tions on oneself. One should eat ghee
and make gifts of ghee. As the reward of this conduct, one may then
attain to that prosperity which belongs to kine. That man who, for a
month, subsists upon the gruel of barley picked up every day from cow
dung becomes cleansed of sins as grave as the slaughter of a Brahmana.
After their defeat at the hands of the Daityas, the deities practised
this expiation. It was in consequence of this expiation that they
succeeded in regaining their position as deities. Verily, it was through
this that they regained their strength and became crowned with success.
Kine are sacred. They are embodiments of merit. They are high and most
efficacious cleansers of all. By making gifts of kine unto the Brahmanas
one attains to Heaven. Living in a pure state, in the midst of kine, one
should mentally recite those sacred Mantras that are known by the name of
Gomati, after touching pure water. By doing this, one becomes purified
and cleansed (of all sins). Brahmanas of righteous deeds, who have been
cleansed by knowledge, study of the Vedas, and observance of vows,
should, only in the midst of sacred fires or kine or assemblies of
Brahmanas, impart unto their disciples a knowledge of the Gomati Mantras
which are every way like unto a sacrifice (for the merit they produce).
One should observe a fast for three nights for receiving the boon
constituted by a knowledge of the import of the Gomati Mantras. The man
who is desirous of obtaining a son may obtain one by adoring these
Mantras. He who desires the possession of wealth may have his desire
gratified by adoring these Mantras. The girl desirous of having a good
husband may have her wish fulfilled by the same means. In fact, one may
acquire the fruition of every wish one may cherish, by adoring these
sacred Mantras. When kine are gratified with the service one renders
them, they are, without doubt, capable of granting the fruition of every
wish. Even so, kine are highly blessed. They are the essential requisites
of sacrifices. They are grantors of every wish. Know that there is
nothing superior to kine.'"

"'Bhishma continued, "Thus addressed by his high-souled sire, Suka, endued
with great energy, began from that time to worship kine every day. Do
thou also, O son, conduct thyself in the same way."'"

SECTION LXXXII

"'Yudhishthira said, "I have heard that the dung of the cow is endued with
Sree. I desire to hear how this has been brought about. I