The Alternative Future - 3
Holy Cow!
Land & Cow Subsistence
Cow-slaughter and man-slaughter are in my
opinion the two sides of the same coin.
~Gandhi
Allama Iqbal, a 19th century scholar once remarked, “Ancient civilizations of Greece, Egypt and Rome have all disappeared from this world, but the elements of Indian civilization still continue. Although world-events have been inimical to India for centuries, there is something in Indian civilization which has withstood these onslaughts.” Similarly Gandhi described European civilization as a 'nine day wonder" while praising Indian civilization to be founded on a solid footing.
It is a fact that many civilizations have come and gone but vedic civilization continues, at least in traces, till today. India has survived the onslaught of centuries of invasion and colonization. The culture still lives on, even thriving in some pockets.
What is the reason for sustainability of Indian culture? How come the vedic tradition has survived the onslaught of time. One important reason for this is their ability to harmonize their living with the laws of nature and God. And an important part of that balancing act is interweaving every aspect of their existence with cows and bulls.
However strange it may sound to an average Westerner or a person steeped in western ideas, Vedas, the greatest repository of knowledge, crown the bovine species with the loving title of mother. Just as a mother provides all necessities to her children, similarly in Vedic tradition, mother cow provides all necessities to the human society. Human society reciprocates this services by protecting, serving, worshiping, adoring and glorifying her. Bull is regarded as symbol of religion and father because bull produces grains by ploughing the fields.
In the natural plan of Vedic living, human society depends on cows for its requirements of economic prosperity, food production, soil fertility, nutrition, healthcare, fuel supply, transport, spiritual well-being, sustainable development, individual and social peace, higher consciousness, development of human qualities, performance of religious duties, environmental protection, ecological preservation, advancement of art & culture, cottage industry etc.
In the universal scheme of creation, fate of species called humans has been attached to that of another, namely cows, to an absolute and overwhelming degree. This implies that welfare and well-being of cows means progress and prosperity of humans and neglect and mistreatment of cows means degradation and ruin of humans. Many of the maladies staring in the face of human society today can be traced to this factor – humanity distancing itself from protection and service to cows.
The cow is now forced to trek the path of disgrace and death. Today a dead cow fetches more money than a living one.
It is a fact that many civilizations have come and gone but vedic civilization continues, at least in traces, till today. India has survived the onslaught of centuries of invasion and colonization. The culture still lives on, even thriving in some pockets.
What is the reason for sustainability of Indian culture? How come the vedic tradition has survived the onslaught of time. One important reason for this is their ability to harmonize their living with the laws of nature and God. And an important part of that balancing act is interweaving every aspect of their existence with cows and bulls.
However strange it may sound to an average Westerner or a person steeped in western ideas, Vedas, the greatest repository of knowledge, crown the bovine species with the loving title of mother. Just as a mother provides all necessities to her children, similarly in Vedic tradition, mother cow provides all necessities to the human society. Human society reciprocates this services by protecting, serving, worshiping, adoring and glorifying her. Bull is regarded as symbol of religion and father because bull produces grains by ploughing the fields.
In the natural plan of Vedic living, human society depends on cows for its requirements of economic prosperity, food production, soil fertility, nutrition, healthcare, fuel supply, transport, spiritual well-being, sustainable development, individual and social peace, higher consciousness, development of human qualities, performance of religious duties, environmental protection, ecological preservation, advancement of art & culture, cottage industry etc.
In the universal scheme of creation, fate of species called humans has been attached to that of another, namely cows, to an absolute and overwhelming degree. This implies that welfare and well-being of cows means progress and prosperity of humans and neglect and mistreatment of cows means degradation and ruin of humans. Many of the maladies staring in the face of human society today can be traced to this factor – humanity distancing itself from protection and service to cows.
The cow is now forced to trek the path of disgrace and death. Today a dead cow fetches more money than a living one.
Cow & Economic Prosperity
Centuries ago, there were no industries in India but still she was considered to be one of the richest countries in the world. This attracted the attention of the invaders. There was untold amount of wealth in India. Prosperity and affluence was widespread. This was due to India’s focus on agriculture and cow protection. As its focus shifted to industry, especially in post-independence era, India was reduced to severe poverty. Industries helped a few to become billionaires, but condition of masses considerably deteriorated.
People left clean and healthy village life and migrated to cities to live in slums and work is hellish factories. Industrial life offered no security as any time these factories would lock out. Then they would have no where to go.
In Sanskrit literatures, cow is referred to as ‘kamadhenu’, the bestower of all desirable things. For centuries, land and cows were the standard measure of wealth. Even today in some parts of the world, people keep their investment in cows. A family is considered rich if it owns hundreds of cows.
People left clean and healthy village life and migrated to cities to live in slums and work is hellish factories. Industrial life offered no security as any time these factories would lock out. Then they would have no where to go.
In Sanskrit literatures, cow is referred to as ‘kamadhenu’, the bestower of all desirable things. For centuries, land and cows were the standard measure of wealth. Even today in some parts of the world, people keep their investment in cows. A family is considered rich if it owns hundreds of cows.
Cow protection to me is one of the most wonderful phenomena in the human evolution.
~ Gandhi
Cows are indispensable, first and foremost, for their milk. Every drop of milk can be put to good use. Srila Prabhupada explains the utility of milk, the wonder food:
“Milk is so nice that it cannot be wasted, even a drop. First of all you get milk, that is the Indian system. So there is a big milk pan, and as soon as the milk is drawn it is put into the pan. The pan is in the fire. So as much as you like, drink milk, children, elderly persons. Then at night, when there is no demand for milk, it is converted into yogurt, not wasted. Whatever balance milk is there is converted into yogurt. Then in daytime also you take yogurt, as much as you like. If it is not all consumed, then it is stored in a pot. Then when that pot is enough stored, then you churn it. Churn it, and you get butter and Buttermilk. So again you take buttermilk with chapati and everything, not a single drop is lost. Then the butter, you melt it, convert into ghee and store it, it will stay for years. So not a drop of milk can be wasted. And this butter, because in the village they are eating so many milk products, they do not require butter or ghee. Maybe little, so that is stored. They go to the city. The city men they require, especially. Ghee is very important thing in the city. So they purchase. So in exchange of that money, whatever they want, they purchase in the city and come back. By simply maintaining the cows, their economic problem is solved. Simply maintaining the cows. And to maintain cow there is no difficulty. The boys.... Just like Krishna, as boy, was taking the cows, the calves, in the fields. They are grazing here and there, and coming back they're giving milk. Only one attendant required to take them into the pasturing ground and bring them back home. You don't require to give them food even. Simply take care, they give milk, and with milk you make so many preparations.”s (Garden Conversation, June 10, 1976, Los Angeles)
Every inch of cow, whether living or dead, is meant for the good of humanity. Even urine and stool of cow are put to good use. In Indian villages, house flooring and walls are smeared with cow dung and cow dung patties are used as fuel. It has been scientifically proven that cow dung and urine have antiseptic properties. Goddess of wealth, Lakshmi is said to reside in cow dung. When cows graze, they fertilize the fields by their excrements. Besides on an average, a cow gives birth to ten calves in her life time. Cow is the lifeline of two million villages and two billion villagers in the third World.
In the book ‘When Histories Collide’, the author calculates that the milk from a cow gives 480 lb of digestible dry matter content in a year. In contrast, eating a cow only gives 48 lb of digestible dry matter. Milking cows thus does seem to be around 10 times more productive, in just one year. When taken for her full life, it works out hundreds of times more. This perhaps gives a scientific, secular and common sense explanation for why Hinduism and other religious traditions prohibit eating beef. It is rational for people to avoid eating an animal that, if kept alive, can render so much service.
When dead, her hide, bones, hooves, horns and everything else is put to use.
An average cow’s contribution in her lifetime comes to thousands of dollars. Cow represents sound economics. Recent meltdowns have put question marks on the sustainability of our colossal globalized economy. Going back to land and cows would mean moving out of a ‘house of cards’ economy.
