Shloka 73
गवां मध्ये तु पठतो गावो<स्य बहुवत्सला: । प्रस्थाने वा प्रवासे वा सर्वावस्थां गत: पठेत्
gavāṁ madhye tu paṭhato gāvo ’sya bahuvatsalāḥ | prasthāne vā pravāse vā sarvāvasthāṁ gataḥ paṭhet |
Bhishma berkata: Bagi orang yang melantunkan (mantra suci) ini di tengah kawanan sapi, sapi-sapi menjadi sangat penuh kasih kepadanya. Karena itu, baik saat hendak berangkat maupun ketika berada di perantauan—dalam keadaan apa pun—hendaknya seseorang terus melakukan japa ini.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Maintain regular sacred recitation (japa/paṭhana) in all circumstances—at home, at departure, or while traveling—because such steadiness cultivates auspiciousness and draws gentle goodwill, symbolized here by the cows’ increased affection.
In Bhishma’s instruction on dharma, he states a practical observance: reciting sacred mantra/chant in the presence of cows makes them especially affectionate toward the reciter, and he extends this into a broader rule of life—continue the practice regardless of one’s situation.