Whose cow is a sacred animal. Indian sacred cow

In India, all animals are sacred, but in the animal pantheon Holy cow occupies the main place. For Hindus, a cow is equated to the status of a mother, because this animal is characterized by such maternal qualities as modesty, kindness, wisdom and calmness. In India, a cow is called "Gau Mata", which literally translates as "Mother Cow". Therefore, while on vacation in India, it is forbidden to shout at a cow, beat it, and, especially, eat beef.

There are several legends that tell how the cow became a sacred animal for Hindus. And they are all very interesting. According to Hindu mythology, in order for a Hindu to reach heaven after death, he must swim across a river. This can only be done with the help of a cow, holding on to its tail. Puranas (ancient sacred text Hinduism) says that the Gods, creating the ocean, took from it the cow Kamdhenu, who could fulfill any desire. Hindus believe that every cow is a Kamdehena and can also fulfill human wishes if loved and respected. The cow is a wet nurse because milk and all dairy products are very beneficial for human health.

According to the ancients scriptures, then Krishna, the most revered deity in India, was a cow herder, and treated these animals with trepidation. Therefore, the profession of a shepherd is considered honorable and blessed by God in Hinduism.

Even now, in modern era, the people of India are sensitive to their symbol of motherhood. The cow in this country is protected by law. Moreover, the Indian government strictly ensures that its regulations are followed. So, no one has the right to drive away cows, and for killing an animal you can go to jail. These animals are allowed everything: to walk on pedestrian streets and the roadway, go into courtyards and vegetable gardens, relax on the beaches.

Sacred animals provide a kind of assistance to pedestrians. Every driver in India is sure to let a cow pass, even if it stops in the middle of the road. But in this country it is not customary to let pedestrians pass. Therefore, local residents and tourists, in order to cross a busy highway, wait for the animal and cross the street with it.

Hindus keep a cow as long as it is healthy and produces milk. As soon as a sacred cow grows old, it is kicked out of the yard. It's not that the owners are cruel and heartless, but they have no other choice. They cannot send a cow to slaughter for obvious reasons, but the death of the sacred nurse in the house is considered a sin.

If such a misfortune were to happen in someone’s yard, the owner would be obliged to make a pilgrimage to the sacred Indian cities. In addition, the owner of a dead cow undertakes to feed all the priests of his city. Many people cannot afford such atonement for sin, so the easiest way is to send the cow home. This to some extent explains the fact that there are so many of these representatives of artiodactyls walking along the streets in India.

The Vedic teaching is very popular among Indians, in which milk is considered the most valuable product on the planet. Some believe that constant consumption of milk can make a person immortal. However, not only milk, but also other cow products in Ayurveda are endowed with supernatural properties. For example, cow dung can protect against evil spirits and dark forces. It is diluted with water and a cleansing ritual is carried out, wiping the floors and walls of homes with the solution.

Many people know or have at least heard that the cow in India is a sacred animal! She is not killed, not eaten, she is worshiped, and her rights are protected no less than the rights of the people themselves. But how many people have wondered why?

Why a cow and not an elephant, for example? Or not a tiger? Or not a lion? Or not a monkey? Why a cow???

Let's try to figure it out...

Version 1. Religious.

India is Hinduism, and in fact it is more correct to say that The cow is sacred not in India, but in Hinduism! Therefore, let’s say in neighboring Nepal, where the majority of the population is also Hindu (and not Buddhists as they think), the cow is no less sacred! So what is sacred about a cow in Hinduism?

Ancient Hindu texts speak of a certain sacred cow, Surabhi (or Kamadhena), who could grant wishes. It is believed that a piece of this Surabhi is in any cow living on earth, and that if you ask correctly, any cow, like a goddess, can fulfill it!

Also in Hinduism, to get to heaven you need to swim across a river, and this can only be done with the help of a cow, holding on to its tail. And since a cow takes you to heaven, how can it not be sacred?

And finally, one of the main Hindu gods Shiva rides none other than the sacred cow (or bull) Nandi! And since Shiva himself chose a cow for this... then it is divine by definition! By the way, very often at the entrance to a Hindu temple there is a statue of a cow (or bull) Nandi. This is precisely the animal of Shiva, and in such a temple it is most likely Shiva who is worshiped.

Although the god Vishnu in the incarnation of Krishna for a long time spent with cows, working as a shepherd) So a shepherd in India, although a poorly paid job, is divine!

Version 2. Practical.

In addition to religion, there is also the ordinary earthly life of a Hindu, which is very closely connected with the cow!

