Shloka 10
गवां लोकवर्णनं तथा गोप्रदानफलश्रुतिः
Description of the ‘World of Cows’ and the Stated Fruits of Cow-Gift
प्रचारे वा निवाते वा बुधो नोद्वेजयेत गा: । तृषिता हाभिवीक्षन्त्यो नरं हन्यु: सबान्धवम्
bhīṣma uvāca | pracāre vā nivāte vā budho nodvejayet gāḥ | tṛṣitā abhivīkṣantyo naraṃ hanyuḥ sabāndhavam |
Baik sapi-sapi itu sedang berkeliaran bebas maupun sedang beristirahat di tempat yang tenang tanpa gangguan, orang bijak tidak patut membuat mereka gelisah. Sebab ketika sapi-sapi, tersiksa oleh dahaga, memandang seorang manusia dengan harap akan air dan ia tidak memberikannya, maka dengan pandang murka mereka dapat mendatangkan kebinasaan atas dirinya beserta kaum kerabatnya.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Do not harass or unsettle cows; care for their basic needs—especially water. Neglect of dependent beings, particularly when they silently appeal for help, is adharma and brings severe consequences.
Bhishma instructs Yudhishthira on proper conduct regarding cows: leave them undisturbed when they graze or rest, and ensure they are watered. He warns that thirsty cows, if ignored, can become a cause of the offender’s destruction along with his family.