Credit: Sri Jaganath Das,
Sri Gaudiya Vedanta Samiti
Sri Gaudiya Vedanta Samiti
Lord
Krishna states in Srimad Bhagavad-Gita: chapter 10, verse 28
dhenunam
asmi kamadhuk
dhenunam-among
cows, asmi-I am, kamadhuk-the wish fulfilling cow
Among
cows I am the wish fulfilling cow.
In
this verse Lord Krishna reveals that among cows He is manifested as
the kamadhuk meaning kamadhenu the original wish fulfilling
cows known as the surabhi cows. Just who and what are the
surabhi cows and how the surabhi cows attained such an
elevated and exalted position that they are able to represent a
portion of the energy of the supreme Lord Krishna will be revealed in
the following information given in the Anusasana Parva of the
Mahabharata by Krishna Dvaipayana Vyasa.
The
surabhi cow descended from the spiritual worlds and manifested
herself in the heavenly spheres from the aroma of celestial nectar
for the benefit of all created beings. The direct descendants of the
surabhi cows are the sacred cows from the continent India
which are uniquely distinguished the same as the surabhi by
the beautiful hump on their backs and the wonderfully soft folds of
skin under their necks. Since all cows in existence in the world
today are factual descendants of the sacred cows of India they are
all holy as well and should always be lovingly cared for and
protected with the highest esteem and greatest respect. One should
never cause harm to cows in any way even in a dream and one should
never ever even think of eating the flesh of cows as there is no
action more sinful in all of creation then cow killing.
Cows
are the mothers of all creatures. Cows are verily the mothers of the
33 crores of demigods that administrate creation in the material
existence throughout all the universes. Cows are the goddesses of the
gods and the refuge of all auspiciousness. Cows bestow every kind of
happiness and for these reason they always are worshippable. Cows are
the support of all the worlds for by their milk they nourish
terrestrials beings and by their ghee offered in sacrifice they
nourish the denziens of the celestial realms. Nothing superior to
cows.
A cow
should not be owned by one who is a killer of cows or a seller to
killers of cows, by one who is unrighteous, by one who is sinful, by
one who is untruthful in speech, and by one who is outside of the
Vedic culture nor should cows ever be given to one such as these.
Gifts of cows should be made after ascertaining and determining the
qualification of the receiver. Cows should never be given unto those
whose residence they are likely to suffer from fire or sun. Cows
should always be given away accompanied by their calves. Those cows
who have been rescued from situations of distress or have been
received from humble farmers unable to continue to take care of them
properly are considered to be most auspicious.
One should never show disrepect for cows in any way nor should one feel any repugnance towards the urine and dung of a cow because these things are also pure. When cows are grazing or laying down relaxing one should never disturb or annoy them in any way. Cows should never be killed in any type of sacrifice or slaughtered in any way for food as the killing of cows constitutes the most heinous of all sins in existence.
Cows
are the foremost of all creatures in all the worlds. It is from cows
that the means for sustaining the worlds has established. Cows are
auspicious and sacred and the bequeathers of every blessing. Cows
benefit humans with milk, yoghurt, cheese, butter and ghee. The Vedas
have stated that the milk of a cow is equivalent to ambrosial nectar
and that ghee derived from cows milk is the best of all libations
poured onto the sacred fires of brahmins.
Cows
of various kinds and diverse colors are always worshippable. They are
the foremost of all creatures existing in all of creation. Morning
and evening one should bow ones head in reverence to cows. One should
never show any disregard to cows in any way but should always show
them respect. When one awakes in the morning one should always
remember cows. Before falling to sleep at night one should always
remember cows. Cows are always auspicious. Cows are also fragrant.
The wonderful scent of the amytis agallochum emantes from out
of their sacred bodies.
Cows
are the great refuge of all creatures. Cows constitute the greatest
source of blessings for all creatures. Cows are the past. Cows are
the future. Cows are the source of evolution and eternal growth. Cows
are the root of prosperity. Whatever is given to cows always produces
good fortune and is never in vain. It is solely and exclusively from
the ghee of cows that the sacred rituals prescribed and authorised in
the Vedas are empowered and able to be performed. Without the
presence of cows ghee there is no possibiity of performing sacred
rituals that will gratify the 33 million demigods who are responsible
for universal management. Neither will the Supreme Personality of
Godhead, Lord Krishna be pleased and satisfied. Ghee comes
exclusively only from cows from whom flow offerings of milk and milk
products. Thus cows verily establish the purity of all sacred rituals
and constitute the very essence of performing all sacred activities
being the very source of sacred activities.
