Sacred cow
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- The term sacred cow or holy cow is also used for a person, institution, idea (often a theory - then: "pet theory") or ideology that is immune (usually unreasonably so) to criticism or opposition.
In Hinduism, the cow is considered sacred and its protection is a recurrent theme in which she is symbolic of abundance, of the sanctity of all life and of the earth that gives much while asking nothing in return. Most Hindus respect the cow as a matriarchal figure for her gentle qualities and providing nurturing milk and its products for a largely vegetarian diet. Hindus do not worship the cow, a common misconception, yet it holds an honoured place in society and most will not eat beef in general.
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Origins
There is no consensus on whether the cow was sacred and forbidden in the Hindu diet from ancient vedic times. Depending on the interpretation of terminology used for a cow, the cow may have been protected or offered as a sacrifice and eaten. It was possibly revered because the largely pastoral Vedic people and subsequent generations relied so heavily on the cow for dairy products, tilling of fields and fuel for fertiliser that its status as a 'caretaker' led to identifying it as an almost maternal figure (so the term gau mata). Those who believe that vedic people ate cows propose that the scriptural injuctions against eating it started with Krishna, who tended cows, or alternatively with the rise of Jainism.
Despite the differences of opinion regarding the origins of the cow's elevated status, reverence for cows can be found throughout the religion's major texts.
Sanskrit etymology
The cow is called Aghanya - that which may not be slaughtered. It is also gau.
Cow in the Hindu scriptures
According to Rig Veda, cow represents the maternal aspect of Earth. Vyasa said:
- Cows are sacred. They are embodiments of merit. They are high and most efficacious cleansers of all.
Literature on Lord Krishna, one of the Hinduism's most important figures who is believed to have lived 5000 years ago, depict him as a cowherd. He is often described as bala-gopala, "the child who protects the cows." Another of Krishna's names, Govinda, means "one who brings satisfaction to the cows." Other scriptures identify the cow as the "mother" of all civilization, its milk nurturing the population. The gift of a cow is applauded as the highest kind of gift.
The milk of a cow is believed to promote Satvic (purifying) qualities. The ghee (clarified butter) from the milk of a cow is used in ceremonies and in preparing religious food. Cow dung is used as fertilizer, as a fuel and as a disinfectant in homes. Modern science acknowledges that the smoke from cow's dung is a powerful disinfectant and an anti-pollutant. Its urine is also used for religious rituals as well as medicinal purposes.
In today's world
Today, in heavily Hindu nations like India and Nepal, bovine milk continues to hold a central place in religious rituals. In honor of their exalted status, cows often roam free. In some places, it is considered good luck to give one a snack, or fruit before breakfast. In holy places where there is a ban on cow slaughter, a citizen can be sent to jail for killing or injuring a cow.
With injunctions against eating the cow, a system evolved where only the pariah fed on dead cows and treat their leather. With the introduction of Islam, Muslims also entered this business.
Rambling cows also served as a social equalizer. A landless farmer could leave his cows wander and fed on the fields of the rich, who could not keep them away. Studies show that the substitution of work cows with mechanized farming would not be economically sound for India.
Historical significance
The cow taboo played a role in the First War of Independence against the British colonial government in 1857. Hindu sepoys were told that the new bullets were greased with cow fat. Since gunloading required biting the bullet, the British Army was forcing them to break their religion and this sentiment, in part, incited the mutiny.
The law in India
It used to be illegal in India to kill a member of the genus Bos, but now, many slaughterhouses operate in big cities like Mumbai or Kolkata. While there are approximately 3,600 slaughterhouses operating legally in India, there are estimated to be over 30,000 illegal slaughterhouses. The efforts to close them down have so far been largely unsuccessful.
The export trade in Indian leather is worth about $1.7 billion and India's export share of the leather market has been on the increase. Germany is the largest importer of Indian leather (19%) followed by the UK (17%).
See also
External links
- Cows in Hinduism
- Sacredness of cow in Rigveda and the words of Gandhi
- Cow urine products
- The international society for cow protection
- Milk in a vegetarian diet
- Sacred No Longer: The suffering of cattle for the Indian leather trade
- Rise In Animal Slaughter in India, by Tony Mathews
- PETA India newsrelease
- Indian animals killed for leather
- Deonar Abattoir (Mumbai) Report
- People for Animals, India (Maneka Gandhi)
- India cow report, by Balabhadra das, ISCOWP
