Procedure for the Guḍa-dhenū (Jaggery-Cow) Gift; Ten Dhenu-dānas; Yearlong Gaṅgā Worship and Darśana

Verse 1

मोहिन्यु वाच । धन्याहं कृतकृत्याहं सफलं जीवितं मम । यच्छ्रुतं त्वन्मुखांभोजाद्गामाहात्म्यमुत्तमम् ॥ १ ॥

Mohinī said: “Blessed am I; my duty is fulfilled; my life has become fruitful, for from the lotus of your mouth I have heard the supreme greatness of the Gaṅgā.”

Verse 2

अहो गङ्गासमं तीर्थं नास्ति किंचिद्धरा तले । यस्याः संदर्शनादीनामीदृशं पुण्यमीरितम् ॥ २ ॥

Ah! Upon the earth there is no tīrtha equal to the Gaṅgā, for such extraordinary merit (puṇya) is proclaimed to arise even from acts like merely beholding her.

Verse 3

गुडधेन्वादिधेनूनां विधानं च यथाक्रमम् । तथा कथय विप्रेन्द्र भक्ताहं तव सर्वदा ॥ ३ ॥

Please explain, in proper order, the prescribed procedure for the guḍa-dhenū and the other such symbolic “cow-gifts.” O best of Brahmins, tell it precisely so—for I am ever devoted to you in bhakti.

Verse 4

वसिष्ठ उवाच । तच्छ्रुत्वा मोहिनीवाक्यं वसुस्तस्याः पुरोहितः । वेदागमानां तत्त्वज्ञः स्मयमान उवाच ह ॥ ४ ॥

Vasiṣṭha said: Hearing those words of Mohinī, Vasu—her family priest (purohita), a knower of the true principles of the Vedas and the āgamas—smilingly spoke as follows.

Verse 5

वसुरुवाच । श्रृणु मोहिनि वक्ष्यामि यत्पृष्टं हि त्वया मम । गुडधेनुविधानं च यथा शास्त्रे प्रकीर्तितम् ॥ ५ ॥

Vasu said: “Listen, O Mohinī. I shall tell you what you have asked of me—the prescribed rite of the guḍa-dhenu, the ‘jaggery-cow’ gift, exactly as it is proclaimed in the śāstras.”

Verse 6

कृष्णाजिनं चतुर्हस्तं प्राग्ग्रीवं विन्यसेद्भुवि । गोमयेनोपलिप्तायां कुशानास्तीर्य यत्नतः ॥ ६ ॥

On ground carefully plastered with cow-dung, one should diligently spread kuśa grass, and then place a black antelope-skin four hands in length, with its neck oriented toward the east.

Verse 7

प्राङ्मुखीं कल्पयेद्धेनुमुदक्पादां सवत्सकाम् । उत्तमा गुडधेनुस्तु चतुर्भारैः प्रकीर्तिता ॥ ७ ॥

One should fashion the ritual ‘cow’ facing east, with its feet set toward the north, and place a calf beside it. The finest guḍa-dhenū is declared to be made with four bhāras of jaggery.

Verse 8

वत्सं भारेण कुर्वीत भाराभ्यां मध्यमा स्मृता । अर्द्धभारेण वत्सः स्यात्कनिष्ठा भारकेण तु ॥ ८ ॥

One should prepare the measure called vatsa (the calf) as one bhāra in weight. The ‘middling’ measure is remembered as two bhāras. The ‘smaller’ vatsa is half a bhāra, and the ‘least’ is a bhāraka.

Verse 9

चतुर्थांशेन वत्सः स्याद् गृहवित्तानुसारतः । प्रभुः प्रथमकल्पस्य योऽनुकल्पेन वर्तयेत् ॥ ९ ॥

“Dear child, the due share should be a fourth part, in accordance with one’s household means. He is to be regarded as the true master of the primary ordinance who conducts himself by its proper subsidiary procedure.”

Verse 10

न सांपरायिकं तस्य दुर्मतेर्जायते फलम् । धेनुवत्सौ घृतस्यैतौ सितश्लक्ष्णांबरावृतौ ॥ १० ॥

For that evil-minded person, no merit for the world beyond arises. These two, like a cow and her calf of ghṛta (sacred ghee), are covered with white, smooth cloth.

Verse 11

शुक्तिकर्णाविक्षुपादौ शुद्धमुक्ताफलेक्षणौ । सितसूत्रशिरालौ च सितकंबलकंबलौ ॥ ११ ॥

Their ears were like conch-shells, their feet like sugarcane stalks; their eyes were like flawless pearls. Their heads bore veins like white threads, and they were clad in white woolen blankets.

