42 - The Procedure for the Gift of Guda-dhenu

Although the chapter is captioned as Guda-dhenu ( däna) vidhi, ‘The procedure for the gift of the (replica of the) cow made of jaggery’, it prescribes some thirteen kinds of articles (some liquids) to be presented as ‘cows’. This chapter is called Guda-dhenu-vidhi as jaggery is the first in the list of such articles representing cows. vide VV. ‘22-25 below. The Mt. P. Ch. 81 and AP. 212-10-34 endorse the procedure of the gift (däna) of guda-dhenu which is broadly thus:

A black-antelope-skin four cubits in length is to be spread over-ground smeared with cow-dung and over strewn with darbha grass, with the neck-portion of the skin to the east and d smaller skin symbolic of the calf is also to be spread. The jaggery-cow should be of the weight of 4 or 2 or I Bhära and the calf to be proportionately of one quarter of the cow’s weight depending on the affluence of the donor. vide VV. 6-20 below’ for the detailed procedure of gifting the jaggery-cow. As usual the cow is identified with the Lakshmï of all deities. V. 20 states that the above procedure is to be followed in gifting other articles as ‘cows’.

Mohini said

1. I am blessed. I am contented. My life is successful, since the excellent greatness of the Gañgâ has been heard from your lotus-like mouth.

2.There is no other sacred river equal to the Gañgâ on the surface of the Earth. The merit accruing from the sight etc. of that river has been described in this manner.

3. O leading Brahmana, I have been always your devotee. In due order, mention the procedure of the gift of Gudadhenu (a cow made of Jaggery) etc.

Vasishtha said

4. On hearing those words of Mohinï, Vasu, her priest, who knew the principles and real meanings of the Vedas and Ägamas said smilingly.

Vasu said:

5. O Mohinï, listen. I shall recount to you what has been asked by you viz. the procedure for the gift of the cow made of jaggery etc. as glorified and prescribed in the scriptures.

6. The ground must be smeared with cow-dung, and Kušha grass must be assiduously spread over it. Over it a deer skin measuring four Hastas (hands) must be placed with the neck (portion) directed towards the east.

7-9a. The replica of the cow shall be so made that its face is turned towards the East and the calf is near the leg on the northern side (i.e. the left side). In the most excellent Gudadhenu four Bhäras (special weight of 3000 Palas) of jaggery must be used, and the calf is made with a Bhâra of Jaggery. The middling replica of the cow is to be. made with two Bhâras of jaggery. The calf must be made with half a Bhära of jaggery. The lowest type of Gudadhenu is made of one Bhàra of Jaggery (1 Bhàra = 200 Palas). The calf shall then be made with a fourth of it. These replicas are made in accordance with the wealth of the household.

9b-10. A person who is affluent enough to make the earlier type of replica but prepares a latter type of replica, is a person of confused mind. He will not have the excellent future benefit. Both the cow and the calf made of jaggery shall be covered with a soft white cloth.

11. Oyster shells are to be used for their ears. Sugarcane stems for the legs, pure pearls for their eyes; white threads for their sinews and veins and white plants for their dewlaps.

12. The knots on their backs shall be represented by a copper pot; the hair by means of white chowries (tail of the antelope called Camara), corals shall be studded to their feet and butter shall represent the udders.

13. There must be a bell metal vessel for the purpose of milking into. The pupils of the eyes shall be represented by a sapphire gem; the two horns must be bedecked in gold; the hoofs must be of pure silver.

14. Many kinds of fruits (must be given along with the cow). A small case of scents shall represent the snout. After making (the cow and the calf) thus, the devotee shall worship them with incense and lights. The following prayer shall be repeated

15. “May the Lakshmï of all living beings, may goddess Lakshmi of the Devas stationed in the form of a cow, give me peace and calmness.

16. May the beloved wife of Shañkara stationed in the bodies of the Rudras, may the goddess in the form of a cow dispel my sin.

17. May that Lakshmi stationed on the chest of Vishnu, may that Lakshmi in the form of Svâhâ (wife of the fire god), may the Šhakti of the moon, the sun and Indra and which is in the form of the cow be conducive to prosperity.

18. May that Lakshmi of the four-faced deity, may that Lakshmï of Kubera, may that Lakshmï of the guardians of the worlds, may this cow be the bestower of boons on me.

