Cows hold a significant place in Hinduism due to their association with various deities, their role in agricultural society, and their representation of non-violence and generosity. Several ancient texts reference the sacredness of cows:
1. **Rigveda**: One of the oldest texts, the Rigveda, mentions cows frequently, highlighting their importance in rituals and as symbols of wealth and prosperity. Cows are referred to as "Aghnya," meaning "not to be killed."
2. **Atharvaveda**: This Veda also emphasizes the significance of cows, considering them as a source of prosperity and as embodying all that is sacred.
3. **Mahabharata**: The epic Mahabharata narrates stories emphasizing the sacred status of cows. For example, the Anushasana Parva contains a passage where Bhishma extols the virtues of the cow, describing it as the mother of the universe and a bringer of happiness.
4. **Bhagavad Gita**: In the Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna, who is often depicted as a cowherd, speaks about the cow's sacred status and its role in society.
5. **Manusmriti**: The Manusmriti, an ancient legal text, prescribes penalties for harming or killing cows, indicating their protected status in society.
6. **Puranas**: Various Puranas, including the Vishnu Purana and the Bhagavata Purana, narrate the divine associations of cows with deities like Krishna and elaborate on their sacred nature.
Cows are revered in Hinduism not just for their economic and utilitarian value but also for their spiritual and symbolic meanings. They are seen as embodiments of the Earth and motherhood, representing gentleness, nurturing, and the sustenance of life.
Here are some notable cow stories from ancient Hindu texts and mythology:
1. **Kamadhenu**:
- **Story**: Kamadhenu is the wish-fulfilling cow of the gods. She emerged from the churning of the ocean of milk (Samudra Manthan). Kamadhenu could grant any wish and provided her owner with everything they desired.
- **Significance**: Kamadhenu symbolizes abundance and the nurturing aspect of nature.
2. **Nandini**:
- **Story**: Nandini is the daughter of Kamadhenu and belonged to the sage Vashishtha. In the Ramayana, there is a story where King Vishwamitra tried to take Nandini by force, leading to a fierce battle where the cow defeated the king's army with her divine powers.
- **Significance**: This story highlights the cow's sacred and inviolable status.
3. **Go-Daan**:
- **Story**: In many ancient texts, the act of donating a cow, known as Go-Daan, is considered highly meritorious. For instance, in the Mahabharata, King Dilipa performs the Go-Daan ritual to ensure prosperity and divine blessings.
- **Significance**: Go-Daan is believed to bring spiritual benefits and cleanse the soul of sins.
4. **Krishna and the Cows**:
- **Story**: Lord Krishna, in his youth, was a cowherd in Vrindavan. He is often depicted playing the flute and surrounded by cows. Stories of Krishna protecting and caring for cows, such as the lifting of Govardhan Hill to protect them from rain, are central to his mythology.
- **Significance**: These stories underscore the divine connection between Krishna and cows, emphasizing their sacredness.
5. **Cow and Rishi Jamadagni**:
- **Story**: Rishi Jamadagni owned a divine cow named Kamadhenu. King Kartavirya Arjuna coveted the cow and took it by force. In retaliation, Jamadagni's son, Parashurama, a Vishnu avatar, fought and killed the king, retrieving the cow.
- **Significance**: This tale illustrates the importance of protecting sacred cows and the lengths to which one should go to ensure their safety.
6. **Surabhi and Indra**:
- **Story**: In the Puranas, Surabhi, a divine cow, sought Lord Indra's help to protect her calves from the heat. Indra, touched by her plea, created a river to cool her and her calves.
- **Significance**: This story highlights the compassion and reverence that gods have towards cows, further elevating their status.
These stories reflect the deep-rooted veneration of cows in Hindu culture and mythology, symbolizing their role as sacred, nurturing beings essential to both material and spiritual life.
Why this Article on Cow?
I wrote this while sitting beside my brother taking life saving saline on the bed of hospital for the last 8 days, after he sold two old cows .
It may be irrelevant to the science reasoning but first I am sure of its implications, as I had resisted the sale of cows , but it happened.
The day he sold the cows to the milkman, from the next day he got a feeling of guilt, but instantly didn't ate for 3 days, his health get detiorate and got brain fever and then to a day of coma situation.
When I look back it never happened like this. Cows arebintegral part of our family since childhood. It's been more than 60 years before I was born that cows are always with us. Throughout all these years we never ever sold a cow or calf, but yes donated to many families in nearby villages and in relatives. It's the Go_daan that tradition prevails.
To me it might be the reason , though sometimes superstitious as per science, I strongly belief , that my younger brother health got such low. All the reports of blood, urine, heart, lungs, kidney, brain CT scan etc are perfect but still he struggle to wake up .
I wish the Holy Cow could forgive us.
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