Shloka 20
Suvarṇa-dāna: Kārttikeya’s Origin and the Defeat of Tāraka (सुवर्णदान-प्रसङ्गे कार्त्तिकेय-उत्पत्ति तथा तारकवधः)
पयोदधिधघृतं चैव पुण्याश्चैता: सुराधिप । वहन्ति विविधान् भारान् क्षुत्तष्णापरिपीडिता:
bhīṣma uvāca | payo dadhighṛtaṃ caiva puṇyāś caitāḥ surādhipa | vahanti vividhān bhārān kṣut-tṛṣṇā-paripīḍitāḥ |
毗湿摩说道：“噢，诸天之主！由这些母牛而得乳、酪与酥油；她们确为圣洁。即使为饥渴所逼，公牛仍不断负载种种重担。”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the sanctity and social-ritual value of cows (as sources of milk-products essential for sustenance and sacrificial life) and underscores an ethical duty of compassion: animals that serve humans—especially oxen laboring under hardship—deserve protection and considerate treatment.
Bhishma, in his instruction on dharma, addresses “Suradhipa” and praises cows as holy and materially indispensable (milk, curd, ghee). He also points to the strenuous service of oxen, who keep carrying diverse loads despite being afflicted by hunger and thirst, strengthening the argument for their care and non-cruelty.