Mahabharata — Anushasana Parva, Shloka 40
Umā–Maheśvara-saṃvāda: Varṇa-bhraṃśa, Ācāra (Vṛtta), and Karmic Ascent/Decline
मन्त्रेणैतेनाभिवन्देत यो वै विमुच्यते पापकृतेन कर्मणा । लोकानवाप्रोति पुरंदरस्य गवां फलं चन्द्रमसो झ्युतिं च
mantrenaitenābhivandeta yo vai vimucyate pāpakṛtena karmaṇā | lokān avāpnoti purandarasya gavāṁ phalaṁ candramaso jyutiṁ ca ||
Wika ni Viśvāmitra: “Sinumang maghandog ng mapitagang pagpupugay sa mga baka sa pamamagitan ng mismong mantrang ito ay napapalaya mula sa mga gawang makasalanan. Bilang bunga ng paggalang at paglilingkod sa mga baka, matatamo niya ang mga daigdig ni Purandara (Indra) at magkakamit ng ningning na tulad ng sa Buwan.”
विश्वामित्र उवाच
Educational Q&A
Reverent salutation and service to cows, performed with the prescribed mantra, is presented as a dharmic act that purifies one from sinful actions and yields exalted spiritual results—attainment of Indra’s realm and moonlike radiance.
In Anuśāsana Parva’s instruction on dharma and gifts, Viśvāmitra describes the efficacy of a specific mantra: those who use it to venerate cows are said to be freed from sin and rewarded with heavenly attainment and luminous splendor.