Kapilā
Kapilā, “the tawny cow”
Grammar: feminine of the adjective kapila (tawny, reddish-brown): “the tawny one”, the tawny cow.
Meaning: a cow of tawny or reddish-brown colour, the best among cows.
In the scriptures:
- In the ṛshis’ list of what is best of each kind, the best among cows is the kapilā; the list leads to their teaching on the kṛtaghna, the one who forgets the good done to him (Vāmana Purāṇa, Chapter 12).
- In the Kālāshṭamī vrata, in the month of Śrāvaṇa, the dakshiṇā is a white bull, a kapilā cow, gold and red cloths, given to a brāhmaṇa while one chants Śiva‘s name “Gaṅgādhara” (Vāmana Purāṇa, Chapter 17).
- At the Devahrada tīrtha, Kāmadhenu gave birth to the cow named Kapilā, for the joy of the devatās and the good of the world (Vāmana Purāṇa, Chapter 55).
- Kośakāra raised his own son, Niśākara, on the milk and curd of a kapilā cow and on sugarcane juice (Vāmana Purāṇa, Chapter 64).
- One who bathes at the Kapila tīrtha and honours the devas and pitṛs gains the fruit of giving a thousand kapilā cows (Vāmana Purāṇa, Saro Māhātmya, Chapter 14).
Related terms: Go · Kāmadhenu · Dakshiṇā · Godāna · Kapila tīrtha
Sources
- Vāmana Purāṇa, Chapters 12, 17, 55, 64
- Vāmana Purāṇa, Saro Māhātmya, Chapter 14