Shloka 100
स्वर्णशुद्धीं च कपिलां सवत्सां वस्त्रसंवृताम् | वाचकाय च दद्याद्धि आत्मन: श्रेय इच्छता
svarṇaśuddhīṃ ca kapilāṃ savatsāṃ vastrasaṃvṛtām | vācakāya ca dadyād dhi ātmanaḥ śreya icchatā ||
Vaiśampāyana dit : Celui qui recherche son propre bien spirituel doit, en vérité, donner au récitant une vache fauve—avec son veau—dont les cornes sont plaquées d’or purifié et le corps couvert d’un tissu. Le verset présente l’aumône comme un acte dharmique délibéré : offrir un présent auspicious, soigneusement préparé, à un récipiendaire digne, afin de cultiver le mérite et le bien intérieur.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches that one’s śreyas (true welfare) is supported by dharmic giving: offering an auspicious, properly prepared gift (a kapilā cow with calf, adorned and covered) to a worthy recipient (the vācaka/reciter). It emphasizes intentional generosity aligned with religious and ethical norms.
In Vaiśampāyana’s narration within Svargarohana Parva, prescriptive guidance is being given about meritorious acts. Here, a specific form of go-dāna is recommended—donating a tawny cow with her calf, with gold and cloth adornment, to the reciter—presented as a means to secure spiritual benefit.