Shloka 50
Viśokā Dvādaśī Vow, Guḍa-Dhenū (Jaggery-Cow) Gift, and Śaila-Dāna (Mountain-Charity) Rites
कदंबं कुब्जकं जाती शस्तान्येतानि सर्वदा । भीष्म उवाच । गुडधेनुविधानं च समाचक्ष्व मुनीश्वर
kadaṃbaṃ kubjakaṃ jātī śastānyetāni sarvadā | bhīṣma uvāca | guḍadhenuvidhānaṃ ca samācakṣva munīśvara
கதம்பம், குப்ஜகம், ஜாதி—இவை எப்போதும் சிறந்த மலர்களாகப் போற்றப்படுகின்றன. பீஷ்மர் கூறினார்—முனிவரே, குஞ்சு (வெல்லம்) தானமாகிய ‘குட-தேனு’ விதியையும் எனக்கு விளக்குங்கள்।
Bhīṣma (requesting instruction from a sage)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Sandhi Resolution Notes: शस्तान्येतानि → शस्तानि + एतानि; गुडधेनुविधानं → गुड-धेनु-विधानम्; भीष्म उवाच (पदच्छेद).
FAQs
Guḍa-dhenu is a charitable gift (dāna) where a cow form is made or symbolically represented using guḍa (jaggery), and then given according to prescribed ritual guidelines.
The verse lists them as śasta (recommended), implying they are auspicious, pleasing offerings—often valued for fragrance and ritual suitability in devotional or merit-generating contexts.
It highlights conscientious giving: charity is not only about the object donated but also about performing it correctly and respectfully by learning the proper method from qualified teachers.