“Milk is so nice that it cannot be wasted, even a drop. First of all you get milk, that is the Indian system. So there is a big milk pan, and as soon as the milk is drawn it is put into the pan. The pan is in the fire. So as much as you like, drink milk, children, elderly persons. Then at night, when there is no demand for milk, it is converted into yogurt, not wasted. Whatever balance milk is there is converted into yogurt. Then in daytime also you take yogurt, as much as you like. If it is not all consumed, then it is stored in a pot. Then when that pot is enough stored, then you churn it. Churn it, and you get butter and Buttermilk. So again you take buttermilk with chapati and everything, not a single drop is lost. Then the butter, you melt it, convert into ghee and store it, it will stay for years. So not a drop of milk can be wasted. And this butter, because in the village they are eating so many milk products, they do not require butter or ghee. Maybe little, so that is stored. They go to the city. The city men they require, especially. Ghee is very important thing in the city. So they purchase. So in exchange of that money, whatever they want, they purchase in the city and come back. By simply maintaining the cows, their economic problem is solved. Simply maintaining the cows. And to maintain cow there is no difficulty. The boys.... Just like Krishna, as boy, was taking the cows, the calves, in the fields. They are grazing here and there, and coming back they're giving milk. Only one attendant required to take them into the pasturing ground and bring them back home. You don't require to give them food even. Simply take care, they give milk, and with milk you make so many preparations.”s (Garden Conversation, June 10, 1976, Los Angeles)
Every inch of cow, whether living or dead, is meant for the good of humanity. Even urine and stool of cow are put to good use. In Indian villages, house flooring and walls are smeared with cow dung and cow dung patties are used as fuel. It has been scientifically proven that cow dung and urine have antiseptic properties. Goddess of wealth, Lakshmi is said to reside in cow dung. When cows graze, they fertilize the fields by their excrements. Besides on an average, a cow gives birth to ten calves in her life time. Cow is the lifeline of two million villages and two billion villagers in the third World.
In the book ‘When Histories Collide’, the author calculates that the milk from a cow gives 480 lb of digestible dry matter content in a year. In contrast, eating a cow only gives 48 lb of digestible dry matter. Milking cows thus does seem to be around 10 times more productive, in just one year. When taken for her full life, it works out hundreds of times more. This perhaps gives a scientific, secular and common sense explanation for why Hinduism and other religious traditions prohibit eating beef. It is rational for people to avoid eating an animal that, if kept alive, can render so much service.
When dead, her hide, bones, hooves, horns and everything else is put to use.
An average cow’s contribution in her lifetime comes to thousands of dollars. Cow represents sound economics. Recent meltdowns have put question marks on the sustainability of our colossal globalized economy. Going back to land and cows would mean moving out of a ‘house of cards’ economy.
Mother cow is in many ways better than the mother who gave us birth. Mother provides milk for a year or two, mother cow gives milk for the whole life
~ Gandhi
Cow & Soil Fertility
World’s soil is in danger. Death of soil is death of civilization. Bad soil is bad for global health. All over the world, more than seven and a half million acres of soil has been degraded. That's larger than the U.S. and Canada combined. What remains is ailing as a result of compaction, erosion and salination making it near impossible to plant and adding to greenhouse gases and air pollution. Soil degradation is putting the future of the global population is at risk according to a National Geographic article by Charles Mann.
Civil unrest in Latin America, Asia and Africa have been attributed to a lack of food and affordable food as a result of poor soil. Currently, only 11-percent of the world's land feeds six billion people. Experts estimate that by 2030 the Earth's population will reach 8.3 billion. Farmers will need to increase food production by 40-percent. But not much soil remains. Scientists don't know much and don’t care either about this critical resource.
One solution to this grave problem would be switching over to cow based farming.
Many organic farmers are reviving age old practices of cow dung fertilizers and cow urine pesticides. Popularly known as zero-budget farming and bio-dynamic farming, it is being practiced on thousands of acres across India with great success. When nourished by mother cow, soil remains fertile for thousands and millions of years but when scorched by chemicals, it dies in 3-4 decades.
There is perfect cooperation in nature’s plan. We take the grains, fruits and vegetables. Cow takes the stems, chaff and whatever else is leftover. We feed the cow with these by-products and cow in turn feeds our crops.
In an experiment at the Dairy Research Institute, Ellinbank, Victoria, effects of dairy cow manure on soil fertility was observed. In the soil, extractable soil P (Olsen) was 32mg/kg. After 60 days of application, extractable soil P increased to 61mg/kg. Extractable soil K (Colwell) almost doubled from 642 mg/kg to 1226 mg/kg in manure treated soils.
Cows return significant quantities of nutrients to pastures through dung and urine. Up to 65% of the phosphorus (P) eaten in the diet is returned in faeces while approximately 11% and 79% of the consumed potassium (K) is returned in dung and urine respectively (Haynes and Williams, 1993). These nutrients contribute to soil fertility.
In another experiment in Kerala, India, a manure prepared with fermented cow dung, enriched with groundnut cake and neem cake was effective in improving soil quality and enhancing microbial status. In this Indian State, famous for black pepper farming, black pepper often suffers from poor growth and wilt disease. This has been linked to the intensive application of chemicals, resulting in imbalances in soil micro-flora and fauna and spread of diseases like quick wilt and slow wilt. These problems can be alleviated by improving soil fertility and soil microbial status using fermented cow dung, enriched with groundnut cake and neem cake.
Civil unrest in Latin America, Asia and Africa have been attributed to a lack of food and affordable food as a result of poor soil. Currently, only 11-percent of the world's land feeds six billion people. Experts estimate that by 2030 the Earth's population will reach 8.3 billion. Farmers will need to increase food production by 40-percent. But not much soil remains. Scientists don't know much and don’t care either about this critical resource.
One solution to this grave problem would be switching over to cow based farming.
Many organic farmers are reviving age old practices of cow dung fertilizers and cow urine pesticides. Popularly known as zero-budget farming and bio-dynamic farming, it is being practiced on thousands of acres across India with great success. When nourished by mother cow, soil remains fertile for thousands and millions of years but when scorched by chemicals, it dies in 3-4 decades.
There is perfect cooperation in nature’s plan. We take the grains, fruits and vegetables. Cow takes the stems, chaff and whatever else is leftover. We feed the cow with these by-products and cow in turn feeds our crops.
In an experiment at the Dairy Research Institute, Ellinbank, Victoria, effects of dairy cow manure on soil fertility was observed. In the soil, extractable soil P (Olsen) was 32mg/kg. After 60 days of application, extractable soil P increased to 61mg/kg. Extractable soil K (Colwell) almost doubled from 642 mg/kg to 1226 mg/kg in manure treated soils.
Cows return significant quantities of nutrients to pastures through dung and urine. Up to 65% of the phosphorus (P) eaten in the diet is returned in faeces while approximately 11% and 79% of the consumed potassium (K) is returned in dung and urine respectively (Haynes and Williams, 1993). These nutrients contribute to soil fertility.
In another experiment in Kerala, India, a manure prepared with fermented cow dung, enriched with groundnut cake and neem cake was effective in improving soil quality and enhancing microbial status. In this Indian State, famous for black pepper farming, black pepper often suffers from poor growth and wilt disease. This has been linked to the intensive application of chemicals, resulting in imbalances in soil micro-flora and fauna and spread of diseases like quick wilt and slow wilt. These problems can be alleviated by improving soil fertility and soil microbial status using fermented cow dung, enriched with groundnut cake and neem cake.
When I see a cow, it is not an animal to eat; it is a poem of pity for me and I worship it and I shall defend its worship against the whole world.
~ Gandhi
Cow & Human Nutrition
The UN estimates that there are approximately 1000 million (1 billion) starving/undernourished people in the world. This is a scandal for humanity when we consider that more than half of the grains produce goes for meat and fuel production.
