Topic: The Importance of Cows in my religion (Hinduism) One thing most people know about Hindus is that they show reverence for the cow, but few really understand the reason for this, and as a result it has been ridiculed at times, with ‘sacred cow’ being used as a metaphor for any object or idea that is pointlessly respected. On a number of occasions the Mahabharata emphasizes the view that cows should be respected and even worshiped, and here some of the reasoning behind this custom is explained. Like one’s parents, the cow provides human beings with food in the form of milk and dairy products, and so it is natural that one should reciprocate this bounty by showing respect and providing for the well being of the giver. In the western world, too often animals are treated purely as a resource to be exploited as fully as possible, but here we get a different perspective based on reciprocation rather than one-sided exploitation. At a broader level, one can apply this same mood of reciprocation to the whole of the natural world, and in India the Earth is often represented in the form of a cow. We ruthlessly exploit the resources of the Earth to the point of causing harm to the environment and hence to our own well being. If we could only learn the lesson embodied by the Hindu devotion to the cow then perhaps our world could be a more wholesome place to inhabit. Cows are always fragrant with the sweet aroma of the Guggulu perfume. Cows are the foundation for all living beings, and cows are supremely auspicious. Cows are the past and the future; cows represent constant well-being; cows are the basis of prosperity, and the benefit of charity given for the sake of cows is never lost. Cows are a constant source of nourishment and provide the best offerings for the gods.
Posted on: Wed, 06 Aug 2014 19:47:30 +0000
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