One cow must be given to one Brahmana. One single cow must not be given to many Brahmanas. If that cow is sold, three generations of the giver's family would be lost. Such a gift will neither rescue the giver nor the Brahmana who takes it.
एकस्यैका प्रदातव्या न बहूनां कदाचन। सा गौर्विक्रयमापन्ना हन्यात् त्रिपुरुषं कुलम्॥ न तारयति दातारं ब्राह्मणं नैव नैव तु।