Shloka 23
The Greatness of Prayāga: Fruits of Pilgrimage, Remembrance, and Cow-Gift
गवां शतसहस्रेभ्यो दद्यादेकां पयस्विनीम् । पुत्रान्दारान्तथा भृत्यान्गौरेका प्रतितारयेत्
gavāṃ śatasahasrebhyo dadyādekāṃ payasvinīm | putrāndārāntathā bhṛtyāngaurekā pratitārayet
لاکھوں گایوں میں سے ایک دودھ دینے والی گائے کا دان کرنا چاہیے؛ اسی ایک گائے کے دان سے اپنے بیٹے، بیوی اور حتیٰ کہ خادم بھی پار ہو جاتے ہیں۔
Not explicitly specified in the provided excerpt (context needed from surrounding verses).
Concept: Go-dāna (gift of a milk-giving cow) is so potent that a single act can ‘carry across’ one’s dependents.
Application: Practice intentional giving: support sustenance-giving causes (food, milk, livelihood) and include dependents in your merit by dedicating the act for their welfare.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A humble householder leads a gentle, white, milk-laden cow adorned with a garland and a small bell to a learned brāhmaṇa’s courtyard. The family stands behind—sons, wife, and servants—hands folded, as the act of gifting becomes a luminous bridge of protection over unseen dangers.","primary_figures":["householder donor","milk-giving cow (payasinī)","brāhmaṇa recipient","family members (sons, wife)","servants"],"setting":"Village courtyard near a small sacrificial fire-pit and tulasi-less but dharmic domestic shrine; earthen pots, fodder, and a calm cow-shed ambiance.","lighting_mood":"golden dawn","color_palette":["ivory white","marigold orange","vermillion red","leaf green","warm ochre"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: central adorned cow with gold leaf highlights on ornaments, donor and brāhmaṇa in symmetrical composition, rich reds/greens, embossed gold borders, stylized sacred fire and conch motifs, gem-like detailing on the cow’s neck-bell and garlands.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: intimate courtyard scene with delicate lines, soft pastel garments, the cow rendered with gentle realism, distant trees and a low hill, refined facial features, a lyrical mood of quiet charity.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines, the cow in creamy whites with decorative patterns, donor in red/ochre, brāhmaṇa in pale yellow, flat yet vibrant background with temple-like motifs, large expressive eyes conveying compassion and duty.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: cow as sacred centerpiece with floral borders, lotus and creeper motifs framing the act of dāna, peacocks at the edges, deep blue background with gold accents, devotional atmosphere emphasizing auspiciousness and protection."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Durga","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["cow bell","soft chanting","morning birds","gentle footsteps on earth"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: दद्यादेकाम् = दद्यात् + एकाम्; पुत्रान्दारान् = पुत्रान् + दारान्; भृत्यान्गौरेका = भृत्यान् + गौः + एका
FAQs
It teaches the exceptional spiritual merit (puṇya) of go-dāna—donating even a single lactating cow is portrayed as powerful enough to benefit and uplift one’s family and dependents.
A milk-yielding cow symbolizes ongoing nourishment and sustenance; the verse highlights that a meaningful, life-supporting gift—though small in number—can carry great merit.
Householders are encouraged to practice compassionate, sustaining charity and to see their prosperity as a means to support others—creating welfare that extends beyond oneself to one’s wider circle of responsibility.