Shloka 22
Go-mahātmyam: Pavitrāṇāṃ Pavitraṃ
Cows and Ghee as Supreme Purifiers
यास्तु तस्मादपक्रम्य सोममेवाभिसंश्रिता:
bhīṣma uvāca | yās tu tasmād apakramya somam evābhisaṃśritāḥ, … tadā krodhabhareṇa mahādevena dakṣaḥ prajāpatiḥ uvāca —
Bhīṣma dit : «Mais les vaches qui, fuyant de là, prirent refuge uniquement auprès de Soma (la Lune) demeurèrent telles qu’elles étaient nées ; leur couleur ne changea point. Alors Dakṣa Prajāpati, s’adressant à Mahādeva, alors rempli de colère, parla ainsi—»
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The passage highlights the power of chosen refuge: those who take shelter in a particular divine principle (here Soma) remain under its influence and condition, suggesting that allegiance and protection shape one’s state. It also sets up an ethical contrast between anger and right speech, as Daksha prepares to address an enraged Mahadeva.
Bhishma narrates that some cows fled and sought refuge in Soma; unlike others, their color did not change and they remained as originally born. Immediately after, the story transitions to a confrontation: Daksha Prajapati speaks to Mahadeva (Shiva), who is described as filled with anger.