In the last issue we highlighted the need to offer respect to the seven types of mothers mentioned in the Vedic literatures. In this article we will focus on the importance of giving respect to mother cow.
At Hare Krishna Valley we currently have seven older cows and bulls. They have spent most (if not all) of their lives here. They are grazing happily and spending their final years peacefully without fear of being slaughtered by those who protect them. We give them the same respect that we offer to our own parents: that is, we maintain and protect them in a spirit of love.
When Krishna and Balarama were on Earth, They practically displayed the importance of goods of protecting the cow and bull in Their pastimes. Every day They would take the cows into the pastures of Vrndavana and allow them to chew on the soft green grasses, especially on the side of Govardhana Hill. At the end of the day They would bring the cows back to Nandagrama, where Krishna and Balarama would personally milk them by hand. Thus The Lords demonstrated the special significance of displaying affection to the cows and bulls. Srila Prabhupada relentlessly attacked the modern civilization for opening and maintaining animal slaughterhouses. At this point in time, humanity is needlessly slaughtering seven billion animals annually. As all the ancient teachings of the world tell us, those who commit unnecessary violence toward the innocent creatures of the earth will receive the same violent reactions themselves. Srila Prabhupada pointed out that the wholesale slaughter of humanity in wars, earthquakes, tsunamis, etc. can be directly attributed to the organized killing of animals.
At Hare Krishna Valley we receive the benefit of protecting the cows and bulls. Their presence invokes auspiciousness, and we receive the blessing of our presiding Deities Sri-Sri Gaura-Nitai for looking after the cows and bulls nicely. Our agricultural manager, Manigriva Prabhu, daily inspects the herd and attends to any requirements they might have. It is said that that all of the 33 million demigods reside in the body of the cow, so simply by engaging in the service to the cows one receives unlimited benefit and the profuse blessings of Sri-Sri Krishna-Balarama.
In the Srimad Bhagavatam we are taught that the cow and bull are the personification of dharma, or religion. The cow is considered our mother because she supplies us with the most valuable of all foods – milk. Srila Prabhupada explains that by drinking warm milk, the finer tissue in the brain is nourished and one then develops the capacity to understand the intricacies of spiritual knowledge. From the cow we also receive pure products such as urine and stool which are considered to be antiseptic. Cow urine and stool are commonly used all over India to purify the house; and when dried, cow stool is a first class fuel for cooking.
The bull is considered to be our father because traditionally he was used to plough the fields and produce vegetables and grains. Srila Prabhupada states that the actual necessities of life are food and shelter. Therefore the bull is our father because he supplies humanity with the most precious commodity – food. Srila Prabhupada also pointed out that if we do not engage the bull in agriculture, people will consider him redundant and begin to eat him. Unfortunately this is what we’re seeing on the earth today.
At Hare Krishna Valley our mission is to work towards engaging the cow and bull in their traditional roles. In order for this to happen, we need like-minded people who are willing to give the time and energy to help us achieve this goal. Or if you would like to receive the benefit of maintaining our cows and bulls, you can help to financially sponsor the upkeep of a member of our herd. For more information on how to get involved, please contact Keshava dasa on 0405-577-453 or keshava.tkg@pamho.net.
We look forward to seeing you at Hare Krishna Valley soon.