Shloka 34
Chapter 84: Brahmā’s Counsel on Tāraka, the Search for Agni, and the Genesis of Skanda
Kārttikeya
द्रहोन्न मनसा वापि गोषु नित्यं सुखप्रद: । अर्चयेत सदा चैव नमस्कारैश्व पूजयेत्
drohaṁ na manasā vāpi goṣu nityaṁ sukhapradaḥ | arcayet sadā caiva namaskāraiś ca pūjayet ||
व्यास उवाच—गोषु मनसा अपि द्रोहं न कुर्यात्; नित्यं सुखप्रदः स्यात्। ताः सदा अर्चयेत्, नमस्कारैश्च पूजयेत्॥
व्यास उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches complete non-malice toward cows—extending even to one’s thoughts—combined with ongoing positive duty: provide them comfort, treat them with due honor, and maintain reverent worship through salutations and respectful service.
In Anuśāsana Parva’s instruction-focused setting, Vyāsa delivers a prescriptive dharma statement: how one should relate to cows—internally (no hostile intent) and externally (care, honor, and worship).