Cows
represent sacred acts themselves and without cows there can be no
performance of any sacred act. This is the pure, sublime and
supremely exalted position and pre-eminence of cows above all
creatures in all the worlds. One who knows the pre-eminence of cows
and the selfless service cows render to all creatures and does not
protect them affectionately is a sinner and offender and their
destination is certainly hell. Cows are equal to the rays of the sun
that travel through the universe giving light, warmth and
nourishment.
In
previous yugas the Vedic injunction was given jiyaite pare yadi
tabe mare prani veda-purane ache hena ajna vane that means in the
Vedic scriptures known as Puranas there are injunctions declaring
that one can take the life of a living being only if they are able to
revive it back to life again by chanting Vedic mantras. But we find
that this injunction has been terminated in todays age of kali yuga
by the Brahma-Vaivarta Purana where it is stated that in the
present age of kali yuga it is forbidden to kill cows under
any circumstances.
Cows
are equivalent to our mothers for when the mothers milk has dried up
the cow gives her milk unselfishly to noursih and strengthen us. How
can one who has ever drunk cows milk justify the killing and eating
of such a mother as the sacred cow. One should never even in one's
mind do injury to a cow or ever think of harming cows as well as
bulls. One should show all respect and compassion for cows and
sincere reverence should be offered unto them all without
reservation.
Those who fail to give cows reverence
and protection and choose to foolishly oppose and whimsically ignore
the injunctions of the Vedic scriptures by selling a cow for
slaughter, by killing a cow, by eating cows flesh and by permittings
the slaughter of cows will all rot in the darkest regions of hell for
as many thousands of years as there are hairs on the body of each cow
slain. There is no atonement for the killing of a cow.
In Sri Caitanya Caritamrita adi lila, chapter 17 verse 166 Caitanya Mahaprabhu confirms:
go-ange
yata loma tata sahasra vatsara
go-vadhi
raurava-madhye pace nirantar
Cow killers and cow eaters are condemned to rot in
hell for as many thousands of years as there are for each hair on the
body of every cow they eat from.
In
comparison to the contrary, sanctified living beings with purified
souls that make gifts of cows to worthy twice born in the three
higher ashrams established in the Vedas attain celestial realms for
as many years as there are hairs upon the body of the cows given away
in charity. There is no gift higher in merit than the gift of cows to
a Vaisnava or duly initiated brahmana of the Vedic culture in one of
the four authorised sampradayas.
Cows
constitute the highest good. Cows are the root of great blessing for
all living beings.. Cows are the source of eternal growth. Cows are
the past and the furure. Evolution itself depends upon cows. The
mantras used for Vedic rituals such as Swaha and Vashat
without which no Vedic rites are complete are eternally
establishe d in cows. Cows verily are the fruit of all Vedic rituals
because all Vedic rituals are dependent upon the ghee from cows for
the performance of sacred rituals which benefit all of creation. Thus
the protection of cows is the greatest dharma or eternal duty for all
living beings.
There
is no wealth that is equal to cows. To talk about cows, to hear
others speak about cows, to offer gifts of cows to worthy people and
to see cows are all auspicious activities. There is never any
inauspiciousness in cows. On Earth cows represent high energy and are
endued with the elements of strength and energetic exertion. There
are also elements of great wisdom in cows and they are bestowers of
great happiness upon all creatures. The country or nation where cows
are protected and live without fear of slaughter becomes exalted and
the sins of that country are evaporated. Cows constitute the stairs
that lead to heaven. Cows are adored in heaven. Cows are goddesses
competent to grant every righteous wish and desire. Verily there is
nothing in the worlds more elevated or superior to cows.
