Adhyāya 138: Vāyu’s Exempla on Brāhmaṇa-Prabhāva and a Cosmological Clarification
मया होता हानुज्ञाता: पूर्वमासन् कृते युगे | ततो5हमनुनीतो वै ब्रह्मणा पच्मययोनिना,मैंने पहले सत्ययुगमें गौओंको अपने पास रहनेकी आज्ञा दी थी। पद्मयोनि ब्रह्माजीने इसके लिये मुझसे बहुत अनुनय-विनय की थी
mayā hotāḥ ānujñātāḥ pūrvam āsan kṛte yuge | tato 'ham anunīto vai brahmaṇā padmayayoninā ||
Mahesvara bersabda: “Pada Yuga Kṛta dahulu, aku telah mengizinkan sapi-sapi tinggal di sisiku. Setelah itu Brahmā, yang lahir dari teratai, memohon kepadaku dengan sungguh-sungguh berulang kali.”
महेश्वर उवाच
The verse highlights divine stewardship and dharmic negotiation: even among deities, the welfare and rightful placement of sacred beings (here, cows) is handled through permission, request, and alignment with cosmic order (yuga-dharma).
Maheśvara recounts a past event: in the Kṛta Yuga he allowed the cows to stay with him, and later Brahmā (the lotus-born) earnestly petitioned him regarding them—setting up the subsequent explanation of their proper role and disposition.