Varāha Mahā Purana
103 - Greatness of Sharkarãdhenu
The priest said:
1. Listen, O king, similarly to the account about Sharkarà-dhenu (cow of sugar candy).
2. On the floor smeared (with cow dung) place antelope’s skin and over it kušha grass and then cow made of sugar candy.
3. The best is one made of four weights of sugar candy and’ its calf of one-fourth the quantity; the medium is one of half this quantity and the inferior one of a single unit of weight. In all cases the calf is to be of one-fourth the weight of the cow.
4. (The money to go with it) may be above one hundred and eight, but it may also be according to one’s capacity and without straining oneself.
5. Cereals of different kinds should be placed on all the four sides.
6. The face and horns should be of gold, eyes of pearls and tongue of flour. The face should be smeared with sugar.
7. Round the neck should be a silken band. The feet should be of sugarcane, the hoofs of silver and udder of butter.
8. The ears should be of grass. The cow should be adorned with five gems and white chowries and cloth should be thrown over it.
9. It should then be decorated with sandal paste and flowers and given to a poor, good and intelligent Brahmin with a family.
10. It should not be given to one who is bad or jealous.
11. Solstices, equinoxes and other holy days are particularly good for this däna.
12. It is particularly good if it is given to a deserving Vedic Brahmin who happens to come to the house.
13. The gift should be made facing east or north and keeping the cow faced east and holding its tail, and the calf on its northern side.
14. The mantras prescribed for the gift should be recited and the Brahmin to whom it is to be given should be honoured with ear-rings.
15. In his hand should be placed sandal paste and flowers and according to one’s means,
16. Without looking at his face, the gift of the cow should be made. The giver may live on sugar candy for one day and the recipient for three days.
17. The cow is the remover of all sins and bestower of all that is wished for. So one who gifts it attains all desires.
18. Those who see the gift being made, also attain salvation.
19. He who listens to this or reads this becomes purified of all sins and attains the abode of Vishnu.
Summary of chapter 103 of the Varāha Mahā Purana is as follows:
The sacred Saro-Māhātmya concludes as Maharshi Pulastya imparts the ultimate Phalaśruti to Devarshi Nārada, declaring that hearing, reading, or contemplating this divine glory of river Sarasvatī and Kurukshetra destroys all grave sins. The text promises that devotion to these holy waters bestows health, prosperity, righteous progeny, and ultimate liberation at the lotus feet of Bhagavān Vishṇu, leaving Devarshi Nārada immersed in divine bliss.