Let's start with the fact that a cow gives milk (!), and milk is the food of babies and children. This means that a cow, like a mother, gives food for children to grow (especially when real mother cannot give it herself). That's what they call a cow in India - " gau-mata", which literally translates as mother cow! And in general, milk is very popular in India, they even brew tea in milk, and no one can do without butter religious ritual. What's it like without a cow?

Agriculture. What about a farm without a cow? A tractor is a rare pleasure and very expensive for an ordinary Indian. Do you need to plow someone's fields?

And cows are best suited for transportation in India. Gasoline is expensive, horses don’t take root here, and “traction” is needed for the carts!

And finally - cow poop! Judging by the scope of their application, they are more sacred than the cow itself))) Special firewood is made from them here, which burns well, and their smoke repels mosquitoes perfectly. They are used in construction, they are used in medicine, and of course they are excellent fertilizers!

What about meat? But they don’t eat meat here! Religion Hinduism implies abstaining from meat, and most true Hindus are vegetarians. By the way, giving up beef in Hinduism is the first step towards vegetarianism!

As a result, we have a completely sacred animal that can do whatever it wants in the vastness of India and nothing will happen to it for it. She can go out onto the busiest street during rush hour and stand in the middle of the road, causing traffic jams for many kilometers, and NOBODY will dare to come out and drive her away. They will honk and wait... Of course, this is a shock for us, but that’s how they live)

There are a lot of stray cows in India, and to feed such a cow is holy cause! Therefore, in India, give the first piece to a hungry cow, and then eat the second one yourself!

So when you are in India, take into account the sacredness of cows, do not offend the animals, let them eat, and most importantly, do not order steaks, beefsteak or beef stroganoff in Indian cafes and restaurants!

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India has always attracted the attention of our people, and often this attention turns into sympathy for the “land of contrasts.” Regular author of Realnoe Vremya Natalia Fedorova talks about her experience of getting to know the culture and customs of this country. Today we bring to your attention the first part of her notes, dedicated to the sacred animal of the Hindus.

“What, are you going to worship a sacred cow?”

Perhaps this was the first thing my relatives said when they found out that I was interested in the culture of India and was going to live there for some time. Indeed, the idea of ​​some kind of sacred cow seems ridiculous and naive to those who, like me, were raised in the city and perceive the cow as nothing more than a peace-loving animal, a source of milk and meat. Well, or such a kind cartoon character in a white cap and apron. What is there to worship here?

When I studied Indian history, I was surprised by the fact that in 1914-1917, when Indian villages were struck by drought and Indians were dying of hunger, their traditions and pride did not allow them to even think of their large livestock as food. At that time, only people of the lower classes could eat meat in India, and they were only allowed meat from wild animals. And to this day, beef is not allowed to be sold publicly in some parts of India.

Popular eateries in India sell hamburgers, but the meat is chicken or lamb. Religious Hindus, of which there are many in the country, will never eat beef. In the past, pious Indians refused animal food altogether, but now, as my friend, who married a Hindu and has lived in this country for a long time, told me, they eat fish and chicken, although not often, for example once a week.

However, the inhabitants of India are not only people who adhere to the traditions of Hinduism, which prohibits the killing of cows, but also Muslims, whom their religion, as is known, allows them to eat beef. And under the influence of Western ideas, Indians are gradually adhering to their rules less and less strictly. And, by the way, India today ranks third in beef exports in the world.

Cows walking along the roads

In the small Indian towns I visited, as well as on the outskirts of cities more cows walking along the roads is a common occurrence. Cars, bicycles and motorcycles are forced to go around them without complaint, and pedestrians are forced to go around them. These can be young heifers or calves, whose necks are tied with colored ribbons or hung with bells, as well as adult and even old cows. You can just walk up and pet the cow, and she will look at you with her big, dark, wet eyes. Moreover, in India, white cows are common, with thin graceful legs, a small sloping hump and a medium-sized build. Fleshy and overweight breeds, which are usually bred in Russia, are not raised here.

Or you can even feed a cow by buying a cheap bunch of bananas from a street vendor. In holy places, local residents even make money by selling bunches from their carts. freshly cut grass, which pilgrims can offer to cows walking along the sidewalks.

However, now I have painted a picture for you through the eyes of a sentimental traveler. The truth is that all these cows walking along the roads are mostly homeless. They used to belong to poor people who could not support them, perhaps they are already old and cannot produce milk, or they are bulls for which the owners do not have money to feed. So these are homeless cows. To be fair, it must be said that compassionate Hindus sometimes feed homeless cows wandering the streets, when they approach their houses, they take out some food and do not drive them away.

