Hindus drink milk. Why is a cow a sacred animal?

Like many other cities around the world, Indian urban communities have many stray dogs that live alongside people. But India's biggest problem is not dogs, but cows. Every month they cause thousands of road accidents, block traffic and spread disease. The government has long been aware of the problems caused by cows roaming freely on busy city roads, but no one seems to know what to do about it.

Stray cows have been a part of Indian urban life for many years, but in recent years, with the development of infrastructure and the increase in the number of cars, they have become an increasing problem. City cows are not afraid of traffic, so you can often see them walking calmly in the middle of the road. Violence towards them is not acceptable as cows are considered sacred, harming them makes Hindus angry so people should keep their anger under control no matter how bad things get.

The fact that there are stray cattle in India is directly related to their sacred status in the predominantly Hindu country. Slaughter is banned in most of the state, so when cows and bulls become no longer useful or become too much of a financial burden, owners simply put them on the street. This has been happening for so long that today the number of stray cows in India is in the millions and growing at a rapid pace.

Cows can be seen staggering along busy roads in big cities like New Delhi. They cause accidents and block traffic, but they are most dangerous at night. Drivers of vehicles traveling at high speeds find it difficult to spot these animals in time, and accidents are sometimes fatal. Punjab authorities have announced that stray cows involved in road accidents have killed 300 people in the past 30 months. And this is only in one state.

But road accidents and traffic jams are just two of the problems caused by cows. Although most of them appear healthy, they are actually sick or carry some dangerous food and waterborne pathogens. These cows primarily eat garbage, and evidence shows that their milk, as well as the waste they produce, is full of antibiotics, hormones and heavy metals, some of which can make people sick and others even cause death.

Another problem is illegal dairies in major cities of India. They sell the contaminated milk of stray cows cheaply to the poor population. Not only do they deliberately put cows on the streets to save money on feed, but they also sometimes use political connections to get the animals released from cow shelters.

Trapping is currently the only way Indian cities are using to deal with stray cows. Sometimes people who do this are called urban cowboys. Their only means are a lasso and brute force: they catch the cows, force them into trucks and transport them to one of the overcrowded shelters. They are only allowed to use stun weapons when accompanied by a veterinarian, but this is not often the case.

For the “cowboys,” it’s not just the cows that kick and rage, but also people that pose a threat. Frustrated drivers often resort to violence if catchers block traffic for too long trying to catch cows, illegal dairy owners do even worse, and even ordinary passers-by throw stones at them to force them to leave the sacred animals alone.

Trappers are trying their best to rid city streets of stray cows, but soon they will run out of places to send the animals. Rajendra Singh Shekhawat, who runs New Delhi's largest shelter, says his shelter is almost overcrowded and everyone else is facing the same problem. And there are more and more cows: cars and tractors take up their “workplaces.”

Authorities regularly announce campaigns to rid cities of strays, but an estimated 5 million animals still roam the streets.

India is a unique country. Many people know that the sacred animal in India is the cow. This seems strange and unusual for people who raise it for slaughter. Indians treat all animals with respect, but the cow is the leader. This is a kind and bright creature, endowed with wisdom, calmness and love for all living things.

Many people know that the sacred animal in India is the cow.

To understand why the cow became a sacred animal in India, we must look to the past. Legends about the cow are passed down from generation to generation:

1. One day the Raja's son became very ill and no one could help him. The boy grew weaker day by day. The father called on the gods for help, spending days and nights in prayer. One day a stray cow came to the house. The Raja considered this to be a sign from heaven. The child was given milk and he began to recover. Since then, it has been believed that cow's milk has great power and helps with various ailments.
2. Ancient writings indicate that during the creation of the world, the Gods took a cow from the ocean, capable of fulfilling any desires. Today it is believed that any cow can make wishes come true, the main thing is to find the right approach to it.
3. Another legend says that in order to move to another world after death, a cow is needed; only she can help a person overcome this path. The deceased must hold tightly to the tail so as not to get lost on the way.

Why is a cow a sacred animal (video)

How do animals live in India?

