Shloka 41
गोप्रदानगुणाः तथा कपिलागोविधानम्
Merits of Cow-Gift and the Origin-Account of Kapilā Cows
अन्तर्ज्ाता: सक्रयज्ञानलब्धा: प्राणै: क्रीतास्तेजसा यौतकाश्न । कृच्छोत्सृष्टा: पोषणाभ्यागताश्न द्वारैरेतैगोविशेषा: प्रशस्ता:
antarjātāḥ sakrayajñānalabdhāḥ prāṇaiḥ krītās tejasā yautakāś ca | kṛcchrotsṛṣṭāḥ poṣaṇābhyāgatāś ca dvārair etair goviseṣāḥ praśastāḥ ||
Bhīṣma bersabda: Sapi-sapi yang bernilai khusus dipuji sebagai layak untuk dipersembahkan bila diperoleh melalui jalan yang diakui—lahir di rumah sendiri, dibeli, didapat melalui yajña atau melalui daya ilmu, diperoleh sebagai tebusan nyawa, dimenangkan oleh keberanian dalam perang, diterima sebagai mas kawin, dilepas oleh pemilik karena merasa berat memeliharanya, atau datang sendiri mencari nafkah serta perlindungan. Karena asal-usul demikian, pemberian itu dipandang terpuji dan tanpa cela.
पितामह उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhīṣma defines which cows are ethically commendable to give in charity: those acquired through clear, socially sanctioned, and non-harmful means (birth in one’s household, sacrifice/learning, life-risk exchange, valor, dowry, lawful relinquishment, or seeking refuge for sustenance). The emphasis is on rightful ownership and compassionate support, so that dāna becomes pure and dharmic.
In Anuśāsana Parva’s instruction on dharma, Bhīṣma (as teacher) enumerates categories of ‘special cows’ whose provenance makes them suitable for gifting. He is guiding the listener on proper conduct in charity—especially the norms around gifting cattle, a major form of wealth and welfare in the epic’s social world.