And although this is concern, it is, of course, insufficient. Many cows are very thin, they lie on the roads or in the shade of trees and they feed not only on grass and leaves, but also, unfortunately, on bags and other plastic garbage that is found here. large quantities scattered everywhere. There are often cases when cows die after eating bags. In addition, they are increasingly being hit on highways. And there is another sad fact: if previously a Hindu would never sell his cow for slaughter, even dying of hunger, today morals are such that the poor often sell their cows to Muslims, who sell them for meat and leather.

Why are cows revered?

I told you about the manifestations of an already degrading Indian culture, but the philosophy of worshiping cows itself is very deep and deserves attention. And I will begin my story about her not from India, but from the Russian outback, from an old half-abandoned village on the banks of the Kama River, where 90-year-old Lyubov Fedorovna Krylova is living out her life. I had the opportunity to communicate with her for many hours as I collected the memories of old-timers. Lyubov Fedorovna worked as a milkmaid on a collective farm all her life. Here are her words: “My cow Milka got old, they took her to the procurement office and loaded her onto a cart. I still can’t remember. I tied her up. And she looked back at me, let me lick my hands and moo. Nurse. We drink its milk. I can't. They are like people, these cows. I can't eat cow's meat because of this. I just can't eat beef. They are like people. They all have some kind of character. I worked as a milkmaid. You will tie 16 heads. Which one is painfully smart, and which one is shameless. She will eat hers and crawl next to her. And the hostess turns around and complains: mooooo. They say she will eat everything from me. Well, how to count? Like people right, I can’t.”

Nurses, mothers - these are the words Russian peasant women called their cows. And every Hindu who has not deviated from his traditions can understand Lyubov Fedorovna. In India, a cow is called gomata (“go” - cow, “mata” - mother). The fact that the cow is a sacred animal is reported in many revealed scriptures. For example, they say that a person has only seven mothers - the one who gave birth to him; the one who fed him with her milk; wife of a spiritual master; priest's wife; the king's wife; mother earth and mother cow. She who fed us with her milk is our mother. So if we drink breast milk cows, then she is our mother.

There is another important reason for Hindus' love for cows. In India there is a strong tradition of worshiping demigods - representatives various forces nature, the god of wind, the god of fire and so on. Above all these demigods stands Supreme God, a person who has many names, and among them the main ones are Krishna and Govinda. Govinda translates as "one who loves and protects cows." The scriptures contain the story that one day God was born in this material world in an ordinary village, as a charming boy, he, along with other boys, herded calves, played the flute and feasted on butter, yoghurt, sandesh and other delicacies made from milk. Cows enjoyed his special favor. The scriptures say that in spiritual world The Lord amuses himself in the same way with his friends, surrounded by cows, which are called Surabhi there because they have an inexhaustible supply of milk flowing from their udders from the strength of their bodies. mother's love to Govinda.

The culture of worshiping this image of the Lord is very strong in India, and in various ancient temples you can see images of happy cows around a beautiful bluish-skinned cowherd boy dancing and playing the flute.

Do cows have souls?

Most of us have probably never asked this question. I hadn't thought about it before either. Traditional religions in our area contain commandments prohibiting murder, but this is interpreted precisely as a ban on killing a person. And since, according to Abrahamic religions, animals are deprived of souls, they are intended as food for people. However, Vedic philosophy states that every Living being- including the ant, elephant, bacterium and cow - this is a soul embodied in a certain body in accordance with the actions that it performed in its past life. To paraphrase Vysotsky’s famous song, if a living creature has inclinations towards a pig’s life, then it will be born a pig. And the higher a living being is on the evolutionary ladder, that is, the more developed its consciousness is, the more sinful it will be to take its life. Therefore there is a big difference between picking and eating a leaf of lettuce (which is also a living thing) and killing an animal, not to mention a person. Therefore, killing a cow is considered a grave sin and is equivalent to killing a mother.

Dung and cow urine

Now let's talk about economics. In earlier times, wealth was calculated not by the number of mythical figures in a bank account, but by how many cows and grain a person had. This was precisely the indicator of prosperity and stability of society not only in India, but also in other countries. traditional cultures in many countries of the world.

The scriptures of India, which have survived to this day, contain not only spiritual instructions, but also completely practical guide about how to prosper economically. Much attention they focus on cows. It says that all five substances that come from the cow are pure and can be used in both cooking and medicine. It's about about milk, sour milk (yogurt), ghee, manure and urine.

