Shloka 10
Go-dāna-stuti and Ghṛta-Japa
Praise of cow-gift and ghee-centered recitation
ऊर्जस्विन्य ऊर्जमेधाश्न यज्ञे गर्भोडमृतस्य जगतोअसस््य प्रतिष्ठा । क्षिते रोह: प्रवह: शश्व॒देव प्राजापत्या: सर्वमित्यर्थवादा:
bhīṣma uvāca | ūrjasvinyā ūrjamedhāś ca yajñe garbho 'mṛtasya jagato 'sya pratiṣṭhā | kṣite rohaḥ pravaḥ śaśvad eva prājāpatyāḥ sarvam ity arthavādāḥ |
毗湿摩说道：“群牛具足精力，兼有力量与明辨之智。在祭祀中，她们是甘露般供献之物的胎藏——其源泉——亦是此世界的支柱。在大地上，她们使万物生长（凭借公牛耕作之功），并维系世间生活古老而不断的流转。她们是生主（Prajāpati）之女。此诸言辞，皆为赞颂之辞，旨在称扬母牛。”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames the cow as a dharmic support of society and cosmic order: a source of sacrificial offerings, agricultural prosperity, and continuity of life. It also clarifies that such lines function as arthavāda—praise meant to encourage reverence and charitable gifting (go-dāna), rather than a standalone command.
In Anuśāsana Parva’s instruction on gifts and duties, Bhishma describes mantras/praise to be recited after performing go-dāna. He extols the cow’s role in yajña, sustenance, and social stability, linking her to Prajāpati to emphasize sacred status.