Shloka 17
Chapter 85: Suvarṇasya Janma ca Pradāna-Phalam
The Origin of Gold and the Merit of Gifting
गाव ऊचु: नावमन्यामहे देवि न त्वां परिभवामहे । अध्रुवा चलचित्तासि ततत्त्वां वर्जयामहे
gāva ūcuḥ—nāvamanyāmahe devi na tvāṃ paribhavāmahe | adhruvā calacittāsi tat tvāṃ varjayāmahe ||
गौओं ने कहा— देवि! हम न तो तुम्हारा अपमान करती हैं, न तुम्हारा तिरस्कार। परन्तु हम तुम्हें त्याग रही हैं, क्योंकि तुम अध्रुवा हो— तुम्हारा चित्त चंचल है; तुम कहीं स्थिर होकर नहीं रहतीं।
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
One may withdraw association without hatred or insult: ethical separation is justified when the other party is unstable and cannot remain steady; respect can be maintained even while choosing distance for dharmic reasons.
The cows address a goddess and clarify their intention: they are not dishonoring her, but are choosing to leave her because she is adhruvā—restless and not settled anywhere—making continued association untenable.