The Indian cow is protected by law. The authorities strictly monitor the safety of the animal. They cannot be beaten, frightened, or driven out. For killing a cow, you are sent to prison. They can walk wherever they see fit: along the road, at pedestrian crossings, they can bask on the beach, or go into other people’s yards. Nobody has the right to stop her. In this country, it is customary to let a cow pass on the road, but not a pedestrian. Some try to take advantage of the moment and cross the road with her.

Another explanation for why the cow is a sacred animal is practical. Hindus consider her the Great Nurse, and they are right. During her life, she feeds a person with milk and provides manure for food, which is used in medicine. After death, people dress in her skin.

It is a great honor to be a shepherd. According to legend, God descended to earth in the form of Krishna. He grew up in a shepherd's family, loved cows very much and even played the flute for them.

A sacred animal does not always live happily. Hindus love and honor her very much, but the death of a cow in the house is considered a terrible sin. To atone for this sin, the owner must make a pilgrimage to all the holy places of the country. Upon returning home, he is obliged to feed all the Brahmins in the area. Not everyone can afford this, so sick cows are driven out of their homes. This is why there are so many stray cows in India.

It is believed that if a Hindu eats a cow, he will suffer terrible corporal punishment in the afterlife. There will be as many of them as there are hairs on the body of an eaten cow.

These animals roam freely even on airfield runways. To free up space, they use recorded sounds of tiger growls.

A holy cow is a Divine being; to offend her means to anger God.

1. To ensure benefits for yourself in the afterlife, you need to care for, protect, wash and feed the animal.
2. Even if a resident of India is dying of hunger, he will not eat a cow walking calmly nearby.
3. Vedic texts say that the cow is the universal mother.
4. Cow's milk can awaken the best qualities.
5. Ghee, or ghee, is used in religious rituals.
6. Even cow dung has great power. It is used to cleanse the home.
7. Since ancient times, Hindus have worshiped the cow as a deity. It is believed that the peace and quiet of existence depends on the animal. The place where she was was energetically clean and bright.
8. The Hindu cow is able to protect from evil and dark forces, help a person atone for sins and avoid hell.

Zoolatry in various religions

India is not the only country where animal worship takes place. For example, East Asia worships the tiger. The Chinese town of Kunming is the main place of worship. There is a special tiger festival in Nepal. Vietnam is famous for its many tiger temples. It is considered a good tradition to decorate the entrance to a temple or home with images of a tiger. This animal, according to the indigenous people, is capable of driving away evil spirits and evil spirits.

Residents of Thailand are kind to white elephants, seeing in them the embodiment of the souls of the dead. Europe and America attach particular importance to wolves, considering them strong and fearless. However, representatives of Eastern culture cannot afford such an attitude. For them, the wolf is a symbol of depravity, anger and meanness.

Turks consider the horse to be a sacred animal. Many representatives of the Islamic world agree with them. A horse is both a friend and an ally. A true warrior and ruler is always on horseback.

But India went the furthest. Not only the cow in India deserves attention. Dogs are the messengers of death, guarding the gates to Heaven. The elephant is a significant figure in religious teachings. The tiger is associated with the god Shiva, and the god wears spectacled snakes around his neck as decoration. The cobra is considered the most sacred snake.

Serving animals, honoring and worshiping them is zoolatry. Animals become objects of worship. Hindus build temples in honor of sacred animals, protect them, devote holidays, dances and festivals to them. In ancient times, warriors performed special rituals to achieve the favor of any animal. Man was unable to cope with natural phenomena and wild animals. Religious rituals allowed them to overcome their fears and gave them hope for survival. Each tribe had its own sacred beast, which it worshiped. Numerous drawings on stones and in caves allow us to better understand the significance and importance of these rituals. This is how the world of ancient people was structured. The worship of certain animals is an ancient tradition.

The sacred cow in India, like other sacred animals, is endowed with divine power. It is believed that God speaks to people through them. To offend such an animal means to commit a sin.

