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 dit : Celui qui veut donner une vache doit observer un vœu avec discipline ; inviter un brahmane, l’honorer comme il se doit et lui annoncer le moment — « demain ». Pour le don, qu’il fasse venir une vache d’une teinte rougeâtre (Rohiṇī) et, en l’interpellant selon les paroles prescrites, qu’il entre au milieu du troupeau et récite la formule védique indiquée.
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.