Verse 12

ताम्रगंडूकपृष्ठौ तौ सितचामरलोमकौ । विद्रुमक्रमगोपेतौ नवनीतस्तनान्वितौ ॥ १२ ॥

Those two had backs like copper water-pots; their hair was white like the tuft of the chāmara. Their steps were adorned with coral-like feet, and their udders were full and soft like fresh butter.

Verse 13

कांस्यदोहाविंद्रनीलमणिकल्पिततारकौ । सुवर्णश्रृंगाभरणौ शुद्धरौप्यखुरावुभौ ॥ १३ ॥

They had milking-vessels made of bell-metal; their bodies were studded with star-like ornaments fashioned from indranīla gems (sapphires). Their horns were adorned with gold, and both had hooves of pure silver.

Verse 14

नानाफलं समायुक्तौ घ्राणगन्धकरंडकौ । इत्येवं रचयित्वा तु धूपदीपैरथार्चयेत् ॥ १४ ॥

He should arrange two caskets—one filled with various fruits and the other containing fragrant substances to delight the sense of smell. Having thus set them in order, he should then worship with incense and lamps.

Verse 15

या लक्ष्मीः सर्वभूतानां या च देवेष्ववस्थिता । धेनुरूपेण सा देवी मम शांतिं प्रयच्छतु ॥ १५ ॥

May that Goddess Lakṣmī—who abides in all beings and is established among the gods—grant me peace, appearing in the form of a sacred cow.

Verse 16

देहस्था या च रुद्राणां शंकरस्य सदा प्रिया । धेनुरूपेण सा देवी मम पापं व्यपोहतु ॥ १६ ॥

May that Goddess—who dwells within the bodies of the Rudras and is ever dear to Śaṅkara—now, in the form of a sacred cow, remove my sin.

Verse 17

विष्णोर्वक्षसि या लक्ष्मीः स्वाहारूपा विभावसोः । चन्द्रार्कशक्रशक्तिर्या धेनुरूपास्तु सा श्रिये ॥ १७ ॥

May that Lakṣmī—who abides upon Viṣṇu’s chest, who is present as Svāhā in the sacred fire, and who is the power of the Moon, the Sun, and Indra—become prosperity for us, assuming the form of the wish-fulfilling cow.

Verse 18

चतुर्मुखस्य या लक्ष्मीर्लक्ष्मीर्या धनदस्य च । लक्ष्मीर्या लोकपालानां सा धेनुर्वरदास्तु मे ॥ १८ ॥

May that divine Cow be a giver of boons to me—the very same Fortune (Lakṣmī) of the four-faced Brahmā, the Fortune of Dhanada (Kubera), and the Fortune of the Lokapālas, guardians of the worlds.

Verse 19

स्वधा या पितृमुख्यानां स्वाहा यज्ञभुजा च या । सर्वपापहरा धेनुः सा मे शांतिं प्रयच्छतु ॥ १९ ॥

May that sacred Cow—called Svadhā for the foremost among the Pitṛs and Svāhā for the gods who partake of the sacrifice—she who removes all sins, grant me peace.

Verse 20

एवमांमत्र्य तां धेनुं ब्राह्मणाय निवेदयेत् । विधानमेतद्धेनूनां सर्वासामिह पठ्यते ॥ २० ॥

Thus, having respectfully addressed the recipient, one should formally present that cow to a brāhmaṇa. This is the prescribed procedure for the gifting of all cows, as taught here.

Verse 21

यास्तु पापविनाशिन्यः कीर्तिता दशधेनवः । तासां स्वरूपं वक्ष्यामि शास्त्रोक्तं श्रृणु मोहिनि ॥ २१ ॥

Now, as for the ten ‘cows’ that have been proclaimed as destroyers of sin—listen, O enchanting one; I shall describe their true form exactly as stated in the scriptures.

Verse 22

प्रथमा गुडधेनुः स्याद् घृतधेनुरथापरा । तिलधेनुस्तृतीया च चतुर्थी जलसंज्ञिता ॥ २२ ॥

The first is the ‘jaggery-cow’ (guḍa-dhenu); the next is the ‘ghee-cow’ (ghṛta-dhenu). The third is the ‘sesame-cow’ (tila-dhenu), and the fourth is known as the ‘water-cow’ (jala-dhenu).

Verse 23

पञ्चमी क्षीरधेनुश्च षष्ठी मधुमयी स्मृता । सप्तमी शर्कराधेनुर्दधिधेनुस्तथाष्टमी ॥ २३ ॥

The fifth is called the Milk-cow (kṣīra-dhenu); the sixth is remembered as made of honey (madhu-mayī). The seventh is the Sugar-cow (śarkarā-dhenu), and the eighth is the Curd-cow (dadhi-dhenu).

