"Cow Is Universal Mother Of Human Society" Not International Diet

Ajit Das *

Photo by David M Mayum

I am humbly writing with an open heart to you about the grave necessity to protect and revive our much-treasured Manipuri culture. Our land of Manipur was celebrated in the past as the land of jewels. We were a rich kingdom, not just economically, nut culturally and spiritually. The reign of our illustrious kings such as Maharaj Bhagyachandra bears testimony to this. During such times, our civilization flourished and citizens were genuinely happy. It is important to note that during such times, the cows and bulls in our country were protected and regarded to the highest degree.

Brothers and sisters, the culture of cow protection is not based on superstition but is founded on spiritual scientific principles supported by scripture. Not only cow protection results in spiritual advancement. It is also essential peace and prosperity of society. I humbly beg you to consider the point that I have written below regarding cow protection, and pray for your blessings and support in this small endeavour.

Firstly when we engage in protecting the cows, it please god. In the Vishnu Purana(1.19.65), it is stated : namo brahmanya-devaya go-brahmana-hitaya ca jagad-dhitaya krsnaya govindaya namo namah, that Lord Krishna, Govinda, the supreme personality of godhead, is the well-wisher of the cows and the brahmanas, as well as the well-wisher of the entire human society and the world. The cows are specifically mentioned given their importance to advancement of civilization, materially and spiritually. Lord Krishna reiterates this in Srimad Bhagavatam (11.11.43): I can be worshiped within the cows by offerings of grass and other suitable grains and paraphernalia for the pleasure and health of the cows. The Gautamiya Tantra says, 'If cows are maintained nicely and comfortably, Lord Gopal will be pleased".

We all know that ghee from cows is essential in establishing the purity of all sacred rituals prescribed in the Vedas. The Vedas also state that ghee derived from cows is the best of oblations poured onto the sacred fires. The scriptures are replete with descriptions of the exalted position of the cow as it is the most important animal for developing the human body to perfection. The body can be maintained by any kind of foodstuff, but the cow's milk is particularly essential for developing the finer tissues of the human brain so that one can understand the intricacies of transcendental knowledge, divya-jnana.

Not only are cows auspicious and sacred, they also bequeath us with every type of blessing. Cow milk is the most compatible with human mother's milk than any other species in existence. This is because the DNA of the cow was specifically constructed to be harmonious with mammalian human DNA. So it can be clearly understood that cows DNA has been so designed to benefit us with milk, yoghurt, cheese, butter and ghee while the bull helps to till the land for the production of grains. Their dung can also be kept very carefully and used as fuel, and even the urine have medicinal value.

In the Srimad Bhagavatam (3.2.29), it is stated that human society needs only, sufficient grain and sufficient cows to solve its economic problems. All other things but these two are artificial necessities created by man to kill his valuable life at the human level and waste his time in things which are not needed. Lord Krishna, as the teacher of human society, personally showed by His acts that the mercantile community, or the vaisyas or business or trading community, should herd cows and bulls and thus give protection to these valuable animals.

Photo by David M Mayum

According to smrti regulation, the cow is the mother and the bull the father of the human being. The cow is the mother because just as one sucks the breast of one's mother, human society takes cow's milk. Similarly, the bull is the father of human society because the father ears for the children just as the bull tills the ground to produce food grains. Human society will kill its spirit of life by killing the father and the mother. How can one justify the killing and eating of such a mother as the sacred cow who unselfishly nourishes and strengthens us with her milk? As we revere our parents, the cows and bulls should be shown reverence and compassion without reservation.

The scriptures warn of the greatest danger faced by those who fail to give cows reverence and protection and choose to foolishly oppose and whimsically ignore the injunctions of the vedic scriptures by selling a cow for slaughter, by killing a cow, by eating cows flesh and by permitting the slaughter of cows. There is no atonement for the killing of cow as it is regarded as the most heinous of sins in existence. In the Manu-Samhita, chapter 4, verse 162 we find: A guru, a teacher, a father, a mother, a brahmana, a cow and a yogi all should never be killed. Even in the Old Testament of the Bible which applies to both Christians and Jews in Isaiah, chapter 66 verse 3 we find: He that killed an ox is as if he slew a man.

In contract, one who protects cows and presents them as gifts to worthy souls in an ashram established in the Vedas attain celestial realms for as there are hairs upon the body of the cows given away in charity. Cows are the roots of prosperity. Whatever is given to cows always produces good fortune and is never in vain. It is further stated that one who gives gifts of cows to the foremost of brahmana has is sure to overcome every calamity he encounters. Also, a bovine bull is considered to be the embodiment of heaven. One who offers a bovine bull to an accomplished brahmana has factually reserved themselves a place in heaven. Cows that have been rescued and protected and cared for in distress give even more merit as well as cows. Thus the protection of cows is the greatest dharma or eternal duty for all living beings.

It should be noted, however, that only a bovine bull may be given to tiller of soil but never a cow. Neither should one give a cow or a bull to one who will kill them, nor to an atheist or one who makes a business selling or trading cows. The Vedas have stated that one gives away cows or a bull to such sinful persons suffers interminably in a hellish condition. Rather, one should make a gift of a cow or bull to worthy person who would afford them all protection, there is no gift that is higher in merit. It is stated that a cow, lawfully acquired, if given away in charity protects the whole dynasty of the giver. A civilized man is therefore expected to given all protection to the bulls and cows. In fact, the country or nation where cows are protected and live without fear of slaughter becomes exalted and the sins of that country are evaporated.

Photo by David M Mayum

Sadly however, the situation in Manipur is such that the cows and bulls are being neglected. Once the bulls are not needed in the fields, they are sent for slaughter. The same fate awaits the old cow as soon as she stops giving a good amount of milk. Brothers and sisters, we must stop this not only for the benefit of our generation but for the future generations of Manipur, lest we be subject to the impartial scientific law of karma, the law of action and reaction. We can already observe the predicament of the decline in moral values in our society today. Our long-standing values, such as honesty, decency and compassion, are now deteriorating at a faster rate than ever, resulting in a moral decay in the youth of our society.

To address the urgent need to protect the cows and bulls the pillars of religion-we have set up a Go Seva Ashram under the auspices of Srila Sripada Educational Foundation. In this goshala or cow shelter, we are trying to serve the noble cause of the cow protection in humble way, where cows, bulls and calves are looked after with great care and love. They are never sold to slaughter houses or abandoned even when they become old, but are instead maintained very happily till the end of their natural lives.

I humbly appeal to one and all for your kind support in this regard to contribute or donated a bull or cow in memory of your loved ones or for your good fortune or that of family members, and we will be responsible for complete and loving maintenance of every single one of them. In addition, we will deliver one liter of fresh milk each day to donors who sponsor the maintenance of cows and bulls. For instance, a donor who contributes Rs 14,444 will receive one liter of unadulterated and undiluted fresh milk daily for one whole year (with home delivery service).

Please also impress upon your friends and family members the importance of cow protection, and convince them to donate their cows is the single-most important principal towards saving our society from both moral and spiritual degradation. Simply by protecting cows all the wonderful benefits of religiosity and piety will be automatically achieved without any separate endeavour. This is because cows are beloved to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Krishna.

Humbly seeking your well-wishes and kind support, I remain.

By Ajit Das
Go Seva Ashram
Under Srila Sripad Educational Foundation
Sangaiprou Airport Road Imphal