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.
एवमुच्चार्य मंत्रां ते विप्राय प्रतिपादयेत्
Reciting these mantras, one should present it to the Brahmin.
प्रदक्षिणा मही तेन कृता भवति भारत 4.155.
By this, O Bharata, the earth is circumambulated.
सर्वे रसाः सर्वमन्नं सर्वं च सचराचरम्
All juices, all food, and all that moves and does not move,
भवति दत्त्वा नृणां तु रसधेनुं न संशयः
are obtained by giving the cow of juice to people; there is no doubt.
पर्णौर्णकंबलगलां लवणाढकेन कृत्वा फलस्तनवतीमपि लावणाख्याम्
By making a cow of leaves, wool, and blankets, with a measure of salt, and even a fruit-shaped breast called 'Lavana',
इति श्रीभविष्ये महापुराण उत्तरपर्वणि श्रीकृष्णयुधिष्ठिरसंवादे लवणधेनुदानव्रतविधिवर्णनं नाम पंचपंचाशदुत्तरशततमोऽध्यायः
Thus, in the glorious Bhavishya Mahapurana, in the Uttaraparva, in the dialogue between Shri Krishna and Yudhishthira, the description of the vow and procedure for giving the salt-cow is the one hundred and fifty-fifth chapter.
सुवर्णधेनुदानव्रतवर्णनम् यां दत्त्वा सर्वपापेभ्यो मुच्यते नात्र संशयः
The description of the vow for giving the golden cow—by giving it, one is freed from all sins; there is no doubt about this.
सुरापो ब्रह्महा गोघ्नो भीरुर्भग्नव्रतोऽपि वा
Even one who drinks liquor, kills a Brahmin, kills a cow, is fearful, or has broken a vow,
मुच्यते पातकैः सर्वैर्दत्त्वा काञ्चनधेनुकाम्
is freed from all sins by giving a golden cow.
अर्द्धेन वा प्रकुर्वीत शक्त्या वा नृपसत्तम
Or, one may perform it with half, or according to one's ability, O best of kings.