G
O S H A L A
The Concept of Cow Protection
In Sanskrit the word 'Goshala' literally means
cow protection or the place where cows are sheltered.
Other Sanskrit names for the cow are Go-mata (mother
cow), Kamadhenu (wish fulfilling), and Aghnya
(never to be killed).
Saints and Sages have chosen the names for the
cow in Sanskrit literature in ancient times that
were aware of the intrinsic role which the cow
plays in the greater scheme of nature and particularly
in relation to the wellbeing of human society.
The foremost name for the cow in India is Go-mata
or Mother Cow. The wise men in ancient India considered
that the human being has seven mothers; the mother
who gave us birth, the mid-wife, the wife of the
King, the wife of a priest, the wife of our teacher,
the Earth, and the cow.
Most human beings come in contact with the above
seven mothers during the course of life and benefit
greatly from them. Therefore, Indian culture requires
that these seven mothers always be given respect
and protection. You would not kill your 'Mother'
- similarly you should not kill the cow.
Of
course the seven mothers are not all put on the
same level in terms of practical dealings and
the cow is certainly not worshipped as superior
to ones birth mother, as those who are antagonistic
to Indian culture sometimes suggest. But because
all respectable persons, objects, or beings are
to be worshipped, there is a day reserved in the
year where the followers of Indian culture worship
the cow with decorations and various types of
offerings. That day is called Go-puja or the day
for worshipping the cow. Go-puja is especially
observed in rural India where people live their
lives and depend greatly on the cows and bulls.
Some western critics have condemned the worship
of the cow in India but this is due mainly because
of their lack of understanding the Indian values.
Cultural and religious extremes often make it
difficult for one people to understand another,
but are they actually that different?
For example, in some western countries a day is
set aside each year called Mother's Day on which
loved ones offer gifts and take 'Mom' out to dinner.
Because the children or the spouse appreciates
and loves 'Mom" they show that on a special
day and perform activities that actually constitute
worship.
In western countries it is also quite common for
people to shower gifts and luxuries on their pets
such as cats and dogs for the simple reason that
they love their pet.
So if one can love, respect and even worship their
pet then why not love, respect and worship the
cow, especially if you own one?
It has been said that Indians worship the cow
as a God but this is not true. God in India is
called Isvara, the Supreme Controller, the Creator,
or Bhagavan, the Supreme Person, but neither of
these names is used to indicate the cow.
In ancient Sanskrit literature the benefits of
cow protection are always extolled. The practical
effects of cow protection can also be easily experienced
by anyone who takes part in cow protection, but
the real benefit for human society in terms of
cow protection will only be realized when all
the slaughter houses of the world are closed.
Then we can expect to see peaceful existence and
prosperity prevail.
The cow as Mother and the need to protect the
cow as such is presently a heated debate in modern
India where some states favor cow protection and
others permit cow slaughter. The trend of modernization
in India has indeed eroded many of her cultural
values and this has set the stage for a conflict
of ideas.
Globally,
however, 'Mother Earth" has gotten our attention
and all nations and people of this planet have
now realized the benefit and the urgent necessity
to protect the Earth, her resources and her creatures
in the wild. It will be a great day for world
civilization when the same concerns and scientific
methods for protecting the Earth are directed
toward the most humble of the Earth's creatures,
our bovine mother.
Our website is dedicated to promoting the idea
of cow protection and demonstrating on a practical
level that protection of the cow only furthers
the peace and prosperity of humanity. Please visit
us often and follow our progress. If you would
like to visit our Goshala personally, we are located
adjacent to:
Govindaji
Gardens
Sri Narasingha Chaitanya Matha
Dodda Gosai Ghatt
Village Ganjam, Sri Rangapatna
Karnataka, India 571438