Shloka 55
Prāyaścitta for Food-Contact, Social Contact, Aśauca Periods, and Formal Penance Systems
कण्ठाभरणदोषेण कृच्छ्रपादं मृते गवि / अस्थिभङ्गं गवां कृत्वा शृङ्गभङ्गमथापि वा
kaṇṭhābharaṇadoṣeṇa kṛcchrapādaṃ mṛte gavi / asthibhaṅgaṃ gavāṃ kṛtvā śṛṅgabhaṅgamathāpi vā
ఆవు మెడకు అనుచిత ఆభరణం వేయడం వల్ల, లేదా తన కారణంగా ఆవు మరణిస్తే, లేదా ఆవుల ఎముకలు విరిచినా, ఇంకా కొమ్ములు విరిచినా—పాపం కలుగుతుంది, దాని ఫలంగా దుఃఖం అనుభవించాలి।
Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda/Vinata-putra)
Concept: Even indirect or negligent harm to cows—improper ornamentation, causing death, breaking bones or horns—creates culpability and suffering.
Vedantic Theme: Ahimsa and responsibility for consequences (kartṛtva-bhoktṛtva) within karma; vigilance reduces pāpa-saṃskāra.
Application: Practice careful stewardship of dependent beings; avoid negligent practices that cause injury; institute safety checks in animal care and in any role involving guardianship.
Primary Rasa: bibhatsa
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Related Themes: Garuda Purana: go-rakṣā and go-apacāra themes recur in dharma/prāyaścitta lists
FAQs
This verse treats harm to cows—even through negligence like improper restraints/ornaments or physical injury—as a serious doṣa that produces painful karmic results, reinforcing go-raksha as a core dharmic duty.
By listing specific acts (causing a cow’s death, breaking bones or horns, or harmful negligence) and linking them to suffering, it reflects the Garuda Purana’s broader teaching that concrete harms generate corresponding post-death consequences.
Treat animals—especially cows in dharmic contexts—with care: avoid harmful equipment/restraints, prevent injury, support humane husbandry, and practice accountability and remedial charity/service if harm occurs.