Shloka 33
Cyavana’s Yogic Display and Kuśika’s Recognition of Tapas (च्यवन-योगप्रभावः कुशिकस्य तपःप्रशंसा च)
गाव: स्वर्गस्य सोपानं गाव: स्वर्गेडपि पूजिता: । गाव: कामदुहो देव्यो नान्यत् किंचित् परं स्मृतम्
gāvaḥ svargasya sopānaṃ gāvaḥ svarge ’pi pūjitāḥ | gāvaḥ kāmaduhō devyo nānyat kiñcit paraṃ smṛtam ||
गायी स्वर्गाकडे नेणाऱ्या पायऱ्या आहेत; स्वर्गातही गायी पूजिल्या जातात. गायी कामधेनुस्वरूप देव्या आहेत; त्यांच्याहून श्रेष्ठ दुसरे काही मानलेले नाही.
व्यवन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse elevates the cow as a supreme locus of dharma and merit: reverence and care for cows are portrayed as a direct means to spiritual uplift and heavenly attainment, with cows symbolizing generosity, nourishment, and sacred beneficence.
In the Anuśāsana Parva’s instructional discourse on dharma and meritorious conduct, Vyavana states a eulogy of cows, asserting their heavenly honor and their status as divine wish-fulfillers, to emphasize the religious and ethical value of protecting and venerating them.