110 - The greatness of Dhänyadhenu

The priest said:

1. O king, listen. shall tell you about Dhänyadhenu (cow of grain) by the very mention of which goddess Pärvati gets pleased. 

2. One gets absolved of all sins, like the moon becoming free from the clutches of Rähu, by performing it during equinoxes, solstices and in the month of Kärttika.

3. The gift of Dhänyadhenu brings about the merit equal to that of ten cows.

4. As in the earlier cases, worship is to be done on the floor smeared with cow dung and covered with antelope’s skin.

5. The best (Dhänyadhenu) is the one made of four dronas of grain, the medium the one made of just half of it. But the quantity need not be insisted upon.

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

7. The horns should be of gold and the hoofs of silver. The nose should be of ‘gomeda’ gem or of Agaru or sandalwood.

8. The teeth should be of pearl and mouth of curd and honey. The ears are to be of leaves and the milking vessel of bronze.

9. The feet are to be of sugarcane and tail of silk. There should also be a variety of fruits and gems.

10. The rules are as before, and after performing worship it should be given to a Brahmin together with footwear and umbrella.

11. At the auspicious time, the giver should bathe, dress himself in white cloth, circumambulate the Brahmin thrice and prostrate before him.

12. He should then utter: “O brahmin learned in the Vedas, be pleased to receive this gift so that the great lord Vishnu may be pleased.

13-15. Lakshmi is associated with Vishnu, Svähä with Agni, Shachi with Indra, Gauri with Shiva, Gäyatri with Brahmä, Jyotsnä (moonlight) with Chandra, Prabhä (lustre) with Sürya, Buddhi (intellect) with Bruhaspati and Medhä (intelligence) with Munis (sages). But O goddess (cow), all these remain in you”.

16. Saying this, the offering should be made to the Brahmin. He should then be circumambulated and his pardon sought for any lapses unknowingly made.

17. The benefit acquired by the gift of Dhänyadhenu is equivalent to the acquisition of the entire earth with all its gems.

18. Therefore, O king, the gift of Dhànyadhenu should be made as it gives enjoyment and release.

19. It gives prosperity, longevity and health in this life, and a place in the world of Shiva, taken there in a brilliant aerial car attended on by Apsarases.

20. He stays there till he thinks of birth when he comes to earth as the lord of Jambüdvipa.

21. O king, he who listens to this, becomes freed from all sins, goes to the world of Rudra and is honoured there.