Cows
are superior to all yogis and ascetics and because of this liberated
divine being perform their austerities in the company and presence of
cows. Cows do not feel cold or heat nor can rain afflict. Cows are
never to be sacrificed they are to be given as gifts to worthy
brahmanas. The ruler who gives gifts of cows to the foremost of
brahmanas is sure to overcome every calamity he encounters. It is
ordained in the eternal Vedas that ghee from the cow is the best of
all ingredients offered as libations into the sacrificial fire. For
this reason one who makes a gift of a cow to worthy brahmanas who
will then use the ghee from this cow to perform Vedic ceremonies,
that fortunate gifter is regarded as making a gift of a libation for
sacrifice. A bovine bull is considered to be the embodiment of
heaven. One who offers a bovine bull to an accomplished brahmana has
factually reserved themselves a place in heaven. Cows that have been
rescued and protected and cared for in distress give even more merit
as well as cows received from persons in distress due to an
inability to properly take care of their cows.
A cow
must never be given to a tiller of soil. Only a bovine bull may be
given to a tiller of soil but never a cow. Neither a cow or a bull
should ever be given unto one who will kill them. Nor should a cow or
a bull be given unto an atheist or one who makes a business selling
or trading cows. The Vedas have stated that one who gives away cows
or bulls to such sinful persons suffers interminably in a hellish
condition.
There
is no gift that is higher in merit than the gift of cows. A cow
lawfully acquired if given away in charity protects the whole dynasty
of the giver. Cows are the source of that immortality which Vedic
sacrifices prescribe. They have within them the nature of both the
sun and the moon. Cows verily constitute and determine the eternal
destiny of creation.
Cows
are the life breath of all living creatures therefore one who makes a
gift of a cow is said to be making a gift of life breath to all
living creatures. Cows are also constituted as the great refuge of
all living creatures thus one who makes a gift of a cow is said to be
making a gift of that which is the great refuge of all living
creatures.
When
the surabhi cows first manifested from the aroma of ambrosial
nectar they performed severe penance for 100,000 years for the
purpose of acquiring the spiritual merit to be the foremost of all
things needed for the performance of Vedic rituals and ceremonies;
thus only from cow milk exclusively is sanctified ghee produced for
the performance of Vedic rituals. Whatever is produced from any and
all other types of milk is not authorised by Vedic scriptures and
thus not being sanctioned by the Vedas can never be used in any Vedic
rituals or ceremonies.
At
the conclusion of the surabhi cows austerities Brahma himself
appeared before them and granted their wishes blessing them with the
benediction that cows would eternally be the sustainers of all
creatures. This is why cows are sacred and most holy and the foremost
of all creatures in creation and verily the refuge of all the worlds.
The cow is
extremely important regarding the destiny of the total human species
in all the worlds and
creation itself that her value is impossible to overestimate.
The name for cow in the Vedas is known as aghyna which
means invioable. Another name is ahi which means not to be
killed and another is aditi which means never to be cut into
pieces.
Some scholars and indologists in
India as well as from western countries without having ever
experienced the Vedic culture as a way of life have speculated that
cows and other animals were sacrificed in Vedic ceremonies. They take
unorthodox interpretations of obscure verses in the Vedas, out of
context to postulate this point of view. Two examples of this we are
giving as follows.
First in the
Satapatha Brahmana, 3.1.2.21 there is a gross interpolation from
western scholars echoed by indolologists around the world that the
great sage Yajnavalkya would eat the tender meat of cows and bulls.
The word dhenu which they translated as cow factually refers
to the milk products of the cow only and not the cow herself and the
sanskrit word anaduh factually refers to the grains produced
by the bull from ploughing the fields. What exactly Yajnavalkya has
stated in this verse is that he can eat what is amsala. The
interpolators, some being ignorant and some not so ignorant of the
rules of Panini have translated amsala as being tender flesh.
Panini is the authority on all matters concerning the rules of
Sanskrit grammar and according to sutra 5.2.8 of Panini the word
amsala can only mean nourishing and strength bestowing. Also
in the Amarakosa 2.6.44 it states that amsala is mamsala
which never applies to flesh tender or otherwise. Mamsala
specifically aplies to cream and sweets made from milk products as
well as fresh and dried fruits. So there is no basis according to
sastra for translating amsala as flesh.
