यज्ञार्थं च विवाहार्थं व्रतार्थं ब्राह्मणाय वै
For the sake of sacrifice, for marriage, for vows, or to a Brāhmaṇa—
आरोग्यशालां यः कुर्याद्वैद्यपोषणतत्परः
Who builds a hospital, intent on supporting physicians—
मुक्ती कुर्वंति तीर्थानि ये च दुष्टावरोधतः
And those who restore holy places that have been ruined or obstructed—
विष्णोर्वाममवाशंभोर्ब्राह्मणा एव सुप्रियाः
Brāhmaṇas alone are most dear to Viṣṇu’s left side and to Śiva’s left side.
ब्राह्मणाश्चैव गावश्च कुलमेकं द्विधाकृतम्
Brāhmaṇas and cows are one family, divided into two forms.
ब्राह्मणा जंगमं तीर्थं निर्मितं सार्वभौमिकम्
Brāhmaṇas are the moving holy places, established for all the worlds.
गावः पवित्रमतुलं गावो मंगलमुत्तमम्
Cows are supremely pure, unmatched; cows are the highest auspiciousness.
शृंगाग्रे सर्वतीर्थानि खुराग्रे सर्व पर्वताः
At the tip of their horns are all sacred waters; at the tip of their hooves, all mountains.
दीयमानां च गां दृष्ट्वा नृत्यंति प्रपितामहाः
Seeing a cow being given, the great-grandfathers dance with joy.
रोरूयंते च पापानि दारिद्र्यं व्याधिभिः सह 4.1.2.
Sins cry out and poverty departs, along with diseases.
गवां स्तुत्वा नमस्कृत्य कृत्वा चैव प्र दक्षिणाम्
Having praised and bowed to the cows, and having circumambulated them—
या लक्ष्मीः सवर्भूतानां या देवेषु व्यवस्थिता
That fortune which abides among all beings, that which is established among the gods—
विष्णोर्वक्षसि या लक्ष्मीः स्वाहा चैव विभावसोः
The Lakṣmī on Viṣṇu’s chest, and Svāhā, too, of the blazing fire—
गोमयं यमुना साक्षाद्गोमूत्रं नर्मदा शुभा
Cow dung is verily the Yamunā; cow urine, the auspicious Narmadā.
गवामंगेषु तिष्ठंति भुवनानि चतुर्दश
The fourteen worlds abide in the limbs of the cow.
इति मंत्रं समुच्चार्य धेनूर्वाधेनुमेव वा
Reciting this mantra, whether over a cow or a heifer,
मया च विष्णुना सार्धं शिवेन च महर्षिभिः । विचार्य गोगुणान्नित्यं प्रार्थनेति विधीयते
Having considered, together with Vishnu, Shiva, and the great sages, the virtues of the cow, it is always prescribed to make this request.
गावो मे पुरतः संतु गावो मे संतु पृष्ठतः
May cows be before me; may cows be behind me.
नीराजयति योंगानि गवां पुच्छेन भाग्यवान्
He who performs the ritual waving with the tail of a cow upon the limbs is fortunate.
गोभिर्विप्रश्च वेदैश्च सतीभिः सत्यवादिभिः 4.1.2.
With cows, with Brahmins, with the Vedas, with virtuous women, and with speakers of truth.
मम लोकात्परोलोको वैकुंठ इति गीयते
The world beyond my world is called Vaikuntha.
शिवलोकस्तदुपरि गोलो कस्तत्समीपतः
Above that is the realm of Shiva, and near to that is Goloka.
गवां शुश्रूरूषकाये च गोप्रदाये च मानवाः
Those who serve cows, tend to the sick, and give cows as gifts, O people,
यत्र क्षीरवहा नद्यो यत्र पायस कर्दमाः
Where rivers flow with milk and the mud is of curds and cream,
श्रुतिस्मृतिपुराणज्ञा ब्राह्मणाः परिकीर्तिताः
Brahmins who know the Vedas, Smritis, and Puranas are renowned.
श्रुतिस्मृती तु नेत्रे द्वे पुराणं हृदयं स्मृतम् पुराणहीनाद्धृच्छून्यात्काणांधावपि तौ वरौ
The Veda and Smriti are two eyes, the Purana is said to be the heart; even if one is blind or one-eyed, those two are excellent, but without the Purana, the heart is empty.
तद्बाह्मणाय गोर्देया सर्वत्र सुखमिच्छता
Therefore, one who desires happiness everywhere should give a cow to a Brahmin.
यस्य धर्मेऽस्ति जिज्ञासा यस्य पापाद्भयं महत्
He who seeks to know dharma, and who has great fear of sin,
चतुर्दशसु विद्यासु पुराणं दीप उत्तमः 4.1.2.
Among the fourteen branches of knowledge, the Purana is the supreme lamp.
उत्फुल्लपद्मनयना निर्मिताः सुकृतार्थिनः 4.1.2.
Those whose eyes are like fully blossomed lotuses are created for those who seek merit.