ततो विमुक्ताः कालेन जायंते श्वानयोनिषु
Afterwards, released in due time, they are born among dogs.
विष्ठास्वेव च पापिष्ठा दुर्गंधेषु च नित्यशः
And, being most sinful, they are always in excrement and foul-smelling places.
ब्राह्मणश्चैव यो देवि कुर्यात्तेषां प्रतिग्रहम्
O Devi, even a Brahmin who accepts from them—
तं विप्रं नानुभाषेत न चाप्येकासने विशेत्
One should not speak to that Brahmin, nor sit with him on the same seat.
यस्तेन सह भाषेत प्रायश्चित्ती भवे द्द्विजः
A twice-born who speaks with him must perform expiation.
किमन्यैर्बहुभिर्दानैः कोटिसंख्यातविस्तरैः
What is the use of many other gifts, even if they are vast and number in crores?
श्रोत्रियाय दरिद्राय सुवृत्तायाहिताग्नये
To a learned, poor, well-behaved Brahmin who maintains the sacred fire—
मासे प्रसविनीं धेनुं दानार्थी प्रतिपालयेत्
One seeking to give a gift should wait for a cow about to give birth in a month.
जायमानस्य वत्सस्य मुखं योन्यां प्रदृश्यते ।। 4.161.
The face of the calf about to be born is seen at the opening of the womb.
तावत्सा पृथिवी ज्ञेया यावद्गर्भं न मुंचति
That cow is to be considered as the earth itself until she releases her calf.
धेनोर्यावंति रोमाणि सवत्साया वसुन्धरे
As many hairs as are on the cow with her calf, O Earth—
तावद्वर्षसहस्राणि ब्रह्मेशादिभिरर्चितः
For that many thousands of years, one is worshipped by Brahma, Shiva, and others.
सुवर्णशृङ्गीं यः कृत्वा खुरै रौप्यैः समर्चिताम्
He who prepares a cow with golden horns, adorned with silver hooves,
कपिलायास्तदा पुत्रं ब्राह्मणस्य करे न्यसेत्
should then place the calf of that tawny cow into the hands of a Brahmin.
सुवर्णैस्तु चतुर्भिश्च त्रिभिर्द्वाभ्यामथापि वा
With four, three, two, or even one piece of gold,
स समुद्रवनोपेता सशैलवनकानना
that cow should be accompanied by the ocean, forests, mountains, and groves.
पृथिवीदानतुल्येन दानेनैतेन वै नरः
By this gift, a man equals the merit of giving away the earth itself.
ब्रह्मस्वहरणो गोघ्नो भ्रूणहा ब्रह्मघातकः तद्दिनं च पयोभोजी संयतश्चातिवाहयेत्
One who steals Brahmin’s wealth, kills a cow, destroys a fetus, or slays a Brahmin—on that day, let him eat only milk and practice self-restraint.
गोमयेनोपलिप्याथ मण्डलं विधिपूर्वकम् 4.161.
Then, after smearing the ground with cow dung, let him properly prepare a circle according to the rite.
व्याहृत्या होमयेत्पूर्वं पंचवारुणकं तथा
Having recited the vyāhṛtis, let him first offer oblations, and likewise the five Varuna offerings.
स्योना पृथिवि मंत्रेण गौर्वत्ससहिता नवा
With the mantra 'Syonā pṛthivi', a new cow together with her calf
या ते सरस्वती देवी विष्णुना च तथा मही
—that goddess Sarasvati, and likewise the earth with Vishnu—
यावद्वत्सस्यद्वौ पादौ शिरश्चैव प्रदृश्यते तस्मिन्काले प्रदातव्या ब्राह्मणाय वसुंधरे
When both feet and the head of the calf become visible, at that moment, O Earth, she should be given to the Brahmin.
सुवर्णशृंगीं रौप्यखुरां कास्यदोहां सताम्रकाम् वस्त्राक्षतैः समभ्यर्च्य ब्राह्मणाय समर्पयेत्
A cow with golden horns, silver hooves, a bronze milk-pail, and copper vessels, having been properly adorned with cloth and unbroken grains, should be presented to the Brahmin.
सुवर्णस्य सहस्रेण तदर्धेनापि भामिनि
With a thousand pieces of gold, or even half that, O beautiful one,
यथा शक्त्या प्रदातव्या वित्तशाठ्यविवर्जितैः गृहाणेमां महाधेनुं भव भ्राता ममाशु वै
It should be given according to one's ability, without miserliness regarding wealth: 'Accept this great cow from me, become my brother at once.'
इरावती धेनुमती जाह्नवी तदनन्तरम्
Irāvatī, Dhenumatī, and then Jāhnavī—
भवतात्स्वस्ति मे नित्यं सुखं चानुत्तमं तथा 4.161.
May there always be well-being for me, and likewise unsurpassed happiness.
कोऽदादिति च वै मंत्रो जपितव्यो द्विजेन च
The mantra 'Ko'dāditi' should be recited by the twice-born.
एवं प्रसूयमानां गां यो ददाति वसुन्धरे रत्नपूर्णा भवेद्दत्ता पृथिवी नात्र संशयः
In this way, whoever gives a cow that is bearing a calf, O Earth, truly gives the earth filled with jewels—of this there is no doubt.