Cow in Hindu Mythology.

MANOJ KUMAR(HSEGURU@YAHOO.IN/+91-8252771261,Ex-EHS Officer,Alstom T& D

India Limited).Dharma
3 min read
·
Sep 10
Sanctity of the cow, in Hinduism, the belief that the cow is
representative of divine and natural beneficence and should therefore
be protected and venerated. The cow has also been associated with
various deities, notably Shiva(whose steed is Nandi , a bull),
Indra(closely associated with Kamadhenu, the wish-granting cow),
Krishna(a cowherd in his youth), and goddesses in general (because of
the maternal attributes of many of them).

#1 Mother of All
Most Hindus are vegetarian and a great deal of Indian cuisine revolves
around dairy products. Yogurt, milk, curd, butter and ghee are all
mainstays of Indian cooking. In India, when a baby has stopped
nursing he/she goes on to be nourished by cow’s milk and so the cow is
venerated as a mother. In fact, she is seen as a mother to all beings —
gentle, kind and nurturing. Many Hindus see killing a cow as
equivalent to killing one’s own mother. It is considered a cardinal sin
and is punishable by law in most Indian states.

#2 Milk and Ghee

The Vedas describe cow’s milk as ambrosial, akin to divine nectar. It is
considered to be a satvic food in Ayurveda and is said to improve
meditation practice due to it’s calming effect. Warm milk contains the
amino acid, tryptophan, which is a precursor to the neurotransmitter,
serotonin, which is responsible for feelings of serenity and well-being.
Vedic rituals prescribe the use of ghee as a libation in sacred rituals
such as the Yagna and Homa. These fire rituals are central to Hindu
worship and are performed at all important life stages: marriage, the
birth of a child, during funeral rites, as well as a part of daily worship.
Like milk, ghee is also considered to be a sattvic food. It promotes
intellectual acuity and is thought to have invigorating properties.

#3 Ahimsa (Non-violence)
The gentle nature of cows, with their large dark eyes and soft muzzles,
evokes a natural sense of calm. Hindus view this kind disposition to be
symbolic of ahimsa, or compassionate non-violence. Ahimsa is one of
Hinduism’s main tenets and Hindus see cows as a natural embodiment
of this virtue. Many gods and goddess are associated with the cow. The
earth goddess, Bhumi, is often depicted as a cow and Lord Krishna is
known as Govinda, the protector of cows. Cows represent the dharma
and the “Rig Veda” sings her praises, instructing all to keep her safe.

#4 Kamadhenu
The bovine goddess, Khamadhenu, also known as Surabhi, is believed
to be the mother of all cows. She is abundance incarnate, fulfilling the
wishes of her owner, bringing wealth and good fortune. Kamadhenu is
also the embodiment of generosity and selflessness. Surabhi is a
Sanskrit word that means “the fragrant one”; this is thought to be
because of the distinctive sweet smell that cows have. In fact, cow dung
is considered pure and is commonly used as fuel and for purification in
households across India.
#5 Luck
Cows are considered to be auspicious and are said to bring blessings
and happiness to those who honor them. You will often see cows with
garlands of fragrant marigold flowers and fine stone necklaces. On
special occasions their faces and bodies are painted in bright colors
and their backs draped with richly embroidered blankets.