Shloka 45

Viṣṇv-ekapūjya-nirṇaya; Gaṅgā-Viṣṇupadī-māhātmya; Kali-yuga doṣa; Puṣkara-dharma of Viṣṇu-smaraṇa

Devanagari script

गोस्पर्शनविहीनस्य गोदोहनमजानतः / गोपोषणविहीनस्य प्राहुर्जन्म निरर्थकम्

Transliteration

gosparśanavihīnasya godohanamajānataḥ / gopoṣaṇavihīnasya prāhurjanma nirarthakam

Translation

กล่าวกันว่า ชีวิตย่อมไร้ความหมาย หากไม่เคยสัมผัสโค ไม่รู้การรีดนมโค และไม่บำรุงเลี้ยงดูโคเลย।

Word by Word

• गो-स्पर्शन-विहीनस्य: of one devoid of touching cows
• गो-स्पर्शन-विहीनस्य: सम्बन्ध (Sambandha)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: गो (प्रातिपदिक) + स्पर्शन (प्रातिपदिक) + विहीन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th), एकवचन; बहुपद-तत्पुरुषः ‘गोस्पर्शनात् विहीनः’ (devoid of touching cows)

• गो-दोहनम्: milking of cows
• गो-दोहनम्: कर्ता (Karta)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गो (प्रातिपदिक) + दोहन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः ‘गवां दोहनम्’

• अजानतः: of one not knowing
• अजानतः: सम्बन्ध (Sambandha)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ज्ञा (धातु) → अजानत् (कृदन्त, शतृ)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th), एकवचन; वर्तमानकृदन्त (present participle) with negation sense ‘not knowing’

• गो-पोषण-विहीनस्य: of one devoid of caring for cows
• गो-पोषण-विहीनस्य: सम्बन्ध (Sambandha)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: गो (प्रातिपदिक) + पोषण (प्रातिपदिक) + विहीन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th), एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः ‘गोपोषणात् विहीनः’ (devoid of nourishing cows)

• प्राहुः: they say/declare
• प्राहुः: क्रिया (Kriyā)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्र+अह् (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect/लिट्), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), बहुवचन, परस्मैपद

• जन्म: birth/life
• जन्म: कर्म (Karma)
• Type: Noun
• Root: जन्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन

• निरर्थकम्: meaningless/futile
• निरर्थकम्: कर्म-विशेषण (Object qualifier/कर्म-विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: निरर्थक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; विधेय-विशेषण (predicate adjective) qualifying ‘जन्म’

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in dialogue to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Human life gains meaning through compassionate responsibility—touching, milking knowledge (practical skill), and nourishing cows (go-pōṣaṇa).

Vedantic Theme: Dharma as sattva-building; service to living beings as purification supporting bhakti and inner clarity.

Application: Support ethical animal care: personally learn humane practices or materially support shelters/farmers; cultivate gratitude for food sources.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: raudra

Secondary Rasa: karuna

Geographic Context

Type: agrarian/social

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana: go-sevā/go-dāna praised as high merit (thematic); Garuda Purana: household dharma and compassion norms (thematic)

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Garuda
• Go (Cow)

FAQs

What is the importance of go-seva (service to cows) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse treats go-seva as a core dharmic duty: touching, milking, and caring for cows are presented as meaningful acts that give purpose and merit to one’s life.

How does this verse relate to Garuda Purana themes of afterlife and merit?

In the Preta Kanda framework, righteous conduct and acts that generate punya are emphasized; the verse highlights cow-care as a concrete, daily discipline that supports dharma and spiritual well-being.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Support ethical cow protection and welfare (gośālā, feeding, medical care), cultivate respectful conduct toward animals, and practice service-oriented living rather than mere ritual formality.