Shloka 5
Go-dāna-stuti and Ghṛta-Japa
Praise of cow-gift and ghee-centered recitation
द्विजातिमतिसत्कृत्य श्वः कालमभिवेद्य च | गोदानार्थे प्रयुजुजीत रोहिणी नियतव्रतः
bhbma uvbca |
dvijbtim atisatktya bva kblam abhivedya ca |
godbnrthe prayujujta rohi niyatavrata ||
Bhishma said: Having duly honored a twice-born Brahmin and informed him of the time—“tomorrow”—a man who intends to give a cow should proceed while observing a disciplined vow. For the cow-gift, he should arrange for a reddish cow (Rohiṇī), address her with the prescribed words, enter among the herd, and recite the indicated Vedic formula.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Cow-gift (godbna) should be performed as a disciplined dharmic act: the donor observes a vow, honors the qualified recipient (a dvija/Brahmin), gives prior notice of the time, and carries out the rite with proper intention and prescribed recitation.
Bhishma is instructing Yudhi63hira on the proper procedure for donating a cow: invite and honor a Brahmin, announce that the gift will be given the next morning, procure a reddish Rohi cow, and then proceed with the ritual steps including entering among the cows and reciting the indicated ruti-mantra.