Verse 24

रत्नधेनुश्च नवमी दशमी तु स्वरूपतः । कुंभाः स्युर्द्रवधेनूनां चेतरासां तु राशयः ॥ २४ ॥

The ‘Gem-cow’ (ratna-dhenu) is the ninth, while the tenth is, by its very nature, the ‘Form-cow’ (svarūpa-dhenu). For the liquid-cows, the proper gift-containers are pots (kumbhas), whereas for the other kinds, the gifts are to be arranged as heaps (rāśis).

Verse 25

सुर्वणधेनुमप्यत्र केचिदिच्छंति सूरयः । नवनीतेन तैलेन तथा केऽपि महर्षयः ॥ २५ ॥

Here, some learned men even desire a celestial golden cow; likewise, some great sages wish for butter and oil.

Verse 26

एतदेव विधानं स्यादेत एव ह्युपस्कराः । मन्त्रावाहनसंयुक्ताः सदा पर्वणि पर्वणि ॥ २६ ॥

This alone should be the prescribed procedure, and these alone are the required ritual implements—always, at every sacred observance (parva), together with the proper mantras and the invocation (āvāhana).

Verse 27

यथाश्रद्धं प्रदातव्या भुक्तिमुक्तिफलप्रदाः । अनेकयज्ञफलदाः सर्वपापहराः शुभाः ॥ २७ ॥

They should be given in accordance with one’s faith and capacity; they bestow the fruits of worldly enjoyment (bhukti) and liberation (mukti). They grant results equal to many sacrifices, remove all sins, and are auspicious.

Verse 28

अयने विषुवे पुण्ये व्यतीपातेऽथवा पुनः । युगादौ चैव मन्वादौ चोपरागादिपर्वसु ॥ २८ ॥

At the solstices (ayana), at the equinoxes (viṣuva), on the meritorious Vyatīpāta; likewise at the beginning of a Yuga and at the beginning of a Manvantara; and on sacred junctures such as eclipses and related observances (parva)—these times are especially fit for religious rites.

Verse 29

गुडधेन्वादयो देया भक्तिश्रद्धासमन्वितैः । तीर्थेषु स्वगृहे वापि गंगातीरे विशेषतः ॥ २९ ॥

Those endowed with devotion (bhakti) and faith (śraddhā) should give gifts such as a guda-dhenu (a “jaggery-cow” with sweet offerings) and similar donations—either at sacred pilgrimage places (tīrtha) or even in one’s own home—most especially on the banks of the Gaṅgā.

Verse 30

एवं दत्वा विधानेन धेनुं द्विजवराय च । प्रदक्षिणीकृत्य विप्रं दक्षिणाभिः प्रतोष्य च ॥ ३० ॥

Thus, having duly gifted a cow to an excellent Brāhmaṇa according to the prescribed rite, one should circumambulate him (pradakṣiṇā) and further gratify him with dakṣiṇā, the sacred priestly fees.

Verse 31

ऋत्विजः प्रीतिसंयुक्तो नमस्कृत्य विसर्जयेत् । ततः संपूजयेद्गंगां विधिना सुसमाहितः ॥ ३१ ॥

Then, with heartfelt satisfaction, one should bow in reverence and respectfully dismiss the officiating priests (ṛtvij). After that, fully composed, one should worship the Goddess Gaṅgā according to proper rite.

Verse 32

अष्टमूर्तिधरां देवीं दिव्यरूपां निरीक्ष्य च । शालितंदुलप्रस्थेन द्विप्रस्थपयसा तथा ॥ ३२ ॥

Having beheld the Goddess who bears the eightfold forms (aṣṭa-mūrti), radiant with divine appearance, one should offer one prastha of fine rice-grains and likewise two prasthas of milk.

Verse 33

पायसं कारयित्वा च दत्वा मधु घृतं तथा । प्रत्येकं पलमात्रं च भक्तिभावेन संयुतः ॥ ३३ ॥

Having prepared pāyasa (sweet rice), and also offering honey and ghṛta (ghee)—each in the measure of one pala—one should do so endowed with a spirit of bhakti, with devotional feeling.

Verse 34

तत्पायसमपूपांश्च मोदका मंडलानि च । तथा गुंजार्द्धमात्रं च सुवर्णं रूप्यमेव च ॥ ३४ ॥

And one should offer that pāyasa, along with apūpas (fried cakes), modakas, and maṇḍalas (round sweet-balls); and likewise gold and silver—each in the measure of half a guñjā.

