Shloka 8
संताड्या न तु पादेन गवां मध्ये न च व्रजेत् । मंगलायतनं देव्यस्तस्मात् पूज्या: सदैव हि,गौओंको लात न मारे। उनके बीचसे होकर न निकले। वे मंगलकी आधारभूत देवियाँ हैं, अत: उनकी सदा ही पूजा करनी चाहिये
santāḍyā na tu pādena gavāṁ madhye na ca vrajet | maṅgalāyatanaṁ devyās tasmāt pūjyāḥ sadaiva hi ||
Bhishma berkata: “Jangan menendang lembu dengan kaki, dan jangan melintas di tengah-tengah kawanan. Lembu ialah sumber dan tempat bersemayamnya keberkatan serta tuah; maka hendaklah ia sentiasa dihormati dan dipuja.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches respectful, non-violent conduct toward cows: do not harm them (even by kicking) and avoid disrespectful behavior such as walking through the middle of a herd. Cows are presented as embodiments of auspiciousness and thus deserving continual honor.
In the Anushasana Parva, Bhishma instructs Yudhishthira on dharma and proper conduct. Here he gives a specific rule of etiquette and reverence regarding cows, framing it as an ethical and religious obligation.