Adhyaya 103: Ritual Procedure for the Donation of the ‘Sugar-Cow’ (Śarkarā-Dhenu)

Verse 1

होतोवाच तद्वच्च शर्कराधेनुं शृणु राजन् यथार्थतः । अनुलिप्ते महीपृष्ठे कृष्णाजिनकुशोत्तरे ॥ १०३-१ ॥ धेनुं शर्करया राजन् कृत्वा भारचतुष्टयम् । उत्तमा कथ्यते सद्भिश्चतुर्थांशेन वत्सकम् ॥

The Hotṛ said: “Likewise, O king, hear accurately the rite of the śarkarā-dhenu, the cow made of sugar. On ground that has been smeared and prepared, with a black antelope-skin and kuśa grass spread above—having fashioned the cow from sugar, O king, with a total weight of four bhāras: the learned declare this the ‘excellent’ grade, with a calf amounting to one-fourth.”

Verse 2

तदर्धं मध्यमा प्रोक्ता कनिष्ठा भारकेण तु । तद्वद्वत्सं प्रकुर्वीत चतुर्थांशेन तत्त्वतः ॥

Half of that is declared the ‘middling’ grade, while the ‘lowest’ is made with a single bhāra. Likewise, one should fashion the calf in the proper proportion—one-fourth—according to the correct principle.

Verse 3

अथ कुर्यादष्टशतैरूर्ध्वं नृपतिसत्तम । स्वशक्त्या कारयेद् धेनुं तथात्मानं पीडयेत् ॥

Then, O best of kings, one may do so with eight hundred and even more; according to one’s own capacity one should have the (ritual) cow made, and thus not strain oneself.

Verse 4

सर्वबीजानि संस्थाप्य चतुर्दिक्षु समन्ततः । सुवर्णस्य मुखं शृङ्गे मौक्तिकैर्नयने तथा ॥

Having placed all kinds of seeds all around in the four directions, one should fashion a mouth of gold, and likewise make the horns and eyes with pearls.

Verse 5

गुडेन तु मुखं काये जिह्वा पिष्टमयी तथा । कम्बलं पट्टसूत्रेण कण्ठाभरणभूषिताम् ॥

And with jaggery one fashions the mouth upon the body; likewise the tongue is made of flour. One provides a blanket with silk-thread, adorning it with ornaments for the neck.

Verse 6

इक्षुपादां रौप्यखुरां तवनीतस्तनीं तथा । प्रशस्तपत्रश्रवणां सितचामरपभूषिताम् ॥

Make it with legs of sugarcane, hooves of silver, and likewise udders of butter; with excellent leaf-like ears, adorned with white yak-tail fans.

Verse 7

पञ्चरत्नसमायुक्तां वस्त्रेणाच्छादितां तथा । गन्धपुष्पैरलङ्कृत्य ब्राह्मणाय निवेदयेत् ॥

Having furnished it with the five gems, and likewise covered it with cloth, adorning it with fragrances and flowers, one should present it to a brāhmaṇa.

Verse 8

श्रोत्रियाय दरिद्राय साधुवृत्ताय धीमते । वेदवेदाङ्गविदुषे साग्निकाय कुटुम्बिने । अदुष्टाय प्रदातव्या न तु मत्सरिणे द्विजे ॥

It should be given to a śrotriya—a Veda-learned householder—who is poor, of good conduct, and discerning; one who knows the Veda and the Vedāṅgas, maintains the sacred fire, and supports a family. It should be given to a brāhmaṇa free from malice, not to a jealous twice-born.

Verse 9

अयने विषुवे पुण्ये व्यतीपाते दिनक्षये । एषु पुण्येषु कालेषु तथाविभवशक्तितः ॥

At the ayanas (solstices), at the viṣuva (equinox), at the auspicious vyatīpāta, and at the close of the day—at such meritorious times one should give according to one’s means and capacity.

Verse 10

सत्पात्रञ्च द्विजं दृष्ट्वा आगतं श्रोत्रियं गृहे । तादृशाय प्रदातव्या पुच्छदेशे विमृश्य च ॥

Having seen a worthy recipient—a twice-born man, a śrotriya—who has come to one’s house, one should give to such a person, after touching and examining the region of the cow’s tail, as prescribed.

Verse 11

पूर्वाभिमुखमास्थाय अथवा स उदङ्मुखः । गां पूर्वाभिमुखीं कृत्वा वत्समुत्तरतो न्यसेत् ॥

Facing east—or else north—having set the cow facing east, one should place the calf on the northern side.

Verse 12

दानकाले तु ये मन्त्रास्तान्पठित्वा समर्पयेत् । सम्पूज्य विधिवद्विप्रं मुद्रिकाकर्णभूषणैः ॥

At the time of giving, having recited the prescribed mantras, one should present the gift; and, honoring the brāhmaṇa in due form, one should also offer rings and ear-ornaments.

Verse 13

स्वशक्त्या दक्षिणा देया वित्तशाठ्यविवर्ज्जितः । हस्ते तु दक्षिणां दत्त्वा गन्धपुष्पसचन्दनाम् । धेनुं समर्पयेत्तस्य मुखञ्च च विलोकयेत् ॥

A dakṣiṇā should be given according to one’s capacity, free from stinginess regarding wealth. After placing the dakṣiṇā in his hand—together with perfumes, flowers, and sandalwood—one should present the cow and then look upon his face.

Verse 14

एकाहं शर्कराहारो ब्राह्मणस्त्रिदिनं वसेत् । सर्वपापहरा धेनुः सर्वकामप्रदायिनी ॥

For one day, subsisting on sugar, the brāhmaṇa should remain in observance for three days. The cow is said to remove all sins and to grant all desired aims.

Verse 15

सर्वकामसमृद्धस्तु जायते नात्र संशयः । दीयमानं प्रपश्यन्ति ते यान्ति परमां गतिम् ॥

One becomes endowed with the fulfillment of all aims—of this there is no doubt. Those who witness it being given attain the highest destination.

Verse 16

य इदं शृणुयाद्भक्त्या पठते वापि मानवः । मुच्यते सर्वपापेभ्यो विष्णुलोकं स गच्छति ॥

A person who listens to this with devotion, or who recites it, is released from all sins and goes to Viṣṇu’s world.