Shloka 20
Go-mahātmyam: Pavitrāṇāṃ Pavitraṃ
Cows and Ghee as Supreme Purifiers
स वत्समुखविश्रष्टो भवस्य भुवि तिष्ठत: । शिरस्यवाप तत् क्रुद्ध: स तदैक्षत च प्रभु:
sa vatsamukha-viśraṣṭo bhavasya bhuvi tiṣṭhataḥ | śirasy avāpa tat kruddhaḥ sa tadaikṣata ca prabhuḥ ||
அது (பாலின் நுரை) கன்றின் வாயிலிருந்து வழுந்து, பூமியில் நின்றிருந்த பவனாகிய (சிவன்) தலைமேல் விழுந்தது. அதனால் கோபமுற்ற ஆண்டவன் பவன் உடனே அதைப் பார்த்தான்.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical danger of krodha (anger): a minor incident, when met with wrath—especially by one in authority—can escalate into serious consequences. It implicitly urges restraint and discernment in responding to affronts.
Something that had been in a calf’s mouth slips out and lands on Bhava (Śiva)’s head while he is standing on the earth. Bhava becomes angry and fixes his gaze upon it, signaling an impending reaction.