Verse 35

चंदनागरुकर्पूरकुंकुमानि च गुग्गुलम् । बिल्वपत्राणि दूर्वाश्च रोचना सितचंदनम् ॥ ३५ ॥

Also to be used are sandalwood, agaru, camphor, kunkuma (saffron), and guggulu; bilva leaves and dūrvā grass; rocanā (yellow pigment) and white sandalwood.

Verse 36

नीलोत्पलानि चान्यानि पुष्पाणि सुरभीणि च । यथाशक्ति महाभक्त्या गंगायां चैव निक्षिपेत् ॥ ३६ ॥

With great devotion, according to one’s means, one should offer blue lotuses and other fragrant flowers, placing them into the River Gaṅgā.

Verse 37

मन्त्रेणानेन सुभगे पुराणोक्तेन चापि हि । ॐगंगायै नारायण्यै शिवायै च नमोनमः ॥ ३७ ॥

O auspicious one, indeed by this mantra—also proclaimed in the Purāṇas—one should offer salutations: “Oṁ, repeated obeisance to Gaṅgā, to Nārāyaṇī, and to Śivā.”

Verse 38

एतदेव विधानं तु मासि मासि च मोहिनि । पौर्णमास्याममायां वा कार्यं प्रातः समाहितैः ॥ ३८ ॥

O enchantress, this very procedure is to be performed month after month—either on the full-moon day or on the new-moon day—by those who are composed and self-controlled, in the early morning.

Verse 39

वर्षं यस्तु नरो भक्त्या यथा शक्त्यर्चयन्मुदा । हविष्याशी मिताहारो ब्रह्मचर्यसमन्वितः ॥ ३९ ॥

But the man who, for a full year, worships with devotion—joyfully, according to his capacity—living on havis (simple sacrificial food), eating in moderation, and observing brahmacarya (celibate discipline), attains the promised religious fruit of this vow.

Verse 40

दिने वापि तथा रात्रौ नियमेन च मोहिनि । संवत्सरान्ते तस्यैषा गंगा दिव्यवपुर्द्धरा ॥ ४० ॥

O Mohinī, whether by day or by night, if one observes the prescribed discipline with due rule, then at the end of the year this very Gaṅgā—bearing a divine body—becomes manifest to him.

Verse 41

दिव्यमाल्यांबरा चैव दिव्यरत्नविभूषिता । प्रत्यक्षरूपा पुरतस्तिष्ठत्येव वरप्रदा ॥ ४१ ॥

Adorned with celestial garlands and garments, and embellished with divine jewels, she stands directly visible before the devotee—right in front—bestowing boons.

Verse 42

एवं प्रत्यक्षरूपां तां गंगां दिव्यवपुर्द्धराम् । दृष्ट्वा स्वचक्षुषा मर्त्यः कृतकृत्यो भवेच्छुभे ॥ ४२ ॥

Thus, O auspicious one, a mortal who beholds with his own eyes that Gaṅgā—manifest in visible form and bearing a divine body—becomes fulfilled, as one who has accomplished life’s true purpose.

Verse 43

यान्यान्कामयते मर्त्यः कामांस्तांस्तानवाप्नुयात् । निष्कामस्तु लभेन्मोक्षं विप्रस्तेनैव जन्मना ॥ ४३ ॥

Whatever desires a mortal cherishes, those very objects of desire he attains; but the desireless person attains liberation (mokṣa), and by that very desireless birth in spirit one becomes a true brāhmaṇa.

Verse 44

एतद्विधानं च मयोदितं ते पृष्टं हि सर्वं गुडधेनुपूर्वम् । गंगार्चनं मुक्तिकरं व्रतं त्त सांवत्सरं श्रीपतितुष्टिदं हि ॥ ४४ ॥

Thus I have declared to you this entire procedure exactly as you asked—beginning with the offering of the jaggery-cow (guḍa-dhenu). This year-long vow of worshipping Gaṅgā bestows liberation and surely pleases Śrīpati, Lord Viṣṇu.

Verse 45

इति श्रीबृहन्नारदीयपुराणोत्तरभागे मोहिनीवसुसंवादे गंगामाहात्म्ये गुडधेनुविधिकथनं नाम द्विचत्वारिंशत्तमोऽध्यायः ॥ ४२ ॥

Thus ends the forty-second chapter, entitled “The Account of the Procedure for the Guḍa-dhenu (molasses-cow rite),” in the Gaṅgā-māhātmya, within the Uttara-bhāga of the Śrī Bṛhan-Nāradīya Purāṇa, in the dialogue between Mohinī and Vasu.