| Gautama noticed
her and went forward to drive her out of the field. He had a bunch of darbha grass in his
hand and he threw it at the cow. The cow fell dead on the spot I Those who had observed
the incident and Gautama himself were extremely surprised. But the facts were clear,
Gautama had hit the cow with a darbha and the cow had died. He had committed the most
horrible sin Go-hatya, had stain a cow. And now all those who had flocked there to enjoy
Gautama’s hospitality, his labour and luck, decided to desert him. How Could they accept food or water from such a grave sinner’?
Gautama pleaded that it was an unintentional act and was an unforeseen incident, but all
in vain. The sages and mendicants would have no truck With One responsible for a
cow’s death. Gautama to purify himself through appropriate prayaschitta and only then
they would return to his ashram. What kind of a prayaschitta would absolve him of his sin?
That was surely for Ganesh-rishi to say. His knowledge and learning would enable him to
indicate the type of prayaschitta necessary.
Gautama went to Ganesh rishi. The old sage comforted
Gautama by soothing words. Repentance was the most effective prayaschitta. But Gautama
pleaded that he had done nothing that he would repent of. He never intended to kill the
cow. Well then there was a way out, a sin was committed and the sinner had to absolve
himself of it. There certainly was a way out. The celestial waters of Ganga were capable
of removing the blot on Gautama. Why could not he go and request Shiva to send her down so
that he could perform a snana in her waters? He enjoyed great prestige with Shiva and
surely the Great Lord would not say no’ to Gautama’s request. Of course a stiff
penance would facilitate matters greatly. |