Sacred animals of India (video)

A look into the past

Hinduism is one of the most ancient religions. Originated as a Dravidian belief. When the Aryans came to this territory, conquering the lands, they contributed to religious teachings. Presumably, these were immigrants from the current territory of Russia. The Aryans were more adapted to life than the local population. They could hunt, engage in agriculture, and cattle breeding. What type of activity the tribe preferred depended on climatic conditions. Areas near rivers were convenient for growing various crops. The steppes were used for cattle breeding. The Aryans could not engage in agriculture because the soil was unsuitable. The only way to feed themselves was raising livestock. There was little choice:

1. Tour. This animal successfully exists in the herd. It was not difficult to domesticate him. Initially, its manure was used for fertilizer.
2. Sheep. It was noticed that she grows quickly and produces good offspring. The meat was used for food, and the warm skin was useful in everyday life.
3. Goat. Kept for milk production. Goat's milk tasted good and was healthy, but there was never enough of it.
4. Cow. The first thing people noticed was that the milk yield was much higher than that of a goat. She gave milk for much longer, and it was more satisfying and healthier. Manure perfectly fertilized the soil. Later they began to use the skin, which increased awareness of the importance of this animal in human life.

As a result, the cow became the main and main breadwinner for people. When an animal plays an important role in a person’s life, various magical abilities and special powers begin to be attributed to it. Children could drink cow's milk, which means that the first person was fed with the milk of this animal. The gods drank this milk, which means the cow is a sacred animal. The Aryans settled all over the world and spread love and respect everywhere. In mythology you can often find the image of a cow or a bull. For example, Zeus was depicted as a bull, and his wife as a cow. This is how these tribes reached India. The Dravidians were conquered, the Aryans implanted their religion, views and teachings. Thus, reverence and love for the cow came here. The cow is the sacred animal of India, the Great Mother, holy and immaculate. God Shiva rides a white bull, and no one dares to doubt the divine origin of the cow.

Some people find this attitude funny. Others look at this with emotion. An important and necessary condition is to respect traditions when crossing the border. No matter what city in India a person comes to, one must remember that the cow is a sacred animal. After all, as you know, ignorance does not exempt from punishment.

Publication 2017-11-27 Liked 10 Views 614

Ancient texts about cows

Divine friend of Shiva

In India, the cow is considered a sacred animal and the mother of all living things. This has been the case since time immemorial. And no wonder - the cow feeds Indian families. It provides milk, without which it cannot exist - many foods are prepared from it.

There are a lot of cows in India, especially near temples and on the streets. They are even found on the roofs of houses.

Sacred Nurse of Indian Families

A cow in India, which is carefully looked after, is a real helper for the whole family. These animals have an easy-going character and faithfully serve their loving owners. And, even when the sacred cow dies, she donates meat, horns, bones and skin.

Good-natured animals are happy to be photographed

However, Hindus do not eat beef. prohibits the consumption of meat and fish, and treats the meat of sacred cows with particular severity. Indian law criminalizes those who kill these animals. And indeed, it is extremely, extremely difficult to find meat from these animals here.

In 2015, a Muslim man was lynched for killing a cow. Riots were pacified by police and army

Interesting fact: "cow" is translated into Sanskrit as "go" and "dead" as "videh", "विदेह". It turns out that “beef” literally means “dead cow.” This is how this strange name was formed.

They have almost the same rights as people. A revered animal is not uncommon in Indian stores.

Sacred texts about cows

Vegetarianism is one of the integral aspects of Hinduism. Since non-infliction of harm and pain to other beings is the basis of this. In addition, sacred texts often say that by eating the flesh of another being, especially a sacred cow, one takes on its karma. The fear of violent death that the animal experienced reduces energetic vibrations, and the person falls into tamas and rajas (ignorance and passion).

Arambol beach. Motorcycles, cows, traders, vacationers... Quite a common picture

Considers sacred cows as a source of the most sattvic (good) products: milk, kefir, yogurt, fermented milk products, ghee and others. In moderation, they are very beneficial for people who live in hot climates. Even if we put aside religious rules for a moment, it is easy to understand that in Asia it is dangerous to eat meat - in the heat it can turn into a deadly poison in just a few hours.

Ghee is one of the main components of puja

The role of cows in sacred rituals of India

The gifts of sacred cows - milk, kefir and ghee - are used for offerings. On major holidays, Hindus bring dairy products to the temple and offer them to the gods. This is a kind of analogue of sacrifice, because it does not involve murder. Moreover, such an offering helps to feed the sick and poor after the ceremonies.

