The sin that a person commits by killing a Brahmana or that mother of the world, viz., a cow, is equal to what one commits by allowing suppliant to die.
ये हि कश्चिद् द्विजं हन्याद् गां च लोकस्य मातरम्।।८ शरणागतं च यो हन्यात् तुल्यं तेषां च पातकम्।