Spiritual Significance of a cow

In the book, Rig-Veda, you can read many stanzas, where the cows are given a divine status. The book VI of the Hymn XXVIII, of the Rig Veda, pertaining to Rishi Bhardwaja also sings the praises of virtue of the Indian cow. Atharvaveda (The fourth Veda among the Vedas-a Hindu sacred text) designates the cow to an earthy form of Lord Vishnu and its divinity has also been confirmed by Kautilya, also called Chanakya, who was chief minister of Chandra Gupta Maurya’s cabinet) in Arthasastra (referring to texts on wealth).

As fire purifies by burning and water purifies by cleansing, so too the Indian cow is the singular species gifted with the frequencies that ensemble all the natural powers of the deities and the universe, and help to pass on all these frequencies to its by-products like cow dung, urine, and its milk. Hence, this sattvik cow’s by-products like milk, dung or urine inherit all these frequencies. The Gomutra or the cow’s urine, by itself, holds 5% power to attract the deities.

From insects to elephants, every being is sacred in the Vedic tradition. Some animals are accorded the status of being the vehicles of the Hindu deities (ex: bull for Lord Shiva, peacock for Lord Muruga etc). Others, like the cow are associated with divinity. The elephant faced Lord Ganesha, is an important deity looked upon as the remover of obstacles in any human endeavour.

In the Vedic tradition, the cow is the most venerated of all animals. According to the puranic literature, Kamadhenu (meaning the giver of all desires), the celestial cow, emerged from the churning of the ocean of milk (samudramathanam) by the gods and demons. Kamadhenu was presented to the seven sages, and eventually came under the custody of Sage Vasi??ha, the teacher of Lord Rama. Every body part of a cow symbolizes some venerable aspect as detailed below:

·         Legs symbolize four Vedas (Rig, Yajur, Sama and Atharvana),

·         Teats symbolize four puru??rthas (human pursuits) namely dharma, artha, k?ma, mok?a (righteousness, material wealth, desire and freedom, respectively),

·         Horns symbolize the gods,

·         Face symbolizes the sun and moon,

·         Shoulders symbolize agni devat?, the god of fire.

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 gifted is regarded as making a gift of a libation for sacrifice. In fact, adopting a cow is considered to be very good.

Idols of gods and goddesses undergo a hydrating ceremony called Abhisheka with products like milk, curd and ghee. Milk is offered as a Neivedana to the Gods and is later distributed to the people. The dust of the cow is called Gothuli and it is said to have positive powers. Cow’s milk is said to have a calming effect. A glass of warm milk is often recommended for people with insomnia. Ghee or clarified butter is used in yajnas or fire worship, an important religious ceremony in Hinduism.

When moving into a new house, a cow is first made to enter the house. This signifies that Goddess Mahalakshmi is entering the home. Gifting a cow to a Brahmin was considered a meritorious deed by many kings. Many people establish “Goshala”, a shelter for cows, and raise them. In fact, a lady called Friederike Irina Bruning from Germany established a goshala or shelter for abandoned cows in Mathura (Uttar Pradesh) 25 years ago and stayed back to take care of it. She was even awarded the Padma Shri for her services.