Shloka 38
Chapter 84: Brahmā’s Counsel on Tāraka, the Search for Agni, and the Genesis of Skanda
Kārttikeya
घृतेन जुहुयादग्निं घृतेन स्वस्ति वाचयेत् । घृतं प्राशेद् घृतं दद्याद् गवां पुष्टि तथाश्रुते
ghṛtena juhuyād agniṃ ghṛtena svasti vācayet | ghṛtaṃ prāśed ghṛtaṃ dadyād gavāṃ puṣṭi tathāśrute ||
毗耶娑说：当以酥油（ghṛta）向火中献供，并以酥油为祭资（dakṣiṇā），令婆罗门诵读吉祥祝词（svasti）。当食用酥油，亦当布施酥油。由此行持，据说牛群兴盛，而自身亦得滋养与力量。
व्यास उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches a dharmic discipline centered on ghṛta (ghee): use it in sacrificial offerings, support sacred recitation through proper dakṣiṇā, consume it in moderation as nourishment, and donate it. The ethical point is that ritual action should be paired with giving, and that such conduct is traditionally linked with prosperity—especially the well-being of cattle and personal vitality.
In Anuśāsana Parva’s instruction-oriented setting, Vyāsa states a prescriptive rule: perform fire-offerings with ghee, arrange svasti-recitation with ghee as the gift/fee, and practice both consumption and donation of ghee. He then reports the traditional result (as ‘heard’ in authoritative teaching): flourishing of cattle and increased nourishment/strength for the practitioner.