Ghee oil is used in religious rituals, cooking, and Ayurvedic procedures.

It is customary to pour milk on the Shivalinga, leave a small cup of milk on the altar, place food next to the statues of gods - the consecrated food turns into prasad. The role of sacred animals in these rituals cannot be overestimated.

Night streets of Indian cities look about the same

In the animal pantheon of India, the cow occupies a central place

The sacred cow gives more than just milk

Sacred cows serve in a sense as “vacuum cleaners” of the streets in India. The inhabitants of this country, unfortunately, have a bad one. There are no trash cans, except in a few large cities. In those days when the food industry did not yet exist on a production scale, and food was not packaged in plastic, metal and glass, scraps were thrown directly onto the road, where homeless sacred animals happily killed them.

Are you hungry? Feed the sacred animal first

Relative cleanliness was maintained. Cows still clean the streets, eating the peels and peels of fruits and vegetables, the remains of cooked food and even... cardboard. Thus helping Indians in recycling waste. But artificial materials are not suitable for cows; they remain to decompose underfoot for many years.

They can stand in the middle of the road for a very long time. This causes traffic jams

In addition to dairy products, cows produce manure, which is used as fuel and building materials. Indians dry cow dung and sell them in markets. This “fuel” flares up quickly, burns well, is cheap and environmentally friendly. Cow dung is used in adobe block mixtures to build strong walls of houses. Cow urine is also recycled: according to Ayurveda, it is an indispensable healing agent. Cow urine is added to some pharmaceutical preparations.

For Indian families, cow dung is another source of income.

Sacred friend of Shiva

Not only the cow, but also the bull is considered a sacred animal in India. Shiva's most devoted servant, assistant and friend is Nandi the bull. He is revered by Hindus along with the pantheon of major gods. Gifts are presented to him, they pray to him, monuments and temples are erected to him throughout India.

Bull Yuvraj is a cash cow for his owner. It is valued at US$1.5 million

In modern India, it is easier to see a cow on the street than a cat. They, like full-fledged residents of this country, walk along the roads, look into traffic, create traffic jams, go about their important business and coexist amicably with people.

It’s a rather interesting question why in some countries a cow is not just a livestock looked after by a person, but a creature that is placed almost on an equal footing with people. What is the reason for that worship? Are our cows somehow different from their animals? Perhaps the sacred Indian cow was raised in special conditions? You will learn about this and much more from the article below.

A living being in India is always a subject of reverence. Indians love and respect all animals, but the cow receives special treatment. The taboo on eating beef applies not only to local residents who care for animals, but also to visitors and tourists. An Indian cow has the right to walk down the street free of charge, while not a single person dares to raise his voice at her, much less hit her.

If you are interested in the reason for this attitude, you should dig deeper to find out the answer to this question. Explore Indian mythology and find out that in fact the wisest elders considered the cow sacred because it was a symbol of fertility. In addition, the cow is sacred in India because it brings benefits not only during its life, but also after death. Man used it not only for milk yield, but after death he took the skin, meat and even horns.

Since then, one might think, the image of a cow as a sacred creature began to appear in cults, stories and legends. Indians to this day believe that cows can bring not only material wealth, but also happiness and even fulfill wishes. But the only difference from antiquity is that previously cows were also given as a wedding gift as a mandatory dowry. And in ancient times they also brought it as a gift to priestesses.

Cow in Ancient Egypt, Rome and Greece

In the mythology of Rome and Greece, the cow often appears as a saint, as a character filled with strength, intelligence and a big heart. As an example, we can recall the incomparable legend about Zeus and his beloved woman, the beautiful priestess Io.

God did his best to hide his love for an ordinary human girl. He resorted to various tricks so that his wife would not find out about the relationship, and then one day Zeus turned his beloved into a cow. Since then, Io was doomed to wander around the world. Her soul could not calm down and was sad for a long time. Her body became the same only many years later, in Egypt.

Since then, the holy cow has been considered a special animal capable of actions and exploits. There are other sources through which you can find out that in ancient times the cow was considered sacred.

