Varaha Purana 109.1: Adhyaya 109, Shloka 1
The Merit and Procedure of Donating the ‘Cotton Cow’
Kārpāsa-dhenu
Uttara Bhāga · Dāna-māhātmya (Eulogy of Giving) — Kārpāsa-dhenu (cotton-cow) donation
अथ कार्पासधेनुदानमाहात्म्यम् ॥ होतोवाच ॥ अथातः सम्प्रवक्ष्यामि धेनुं कार्पासकीं नृप ॥ यत्प्रदानान्नरो याति ऐन्द्रलोकमनुत्तम
atha kārpāsadhenudānamāhātmyam || hotovāca || athātaḥ sampravakṣyāmi dhenuṃ kārpāsakīṃ nṛpa || yatpradānān naro yāti aindralokamanuttama
atha kArpAsadhenudAnamAhAtmyam || hotovAcha || athAtaH sampravakShyAmi dhenuM kArpAsakIM nRRipa || yatpradAnAnnaro yAti aindralokamanuttam
अब मैं कपास की गाय दान के बारे में बताता हूँ। राजा, यह सुनो। जो कोई कपास की गाय दान करता है, वो इंद्र की दुनिया पहुँचता है। वहाँ सबसे बड़ा सुख मिलता है।
Sandhi Notes
- होतोवाच → होता + उवाच
- अथातः → अथ + अतः
- यत्प्रदानान्नरः → यत् + प्रदानात् + नरः
- ऐन्द्रलोकमनुत्तम → ऐन्द्रलोकम् + अनुत्तमम्
Hotā
Symbolic offerings (pratimā/kalpita-dhenu) can carry real karmic potency when given with proper intention and rite.
For those unable to donate a live cow, perform sanctioned substitute-dāna with correct ritual framing and sincerity; treat the gift as sacred, not merely economical.
The Hotā introduces the dāna-māhātmya of the kārpāsa-dhenu (cotton-made cow), stating that its donation leads to Indra’s unsurpassed world.
Following: attainment of Aiन्द्र-loka (svarga under Indra) as stated; Breaking/omission: loss of that specific svarga-phala.
Kārpāsa-dhenu-dāna section continuing in subsequent verses (timing, place, procedure, fruits)
FAQs
It introduces a themed sub-section (māhātmya) on a specific donation type, showing how Purāṇas organize ritual knowledge into named units for transmission.
No earthly geographic location is identified; aindraloka is a cosmological realm associated with Indra.
The text promotes structured giving (here, a symbolic cotton-cow), framing generosity as a culturally valued practice with stated outcomes.
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