Shloka 20
Go-mahātmyam: Pavitrāṇāṃ Pavitraṃ
Cows and Ghee as Supreme Purifiers
स वत्समुखविश्रष्टो भवस्य भुवि तिष्ठत: । शिरस्यवाप तत् क्रुद्ध: स तदैक्षत च प्रभु:
sa vatsamukha-viśraṣṭo bhavasya bhuvi tiṣṭhataḥ | śirasy avāpa tat kruddhaḥ sa tadaikṣata ca prabhuḥ ||
Entonces, mientras Bhava (Śiva) permanecía sobre la tierra, aquello—que se había deslizado de la boca del ternero—cayó sobre la cabeza de Bhava. Encolerizado por ello, el Señor (Bhava) lo miró de inmediato, dispuesto a responder.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical danger of krodha (anger): a minor incident, when met with wrath—especially by one in authority—can escalate into serious consequences. It implicitly urges restraint and discernment in responding to affronts.
Something that had been in a calf’s mouth slips out and lands on Bhava (Śiva)’s head while he is standing on the earth. Bhava becomes angry and fixes his gaze upon it, signaling an impending reaction.