Shloka 3

दानानामपि सर्वेषां गवां दान प्रशस्यते । गाव: श्रेष्ठा: पवित्राश्न॒ पावन होतदुत्तमम्‌,सब प्रकारके दानोंमें गोदान ही उत्तम माना जाता है; इसलिये गौएँ श्रेष्ठ, पवित्र तथा परम पावन हैं

dānānām api sarveṣāṁ gavāṁ dānaṁ praśasyate | gāvaḥ śreṣṭhāḥ pavitrāś ca pāvanā hotṛduttamam ||

“అన్ని దానాలలో గోదానం విశేషంగా ప్రశంసించబడుతుంది. అందుచేత గోవులు శ్రేష్ఠులు, పవిత్రులు; వాటి దానం పరమ పావనమూ ఉత్తమమూ అని చెప్పబడుతుంది.”

दानानाम्of gifts/charities
दानानाम्:
Adhikarana
TypeNoun
Rootदान
FormNeuter, Genitive, Plural
अपिeven/also
अपि:
TypeIndeclinable
Rootअपि
सर्वेषाम्of all
सर्वेषाम्:
Adhikarana
TypeAdjective
Rootसर्व
FormNeuter, Genitive, Plural
गवाम्of cows
गवाम्:
Adhikarana
TypeNoun
Rootगो
FormFeminine, Genitive, Plural
दानम्the gift (donation)
दानम्:
Karta
TypeNoun
Rootदान
FormNeuter, Nominative, Singular
प्रशस्यतेis praised/commended
प्रशस्यते:
TypeVerb
Rootप्र + शंस्
FormPresent, Third, Singular, Atmanepada, Passive
गावःcows
गावः:
Karta
TypeNoun
Rootगो
FormFeminine, Nominative, Plural
श्रेष्ठाःexcellent/best
श्रेष्ठाः:
Karta
TypeAdjective
Rootश्रेष्ठ
FormFeminine, Nominative, Plural
पवित्राःpure/sacred
पवित्राः:
Karta
TypeAdjective
Rootपवित्र
FormFeminine, Nominative, Plural
पावनाःpurifying
पावनाः:
Karta
TypeAdjective
Rootपावन
FormFeminine, Nominative, Plural
होतृthe Hotṛ priest
होतृ:
Karta
TypeNoun
Rootहोतृ
FormMasculine, Nominative, Singular
उत्तमम्the best/supreme
उत्तमम्:
Karta
TypeAdjective
Rootउत्तम
FormNeuter, Nominative, Singular

भीष्म उवाच

B
Bhīṣma
C
cows (go/gāvaḥ)
D
dāna (charity/gift)
H
hotṛ (sacrificial priest)

Educational Q&A

The verse teaches that go-dāna (the gift of cows) is considered the most commendable among charities because it is viewed as especially purifying and supportive of dharmic life and sacred rites.

In the Anuśāsana Parva, Bhīṣma instructs Yudhiṣṭhira on dharma, particularly the ethics and fruits of various gifts; here he highlights the exceptional praise accorded to donating cows.