Shloka 30

Nṛga-upākhyāna: Brāhmaṇa-sva and the Consequence of Misappropriated Gift-Cattle (कृकलास-रूपे नृगोपाख्यानम्)

Devanagari script

तथा गवार्थे शरणं शीतवर्षसहं दृढम्‌

Transliteration

tathā gavārthe śaraṇaṃ śītavarṣasahaṃ dṛḍham

Translation

तथा गवार्थे शरणं शीतवर्षसहं दृढम्; कर्तव्यं गोहितार्थाय यत् शीतवर्षं सहेत् दृढम्।

Word by Word

• तथा: thus; likewise
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा

• गव-अर्थे: for the sake of cows / in the matter of cows
• गव-अर्थे: Adhikarana
• Type: Noun
• Root: गव
• Form: Masculine, Locative, Singular

• शरणम्: refuge; shelter
• शरणम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: शरण
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular

• शीत-वर्ष-सहम्: enduring cold and rain
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सह
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular

• दृढम्: firm; strong
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दृढ
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular

Speaker

भीष्म उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Bhīṣma
• cows (go)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

Dharma is expressed through practical protection: for the welfare of cows, one must arrange strong shelter that withstands cold and rain—care that is effective, not merely symbolic.

What is happening in the narrative?

In Bhīṣma’s instruction on righteous conduct, he gives a concrete guideline: when acting for the benefit of cows, provide a durable refuge capable of enduring harsh weather.