Sacred Cow in Indian Culture – Gomatha’s Role in Rituals, Farming & Heritage

 

Reverence

• The cow is revered as Gomatha (Mother Cow), considered equivalent to one’s own mother.
• Provides milk, the closest substitute to mother’s milk, ensuring nourishment.
• Traditionally, every household maintained cows, symbolizing auspiciousness and prosperity.

Utility & Science

• Cow dung: Antiseptic properties, used in purification and modern bio-gas production.
• Cow urine: Integral to Ayurvedic preparations, now researched for medicinal potential.
• Panchagavya: Mixture of cow products (milk, curd, ghee, urine, dung) used for purification and organic farming.

Rituals & Worship

• Mentioned in daily prayers (gobrahmanebhya: subhamastu).
• Govatsa Dwadashi: Worship of cow and calf, believed to cleanse sins.
• Go Puja: Daily ritual in Vishnu temples.
• Godana (cow donation): Considered a supreme act of merit, helping cross the mythical Vaitarini river after death.

Scriptural References

• Manu Smriti:
• Arsha marriage involved gifting cows.
• Ancestors satisfied by offerings of milk and milk-rice.
• Land purified by cow dung/urine.
• Vedas: Praise gifting cows to gurus as Gurudakshina.

Mythology & Legends

• Kamadhenu: Celestial wish-fulfilling cow.
• Nandini (Vasishta’s cow) and Susila (Jamadagni’s cow) worshipped in ashramas.
• Krishna as Gopala/Govinda: Protector of cows, lifted Govardhana hill to safeguard them.
• Goloka: Eternal abode of Krishna, described as “cow heaven.”

Agriculture & Economy

• Cows vital for organic farming, enriching soil fertility and plant immunity.
• Panchagavya used as a natural growth promoter.
• Dairy products sustain rural livelihoods, ensuring self-sustaining rural ecosystems.