Shloka 21
Suvarṇa-dāna: Kārttikeya’s Origin and the Defeat of Tāraka (सुवर्णदान-प्रसङ्गे कार्त्तिकेय-उत्पत्ति तथा तारकवधः)
मुनींश्व धारयन्तीह प्रजाश्वैवापि कर्मणा । वासवाकूटवाहिन्य: कर्मणा सुकृतेन च,“इस प्रकार गौएँ अपने कर्मसे ऋषियों तथा प्रजाओंका पालन करती रहती हैं। वासव! इनके व्यवहारमें माया नहीं होती। ये सदा सत्कर्ममें ही लगी रहती हैं
munīṃś ca dhārayantīha prajāś caivāpi karmaṇā | vāsavākūṭavāhinyaḥ karmaṇā sukṛtena ca ||
భీష్ముడు పలికెను—ఈ గోవులు తమ కర్మ ద్వారానే మునులను, ప్రజలను పోషిస్తాయి. ఓ వాసవా! వీరి వ్యవహారంలో మాయ లేదు; సుకృతమయమైన ధర్మకర్మలతో సదా శుభంలోనే నిమగ్నమై ఉంటాయి.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches that cows are upheld as embodiments of straightforward, non-deceptive conduct and as sources of welfare: through their beneficial actions they support both spiritual life (sages) and social life (the people), illustrating dharma expressed as practical, merit-producing service.
Bhishma continues his instruction in Anuśāsana Parva by praising the ethical and societal value of cows, addressing Indra (Vāsava) and asserting that cows, by their natural and righteous ‘work,’ sustain sages and the wider community without guile.