आज्यं तेजः समुद्दिष्टमाज्यं पापहरं परम्
Clarified butter is declared to be brilliance; clarified butter is the supreme remover of sin.
त्वं चैवाज्यमयी देवि कल्पितासि मया किल
And you, O goddess, have indeed been fashioned by me as made of clarified butter.
तं च विप्रं महाभाग मनसेव घृतार्चिषा 4.154.
That blessed Brahmin should be mentally worshipped with the flame of ghee.
दक्षिणासहिता धेनुः कल्पिताज्यमयी शुभा
The cow, together with the prescribed gift, is auspicious and made of clarified butter.
इत्युदाहृत्य विप्राय तां गां तु प्रतिपादयेत्
Having recited thus, one should present that cow to the Brahmin.
अनेन च विधानेन नवनीतमयी शुभा
By this procedure, a cow made of fresh butter, auspicious, is also created.
शृणु पार्थ महाबाहो प्रदानफलमुत्तमम्
Hear, O Partha, mighty-armed one, the supreme fruit of giving.
घृतधेनुप्रदा यांति तत्र कामैः सुपूरिताः
Those who give the cow made of ghee attain fulfillment of desires there.
तांस्तेषु नृप लोकेषु स नयत्यस्तकल्मषान्
O king, he leads them in those worlds, free from impurity.
निष्किल्विषं पदं यांति निष्कामा घृतधेनुदाः
Those who give the ghee-cow without desire reach a sinless state.
घृतं प्रयच्छतां भीता भवंत्यखिलदेवताः
When ghee is given, all the gods become fearful.
मायाजलं सुतकलत्रमहोर्मिमालं लोभोग्रनक्रविषमं बहुपुण्यभाजः
The fortunate ones, blessed with much merit, cross the net of illusion, the garland of great waves of offspring and family, the poison of greed and crocodiles.
लवणधेनुदानव्रतवर्णनम् युधिष्ठिर उवाच कृष्णकृष्ण महाबाहो सर्वशास्त्रविशारद
Description of the vow of giving the salt-cow.
येन दत्तेन दानानि सर्वाण्येव भवंत्युत
By whatever is given, all gifts indeed become accomplished.
प्रायश्चित्तविशुद्धिश्च तन्मे कथय सुव्रत शृणु राजन्प्रवक्ष्यामि दानानामुत्तमोत्तमम्
O virtuous one, tell me about the purification by atonement; listen, O king, I will declare the highest of all gifts.
ख्यातं लवणधेन्वाख्यं सर्वकामप्रदं नृणाम्
It is renowned as the gift of the salt cow, which grants all desires to people.
विश्वासघाती क्रूरात्मा सर्वपापरतोऽपि वा
Even one who betrays trust, whose nature is cruel, or who is steeped in every sin,
सुभगो धनसंपन्नो दीर्घायुरपराजितः
Becomes fortunate, wealthy, long-lived, and unconquered.
विधिं वक्ष्यामि राजेन्द्र लवणस्येह कल्पनम्
O king, I will explain the procedure here for the preparation of the salt cow.
आविकं चर्म विन्यस्य पूर्वाशाभिमुखं स्थितम्
Place a sheep's skin facing east as the base.
आढकेनैव कुर्वीत वहुवित्तोऽल्पवित्तवान्
One should use an āḍhaka measure, whether possessing much wealth or little.
कार्या शर्करया जिह्वा गन्धप्राणवती तथा 4.155.
Sugar should be applied to the tongue, and likewise fragrant substances to the nostrils.
कंबलं पट्टसूत्रेण ग्रीवायां घण्टिकां तथा
A blanket with a silk cord should be placed on the neck, and a bell as well.
कपोलौ सक्तुपिण्डाभ्यां यवानास्ये प्रदापयेत्
On the cheeks, lumps of saktu should be placed, and barley should be given for the mouth.
एवं वै सप्तधान्यानि यथालाभं प्रकल्पयेत्
In this way, the seven grains should be arranged according to what is available.
लांगूले कंबलं दद्याद्द्राक्षां क्षीरप्रदेशतः
A blanket should be given for the tail, and grapes in the place of milk.
एवं सम्यक्परिस्थाप्य रसरस्यमयीं च गाम्
Thus, having properly arranged the cow made entirely of tasty substances,
एवं धेनुं समभ्यर्च्य माल्यवस्त्रविभूषणैः कृत्वा प्रदक्षिणां गां तु पुत्रभार्यासमन्वितः
Having worshipped the cow with garlands, cloths, and ornaments, and circumambulated it together with one's son and wife,
ब्राह्मणाय सुशीलाय वृत्तयुक्ताय वै नृप
O king, it should be given to a Brahmin who is virtuous and possesses good conduct.
लवणे वै रसाः सर्वे लवणे सर्वदेवताः
In salt are all flavors, in salt are all the deities.