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HYMNS OF THE ATHARVA-VEDA.
XII, 4. The necessity of giving away sterile
cows to the Brahmans. 1. 'I give,' he shall surely say, 'the sterile cow to the begging Brahmans'—and they have noted herthat brings progeny and offspring !
2. With his offspring does he trade, of his cattle is he deprived, that refuses to give the cow of the gods to the begging descendants of the Rishis.
3. Through (the gift of) a cow with broken horns his (cattle) breaks down, through a lame one he tumbles into a pit, through a mutilated one his house is burned, through a one-eyed one his property is given away.
4. Flow of blood attacks the cattle-owner from the spot where her dung is deposited : this understanding there is about the vaså (the sterile cow); for thou (sterile cow) art said to be very difficult to deceive!
5. From the resting-place of her feet the (disease) called viklindu overtakes (the owner, or the cattle). Without sickness breaks down (the cattle) which she sniffs upon with her nose.
6. He that pierces her ears is estranged from the gods. He thinks: 'I am making a mark (upon her)' (but) he diminishes his own property.
7. If any one for whatsoever purpose cuts her tail then do his colts die, and the wolf tears his calves.
8. If a crow has injured her hair, as long as she is with her owner then do his children die : decline overtakes them without (noticeable) sickness.
9. If the serving-maid sweeps together her dung,
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