Shloka 10
गवां लोकवर्णनं तथा गोप्रदानफलश्रुतिः
Description of the ‘World of Cows’ and the Stated Fruits of Cow-Gift
प्रचारे वा निवाते वा बुधो नोद्वेजयेत गा: । तृषिता हाभिवीक्षन्त्यो नरं हन्यु: सबान्धवम्
bhīṣma uvāca | pracāre vā nivāte vā budho nodvejayet gāḥ | tṛṣitā abhivīkṣantyo naraṃ hanyuḥ sabāndhavam |
Bhishma disse: “Quer as vacas estejam vagando livremente, quer estejam repousando num lugar calmo e sem perturbação, o homem sábio não deve agitá-las nem alarmá-las. Pois quando, atormentadas pela sede, elas olham para um homem desejando água e ele não a fornece, podem, com olhar irado, causar a ruína dele juntamente com a de seus parentes.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Do not harass or unsettle cows; care for their basic needs—especially water. Neglect of dependent beings, particularly when they silently appeal for help, is adharma and brings severe consequences.
Bhishma instructs Yudhishthira on proper conduct regarding cows: leave them undisturbed when they graze or rest, and ensure they are watered. He warns that thirsty cows, if ignored, can become a cause of the offender’s destruction along with his family.