Jala-dhenu
Jala-dhenu · jala-dhenu, “the cow of water”
Grammar: feminine noun; a compound of jala (water) and dhenu (cow).
Meaning: a dhenu with her calf imagined in a kalaśa of water, given as a dāna.
In the scriptures: Bhagavān Śrī Kṛshṇa names the ten pāpa-destroying dhenus in order: guḍa, ghṛta, tila, madhu, jala, kshīra, śarkarā, dadhi, rasa and the living cow. The jala-dhenu is the fifth (Uttara Parva, Chapter 84). He teaches Mahārāja Yudhishṭhira its rite, by which Bhagavān Vishṇu is pleased (Uttara Parva, Chapter 153).
- A kalaśa full of good water is set up.
- Into it go pañcaratna, grain, dūrvā, pañcapallava, the herb called kushṭha, khaśa, jaṭāmāṃsī, murā, priyaṅgu and āmalaka.
- It is adorned with two white cloths, a yajñopavīta and flower garlands.
- It stands on a seat of kuśa, with sandals, an umbrella and the like around it.
- Four silver vessels of tila, curds, ghee and honey are placed in the four directions.
- A dhenu with her calf is imagined in the kalaśa, which is smeared with cow-dung. A garland hangs in the place of the tail, and a milking vessel is kept near.
- Bhagavān Vishṇu is worshipped with all upacāras as one is able, and the jala-dhenu is consecrated with the mantra vishṇor vakshasi yā lakshmīḥ. It asks that she who is Lakshmī on the chest of Bhagavān Vishṇu, Svāhā the wife of Agni, and the śakti of Soma, Śakra and Arka be established in the form of the dhenu.
- The jala-dhenu with her calf and Bhagavān Acyuta Govinda lying on the waters are worshipped.
- Free of attachment and calm of mind, the giver gives it to a brāhmaṇa for the pleasure of Bhagavān Vishṇu, with the mantra śeshaparyaṅkaśayanaḥ, asking that Bhagavān Keśava, who lies on the couch of Śesha, be pleased.
- Go-vrata is kept that day.
The ākhyāna of Mudgala: Mudgala Ṛshi, who remembered his past births, went to Yamaloka, and at the sight of him the pain of the jīvas in naraka ceased. Yamarāja told him the cause: in three births Mudgala had given the jala-dhenu by the rite. When the jīvas heard Yamarāja’s words and remembered Bhagavān Vishṇu, the fire of naraka became cool and they went to svarga in divine vimānas. Mudgala raised both arms and cried aloud to all people to worship Śrī Vishṇu and give the jala-dhenu.
The phala: the giver obtains every joy, lasting and incomparable peace and all his wishes. He has no affliction for thousands of births, and no other deed gives more joy.
Related terms: Dhenu · Dāna · Guḍa-dhenu · Kalaśa
Sources
- Bhavishya Purāṇa, Uttara Parva, Chapters 84, 153