Shloka 20
Go-mahātmyam: Pavitrāṇāṃ Pavitraṃ
Cows and Ghee as Supreme Purifiers
स वत्समुखविश्रष्टो भवस्य भुवि तिष्ठत: । शिरस्यवाप तत् क्रुद्ध: स तदैक्षत च प्रभु:
sa vatsamukha-viśraṣṭo bhavasya bhuvi tiṣṭhataḥ | śirasy avāpa tat kruddhaḥ sa tadaikṣata ca prabhuḥ ||
Buih itu—terlepas dari mulut anak sapi—jatuh ke atas kepala Bhava (Śiva) yang berdiri di bumi. Murka karenanya, Sang Penguasa Bhava seketika memandangnya tajam.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical danger of krodha (anger): a minor incident, when met with wrath—especially by one in authority—can escalate into serious consequences. It implicitly urges restraint and discernment in responding to affronts.
Something that had been in a calf’s mouth slips out and lands on Bhava (Śiva)’s head while he is standing on the earth. Bhava becomes angry and fixes his gaze upon it, signaling an impending reaction.