For example, the goddess Hathor from Egyptian mythology was revered in the form of a heavenly cow. The heavenly cow Hathor was considered the embodiment of love and femininity, and was the mother of the sun. Some time later, she was called the daughter of the god Ra, who was the sun. According to legend, it was on a cow that he moved around his domain in heaven. The Milky Way was believed to be the milk left by the cow.

Based on this, we can conclude that in ancient times cows were loved and respected. This animal could be placed on a par with a deity, so cows were always treated with due respect. Cows were the personification of femininity and fertility in Ancient Egypt. They were the embodiment of motherhood and love, and therefore it was forbidden to sacrifice a cow.

In Zoroastrianism

Zoroastrianism is closely intertwined with Hinduism, which is why the cow appears here more than once or twice. This religion often uses the phrase “cow spirit.” If you come across such an expression, know that it means the very soul of the earth. The embodiment of the very spirit of all earthly beings on our planet. The founder of Zoroastrianism, Zarathustra, whom many have probably heard of, was an ardent defender of animals. He opposed the killing of animals.

However, as you might think, this trend of religion does not at all prohibit eating beef. In fact, she is generally unpretentious and does not taboo foods. True adherents of a movement such as Zoroastrianism believe that there should be no prohibitions on food, but all food on the table should be in moderation. People show respect for cows through love and care. Here, too, you won’t meet evil people who take their anger out on their cloven-hoofed charges.

In Hinduism

One of the oldest and most respected religions on earth, practiced by millions of people, is Hinduism. This religious movement dates back to the times of the Vedic civilization, which means that Hinduism originated 5 thousand years BC. Since then, cows have been on everyone's lips as a symbol of selflessness, love and care. Cows were already the embodiment of motherhood and fertility. And after many years, a lot of stories, legends and myths have accumulated.

Many of them praised these animals, calling them "Gau-Mata", which means Mother Cow.
After studying the myths and legends of India, you can learn that the Indian deity Krishna was a cow herder and loved and cared for his charges. For this reason, in India, the profession of a shepherd is very prestigious and pleasing to God.

Modern India and cows

Modern India may differ from ancient times, but not in its attitude towards cows. There and now you can see an animal walking on the road without a hint of fear. The symbol of motherhood in India is still a subject of praise and love, and not only is the cow loved and respected by the locals, it is also protected by law. No one dares to harm these animals, and murder is punished cruelly. Cows in India live a free life, they are free to do whatever they want: they can freely walk along the roads, walk in courtyards and gardens, and even relax on the beaches.

In addition to care, special attention is paid to feeding the cow. Her feeding is considered a good sign. Those who have a pet love to share their food with the cow. Occasionally, you can treat a cow on the street with grass and some treat, not just bread.

Another interesting fact is that none of the drivers really thinks about letting a pedestrian pass, but no one will drive away a cow, even if it gets stuck in the middle of the road. To cross the road, some pedestrians patiently wait for the animal, which is a pass to the other side. And having already waited for the Burenka, people can freely cross the busy highway (the author of the video is Him4anka).

Sacred Animal Products

Those who recognize the situation of cow cows in India are immediately amazed and ask the question: is it even possible to take the products of this animal for food?

Yes, you can. Indians do not eat beef, but they accept from the animal what it readily offers. For example, milk and what can be obtained from milk: cheese, sour cream, are actively consumed by local residents. Most people choose milk because milk has healing properties for Indians.

An equally popular product that Indians love is butter. This oil is called ghee. Ghee is melted, thoroughly cleaned of impurities and used in the kitchen, in medicine and for various religious rituals.

Another derivative product, manure, is widely used by local residents. Cow dung, especially in villages and villages, is dried and used as fuel to heat their homes. Therefore, we can say with confidence that even though cows are not eaten in India, they are still used for the benefit of the people. Everyone is happy and alive.

Interesting facts about Indian cows

Another interesting thing is that the cow lives in a Hindu family exactly as long as it is healthy. As soon as she gets sick and old, and ceases to be useful, for example, to give milk, there is only one way out for her: to go outside. The owners kick their wet nurse out of the yard, and the cow becomes a street cow, where tourists and local residents can feed it with unleavened bread and occasionally grass and tasty treats. There is a reason for this behavior and it is quite logical. You cannot kill a cow, because this is a grave sin, but at the same time, if she dies a natural death at home, this is also a sin and, among other things, also promises trouble.

