Shloka 22
Suvarṇa-dāna: Kārttikeya’s Origin and the Defeat of Tāraka (सुवर्णदान-प्रसङ्गे कार्त्तिकेय-उत्पत्ति तथा तारकवधः)
उपरिष्टात् ततो5स्माकं वसन्त्येता: सदैव हि । एवं ते कारणं शक्र निवासकृतमद्य वै
upariṣṭāt tato ’smākaṁ vasanty etāḥ sadaiva hi | evaṁ te kāraṇaṁ śakra nivāsakṛtam adya vai ||
Bhishma disse: “Por isso, essas vacas habitam para sempre numa posição acima de nós. Assim, ó Śakra, de acordo com a tua pergunta, expliquei a razão pela qual as vacas residem até mesmo acima dos deuses. Além disso, ó Śatakratu Indra, elas também obtiveram dádivas; e, quando satisfeitas, possuem o poder de conceder dádivas a outros.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The passage elevates the cow as a supremely venerable being within dharma: cows are portrayed as occupying a higher cosmic status and as bearers of spiritual merit, capable—when pleased—of bestowing blessings. Ethically, it reinforces protection, reverence, and gratitude toward cows as a dharmic duty.
Bhishma answers Indra’s inquiry by explaining why cows are said to dwell in a realm above others, even above the gods. He concludes that this exalted residence is justified by prior causes (already discussed in the chapter) and adds that cows have received boons and can grant boons to others when satisfied.