Manure can do more than just fertilize the soil. Dung cakes, which villagers still dry on the walls of their houses, tree trunks and fences, can be used when cleaning the house. It has been scientifically proven that manure has antiseptic properties. The walls of houses are smeared with manure so that it is not so hot in the summer - it retains coolness well and after drying is practically odorless. Manure is also used to fire the stove. I once asked my grandmother how they in the village got rid of mosquitoes before the invention of fumigators, and even more so before the introduction of electricity. She said that in the evenings they lit a dung cake, put it in an iron bucket and placed it in the middle of the hut. Not only mosquitoes flew away from the smoke, but also, as it was believed, unclean spirits. Manure is also added to Ayurvedic remedies, medicines and cosmetics.

Cow urine is also medicine. Ayurvedic firms sell pure cow urine to cure various disorders of the body and add it to many formulations. There are huge enterprises in India that have become rich precisely by selling products based on cow products, for example, Patanjali and Govardhan.

Previously, people knew these secrets, so a cow, ceasing to give milk due to old age or calving, did not become a burden - not only in an ethical, but also in an economic sense. The same applies to bulls. As I already mentioned, bulls are used in agriculture until now: they plow the land, transport goods, there is an irrigation system based on bull power.

About the benefits of milk

The sacred scriptures of India, as opposed to newfangled theories about the dangers of milk, recommend drinking milk every day. The Hindu tradition is to drink sweetened hot milk with spices in the mornings and evenings. The lives of saints indicate that many hermits and ascetics ate only milk, since Ayurveda claims that milk contains everything necessary for healthy life elements. At the same time, it purifies our mind and promotes our spiritual development.

India is called the land of cows. However, the current situation is such that it is very difficult to find good cow's milk in India. Packaged milk in stores is basically a mixture of buffalo milk with cow's milk and still unknown additives. Hindus use it only to add it to tea. And the love for tea, instilled by the British, is so strong today that many local residents simply refuse milk. Those who want to drink it look for a milkman who delivers milk from his cows. But vouch for good quality This milk is also not needed - often it is also diluted. And cows that are allowed to walk the streets and eat everything are unlikely to produce milk that is healthy.

Natalia Fedorova, photo by Ananta Vrindavan and Indradyumna Swami

In India, all animals are sacred, but in the animal pantheon the Sacred Cow occupies the main place. For Hindus, a cow is equated to the status of a mother, because this animal is characterized by such maternal qualities as modesty, kindness, wisdom and calmness. In India, a cow is called "Gau Mata", which literally translates as "Mother Cow". Therefore, while on vacation in India, it is forbidden to shout at a cow, beat it, and, especially, eat beef.

Why did the cow become a sacred animal for Hindus? There are several legends that tell how the cow became a sacred animal for Hindus. And they are all very interesting. According to Hindu mythology, in order for a Hindu to reach heaven after death, he must swim across a river. This can only be done with the help of a cow, holding on to its tail. The Puranakh (an ancient sacred text of Hinduism) says that the Gods, creating the ocean, took out from it the cow Kamdhenu, who could fulfill any desire. Hindus believe that every cow is a Kamdehena and can also fulfill human wishes if loved and respected. The cow is a wet nurse because milk and all dairy products are very beneficial for human health. Interesting Facts associated with cows Because of its sacred status, a cow can roam absolutely anywhere in India. And no one has the right to drive out a sacred animal, even if it may cause damage to property. If a motorist sees a cow on the roadway, he will definitely go around it. Therefore, many tourists even specifically wait for cows to cross the road with them, since it is not customary in India to let pedestrians pass. Cow dung and urine are used in construction as well as medicine. Since most Hindus are vegetarians, they almost never take cows to slaughter, since killing a sacred animal is one of the worst sins. But as soon as a cow gets sick and/or stops giving milk, its owner immediately tries to drive her out into the street under any pretext. Because it is believed that if a cow dies in the house, then its owner must travel around all the sacred cities of India to cleanse himself of such a terrible sin. Returning from a pilgrimage, the owner of a dead cow is obliged to feed all the Brahmins who live in his village. Naturally, the Indians do not want to do this and for many reasons cannot. It is much more profitable and practical to let the cow live outside. That is why you can find such a large number of stray cows on the streets of India. Cows that find themselves on the street are not at all doomed to starvation. The fact is that every time a meal is prepared in a Hindu house, the first roti, that is, unleavened bread, always goes to the cow. Seeing a sacred animal on the street, a Hindu will call her over and treat her with delicacies offered to the Gods themselves on the altar. In the Hindu calendar there are favorable days, during which street cows are treated to sweets and grass, this is regarded as a very pious act. The profession of gopal (shepherd) has divine precedent. According to mythology, the god Vishnu once appeared on earth in the form of Krishna, who grew up in a shepherd's family and loved to play the flute for cows. Hindus consider cow's milk medicinal drink and perfect food. There are even several mantras that describe great benefit and the importance of this drink. Therefore, when vacationing in India, be very careful about this sacred animal so as not to offend local residents and not incur their wrath.