Secondly some
scholars with an extremely limited fund of knowledge want to
postulate that meat was an essential ingreient of madhuparka
because of one verse in the Rig Veda VI.44.21 which equates Indra
as having the strength of a bull and also mentions the sweet drink
madhupeya. So they then interpolated the translation to say
that bull meat was a part of madhuparka. In this way due to
their academic status they are able to mislead the public. The root
word madhu means sweet and is sometimes even referred to
honey. In the Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary page 780
the meaning of madhuparka is offerrings of honey and milk also
sometimes containing equal parts of curds and ghee to a respected
guest. No where in the Vedas can be found any reference to meat
being an ingredient of madhuparka.
So other examples like the previous
two interpolators have found useful for their obscure translations;
but the clear, direct, unequivocal statements found throughout the
Vedas against cow killing they ignore. We will give a few relevant
examples now.
In the Rig Veda X.87.16 we find: One
who partakes of human flesh, the flesh of a horse or of another
animal and deprives others from milk by slaughtering cows ; if such a
fiend does not desist then even cut off their heads by your powers Oh
king.
In the Atharva Veda VIII.6.23 we
find: Those who eat cooked or uncooked flesh, who eat eggs and
embryos are following an evil addiction that must be put to an end
In the Srimad Bhagavatam, Canto 11,
chapter 5, verse 14 we find: Those who are ignorant of the absolute
truth and believe they are virtuous although wicked and arrogant who
kill animals without any feeling of remorse or fear of punishment are
devoured by those very same animals in their next birth.
In the Mahabharata, Anusasana-parva,
115.43 -116.45 we find: That wretch among men who pretending to
follow the path of righteousness prescribed in the Vedas, would kill
living creatures from greed of flesh would certainly go to hellish
regions.
In the Manu-samhita, chapter 4, verse
162 we find: A guru, a teacher, a father, a mother, a brahmana, a cow
and a yogi all should never be killed.
Even in the Old Testament of the
Bible which applies to both Christians and Jews in Issaih, chapter
66 verse 3 we find: He that killeth an ox is as if he slew a man. He
that sacrifices a lamb is as if he slit a dogs neck, he that offereth
it as an oblation is as if he offered swines blood, he that burneth
it as incense as if he blessed an idol. Yea they have chosen their
way and their soul delighteth in their abominations.
In the
Mahabharata, Anusasana-parva, 114.6, 115.6 it states: As the
footprints of all moving, living beings are engulfed in those of the
elephant, even thus all religions are to be understood by ahimsa
which is non-violence to any living being by thought, words or
actions.
So from these examples it can be
clearly understood that cow killing and cow eating were definitely
not sanctioned by the Vedic scriptures to the contrary they were
condemned; and also according to the authority of the Bible cow
killing is not sanctioned in the Christian religion either.
Just
recently in the year 2000 the publication Scientific America reported
a complete Cow Human Genome comparison had been completed. Among the
768 genes on the cattle RH map, 687 genes or 89.5% had putative
human orthologs. Among the 687 mapped genes, 548 genes had human GB4
RH mapping information. 22 were mapped exclusively on the G3 panel
and 68 had human cytogenetic assignments exclusively.
All cow
chromosomes with the possible exception of BTA9 and BTA23 have
centromere repositioning relative to human chromosomes. Four cattle
chromsomes show complete conservation of syntegy with their human
homologs. The four are: BTA12 and HSA13, BTA19 and HSA17, BTA24 and
HSA18, BTAX and HSAX . For all of these chromosomes multiple
rearrangements were observed. BTA3 was the only cow chromosome that
showed no internal rearrangments when compared with the homologous
segment on HSA1. Fifteen cattle chromosomes are seen to be comprised
of genes found on only one human chromosome.
Cow milk is the most compatible with
human mothers milk then any other species in existence. This is
because the DNA of the cow was specifically constructeds to be
harmonious with mammalian human DNA. So it can be clearly understood
that cow DNA was designed so humans could benefit from cows products
being milk, cheese, butter, cream and yoghurt.
We will end our treatise now as we do
not want this discourse to be to voluminous.
This knowledge is highly esoteric and
confidential and incomprehensible to those outside the purview of the
Vedic culture. It can only be known by that segment of society that
is spiritually developed enough to completely abstain from all animal
killing and flesh eating while understanding that the soul is eternal
and exists in all living beings.