Milk is a complete food. In India, even now there are thousands of ascetics who simply live on milk. They do not eat anything else and are quite healthy. Our mother feeds us milk for few months but cow feeds us milk for the whole life. Srila Prabhupada explains this: “just like milk is the essence of the blood. The milk is nothing, but it is cow’s blood transformed. Just like mother’s milk. The mother’s milk, wherefrom it comes? It comes from the blood, but transformed in such a way that it becomes nutritious to the child, tasteful to the child. Similarly, cow’s milk also, a most nutritious and valuable food. (Lecture on Bhagavad-gita 7.3, Montreal, June 3, 1968). He further adds, “So from the cows, the milk. And from the milk we can make hundreds of vitaminous foodstuff, hundreds. They’re all palatable. So such a nice animal, faithful, peaceful, and beneficial. After taking milk from it, if we kill, does it look very well? Even after the death, the cows supply the skin for your shoes. It is so beneficial. You see. Even after death. While living, he gives you nice milk. You cannot reject milk from the human society. As soon as there is a child born, milk immediately required. Old man, milk is life. Diseased person, milk is life. Invalid, milk is life. So therefore Krishna is teaching by His practical demonstration how He loves this innocent animal, cow. So human society should develop brahminical culture on the basis of protecting cows. (Lecture , Los Angeles, December 4, 1968).
Many doctors blame cow’s milk for various diseases. But real culprit is our modern dairy practices. Cows are overloaded with hormones, antibiotics and bio-feeds. They are fed groundup cows. A vegetarian animal is fed cannibalistic diet. Milk is extracted, processed and distributed in most unnatural manner and therefore it leads to ill-health. But when we talk of a mother cow giving milk out of affection for its calf, living in natural surroundings, that milk is as good as or better than our mother’s milk.
Cow's milk, the basis for all other dairy products, promotes strong bones by being a very good source of vitamin D and calcium, and a good source of vitamin K--three nutrients essential to bone health. In addition, cow's milk is a very good source of iodine, a mineral essential for thyroid function; and a very good source of riboflavin and good source of vitamin B12, two B vitamins that are necessary for cardiovascular health and energy production.
Cow's milk is also a good source of vitamin A, a critical nutrient for immune function, and potassium, a nutrient important for cardiovascular health.
Milk produced by grass fed cows also contains a beneficial fatty acid called conjugated linoleic acid (CLA). Researchers who conducted animal studies with CLA found that this fatty acid inhibits several types of cancer in mice. In vitro (test tube) studies indicate this compound kills human skin cancer, colorectal cancer and breast-cancer cells. Other research on CLA suggests that this beneficial fat may also help lower cholesterol and prevent atherosclerosis.
Recently "Monocaprin" contained in milk and milk products is reported to possess excellent microbicidal properties and useful against transmitted diseases in Humans
According to Ayurveda, the cow ghee (clarified butter) is believed to be the best food for human health and brain. It has much nutritive qualities and is an ideal diet for the heart patients, who suffer from the cholesterol issues. Cow ghee enhances physical and mental strength and vitality, detoxifies, enhances eyesight, maintains the health of muscles and tendons and keeps the bones stout and flexible.
Curd is another byproduct of cow milk. In Sanskrit the curd is called Dadhi. The ancient Ayurveda specialists like Charaka and Sushruta have described the qualities and usefulness of curd. It is useful in many diseases and it has been described as a tonic. It prevents premature aging, cures diarrhea, dysentery and chronic colitis.
Milk is a complete food. In India, even now there are thousands of ascetics who simply live on milk. They do not eat anything else and are quite healthy. Our mother feeds us milk for few months but cow feeds us milk for the whole life. Srila Prabhupada explains this: “just like milk is the essence of the blood. The milk is nothing, but it is cow’s blood transformed. Just like mother’s milk. The mother’s milk, wherefrom it comes? It comes from the blood, but transformed in such a way that it becomes nutritious to the child, tasteful to the child. Similarly, cow’s milk also, a most nutritious and valuable food. (Lecture on Bhagavad-gita 7.3, Montreal, June 3, 1968). He further adds, “So from the cows, the milk. And from the milk we can make hundreds of vitaminous foodstuff, hundreds. They’re all palatable. So such a nice animal, faithful, peaceful, and beneficial. After taking milk from it, if we kill, does it look very well? Even after the death, the cows supply the skin for your shoes. It is so beneficial. You see. Even after death. While living, he gives you nice milk. You cannot reject milk from the human society. As soon as there is a child born, milk immediately required. Old man, milk is life. Diseased person, milk is life. Invalid, milk is life. So therefore Krishna is teaching by His practical demonstration how He loves this innocent animal, cow. So human society should develop brahminical culture on the basis of protecting cows. (Lecture , Los Angeles, December 4, 1968).
Many doctors blame cow’s milk for various diseases. But real culprit is our modern dairy practices. Cows are overloaded with hormones, antibiotics and bio-feeds. They are fed groundup cows. A vegetarian animal is fed cannibalistic diet. Milk is extracted, processed and distributed in most unnatural manner and therefore it leads to ill-health. But when we talk of a mother cow giving milk out of affection for its calf, living in natural surroundings, that milk is as good as or better than our mother’s milk.
Cow's milk, the basis for all other dairy products, promotes strong bones by being a very good source of vitamin D and calcium, and a good source of vitamin K--three nutrients essential to bone health. In addition, cow's milk is a very good source of iodine, a mineral essential for thyroid function; and a very good source of riboflavin and good source of vitamin B12, two B vitamins that are necessary for cardiovascular health and energy production.
Cow's milk is also a good source of vitamin A, a critical nutrient for immune function, and potassium, a nutrient important for cardiovascular health.
Milk produced by grass fed cows also contains a beneficial fatty acid called conjugated linoleic acid (CLA). Researchers who conducted animal studies with CLA found that this fatty acid inhibits several types of cancer in mice. In vitro (test tube) studies indicate this compound kills human skin cancer, colorectal cancer and breast-cancer cells. Other research on CLA suggests that this beneficial fat may also help lower cholesterol and prevent atherosclerosis.
Recently "Monocaprin" contained in milk and milk products is reported to possess excellent microbicidal properties and useful against transmitted diseases in Humans
According to Ayurveda, the cow ghee (clarified butter) is believed to be the best food for human health and brain. It has much nutritive qualities and is an ideal diet for the heart patients, who suffer from the cholesterol issues. Cow ghee enhances physical and mental strength and vitality, detoxifies, enhances eyesight, maintains the health of muscles and tendons and keeps the bones stout and flexible.
Curd is another byproduct of cow milk. In Sanskrit the curd is called Dadhi. The ancient Ayurveda specialists like Charaka and Sushruta have described the qualities and usefulness of curd. It is useful in many diseases and it has been described as a tonic. It prevents premature aging, cures diarrhea, dysentery and chronic colitis.
Cow & Energy
Reliance on fossil fuels has largely developed in the last 200 years. Before that, most energy was renewable – animal and human muscle, wood, some wind and water power. The harnessing of new sources of energy, especially coal, about 250 years ago was crucial to the industrial revolution and all that followed.
The world economy is hooked on fossil fuels: oil, gas, and coal. This dependency cannot last. All these fuels were formed millions of year ago and once used up cannot be replaced. But before industrial revolution, practically all the energy used was renewable.
For millennia animals have been harnessed to pull carts, carry loads, transport people, haul water, trash harvests, plough, puddle and weed crop fields etc. Even today, more than half the world’s population depends on animal power for much of its energy. Draught animals operate on more than 50% of the planet’s cultivated areas. In the mid 1990s work by draught animals was estimated to be equivalent to a fossil fuel replacement value of US$ 16 billion. Estimates of the number of animals used for power applications range from 300 million upwards. Oxen are the most frequently used animals and ploughing is the most common function. Almost all species of domestic quadruped are used, however, in a variety of agricultural and transport roles. In agriculture positive effects are seen to be higher crop output, better returns to labour, increased cash income and improved food security.
The world economy is hooked on fossil fuels: oil, gas, and coal. This dependency cannot last. All these fuels were formed millions of year ago and once used up cannot be replaced. But before industrial revolution, practically all the energy used was renewable.
For millennia animals have been harnessed to pull carts, carry loads, transport people, haul water, trash harvests, plough, puddle and weed crop fields etc. Even today, more than half the world’s population depends on animal power for much of its energy. Draught animals operate on more than 50% of the planet’s cultivated areas. In the mid 1990s work by draught animals was estimated to be equivalent to a fossil fuel replacement value of US$ 16 billion. Estimates of the number of animals used for power applications range from 300 million upwards. Oxen are the most frequently used animals and ploughing is the most common function. Almost all species of domestic quadruped are used, however, in a variety of agricultural and transport roles. In agriculture positive effects are seen to be higher crop output, better returns to labour, increased cash income and improved food security.
