ prāptuyād iha ||
Yudhiṣṭhira said: O king, I wish to hear, in its true and exact form, the supreme procedure concerning cows (the rite of gifting cows). By following it, those who seek merit may attain, even from this world, those eternal realms that are desired.
युधिछ्िर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames go-dāna (the gifting of cows) as a high form of dāna-dharma whose efficacy depends on correct procedure (vidhi). It emphasizes that ethical giving, performed according to dharma and with proper understanding, is believed to lead to enduring spiritual reward (śāśvata-loka).
At the opening of this chapter, Yudhiṣṭhira addresses a kingly authority (in context, Bhīṣma as the instructing elder) and requests a precise explanation of the best method for gifting cows, motivated by the desire to know how seekers can attain eternal realms through this charitable act.