Mahabharata — Anushasana Parva, Shloka 50
गोप्रदानगुणाः तथा कपिलागोविधानम्
Merits of Cow-Gift and the Origin-Account of Kapilā Cows
तृणगोमयपर्णाशी निःस्पूृहो नियत: शुचि: । अकामं तेन वस्तव्यं मुदितेन शतक्रतो
tṛṇa-gomaya-parṇāśī niḥspṛho niyataḥ śuciḥ | akāmaṃ tena vastavyaṃ muditena śatakrato ||
Wika ni Bhīṣma: “Mamuhay siya nang may kasiyahan, O Śatakratu, na kumakain ng damo, dumi ng baka, at mga dahon—walang pagnanasa, may pagpipigil-sa-sarili, at dalisay. Sa paninirahang walang pagnanasa, natatamo niya ang aking daigdig at namumuhay nang masaya sa piling ng mga diyos; o kung hindi, napaparoon siya sa alinmang daigdig na kanyang naisin.”
पितामह उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse praises an austere, disciplined, and desireless life—marked by contentment, purity, and freedom from craving—as a path to exalted post-mortem states (Bhīṣma’s world/realms of the gods) and even the freedom to reach desired worlds.
Bhīṣma addresses Indra (Śatakratu) while describing the spiritual reward of a forest-dweller who follows the prescribed ascetic rule—living simply on grass, leaves, and cow-dung, remaining self-restrained and pure—thereby attaining divine realms.