Skanda Purana — Prabhasa Khanda, Shloka 48
तेनाग्नयो हुताः सम्यक्पितरश्चापि तर्पिताः । देवाश्च पूजितास्तेन यो ददाति गवाह्निकम्
tenāgnayo hutāḥ samyakpitaraścāpi tarpitāḥ | devāśca pūjitāstena yo dadāti gavāhnikam
Par cet acte, les feux sacrés reçoivent l’oblation comme il se doit, les ancêtres sont rassasiés, et les dieux sont honorés : lorsque l’on donne à la vache sa part quotidienne (nourriture et service).
Narratorial voice (Purāṇic narrator within Prabhāsa Khaṇḍa context)
Tirtha: Prabhāsa-kṣetra
Type: kshetra
Scene: A devotee offers fodder/water to cows; above, symbolic triad: Agni flame, pitṛs receiving water offerings, and devas receiving flowers—linked by a single golden thread from the act of go-ahnika.
FAQs
Serving cows is portrayed as a comprehensive dharmic act that simultaneously honors gods, ancestors, and sacred fire.
Prabhāsakṣetra, where simple acts of service are elevated to major ritual merit.
Giving “gavāhnikam”—the cow’s daily due such as fodder, care, and daily service.