111 - The greatness of Kapilädhenu

The priest said:

1. I shall now tell you about the most important Kapilä dhenu (the brown cow), the giver of which attains the world of Vishnu.

2. Following the prescriptions given before, give the (brown coloured) cow along with the calf, well decorated and provided with gems.

3. All the holy places in the world are contained in the head and neck of the brown cow, as ordained by Brahma.

4-5. He who sprinkles on his head early morning the. water poured on the head and neck of the-brown cow, burns away all his sins accrued during thirty years, like fire burning away fag-gots.

6. Circumambulating such a cow is equivalent to circumambulating the whole earth.

7. He who circumambulates it even once, burns away sins acquired in ten births.

8. He who bathes in the urine of the brown cow gets merit equal to that of bathing in Ganges.

9. Bathing in it once, removes sins acquired during the whole life.

10. Lord Brahmä has declared that giving away one brown cow is equivalent to giving away hundred other cows.

11. Even the smell of burning bones of a dead cow is a purifier.

12. Caressing the cow and actually rearing it give the benefit of making the gift of a hundred cows for the cure of ailments.

13. HC who gives to a hungry cow grass and water every day gets the merit of performing a Gomedha sacrifice.

14. He gets many aerial cars and is attended on by celestial damsels like so many brilliantly glowing lamps.

15. The different colours of the ‘brown cow’ species are, first golden brown, second yellowish brown, third rosy red, fourth gurlike brown.

16. Fifth variegated colour, sixth whitish yellow, seventh whitish brown, eighth blackish brown.

17. Ninth reddish brown, tenth tawny in tail, eleventh white in hoof.

18. Such cows with good features and well decorated should be given to a Brahmin. That brings about enjoyment here and liberation hereafter.

19. Giving enjoyment and liberation, it leads one to the path of Vishnu.