If, however, this grief could not be avoided, the owner of the house is forced to set off on a long journey and make a pilgrimage to the sacred Indian lands. In addition to this journey, the owner of the deceased animal must feed all the priests in his city free of charge. That's why the cow is driven out of the house. Such travel and feeding of many people is not affordable for everyone, so there is only a known way out.

This behavior of the owners also explains the fact that there are so many cows walking along the streets of India. Fortunately, life on the streets is not so bad either, because they are still considered saints.
In addition, it is also curious that drinking regular cow's milk is considered healing. And not just healing, but the teaching in India says that a person who regularly uses this product is able to live for many years and even gain immortality!

Perhaps someone actually succeeded, but people in India, in addition to hoping for the supernatural, also use cow products in a practical way, not without admixtures of faith in the best. Hindus dissolve cow dung in water and then wipe the floors and walls of their homes with this mixture. It is generally accepted that in this way the house can be rid of harmful spirits and evil forces.

Video “About cows and people in India”

In this video, kindly provided by the author Ričardas Mikas, you can find out even more interesting and educational information about the holy cows.

Each country has its own special customs and signs. They were formed throughout the history of the state’s society under the influence of cultural characteristics acquired in the process of development.

This article will focus on the Indian cow - an animal that is considered sacred in India. Most likely, the vast majority of readers know about this interesting fact, but not everyone can boast of knowledge regarding direct awareness of the reasons for such a not very obvious custom. This article will tell the reader exactly about them.

It should be noted that human culture places special accents on animals. “Our little brothers” are mentioned in the myths of different countries, become heroes of fairy tales, and are even noted for special roles in religious texts. All this can subsequently affect the behavior of the society of a certain state, which you should definitely find out about before visiting this country.

Perhaps everyone might have asked this question. Indeed, it is not entirely clear why this particular animal was chosen by the Indians as sacred. It should immediately be noted that not only in India a cow represents sacred animal. Buryonka is also mentioned in Scandinavian myths, playing an important role in the creation of all living things. Animal worship is part of the dogma of many religions around the world.

Choice cows Raj as a sacred animal is not surprising. What qualities can an ordinary cow be associated with? Calmness, kindness, serenity. Indians believe that cows have a number of maternal qualities, which include care, wisdom, and kindness.

It is simply impossible, or even very difficult, to kill a cow. associate with something unpleasant, evil, dark. Since ancient times, this animal has been valued by people for its milk and meat. It is worth noting the fact that until now, having a cow on your farm is highly valued.

Gallery: cow is a sacred animal in India (25 photos)

Why did the cow become a sacred animal in India?

As mentioned above, the sacred cow plays big role in different traditional foundations of different societies. But it is in India that this animal is the object of real worship.

In order to determine the reason for the emergence of such a cult of sacred cow worship in India, one should simply turn to the texts of Indian religion, in which the animal appears not just as a certain symbol, but represents something sacred and important.

So, a few legends about the cow that emphasize the meaning and explain the status of the sacred animal:

1. It is no secret that the Ganges River in India is considered sacred by the inhabitants of this country. According to Indian beliefs, it is through this that a person’s soul goes to heaven. Accordingly, to get to heaven, you need to swim across the river. Here the holy cow acts as a kind of guide, because you can swim across the entire river holding on to its tail;
2. In one of the most sacred texts of Hinduism - the Puranaha - there is a legend that tells the story of the creation of the world in a very interesting way. In the process of creating all things, the Gods took the cow Kamdhenu from the ocean, which was able to fulfill any desire. It is not difficult to guess that Indians see Kamdhena in every cow, hoping that the sacred animal will help their most secret dreams come true;
3. The sacredness of the cow is also reinforced by its importance in terms of human nutrition. Indians consider cows to be real nurses, since their milk, as well as dairy products, are very beneficial for human health.

It is also worth noting some interesting facts about cows regarding their sacred status in India.