The cow to me is a sermon on pity.
~Gandhi
Despite motorization on all fronts the use of ox is still often more economic than the use of machinery and vehicles, especially in small scale agriculture and in remote areas. Animals are produced and maintained locally and don’t require the infrastructure needed for motorization. Where the value of machinery needs to be depreciated over time, that of animals can appreciate because of growth.
Ox power represents a sustainable and renewable resource of energy.
In terms of agriculture, ox power creates a lighter footprint on the earth than a tractor, which tends to compact the soil. Also in terms of the environment, it takes far less resources to produce a team of oxen than a tractor. How many mining operations and how many factories does it require to produce even one tractor? How many drilling and refining operations does it take to fuel it? The “factory” that produces an ox is a cow. For “fuel” the oxen can eat grass and grain which they themselves produce.
And, we should not underestimate the level of benefit that oxen can provide. With the exception of the cultures of the Americas, practically every materially advanced civilization before the crusades – including China, India, the Middle East, North Africa and Europe – relied on oxen to be the engine for agriculture, local transport, grinding grains and even building. Many of the great projects of ancient times were all accomplished without the incredible level of pollution it would take to recreate such structures today.
Srila Prabhupada advises, “Petrol is required for [long-distance] transport, but if you are localized, there is no question of [such] transport. You don’t require petrol.... The oxen will solve the problem of transport.“
Ox power represents a sustainable and renewable resource of energy.
In terms of agriculture, ox power creates a lighter footprint on the earth than a tractor, which tends to compact the soil. Also in terms of the environment, it takes far less resources to produce a team of oxen than a tractor. How many mining operations and how many factories does it require to produce even one tractor? How many drilling and refining operations does it take to fuel it? The “factory” that produces an ox is a cow. For “fuel” the oxen can eat grass and grain which they themselves produce.
And, we should not underestimate the level of benefit that oxen can provide. With the exception of the cultures of the Americas, practically every materially advanced civilization before the crusades – including China, India, the Middle East, North Africa and Europe – relied on oxen to be the engine for agriculture, local transport, grinding grains and even building. Many of the great projects of ancient times were all accomplished without the incredible level of pollution it would take to recreate such structures today.
Srila Prabhupada advises, “Petrol is required for [long-distance] transport, but if you are localized, there is no question of [such] transport. You don’t require petrol.... The oxen will solve the problem of transport.“
Cow protection is the gift of Hinduism to the world.
~ Gandhi
The tractor is a real sore point in agriculture. Tractors are expensive to operate. This expense partly explains why hundreds of thousands of small farms collapse every year. But ox power, though slower, is far more efficient.
Oxen cost far less than tractors to maintain, provide free fertilizer, preserve precious topsoil, and don’t foul the atmosphere with carbon monoxide. Bovine waste, when mixed in the traditional way with straw, is the world’s best fertilizer. And when the animal dies, its skin can be processed into leather.
Turning to Gandhi for inspiration, we find that a key requirement for building peace is to provide full employment by emphasizing localized production for localized markets. Gandhi stressed that everything which can be produced locally should be, even if the local economy is less efficient at its production.
Since time immemorial, cows have provided many essential services to humanity for very little maintenance. They’re an inseparable part of God’s efficient system for human civilization.
Dr. Vandana Shiva, an ecologist, comments on India’s recent cattle policy while calling it a policy of ecocide of indigenous cattle breeds and a policy of genocide for India's small farmers: “The traditional approach to livestock is based on diversity, decentralisation, sustainability and equity. Our cattle are not just milk machines or meat machines. They are sentient beings who serve human communities through their multidimensional role in agriculture.”
“On the other hand,” continues Shiva, “ externally driven projects, programmes and policies emerging from industrial societies treat cattle as one-dimensional machines which are maintained with capital intensive and environmentally intensive inputs and which provide a single output - either milk or meat. Polices based on this approach are characterised by monocultures, concentration and centralisation, non-sustainability and inequality.”
Thus, whether we like it or not, when fossil fuels bid us good bye, world will have to revert back to bull power for fulfilling its energy requirements.
Oxen cost far less than tractors to maintain, provide free fertilizer, preserve precious topsoil, and don’t foul the atmosphere with carbon monoxide. Bovine waste, when mixed in the traditional way with straw, is the world’s best fertilizer. And when the animal dies, its skin can be processed into leather.
Turning to Gandhi for inspiration, we find that a key requirement for building peace is to provide full employment by emphasizing localized production for localized markets. Gandhi stressed that everything which can be produced locally should be, even if the local economy is less efficient at its production.
Since time immemorial, cows have provided many essential services to humanity for very little maintenance. They’re an inseparable part of God’s efficient system for human civilization.
Dr. Vandana Shiva, an ecologist, comments on India’s recent cattle policy while calling it a policy of ecocide of indigenous cattle breeds and a policy of genocide for India's small farmers: “The traditional approach to livestock is based on diversity, decentralisation, sustainability and equity. Our cattle are not just milk machines or meat machines. They are sentient beings who serve human communities through their multidimensional role in agriculture.”
“On the other hand,” continues Shiva, “ externally driven projects, programmes and policies emerging from industrial societies treat cattle as one-dimensional machines which are maintained with capital intensive and environmentally intensive inputs and which provide a single output - either milk or meat. Polices based on this approach are characterised by monocultures, concentration and centralisation, non-sustainability and inequality.”
Thus, whether we like it or not, when fossil fuels bid us good bye, world will have to revert back to bull power for fulfilling its energy requirements.
Man through the cow is enjoined to realize his identity with all that lives.
~ Gandhi
Cow & Healthcare
Indian science of medicine, known as Ayurveda, describes thousands of medicines based on cow products like milk, curd, ghee, cow urine and cow dung. Called ‘Pancha-gavya’, these traditional medicines are gaining popularity and many incurable diseases are getting cured with these medicines. Ayurvedic health care is holistic and it aims at physical, mental and spiritual well-being.
Global Health Care Alternative
Considering the fact that more than 70% of the global population do not have access to modern health care, panchagavya can play an important role in improving global health. Pharmaceutical giants are making obscene profits out of people’s miseries. How many can afford such treatment? Panchagavya presents, on the grassroot level, a very practical alternative to corporate health care. Last year, out of $600 billion spent on health care worldwide, more than half was spent in the US alone, which is just 4% of the world’s population. Many third world countries are trying to imitate US healthcare systems with disastrous results.
Cow Urine
Cow urine is antifungal, antibacterial, antibiotic, antiallergic, and antimicrobial. There is a great demand for it in India, especially among cancer patients. Milk is around Rs 15-20 a litre where as cow urine is selling Rs 30-40 a litre. There are two US Patents on Gomutra Ark (Cow Urine Distillate): US Patent 6410059 25-06-2002 and US Patent 6896907 24-05-2005. From constipation to cancer, diarrhea to diabetes, advocates of cow urine are offering to cure nearly everything.
Ayurveda says that the main cause of diseases is the imbalance of three elements Air (Vata), Bile (Pitta), Mucous (kapha). Cow urine balances these three elements, 'Samya dosharogata' meaning when three elements are in balance, there are no diseases.
A herbal preparation popular in Nigeria is based on cow's urine and some herbs and is called Cow urine concoction (CUC). Over fifty chemical compounds have been identified in CUC. It's major pharmacological actions include anticonvulsant and hypoglycemic effects.
Cow urine works wonders in recuperating dead cells, especially the cancerous ones. So it is being used in the treatment of cancer with considerable success.
Since ages, Indian women have applied cow urine in their hairs to get rid of lice.
For The Critics of Cow Urine
If urine of mare can be used, why not cow urine. Premarin is the commercial name for compound drug which is isolated from mare's urine. It is manufactured by Wyeth Pharmaceuticals and has been marketed since 1942. Premarin is a form of hormone replacement therapy. Arabs used camel urine to treat ailments also.
