Adhyaya 101: The Eulogy and Procedure of the ‘Rasadhenu’ (Sugarcane-Juice Cow) Donation

Verse 1

अथ रसधेनुदानमाहात्म्यम् ॥ होतॊवाच ॥ रसधेनुविधानं ते कथयामि समासतः ॥ अनु्लिप्ते महीपृष्ठे कृष्णाजिनकुशास्तरे

Now begins the account of the greatness of gifting the rasadhenu. The Hotṛ said: “I shall tell you briefly the procedure for the rasadhenu—on ground that has been smeared and prepared, with a spread of black antelope-skin and kuśa grass.”

Verse 2

रसस्य तु घटं राजन् सम्पूर्णं त्वैक्षवस्य तु ॥ तद्वत्ससङ्कल्पयेत्प्राज्ञश्चतुर्थांशेन वत्सकम् ॥

O king, one should prepare a vessel completely filled with sugarcane-juice; and the learned person should also fashion a corresponding calf, using a fourth part as the measure.

Verse 3

तुरीयांशेन वत्सं तु तत्पार्श्वे स्थापयेत्सुधीः ॥ इक्षुदण्डमयाः पादा रजतस्य खुरैर्युताः ॥

Using a fourth part as the measure, the wise person should place the calf at its side. Its legs are to be made of sugarcane-stalks, fitted with hooves of silver.

Verse 4

एवं कार्या रसैर्धेनुरिक्षुपादसमन्विता ।

In this manner, the ‘juice-cow’ is to be made, furnished with legs of sugarcane.

Verse 5

सुवर्णशृङ्गाभरणा वस्त्रपुच्छा घृतस्तनी ॥ पुष्पकम्बलसंयुक्ता शर्करामुखजिह्वका ॥

It is to be adorned with golden horns, have a tail of cloth, and have udders of clarified butter (ghee); it should be provided with a flower-blanket, and have mouth and tongue of sugar.

Verse 6

दन्ताः फलमयास्तस्याः पृष्ठं ताम्रमयं शुभम् ॥ पुष्परोमां तु राजेन्द्र मुक्ताफलकृतेक्षणाम् ॥

Its teeth are to be made of fruits, and its auspicious back of copper. O lord of kings, it should have ‘hair’ of flowers, and eyes fashioned from pearls.

Verse 7

सप्तव्रीहिसमायुक्तां चतुर्दिक्षु च दीपिताम् ॥ सर्वोपस्करसयुक्तां सर्वगन्धादिवासिताम् ॥

It should be accompanied by seven kinds of rice or grain, illuminated in the four directions, furnished with all requisite accessories, and perfumed with all fragrances and the like.

Verse 8

चत्वारि तिलपात्राणि चतुर्दिक्षु निवेशयेत् ॥ सर्वलक्षणयुक्ताय श्रोत्रियाय कुटुम्बिने ॥

One should place four vessels of sesame in the four directions, and then give (them) to a śrotriya householder who possesses all the proper qualifications.

Verse 9

रसधेनुः प्रदातव्या स्वर्गकामेन नित्यदा ॥ दाता स्वर्गमवाप्नोति सर्वपापविवर्जितः ॥

The rasadhenu should always be given by one who seeks heaven; the giver attains heaven, being free from all sins.

Verse 10

दीयमानां तु पश्यन्ति ते च यान्ति परां गतिम् ॥ धेनुं च पूजयित्वाग्रे गन्धधूपस्रगादिभिः ॥

Those who witness it while it is being given also attain the highest state. And having first worshipped the cow with perfumes, incense, garlands, and the like,

Verse 11

पूर्वोक्तैरेव मन्त्रैस्तु ततस्तां प्रार्थयेत्सुधीः ॥ प्रार्थनापूर्वकं भक्त्या द्विजाग्र्याय निवेदयेत् ॥

Then, using precisely the mantras stated earlier, the wise person should address the offering with a request; and, with devotion preceded by supplication, he should present it to an eminent Brahmin (dvija).

Verse 12

दशपूर्वान्परांश्चैव आत्मानं चैकविंशकम् ॥ प्रापयेत्परमं स्थानं स्वर्गान्नावर्त्तते पुनः ॥

He would lead ten forebears and also those who come after, together with himself as the twenty-first, to the supreme abode; having reached heaven, he does not return again.

Verse 13

एषा ते कथिता राजन् रसधेनुरनुत्तमा ॥ ददस्व च महाराज परं स्थानमवाप्नुहि ॥

This, O king, has been explained to you—the unsurpassed ‘rasadhenu’. Do give it, O great king, and attain the highest abode.

Verse 14

य इदं पठते नित्यं शृणुयादथ भक्तितः ॥ सर्वपापविनिर्मुक्तो विष्णुलोके महीयते ॥

Whoever recites this regularly, or listens to it with devotion, is freed from all wrongdoing and is honored in Viṣṇu’s world.

Verse 15

दाता च ग्राहकश्चैव एककालमभोजनः ॥ सोमपानफलं तस्य सर्वत्र तु फलं भवेत् ॥

Both the giver and the receiver, observing a fast for the duration of one mealtime, obtain the fruit of Soma-drinking for that act; indeed, the benefit is said to accrue in all contexts.