Padma Purana — Bhumi Khanda, Shloka 83
Pitṛ-tīrtha Context: Marks of Sin, Śrāddha Discipline, and Karmic Ripening
in Yayāti’s Narrative
ये चापि क्षयरोगार्तां गां पिपासा क्षुधातुराम् । न पालयंति यत्नेन ते गोघ्ना नारकाः स्मृताः
ye cāpi kṣayarogārtāṃ gāṃ pipāsā kṣudhāturām | na pālayaṃti yatnena te goghnā nārakāḥ smṛtāḥ
At yaong hindi nag-iingat at hindi nagsasanggalang sa baka, kahit siya’y pinahihirapan ng nakapapayat na sakit at dinadapuan ng uhaw at gutom—sila’y itinuturing na pumatay ng baka at nakatakdang mapasa-impyerno.
Unspecified (narratorial/teachings context within Bhūmi-khaṇḍa)
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: raudra
Sandhi Resolution Notes: चापि = च + अपि. क्षयरोगार्ताम् = क्षयरोग + आर्ताम्. क्षुधातुराम् = क्षुधा + आतुराम्.
FAQs
It teaches that actively protecting and caring for a suffering cow—especially when sick, hungry, or thirsty—is a moral obligation; neglect is treated as a grave wrong.
Because refusing care when one has the capacity to protect is framed as causing harm through omission; the outcome for the animal can be death or severe suffering, so the neglect is morally comparable to direct violence.
If an animal is vulnerable and in distress, one should provide help—food, water, shelter, and treatment—rather than ignoring it; compassion must be expressed through concrete effort (yatna).