Saying goes, one living being’s food is poison for another. What cow rejects can be perfectly useful for humans. All things excreted from all bodies are harmful or waste, since they are rejected. That is perfectly all right. But that are bad for just that body not for all. Why do we accept oxygen that excretes from plants and why plants take our excreta as manure? It is a natural law that living beings depend upon each other. Hogs relish human excreta and become plump on that.
What to speak of cow urine, all over world cities are opting for recycling sewage for drinking water purposes.
Panchagavya - The Plant Tea
The ayurvedic literature (Charak Samhita, Sushrut, Gud Nigrah) suggests a number of pharmacological application of the substances obtained from panchagavya. A systematic research is being carried out on chemical nature, biological activity, pharmacology, microbiology and pharmaceutical aspects and mechanism of bioactive compounds in Panchagavya.
Panchagavya has reference in Vrkshayurveda (Vrksha means plants and ayurveda means health system) also. The texts on Vrkshayurveda are systematizations of the practices the farmers followed at field level, placed in a theoretical framework and it defined certain plant growth stimulants; among them Panchagavya was an important one that enhanced the biological efficiency of crop plants and the quality of fruits and vegetables (Natarajan, 2002). The Panchagavya products show excellent agricultural applications. A formulation derived from cow urine and leaves of neem is an excellent pesticide and insect repellent. The cow is an inseparable part of the farming community.
Rishi Krishi, a system of Agriculture practiced in Maharashtra India is using Amrit pani (prepared by mixing 20 kg cow dung, 0.125 kg butter, ½ kg honey, ¼ kg ghee) and kept over night to treat seeds and for spraying on field crops to maintain soil fertility and crop yield (Pathak and Ram, 2002). Individually or system as a whole, biogas slurry with Panchagavya combination is adjudged as the best organic nutritional practice for the sustainability of maize – sunflower – greengram system by its overall performance on growth, productivity and quality of crops, the soil health and economics (Somasundaram,2003).
Apart from health, it has great significance in vedic rituals. It is one of the important offerings made to yajna, the sacrificial fire. Intake of panchagavya purifies the consciousness.
Global Health Care Alternative
Considering the fact that more than 70% of the global population do not have access to modern health care, panchagavya can play an important role in improving global health. Pharmaceutical giants are making obscene profits out of people’s miseries. How many can afford such treatment? Panchagavya presents, on the grassroot level, a very practical alternative to corporate health care. Last year, out of $600 billion spent on health care worldwide, more than half was spent in the US alone, which is just 4% of the world’s population. Many third world countries are trying to imitate US healthcare systems with disastrous results.
Cow Urine
Cow urine is antifungal, antibacterial, antibiotic, antiallergic, and antimicrobial. There is a great demand for it in India, especially among cancer patients. Milk is around Rs 15-20 a litre where as cow urine is selling Rs 30-40 a litre. There are two US Patents on Gomutra Ark (Cow Urine Distillate): US Patent 6410059 25-06-2002 and US Patent 6896907 24-05-2005. From constipation to cancer, diarrhea to diabetes, advocates of cow urine are offering to cure nearly everything.
Ayurveda says that the main cause of diseases is the imbalance of three elements Air (Vata), Bile (Pitta), Mucous (kapha). Cow urine balances these three elements, 'Samya dosharogata' meaning when three elements are in balance, there are no diseases.
A herbal preparation popular in Nigeria is based on cow's urine and some herbs and is called Cow urine concoction (CUC). Over fifty chemical compounds have been identified in CUC. It's major pharmacological actions include anticonvulsant and hypoglycemic effects.
Cow urine works wonders in recuperating dead cells, especially the cancerous ones. So it is being used in the treatment of cancer with considerable success.
Since ages, Indian women have applied cow urine in their hairs to get rid of lice.
For The Critics of Cow Urine
If urine of mare can be used, why not cow urine. Premarin is the commercial name for compound drug which is isolated from mare's urine. It is manufactured by Wyeth Pharmaceuticals and has been marketed since 1942. Premarin is a form of hormone replacement therapy. Arabs used camel urine to treat ailments also.
Saying goes, one living being’s food is poison for another. What cow rejects can be perfectly useful for humans. All things excreted from all bodies are harmful or waste, since they are rejected. That is perfectly all right. But that are bad for just that body not for all. Why do we accept oxygen that excretes from plants and why plants take our excreta as manure? It is a natural law that living beings depend upon each other. Hogs relish human excreta and become plump on that.
What to speak of cow urine, all over world cities are opting for recycling sewage for drinking water purposes.
Panchagavya - The Plant Tea
The ayurvedic literature (Charak Samhita, Sushrut, Gud Nigrah) suggests a number of pharmacological application of the substances obtained from panchagavya. A systematic research is being carried out on chemical nature, biological activity, pharmacology, microbiology and pharmaceutical aspects and mechanism of bioactive compounds in Panchagavya.
Panchagavya has reference in Vrkshayurveda (Vrksha means plants and ayurveda means health system) also. The texts on Vrkshayurveda are systematizations of the practices the farmers followed at field level, placed in a theoretical framework and it defined certain plant growth stimulants; among them Panchagavya was an important one that enhanced the biological efficiency of crop plants and the quality of fruits and vegetables (Natarajan, 2002). The Panchagavya products show excellent agricultural applications. A formulation derived from cow urine and leaves of neem is an excellent pesticide and insect repellent. The cow is an inseparable part of the farming community.
Rishi Krishi, a system of Agriculture practiced in Maharashtra India is using Amrit pani (prepared by mixing 20 kg cow dung, 0.125 kg butter, ½ kg honey, ¼ kg ghee) and kept over night to treat seeds and for spraying on field crops to maintain soil fertility and crop yield (Pathak and Ram, 2002). Individually or system as a whole, biogas slurry with Panchagavya combination is adjudged as the best organic nutritional practice for the sustainability of maize – sunflower – greengram system by its overall performance on growth, productivity and quality of crops, the soil health and economics (Somasundaram,2003).
Apart from health, it has great significance in vedic rituals. It is one of the important offerings made to yajna, the sacrificial fire. Intake of panchagavya purifies the consciousness.
Cow & Housing
In mud houses in India, cow dung is used to line flooring and walls. It is mixed in mud for construction purposes to repel insects and pests from burrowing in the walls. In cold places cow dung is used for wall linings for thermal insulation. Cow dung is an excellent mosquito repellent also. It was used extensively in Indian railways to seal smoke boxes on steam locomotives.
Cow & Fuel Supply
Cow dung is an excellent fuel. It helps preserve world's fossil fuel reserves. It is odorless and burns without scorching, giving a slow, even heat. A housewife can count on leaving her pots unattended all day or return any time to a preheated griddle for short-order cooking. To replace dung with coal would cost India $1.5 billion per year.
Cow dung is used extensively to produce biogas, an excellent form of renewable energy which can be used for cooking, lighting or running of vehicles. There are perhaps hundreds of thousands of biogas (called gobar gas) plants in India. A biogas plant is designed in the following way.
A sealed water-tight circular pit, normally about ten feet deep, is made of concrete to which cow manure is added regularly. Alternate materials may be used for constructing this pit as desired. A wall is built across the middle of the pit, extending from the bottom almost to the top.
The manure is mixed with water in the intake basin which flows through the piping to the bottom of the left side. This side of the cylinder gradually fills and overflows to the right side. When both sides of the cylinder are full, the manure effluent flows out from the bottom of the right side each time more raw manure is added to the left.
Manure residue from the decomposition process comes out in a concentrated form and it is an excellent fertilizer.
The concoction produces methane which rises to the top and collects under a large metal dome. As the gas builds pressure it is routed via a rubber tube. The methane gas thus produced is literally free. After the initial construction expense, there are no running expenses, other than adding manure.
Cow dung is used extensively to produce biogas, an excellent form of renewable energy which can be used for cooking, lighting or running of vehicles. There are perhaps hundreds of thousands of biogas (called gobar gas) plants in India. A biogas plant is designed in the following way.
