Shloka 50
गोप्रदानगुणाः तथा कपिलागोविधानम्
Merits of Cow-Gift and the Origin-Account of Kapilā Cows
तृणगोमयपर्णाशी निःस्पूृहो नियत: शुचि: । अकामं तेन वस्तव्यं मुदितेन शतक्रतो
tṛṇa-gomaya-parṇāśī niḥspṛho niyataḥ śuciḥ | akāmaṃ tena vastavyaṃ muditena śatakrato ||
Disse Bhīṣma: “Que ele viva satisfeito, ó Śatakratu, comendo erva, esterco de vaca e folhas—sem desejo, senhor de si e puro. Vivendo assim sem anseio, alcança o meu mundo e vive alegre entre os deuses; ou então vai aos mundos que desejar.”
पितामह उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse praises an austere, disciplined, and desireless life—marked by contentment, purity, and freedom from craving—as a path to exalted post-mortem states (Bhīṣma’s world/realms of the gods) and even the freedom to reach desired worlds.
Bhīṣma addresses Indra (Śatakratu) while describing the spiritual reward of a forest-dweller who follows the prescribed ascetic rule—living simply on grass, leaves, and cow-dung, remaining self-restrained and pure—thereby attaining divine realms.