Shloka 41
Chapter 84: Brahmā’s Counsel on Tāraka, the Search for Agni, and the Genesis of Skanda
Kārttikeya
गाव: पवित्रा: पुण्याश्व॒ पावनं परमं महत् | ताश्च दत्त्वा द्विजातिभ्यो नर: स्वर्गमुपाशुते
gāvaḥ pavitrāḥ puṇyāśva pāvanaṁ paramaṁ mahat | tāś ca dattvā dvijātibhyo naraḥ svargam upāśnute ||
Les vaches sont pures et sacrées, souverainement purifiantes et d’un grand mérite. Celui qui les donne en aumône aux « deux-fois-nés » (dvija, surtout aux brahmanes) atteint le ciel et en goûte la félicité.
व्यास उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches that gifting cows (go-dāna) is a supremely purifying act of dharma; giving them to the twice-born—especially Brahmins—produces great merit and leads to heavenly enjoyment.
In the Anuśāsana Parva’s instruction on gifts and religious duties, Vyāsa states the sanctity of cows and declares the spiritual reward gained by donating them to qualified recipients.