A sealed water-tight circular pit, normally about ten feet deep, is made of concrete to which cow manure is added regularly. Alternate materials may be used for constructing this pit as desired. A wall is built across the middle of the pit, extending from the bottom almost to the top.
The manure is mixed with water in the intake basin which flows through the piping to the bottom of the left side. This side of the cylinder gradually fills and overflows to the right side. When both sides of the cylinder are full, the manure effluent flows out from the bottom of the right side each time more raw manure is added to the left.
Manure residue from the decomposition process comes out in a concentrated form and it is an excellent fertilizer.
The concoction produces methane which rises to the top and collects under a large metal dome. As the gas builds pressure it is routed via a rubber tube. The methane gas thus produced is literally free. After the initial construction expense, there are no running expenses, other than adding manure.
Cow & Transport
The world cattle population is close to one billion out of which over 200 million indigenous cows reside in India. This accounts for one-fifth of the world's cattle population. In recent years, some economists have come to agree that cow is essential to the world's economy. Cows are a great natural resource. They eat only grass -which grows everywhere - and generates more power than all of the generating plants in developing countries. Many developing countries runs on bullock power. In India, some 15 million bullock carts move approximately 15 billion tons of goods across the nation. Newer studies in energetics have shown that bullocks do two-thirds of the work on the average farm in developing countries. Electricity and fossil fuels account for only 10%. Bullocks not only pull heavy loads, but also grind the sugarcane and turn the oil presses. In India itself, converting from bullocks to machinery would cost an estimated $300 billion plus maintenance and replacement costs.
Agricultural is still the mainstay of developing economies. Cow breeding and cow preservation are integral to it. 75 per cent of Indians live in villages and despite the compulsions of modernisation, tractors are not suitable for small land holdings unlike in the US and UK. In US the land available to each person is around 14 acre; in India it is around 0.70 acre. A tractor consumes diesel, creates pollution, doesn't eat grass nor produces dung for manure. So for Indian conditions ploughing is still ideal. Even Albert Einstein, in a letter to Sir CV Raman, wrote: "Tell the people of India, that if they want to survive and show the world path to survive, then they should forget about tractor and preserve their ancient tradition of ploughing."
Agricultural is still the mainstay of developing economies. Cow breeding and cow preservation are integral to it. 75 per cent of Indians live in villages and despite the compulsions of modernisation, tractors are not suitable for small land holdings unlike in the US and UK. In US the land available to each person is around 14 acre; in India it is around 0.70 acre. A tractor consumes diesel, creates pollution, doesn't eat grass nor produces dung for manure. So for Indian conditions ploughing is still ideal. Even Albert Einstein, in a letter to Sir CV Raman, wrote: "Tell the people of India, that if they want to survive and show the world path to survive, then they should forget about tractor and preserve their ancient tradition of ploughing."
Cow & Spiritual Well-being
The cow symbolizes Earth, the nourisher, the ever-giving kind mother. The cow represents life and the sustenance of life. The cow is so generous, taking nothing but grass and chaff and giving the most valuable of foods in return. It gives and gives milk just as the liberated souls bestow spiritual knowledge. The cow is so vital to life, the virtual sustainer of life for the mankind. The cow is a symbol of grace and abundance. Veneration for the cow instills in human beings the virtues of gentleness, receptivity and connection with nature.
Many holy books mention milk; Bible contains references to the land of milk and honey. In the Quran, there is a request to wonder on milk as follows: 'And surely in the livestock there is a lesson for you, We give you to drink of that which is in their bellies from the midst of digested food and blood, pure milk palatable for the drinkers.'(16-The Honeybee, 66). The Ramadhan fast is traditionally broken with a glass of milk and dates.
Many holy books mention milk; Bible contains references to the land of milk and honey. In the Quran, there is a request to wonder on milk as follows: 'And surely in the livestock there is a lesson for you, We give you to drink of that which is in their bellies from the midst of digested food and blood, pure milk palatable for the drinkers.'(16-The Honeybee, 66). The Ramadhan fast is traditionally broken with a glass of milk and dates.
Cow & Development of Human Qualities
Serene by temperament, herbivorous by diet, the very appearance of a white cow evokes a sense of piety. Srila Prabhupada explains this phenomenon, “The body can be maintained by any kind of foodstuff, but 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. A civilized man is expected to live on foodstuffs comprising fruits, vegetables, grains, sugar and milk. The bull helps in the agricultural process of producing grain, etc., and thus in one sense the bull is the father of humankind, whereas the cow is the mother, for she supplies milk to human society. A civilized man is therefore expected to give all protection to the bulls and cows.” (SB 3.5.7)
Srila Prabhupada further says, “If we really want to cultivate the human spirit in society we must have first-class intelligent men to guide the society, and to develop the finer tissues of our brains we must assimilate vitamin values from milk. Devotees worship Lord Sri Krsna by addressing Him as the well-wisher of the brahmanas and the cows. The most intelligent class of men, who have perfectly attained knowledge in spiritual values, are called the brahmanas. No society can improve in transcendental knowledge without the guidance of such first-class men, and no brain can assimilate the subtle form of knowledge without fine brain tissues. For such important brain tissues we require a sufficient quantity of milk and milk preparations. Ultimately, we need to protect the cow to derive the highest benefit from this important animal. The protection of cows, therefore, is not merely a religious sentiment but a means to secure the highest benefit for human society. (Light of Bhagavata 27)
Srila Prabhupada further says, “If we really want to cultivate the human spirit in society we must have first-class intelligent men to guide the society, and to develop the finer tissues of our brains we must assimilate vitamin values from milk. Devotees worship Lord Sri Krsna by addressing Him as the well-wisher of the brahmanas and the cows. The most intelligent class of men, who have perfectly attained knowledge in spiritual values, are called the brahmanas. No society can improve in transcendental knowledge without the guidance of such first-class men, and no brain can assimilate the subtle form of knowledge without fine brain tissues. For such important brain tissues we require a sufficient quantity of milk and milk preparations. Ultimately, we need to protect the cow to derive the highest benefit from this important animal. The protection of cows, therefore, is not merely a religious sentiment but a means to secure the highest benefit for human society. (Light of Bhagavata 27)
Cow & World Peace
We can expect peace only as long as our cows come back home. We can remain in peace only as long as we let other living beings live in peace. If we are not willing to spare peace, we should not expect to live in peace also. Those who clamor for peace should know that animals have as much right to exist in God’s creation as we have. Human wrongs can never undermine animal rights.