India is a country located in the southern part of Asia, most of it is located on the Hindustan Peninsula. This state washes Indian Ocean, namely its Bay of Bengal and Arabian Bay.

Fauna of India

This country is home to many species of mammals, birds, insects and reptiles. Animal world India is very diverse. The most common fauna here are camels, monkeys, elephants, cows, and snakes.

Camel

These are the most common animals in India, they are mainly used for transporting goods, as well as for riding, in ancient times they even took part in battles.

There are two types of this animal - dromedary and bactrian, that is, one-humped and two-humped. Camels are herbivores. They are able to feed on those desert plants that are not eaten by any other animals. This, for example, An adult animal weighs about 500-800 kilograms, and it lives for 30-50 years. The camel body is very well adapted to survive in the desert. Thanks to the specific shape of red blood cells, a camel can drink an impressive amount of water at one time - 60-100 liters. Thus, the animal makes a supply of fluid, which can last for two weeks. When a camel goes without water for a long time, its body gets it by burning fat, and the animal can lose most your weight. In India, the milk of this animal is often consumed. It has a number useful properties: it contains vitamins C and D, microelements (calcium, magnesium, iron and others). One more positive property of this product is that it contains very little casein, which makes milk difficult to digest.

Indian elephant

Elephants are also very common animals in India. In addition to the animal that lives in this state and bears the corresponding name, there is also another species of elephant - the African one. The Indian differs from it in that it has smaller ears and is smaller in size than the African. Another interesting thing is that both males and females have tusks, while in Indians only males have tusks. These animals are the largest land animals (they are surpassed in size only but they live in the ocean). Elephants are used as a means of transportation in the jungle. In India, these animals are very popular because of their docile nature. In addition, elephants often participate in religious celebrations.

Monkey

These are very common animals in India. Species such as macaques, langurs and others live here. Many even live in big cities.

King of Beasts - Indian Tiger

Now there are only 3,200 individuals of this species left on the territory of this state. Many of them live in mangrove forests. Previously, these animals often attacked people, so they were exterminated in large numbers, but hunting tigers is not easy.

What kind of snakes live in India?

The king cobra lives on the territory of this state. However, people very rarely suffer from its bites, since it lives far in the forests, hunting small animals there. Sand efa is also much more dangerous to humans. The first reaches 1.5-2 meters in length, has a rich yellow color and a dark pattern on the head, which is somewhat reminiscent of glasses, hence the name. The second belongs to the same family with vipers. Its length is small - about 70 centimeters. It's a snake Brown with a zigzag pattern on the sides.

Peacock

Many people associate these birds with Indian culture. They are often found not only in the mythology of a given country, but also in Persian and Islamic legends. Even in Christianity there is a mention of the peacock - it is a symbol of life. This bird is very common in Indian art - both in literature, music, and painting. Peacocks are very common in this state; they live almost everywhere.

What animals are considered sacred in India?

First of all, these are cows. Since ancient times, these are sacred animals of India. They were considered as such in Ancient Egypt. In the mythology of this country, there is a belief that after death you can get to heaven if you swim across the river while holding on to the tail of a cow. This is also due to the fact that the milk of this animal is very often consumed as food. Therefore, the cow is considered a symbol of life.

Another part of India is elephants. They are considered a symbol of wisdom, kindness and prudence, and are often depicted in homes and on temples. There are also sacred animals of India, which are representatives of certain gods. These are, for example, monkeys - they are considered the incarnation of the god Hanuman, an ally of Rama. In addition, rats are sacred animals in India. There is even a whole temple dedicated to them - thousands of these animals live there. There is a legend associated with them in India. According to her, Karni Mata was a Hindu saint, and when one of her children died, she began to pray to the god of death Yama to return her son to her, and he turned all her sons into rats. There is also a snake cult in India. According to ancient legends, these animals are the patrons of the waters of the valley. If we turn to mythology, we can find out that snakes are the sons of Kadru. In myths, these animals are described in human images, they are endowed with such traits as wisdom, beauty and strength. In addition, the peacock is also found in Indian mythology - Krishna’s headdress was decorated with its feathers. Temples dedicated to this god are painted with images of this bird.