109 - The greatness of Karpãsadhenu

The priest said:

1. O king, I shall now tell you about the Kärpäsadhenu (cow of cotton) the giving of which leads one to the world of Indra.

2. (This is particularly effective when performed, during equinoxes and solstices and the beginning of the also when the planets are unfavourable or when calamity is foreboden by dreams.

3. Its proper place, O king, is a temple, other sacred spots or where there is a herd of cows.

4. On the floor smeared with cow dung, spread darbha grass and sesamum and place. on it the cow (made of cotton) adorned with cloths and sandal paste and perform worship with incense, lamp and sweets.

5. The best (cow) is the one weighing four bharas, the medium is the one weighing just half of it and the inferior the one weighing a quarter, but the weight need not be insisted on.

6. The calf should be of one-fourth the weight of the cow.

7. The horns should be of gold, the hoofs of silver, the teeth of different fruits and gems.

8. Then the cow should be invoked with full concentration of mind and gifted to a brahmin with full sincerity.

9. This should be done according to the prescriptions formerly given and with the mantra:

10. “The multitude of Devas will not be there without you. O goddess,. raise me up out of this ocean of samsära and protect me.”

1. One bhara is equivalent to.2000 palas.