Sanctity of the Cow in Hinduism

Author: Sweety Vyas

In the middle of busy and often chaotic streets in India, often we find cows sitting or moving about peacefully. They are left there undisturbed. Hindus honor cows. Mahatma Gandhi, India’s well-known leader wrote, ”If someone were to ask me what the most important outward manifestation of Hinduism was, I would suggest that it was the idea of cow protection.”

Through this quote, Gandhi highlighted the cow’s sacred status in Hinduism. Protecting cows reflects regard for animal life and non-violence. Cows are valued as part of the cultural tradition. Feeding a cow is seen as a spiritual act.

Cows are seen as a symbol of abundance. In olden days, people used to have many cows in their house. They are regarded as auspicious and represent prosperity. They are a symbol of motherhood. They are called Gau-Mata which means that they are a mother figure.

The positive energy from the cow or the aura provides healing that can cure diseases. For this reason, people kept cows in their courtyards. As per Vedic belief, a cow’s aura goes up to 15-20 meters. This can keep diseases away. Human aura is for a shorter distance whereas a cow’s aura is a larger and more powerful field which is calming and purifying. It is believed to have the capacity to heal and purify other auras. Performing service to the cow or Gau seva brings about peace and happiness. It is said to reduce negative karma.

Respect for cows can be found throughout Hinduism’s sacred texts through teachings, rituals and stories. Some of these are mentioned below. According to the Bhagavata Purana, the supreme God Krishna was a cow-herd in His youth. Some of the names of Krishna are Gopala (cow protector) and Govinda (one who gives pleasure to cows). Krishna’s foster father, Nanda Maharaj had 9,00,000 cows. Krishna knew each cow’s name. In Bhagavad Gita Chapter 10, verse 28, Krishna declares “dhenūnām asmi kāmadhuk.” Which means that among cows I am the wish-fulfilling cow or Kamadhenu. Here Lord Krishna emphasizes the special importance of cows by identifying Himself with the wish-fulfilling cow. He is the essence of the most divine aspect of cows.

There is also a special festival that honors cows. Gopashtami is a sacred Hindu festival in the month of Kartik. This festival celebrates a milestone in Krishna’s life when He began to take responsibility for serving and protecting cows. It is a joyous celebration of Lord Krishna’s love for cows and His connection with the Vrindavan residents. On this day, cows are decorated, worshipped and fed special foods.

In the Vedas, there are multiple references (a total of 1331 times approximately) to cows. It is mentioned that cows bring strength, health, prosperity and wealth. Gods and Goddesses represent cows. Those who protect cows are blessed by God. In the Rig Veda (28th Hymn of 6th Mandal) the glory of cows is described. Having a cow at home is auspicious. The universe is dependent on cows. Yajur-Veda glorifies cow: “The effulgence of knowledge can be compared to the sea, the earth is very vast, yet Indra is vaster than her, but the cow can’t be compared to anything.’’ It also mentions – “May the cows, which should never be killed, be healthy and strong. For the attainment of prosperity and wealth, may be cows be full of calves, free from consumption and other diseases.” In the Atharva Veda it is mentioned that Kamadhenu’s udder showers Dharma (righteousness), Artha (prosperity), Kama (desire and pleasure) and Moksha (liberation). The killing of cows is condemned.

There are 3 words that are used in the Vedas to identify a cow:

• Aghnya – which means the one who is not to be killed.
• Ahi – which means the one that should not be slaughtered.
• Aditi – which means the one that should not to be cut into pieces.

These words come often in the Vedas. They emphasize that cows should not be killed or slaughtered.

In Hindu mythology, Kamadhenu who is also known as Surabhi emerged during the Samudra Manthan and is a wish fulfilling cow. She is the mother of all cows. She provides her owner with whatever they desire. In one account, she lived in the ashram of Sage Vashishta. King Vishvamitra wanted to take Kamadhenu from the sage. This led to rivalry between the king and the sage. Despite the king’s persistent efforts, Kamadhenu remained with the sage. The king ultimately renounced his kingdom and tried to atone his sins. The Gayatri mantra was born from his meditation. In this way, it was the sacred cow who indirectly helped in this manifestation. In the Manu Smriti also, it is mentioned that protecting cows can contribute to our spiritual growth.

There is another account of the importance of cows in the Surya dynasty. Lord Rama was the 46th king in this lineage. The 42nd in the dynasty was King Dilip. Sage Vashishta told him to serve Nandini cow (daughter of Kamadhenu) faithfully to counter a curse he got earlier because due to his negligence he did not bow down to Kamadhenu. As a result, he was childless. The king and his wife served Nandini diligently. He also protected the Nandini cow from the lion in the forest. She told the king –

“na kevalam payasa prasutim
ve hi man kam dugham prasannam”

“Whenever I am pleased and happy I can fulfill all desires. Don’t consider me to be just milk supplier.”

Because of the devotion and service of the king and his wife towards Nandini, they were blessed with the birth of a child, King Raghu, from whose lineage Lord Rama was later born. Thus, the cow Nandini was the cause of the flourishing of the Surya dynasty.

Conclusion

Cows are considered sacred In Hinduism. They are deeply rooted in Hindu religion and culture. They are more than merely animals. They represent motherhood, divinity and selfless service. They are a symbol of peace and non-violence. The ancient Hindu scriptures highlight the importance of cows and the need to protect and serve them. Through teachings and stories, they emphasize the sanctity of cows. Today, the cow continues to be an integral part of Hindu culture, reminding us of the deep connection between humans and nature.

References

• The Sacred Cow by Sanatana Babu, The Write Order Publications
• MAHATMA GANDHI’S VIEWS ON COW | Articles on and by Gandhi
• The Sacred Story of Kamadhenu, the Divine Cow
• Tamilnadu regional cattle: “Cows are Sacred; Scriptures Extol them; Hindus Must Protect Them” [Part-1]