Shloka 10
Go-dāna-stuti and Ghṛta-Japa
Praise of cow-gift and ghee-centered recitation
ऊर्जस्विन्य ऊर्जमेधाश्न यज्ञे गर्भोडमृतस्य जगतोअसस््य प्रतिष्ठा । क्षिते रोह: प्रवह: शश्व॒देव प्राजापत्या: सर्वमित्यर्थवादा:
bhīṣma uvāca | ūrjasvinyā ūrjamedhāś ca yajñe garbho 'mṛtasya jagato 'sya pratiṣṭhā | kṣite rohaḥ pravaḥ śaśvad eva prājāpatyāḥ sarvam ity arthavādāḥ |
ビーシュマは言った。「牛は精気に満ち、力と明晰な識別智とを備える。祭祀においては、甘露にも比すべき供物の胎—その源—であり、この世界の支えそのものである。地上では（牡牛の耕作の働きによって）生長をもたらし、世の営みの古く途切れぬ流れを保つ。彼女らはプラジャーパティの娘である。これらはすべて、牛を讃えるための頌辞である。」
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames the cow as a dharmic support of society and cosmic order: a source of sacrificial offerings, agricultural prosperity, and continuity of life. It also clarifies that such lines function as arthavāda—praise meant to encourage reverence and charitable gifting (go-dāna), rather than a standalone command.
In Anuśāsana Parva’s instruction on gifts and duties, Bhishma describes mantras/praise to be recited after performing go-dāna. He extols the cow’s role in yajña, sustenance, and social stability, linking her to Prajāpati to emphasize sacred status.