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In India, the cow is seen as a symbol of the earth; the cow is perceived to be full of grace and abundance. She is called ‘Kamadhenu’, the divine wish-fulfilling cow. According to scriptures, when the churning of the ocean took place, it generated five divine cows or Kamadhenus.
In Vedic literature, the cow is also associated with the dawn since Usha, the Goddess of Dawn, rides a chariot driven by seven cows. She is also referred to as Gau Mata (Mother Cow). The Rig Veda says, “The cows have come and with them brought good fortune”. Krishna’s youth was spent as a cowherd, who played the flute and created music that intoxicated the gopis, the maids in the village. As a child, Krishna and his friends were known to steal butter.
The Indian cow is also regarded as a symbol of dharma, righteousness. When human beings face problems, it is believed that the earth takes on the form of a cow in order to pray for help from heaven. No Hindu ritual is complete without the five sacred elements from the cow — milk, ghee, curd, urine and dung.
Many of India´s colourful traditions are woven around India´s 150 million cows. Even today, in Indian villages, manure is collected and made into dung cakes for burning as fuel. Cow dung is an excellent alternative source of green energy as biogas and is a good natural fertiliser. Cow manure contains several medicinal properties, according to the Ayurveda system of medicine.
At a time when many of our traditions are dying out, i feel there is a special need to emphasize how the farming communities continue with this age-old practice of taking care of this wonderful animal that symbolises motherhood, graciousness and generosity. If farmers are not in a position to take care of aged cows and buffaloes, the government should set up `old age gaushalas’ for them and this will also provide employment in villages.
When the government of India issued an extraordinary notification on restricting the sale of cattle for slaughter, it led to protests, resistance and opposition. Perhaps this decision needs to be viewed in a rational and objective manner.
In his infancy a human being depends solely on mother’s milk. As a child grows up, throughout his life, he uses milk and dairy products which are given to him by cows and buffaloes.
Cows are sacred and they are gentle animals that give more than they take. Cow dung and urine have medicinal value. Man as a highly selfish being, after regularly consuming milk of the cow, has no hesitation in killing it. Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism emphasize ahimsa, nonviolence. Killing an old cow (or buffalo) is tantamount to killing your mother because the cow, too, is a maternal figure.
The law of karma applies equally to the one who kills and the one who eats, too. Merely because one does not kill, he cannot escape from the karmic effects. It will ensnare all concerned – whether one kills and eats or eats what someone else kills.
In this age of Kali Yuga, there is churning happening in creation, externally as well as in the minds of the people which have become full of unrest and turmoil. The process of churning is painful and disastrous.
That is why it is advisable to surrender to the higher power and attempt to do good and lead a life of righteousness.