Chapter 50 - Dialogue between the Cow and the Tiger

[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]

Sūta said:

I- 3. Thus, O Brāhmaṇas, a great deal of time passed, when that king in the form of a tiger roamed about in the forest killing different types of animals.

Once upon a time, O excellent Brāhmaṇas a beautiful herd of cows with the full complement of cowherds and cowherdesses came to that region.

In that herd there was a cow named Nandinī with stout udders and large hind quarters. She was of the colour of a swan and yielded (milk) in potfuls.

4-5. With a desire for grass, she used to go ahead of the herd always. Then she saw the Liṅga of the Trident-bearing Lord within a bush. The refulgent Linga was present there by itself. It had the lustre resembling that of twelve suns. It was extremely delightful to the mind.

6. The cow stood above it and shed a great deal of milk for bathing it. She was endowed with great faith, O Brāhmaṇas.

7. No one in that forest with many trees growing all round, was aware of the fact that the cow had always been bathing the Liṅga thus.

8. On a certain day, a huge tiger of sharp fangs came to that spot. He instilled fear in all the creatures.

9. That cow Nandinī came there and fell within the range of the tiger’s sight by chance, O excellent Brāhmaṇas.

10. Then she remembered her small calf that was tied in the cowpen. As she remembered that the calf could not eat grass and could be sustained only through milk, she lamented piteously:

11-12. “Alas, I have come here alone to this forest devoid of people, leaving my infant calf kept tied up in the cowpen by the cowherds! May there be my re-union with my calf by the power of that truth that I have come here to bathe Śiva.”

13. While that cow Nandinī was lamenting thus piteously, the tiger smiled derisively and spoke in harsh words.

The tiger said:

14. Why do you lament in vain, O splendid cow? You have come within my grip. So you better remember your favourite Lord for the sake of heaven.

The cow said:

15. O tiger, it is not for my sake that I lament and feel miserable. My death is surely auspicious, in view of the adoration of Śiva (for which I came here).

16. My calf is being kept tied in the cowpen. It is eagerly waiting for my arrival. Its sole sustenance is my milk. How can it live without me?

17. It is for this reason, O tiger, that I lament and feel very miserable and not for the sake of my own life. I pledge myself truthfully (on my honour, I promise).

18. Hence, O great tiger, leave me immediately as I am fond of my calf. I shall entrust it to a companion of mine and return to you.

The tiger said:

19. How (can I believe) that after falling into the jaws of death and escaping somehow (from that) you will come back again? So I am going to devour you.

Nandinī said:

20. O tiger, listen to my solemn oaths uttered by myself whereby I undertake to come back to you again and then do what is proper.

21. If I do not come back again, let me incur that sin which is incurred on murdering a Brāhmaṇa or by deceiving parents.

22. If I do not come back again, let me incur that sin which befalls those who are eager to take bath in the nude and those who indulge in sexual intercourse in broad daylight.

23. If I do not come back again, let me incur that sin which accrues to those who pursue women in their monthly periods and to those who go to bed in the nude.

24. If I do not come back again, let me incur that sin which thosè who betray trust and are ungrateful, incur.

25. If I do not come back again, let me incur that sin which befalls those who defile and slander cows, virgins and Brāhmaṇas.

26. If I do not come back again, let me incur that sin that befalls those who-cook in vain and eat meat in vain (just for the pleasure of it).

27. If I do not come back again, let me incur that sin which befalls those who violate holy vows and those who carnally approach their wives on the prohibited days of the menstrual cycle.

28. If I do not come back again, let me incur the sin of backbiters and talebearers as well as manufacturers of weapons.