Srila Prabhupada explains, “The bull is the emblem of the moral principle, and the cow is the representative of the earth. When the bull and the cow are in a joyful mood, it is to be understood that the people of the world are also in a joyful mood. The reason is that the bull helps production of grains in the agricultural field, and the cow delivers milk, the miracle of aggregate food values. The human society, therefore, maintains these two important animals very carefully so that they can wander everywhere in cheerfulness. But at the present moment in this age of Kali both the bull and the cow are now being slaughtered and eaten up as foodstuff by a class of men who do not know the brahminical culture. The bull and the cow can be protected for the good of all human society simply by the spreading of brahminical culture as the topmost perfection of all cultural affairs. By advancement of such culture, the morale of society is properly maintained, and so peace and prosperity are also attained without extraneous effort.” (Srimad Bhagavatam 1.16.18)
Srila Prabhupada adds, “The next symptom of the age of Kali is the distressed condition of the cow. Milking the cow means drawing the principles of religion in a liquid form. The great rishis and munis (sages) would live only on milk. Srila Sukadeva Gosvami would go to a householder while he was milking a cow, and he would simply take a little quantity of it for subsistence. Even fifty years ago, no one would deprive a sadhu of a quart or two of milk, and every householder would give milk like water. For a Sanatanist (a follower of Vedic principles) it is the duty of every householder to have cows and bulls as household paraphernalia, not only for drinking milk, but also for deriving religious principles. The Sanatanist worships cows on religious principles and respects brahmanas. The cow's milk is required for the sacrificial fire, and by performing sacrifices the householder can be happy. The cow's calf not only is beautiful to look at, but also gives satisfaction to the cow, and so she delivers as much milk as possible. But in the Kali-yuga, the calves are separated from the cows as early as possible for purposes which may not be mentioned in these pages of Srimad-Bhagavatam. The cow stands with tears in her eyes, the sudra milkman draws milk from the cow artificially, and when there is no milk the cow is sent to be slaughtered. These greatly sinful acts are responsible for all the troubles in present society. People do not know what they are doing in the name of economic development. The influence of Kali will keep them in the darkness of ignorance. Despite all endeavors for peace and prosperity, they must try to see the cows and the bulls happy in all respects. Foolish people do not know how one earns happiness by making the cows and bulls happy, but it is a fact by the law of nature. Let us take it from the authority of Srimad-Bhagavatam and adopt the principles for the total happiness of humanity. (SB 1.17.3)
Srila Prabhupada further continues, “Panca-gavya, the five products received from the cow, namely milk, yogurt, ghee, cow dung and cow urine, are required in all ritualistic ceremonies performed according to the Vedic directions. Cow urine and cow dung are uncontaminated, and since even the urine and dung of a cow are important, we can just imagine how important this animal is for human civilization. Therefore the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krsna, directly advocates go-raksya, the protection of cows. Civilized men who follow the system of varnasrama, especially those of the vaisya class, who engage in agriculture and trade, must give protection to the cows. Unfortunately, because people in Kali-yuga are mandah, all bad, and sumanda-matayah, misled by false conceptions of life, they are killing cows in the thousands. Therefore they are unfortunate in spiritual consciousness, and nature disturbs them in so many ways, especially through incurable diseases like cancer and through frequent wars among nations. As long as human society continues to allow cows to be regularly killed in slaughterhouses, there cannot be any question of peace and prosperity.” (SB 8.8.11)
Srila Prabhupada explains, “The bull is the emblem of the moral principle, and the cow is the representative of the earth. When the bull and the cow are in a joyful mood, it is to be understood that the people of the world are also in a joyful mood. The reason is that the bull helps production of grains in the agricultural field, and the cow delivers milk, the miracle of aggregate food values. The human society, therefore, maintains these two important animals very carefully so that they can wander everywhere in cheerfulness. But at the present moment in this age of Kali both the bull and the cow are now being slaughtered and eaten up as foodstuff by a class of men who do not know the brahminical culture. The bull and the cow can be protected for the good of all human society simply by the spreading of brahminical culture as the topmost perfection of all cultural affairs. By advancement of such culture, the morale of society is properly maintained, and so peace and prosperity are also attained without extraneous effort.” (Srimad Bhagavatam 1.16.18)
Srila Prabhupada adds, “The next symptom of the age of Kali is the distressed condition of the cow. Milking the cow means drawing the principles of religion in a liquid form. The great rishis and munis (sages) would live only on milk. Srila Sukadeva Gosvami would go to a householder while he was milking a cow, and he would simply take a little quantity of it for subsistence. Even fifty years ago, no one would deprive a sadhu of a quart or two of milk, and every householder would give milk like water. For a Sanatanist (a follower of Vedic principles) it is the duty of every householder to have cows and bulls as household paraphernalia, not only for drinking milk, but also for deriving religious principles. The Sanatanist worships cows on religious principles and respects brahmanas. The cow's milk is required for the sacrificial fire, and by performing sacrifices the householder can be happy. The cow's calf not only is beautiful to look at, but also gives satisfaction to the cow, and so she delivers as much milk as possible. But in the Kali-yuga, the calves are separated from the cows as early as possible for purposes which may not be mentioned in these pages of Srimad-Bhagavatam. The cow stands with tears in her eyes, the sudra milkman draws milk from the cow artificially, and when there is no milk the cow is sent to be slaughtered. These greatly sinful acts are responsible for all the troubles in present society. People do not know what they are doing in the name of economic development. The influence of Kali will keep them in the darkness of ignorance. Despite all endeavors for peace and prosperity, they must try to see the cows and the bulls happy in all respects. Foolish people do not know how one earns happiness by making the cows and bulls happy, but it is a fact by the law of nature. Let us take it from the authority of Srimad-Bhagavatam and adopt the principles for the total happiness of humanity. (SB 1.17.3)
Srila Prabhupada further continues, “Panca-gavya, the five products received from the cow, namely milk, yogurt, ghee, cow dung and cow urine, are required in all ritualistic ceremonies performed according to the Vedic directions. Cow urine and cow dung are uncontaminated, and since even the urine and dung of a cow are important, we can just imagine how important this animal is for human civilization. Therefore the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krsna, directly advocates go-raksya, the protection of cows. Civilized men who follow the system of varnasrama, especially those of the vaisya class, who engage in agriculture and trade, must give protection to the cows. Unfortunately, because people in Kali-yuga are mandah, all bad, and sumanda-matayah, misled by false conceptions of life, they are killing cows in the thousands. Therefore they are unfortunate in spiritual consciousness, and nature disturbs them in so many ways, especially through incurable diseases like cancer and through frequent wars among nations. As long as human society continues to allow cows to be regularly killed in slaughterhouses, there cannot be any question of peace and prosperity.” (SB 8.8.11)
The central fact of Hinduism is cow protection.
~ Gandhi
Cow & Sustainable Development
Development and progress of world today is like progress of moths into fire. We are running at great speed but we are on the wrong road. We are too busy with speedometer to see the milestone. Vedic India presents an ideal example of sustainable development wherein perfect harmony exists between nature, mankind, other life forms and God. Vedic text, Srimad Bhagavatam presents a picture of Cow based sustainable development five thousand years ago during the rule of Pandava dynasty.
Srila Prabhupada says, “So Maharaja Yudhisthira was so pious that during his reign time, kamam vavarsa parjanyah [SB 1.10.4]. There was regular rainfall and everything was produced nicely. Sarva-kama-dugha mahi. Sarva-kama. The, another side is that you don't require industries, factories. You don't require. If you have got land and cow, then everything is complete. This is basic principle of Vedic civilization. Have some land. Have some cows. Dhanyena dhanavan gavayah dhanavan. Not industry. There is no need of industry. Because you want some food, nice food, nice milk, nice fruit, that will be produced by nature. You cannot manufacture all these things in the factory. So therefore at the present moment, the big, big factories, they are the activities of the asuras (demons), ugra-karma. All the people are dragged in the city, industrial area, to engage them in the produce of iron bars, big, big iron bars, Tata iron industry, and so many other industry. Capitalists, they have drawn all the innocent people from the village. And they think that "We are getting fat salary." But what is the use of fat salary? One side you get fat salary; another side you have to purchase three rupees a kilo rice. Finish your salary. This is going on. Let them produce their own food. Let him have some land. Let him produce his own food. Let there be cows. Let cows become happy.
Now here is very important word, that payasodhasvatir muda, udhasvatir muda. They were very jolly because they can understand whether they are going to be killed or not. Because they have got, they're animal, they have got sense. I have seen in your country, almost all cows are crying. Because in the beginning, all the calves are taken away and slaughtered in their presence. Perhaps you know. So what is the position of the cow? I have seen when we purchase cows, the calves are already taken away. The cow was crying, regular tears were gliding down. So they can understand that... Who cannot understand? Suppose if you are taken in the concentrated camp? Just like the Germans did. What is the meaning of concentrated...? That he'll be killed after some days. So how can you be happy? If you are already informed, condemned to death, and kept in a concentration camp, will you be happy? Similarly, when these people take these cows to the slaughterhouse, animal stock room, godown, they understand. Very recently, about few years ago, some..., that animal stock store was some way or other broken and all the cows began to... Perhaps you know. It was published in the... And they were shot down. Shot to death. They were fleeing like anything, that "We shall save ourselves."
So if the cows are not happy, if they are always afraid, that "This rascal will kill us at any moment," then how they can be happy? There was no such thing. Therefore it is said: muda. Muda. Happy. And as soon as the cows are happy, you not only get sufficient milk, but the pasturing ground, I mean to say, ground, becomes moist with milk. So much milk supplied. Here it is stated, payasa udhasvatir muda. Yes. There is another description. Formerly, Krsna's cows, when they were passing on, the whole road will be moistened with milk. Milk supply was so sufficient. Simply manufacture butter, milk products, dahi... Distribute. Krsna was distributing amongst the monkeys even: "Take," the monkey, "come on."