19. May that Svadhâ of the chiefs of the Pitris, may that Svâhâ of the partakers of Yajña, may this cow that dispels sins grant peace unto me.”

20. After repeating this Mantra the devotee should dedicate the cow to the Brähmana. This is the procedure cited in the case of all articles to be given as cows.

21. O Mohinï, listen. I shall describe the nature as laid down in the scriptures, of all those ten kinds of cow glorified destroyers of sins.

22-24a. The first is the cow made of jaggery, the next one is the cow of ghee; the third is the cow of gingelly seeds; the fourth is that named after the water; the fifth shall be the cow of milk; the sixth is made of honey; the seventh the cow of sugar; the eighth shall be the cow of curds; the ninth is the cow of jewels, and the tenth is the one in its own form (the real form).¹

1. These verses list the names of the articles to be gifted as ‘cows’. The list is common to Mt. P. 81. 18-19 and AP. 212.11-12. But the NP adds ‘gold’, fresh butter and oil as additional articles for cow (v. 25) out of which ‘gold’ and ‘butter’ are recommended in the Mt. P. 81. 21 which include Ratna-dhenu (jewelled cow) as well.

24b-25. For the cows in the form of liquids, pots shall be used and for others the masses and heaps of the articles concerned. Some wise men desire to include gold (cows) also among these. Some great sages recommend cows of fresh butter as well as of oil.

26. This alone is the procedure. These alone are the articles facilitating the completion of the holy rite along with the Mantras and invocations in the different Parvans for ever.

27. They must be given as gifts in accordane with one’s faith. They yield worldly pleasures and liberation. They accord the same benefit as mantras. They are auspicious, removers of all sins.

28-29. The cow of jaggery etc. must be given by persons endowed with devotion and faith during tropical and equinoctial transits of the sun, on the holy occasions of Vyatipäta, during the anniversaries of the beginnings of the Yugas and Manvantaras, and during the special occasions like eclipses etc.¹ They may be given in holy centres, in one’s own house, or particularly on the banks of the Gañgä.

1. The days for giving a jaggery-cow are the same as in the case of other danas

Ayane vishuve chaiva shadashïti-mukheshu cha |

Chandra-Süryoparäge cha dattam akshayam uchyate ||

Mbh Vana 200.125

30-31. After making this gift of a cow to a leading Brähmana in accordance with the injunctions, the devotee shall circumambulate the Brähmana and please the Rutviks with monetary gifts. He shall make obeisance to them and bid them farewel. Thereafter, with great concentration and purity of mind, he should worship the Gañgã duly.

32-36. He must visit the goddess of divine forms assuming the eight physical bodies, with a Prastha-measure of Shali rice grains and two Prasthas of milk. The devotee should make the milk pudding. He must add honey and ghee a pala of each with devotional feelings. He should then cast off that milk pudding into the Gañgâ along with sweet-meats and ring-like pies, half a Guñjä weight of gold and silver, sandal paste, agollochum, camphor, saffron, aromatic resin, Bilva leaves, Dürvà grass, Rochanä (yellow pigment), white sandal, blue lotuses and other fragrant flowers according to his ability. He must be fully devout then.

37-38. O blessed lady, he must respect this Mantra mentioned in the Puräna viz- “Obeisance, obeisance to the Gañgä. to Narayana and to Shiva.” O Mohini, this alone is the procedure. Every month, on the New moon day, and on the full moon day, this must be observed in the morning by persons, with great concentration.

39-41. With great devotion and mental joy, the man must worship thus in accordance with his ability, for the period of a year. He must take only a small quantity of food and that too only Havishya) (cooked rice offerings soaked in ghee). He must observe the vow of celibacy by day and by night. O Mohinï, by observing this strictly at the end of a year, the Gañgà, assuming divine form, wearing heavenly garlands and bedecked in divine jewels shall reveal herself to him personally. She will stand personally in front of him and grant him boons.

43. O splendid lady! After visualizing with his own eyes, the actual manifestation of the divine form of the Gañgã before him, the man shall become quite contented and blessed.

43. Whatever desires he cherishes, he accomplishes them all. If he be devoid of any desire, he will attain the final beatitude in this very existence.

44. Thus the procedure of the worship of the Gañgä along with that of the gift of cow made of jaggery, about which you asked me, has been recounted by me completely. It is a holy rite that brings about salvation. This observance lasts for a year, and it yields satisfaction to the lord of Sri (Vishnu).