So by Krsna's grace if we actually become dharmic, follow Krsna, the milk supply will be so profuse that everyone, even the animals can take the butter and yogurt. That is wanted. That is civilization. Produce sufficient quantity of grains, let the milk, cows, supply sufficient quantity of milk. All economic question solved. There is no use of industry. No use of man's going fifty miles to work. No, there is no need. Simply land and cows. Here is the statement. Kamam parjanyah, vavarsa parjanyah sarva-kama-dugha. Everything you'll get from the land. Even luxury articles. What can be more luxurious article than the jewels? The jewels are also produced. The medicine is produced, the minerals are produced, gold is produced, diamond is produced from the earth. Sarva-kamadugha. You get everything. Make your civilization very perfect, very luxurious simply by satisfying Krsna. This is Krsna consciousness movement.” (Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.10.4 --Mayapura, June 19, 1973)
Srila Prabhupada says, “So Maharaja Yudhisthira was so pious that during his reign time, kamam vavarsa parjanyah [SB 1.10.4]. There was regular rainfall and everything was produced nicely. Sarva-kama-dugha mahi. Sarva-kama. The, another side is that you don't require industries, factories. You don't require. If you have got land and cow, then everything is complete. This is basic principle of Vedic civilization. Have some land. Have some cows. Dhanyena dhanavan gavayah dhanavan. Not industry. There is no need of industry. Because you want some food, nice food, nice milk, nice fruit, that will be produced by nature. You cannot manufacture all these things in the factory. So therefore at the present moment, the big, big factories, they are the activities of the asuras (demons), ugra-karma. All the people are dragged in the city, industrial area, to engage them in the produce of iron bars, big, big iron bars, Tata iron industry, and so many other industry. Capitalists, they have drawn all the innocent people from the village. And they think that "We are getting fat salary." But what is the use of fat salary? One side you get fat salary; another side you have to purchase three rupees a kilo rice. Finish your salary. This is going on. Let them produce their own food. Let him have some land. Let him produce his own food. Let there be cows. Let cows become happy.
Now here is very important word, that payasodhasvatir muda, udhasvatir muda. They were very jolly because they can understand whether they are going to be killed or not. Because they have got, they're animal, they have got sense. I have seen in your country, almost all cows are crying. Because in the beginning, all the calves are taken away and slaughtered in their presence. Perhaps you know. So what is the position of the cow? I have seen when we purchase cows, the calves are already taken away. The cow was crying, regular tears were gliding down. So they can understand that... Who cannot understand? Suppose if you are taken in the concentrated camp? Just like the Germans did. What is the meaning of concentrated...? That he'll be killed after some days. So how can you be happy? If you are already informed, condemned to death, and kept in a concentration camp, will you be happy? Similarly, when these people take these cows to the slaughterhouse, animal stock room, godown, they understand. Very recently, about few years ago, some..., that animal stock store was some way or other broken and all the cows began to... Perhaps you know. It was published in the... And they were shot down. Shot to death. They were fleeing like anything, that "We shall save ourselves."
So if the cows are not happy, if they are always afraid, that "This rascal will kill us at any moment," then how they can be happy? There was no such thing. Therefore it is said: muda. Muda. Happy. And as soon as the cows are happy, you not only get sufficient milk, but the pasturing ground, I mean to say, ground, becomes moist with milk. So much milk supplied. Here it is stated, payasa udhasvatir muda. Yes. There is another description. Formerly, Krsna's cows, when they were passing on, the whole road will be moistened with milk. Milk supply was so sufficient. Simply manufacture butter, milk products, dahi... Distribute. Krsna was distributing amongst the monkeys even: "Take," the monkey, "come on."
So by Krsna's grace if we actually become dharmic, follow Krsna, the milk supply will be so profuse that everyone, even the animals can take the butter and yogurt. That is wanted. That is civilization. Produce sufficient quantity of grains, let the milk, cows, supply sufficient quantity of milk. All economic question solved. There is no use of industry. No use of man's going fifty miles to work. No, there is no need. Simply land and cows. Here is the statement. Kamam parjanyah, vavarsa parjanyah sarva-kama-dugha. Everything you'll get from the land. Even luxury articles. What can be more luxurious article than the jewels? The jewels are also produced. The medicine is produced, the minerals are produced, gold is produced, diamond is produced from the earth. Sarva-kamadugha. You get everything. Make your civilization very perfect, very luxurious simply by satisfying Krsna. This is Krsna consciousness movement.” (Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.10.4 --Mayapura, June 19, 1973)
Cow & Environmental Protection
Vedic culture’s concern for nature and life in general is reflected in an attitude of reverence towards the cow. Cow represents the Vedic values of selfless service, strength, dignity, and non-violence. For these reasons, although not all Hindus are vegetarian, they traditionally abstain from eating beef.
Vedic seers could see into the future... to our time when we would feed cows ground up cows and make mad cow disease... a time when mankind would be all bad... they saw us abusing everything...from our fellow creatures to nature all around us.
Africans for thousands of years used cow dung cakes as fuel. 18th and 19th century missionaries taught them to give up this ‘uncivilized’ practice. People turned to forests for fuel and in no time the continent went bald.
The cow dung is an important source of producing non-conventional energy. It is a substitute for firewood and electricity. As a result, the forests can be conserved and their faunal wealth can be enriched.
Every single aspect of cow protection interweaves with the protection of our environment. In fact, care for cow represents care for life and nature in general. The cow is central to our life and bio-diversity. Cow protection has a great potential in poverty alleviation and employment generation. It deserves full support at all levels.
Vedic seers could see into the future... to our time when we would feed cows ground up cows and make mad cow disease... a time when mankind would be all bad... they saw us abusing everything...from our fellow creatures to nature all around us.
Africans for thousands of years used cow dung cakes as fuel. 18th and 19th century missionaries taught them to give up this ‘uncivilized’ practice. People turned to forests for fuel and in no time the continent went bald.
The cow dung is an important source of producing non-conventional energy. It is a substitute for firewood and electricity. As a result, the forests can be conserved and their faunal wealth can be enriched.
Every single aspect of cow protection interweaves with the protection of our environment. In fact, care for cow represents care for life and nature in general. The cow is central to our life and bio-diversity. Cow protection has a great potential in poverty alleviation and employment generation. It deserves full support at all levels.
Cow & Higher Consciousness
Cow milk nourishes human brain. Body can be maintained by any kind of food but to develop higher faculties, we require cow’s milk. Human beings have a higher function to discharge and that requires finer brain tissues.
Srila Prabhupada says, “Those who are animal killers, their brain is dull as stone. They cannot understand any thing. Therefore meat-eating should be stopped. In order to revive the finer tissues of the brain to understand subtle things, one must give up meat-eating.” (Bhagavad-gita 2.18 - London, August 24, 1973)
Srila Prabhupada further adds, “The brahmana cannot take any other food except it is made of milk preparation. That develops the finer tissues of the brain. You can understand in subtle matters, in philosophy, in spiritual science. Just like in a scientific college, not ordinary man can understand the scientific intricacies. They require some preliminary qualification to enter into the scientific college. They require some preliminary qualification to enter into the law college, in the postgraduate classes. Similarly, to understand the subtle or finer implications of spiritual science, one has to become a first class human being. (Lecture - Los Angeles, December 4, 1968)
Srila Prabhupada says, “Those who are animal killers, their brain is dull as stone. They cannot understand any thing. Therefore meat-eating should be stopped. In order to revive the finer tissues of the brain to understand subtle things, one must give up meat-eating.” (Bhagavad-gita 2.18 - London, August 24, 1973)
Srila Prabhupada further adds, “The brahmana cannot take any other food except it is made of milk preparation. That develops the finer tissues of the brain. You can understand in subtle matters, in philosophy, in spiritual science. Just like in a scientific college, not ordinary man can understand the scientific intricacies. They require some preliminary qualification to enter into the scientific college. They require some preliminary qualification to enter into the law college, in the postgraduate classes. Similarly, to understand the subtle or finer implications of spiritual science, one has to become a first class human being. (Lecture - Los Angeles, December 4, 1968)
