COWS ARE COOL: LOVE ‘EM!
Appendix
Steps You Can Take To Protect and Serve Mother Cow
(Some of the following are excerpts from the Author’s earlier book, ‘Cow And Humanity - Made For Each Other’)
The first step in cow protection would be to stop eating them. Of course, in many cultures like Hindus of India, abstaining from beef is already in practice.
Every household can adopt a cow or can feel responsible for the livelihood of a cow. It does not necessarily mean personally taking care but it could be sponsoring a cow in one of the organizations that look after cows.
Traditional Hindus had many interesting practices related to cow protection which one may adapt as far as possible. Many families still continue their tradition in this regard.
In many homes, the first chapati (Indian bread) they cook is kept aside for cows. Since cooking is done at least twice a day, cows get a minimum of two chapatis from each family. The offering to God or saying grace is done with the second chapati. This means the cow’s share precedes that of God’s. Also vegetable and fruit peels and other leftovers are carefully collected for feeding them. Jaggery and molasses are their favorites and many families keep sufficient stock of these.
On social occasions like childbirth, marriage or bereavement, a portion of expenditure is dedicated towards cow protection. But these days billions of rupees are spent in lavish Hindu ceremonies like marriages but not a penny is spared for this cause. It was a tradition to seek the blessings of cow and bull on these auspicious occasions. When some one in the family fell sick, a cow would be fed and a prayer would be offered for quick recovery. Also water was kept in front of the house for stray cows and other animals and birds.
It was believed that a family would be comfortable if it kept its cows comfortably. A society’s well-being was gauged by the well-being of the cows. Vedic literatures mention that an entire family or nation can be doomed if the cows are in distress. If this is true than today’s society is unhappy because it has failed in its duty of cow protection.
Also it was common to set aside a certain percentage of income for the cows. Many families even now set aside one rupee a day for this purpose. When famine strikes, some families go out of their way to take care of the cows. It is not uncommon to find skinny human beings and well-fed cows. Traditionally, old cows and bulls were looked after just like old parents, with entire family tending to their needs.
Traditional educational system, taught in the gurukulas, emphasized the importance of cow protection. Today’s educational system discusses the benefits of cow slaughter and beef export. India is already a world leader in beef export. Many Brazilian and Australian companies are unable to compete and going bankrupt.
The virtue of kindness has to be inculcated from a tender age. Cow protection needs to be included in the standard curriculum. If Garuda (bird carrier of Lord Vishnu) can be the national symbol of an Islamic country like Indonesia, cow can definitely be the national animal of India.
In India, cow protection remains a hotly debated issue. Many organizations are struggling to get cow slaughter completely banned while the government is trying to modernize slaughterhouses and augment beef export earnings.
If cow keeping becomes economically viable, that will immediately stop cow slaughter in India. Farmers often sell their cattle unwillingly out of economic pressure. If people start using cow products like toothpaste, soaps, medicines, fertilizers, pesticides etc., there will be no more cows available for slaughter.
Main utility of cow is her dung and urine. Milk was always considered a byproduct. Today cow’s main function is to provide milk and meat.
Leaving aside all cow products, if Indians just take two spoons of cow urine distillate every morning, it will save many cows and health of the nation will improve dramatically. In turn it will save billions in health care. Cow based rural economy is the only way to go for the third world countries like India. That’s the only way the village economies can flourish and the masses can rise above the poverty line.
Cow is a mobile dispensary. Over 150 medicines are being manufactured out of cow products now. These medicines, known as ‘panchagavya chikitsa’ work like a charm.
This is the only viable system of medicine for Indian masses. Modern health care is a failure even in a country like America where it remains a hotly debated issue. Health care is a multi-trillion dollar industry with strong muscle and lobbying power. India in next five years is investing $216 billion in health care infrastructure but it will remain out of reach for over 90% of the population. Health care system based on cow products is cheap and effective. It is highly suitable for rural masses who have easy access to cows. Panchagavya centers can be established on village level not only in India but all over the third world.
Now many medical colleges have started courses on panchagavya and dedicated cow science universities (called Kamdhenu visvavidyalaya) are coming up.
Cow is the single fact which can unite numerous factions of Hinduism. No matter what is one’s path, every Hindu agrees on the universal practice of cow protection. In Hinduism, different schools of philosophical thought exist and some of them don’t see each other eye to eye. But still there is complete agreement on one point - cow protection.
Today’s younger generation is blamed for not showing enough respect to elders. In traditional India, children were taught to respect mother cow and bull from an early age and this training extended to their original parents. As old cows and bulls are slaughtered now, a time will come when old parents would similarly be killed and their organs exported.
Steps You Can Take To Protect and Serve Mother Cow
(Some of the following are excerpts from the Author’s earlier book, ‘Cow And Humanity - Made For Each Other’)
The first step in cow protection would be to stop eating them. Of course, in many cultures like Hindus of India, abstaining from beef is already in practice.
Every household can adopt a cow or can feel responsible for the livelihood of a cow. It does not necessarily mean personally taking care but it could be sponsoring a cow in one of the organizations that look after cows.
Traditional Hindus had many interesting practices related to cow protection which one may adapt as far as possible. Many families still continue their tradition in this regard.
In many homes, the first chapati (Indian bread) they cook is kept aside for cows. Since cooking is done at least twice a day, cows get a minimum of two chapatis from each family. The offering to God or saying grace is done with the second chapati. This means the cow’s share precedes that of God’s. Also vegetable and fruit peels and other leftovers are carefully collected for feeding them. Jaggery and molasses are their favorites and many families keep sufficient stock of these.
On social occasions like childbirth, marriage or bereavement, a portion of expenditure is dedicated towards cow protection. But these days billions of rupees are spent in lavish Hindu ceremonies like marriages but not a penny is spared for this cause. It was a tradition to seek the blessings of cow and bull on these auspicious occasions. When some one in the family fell sick, a cow would be fed and a prayer would be offered for quick recovery. Also water was kept in front of the house for stray cows and other animals and birds.
It was believed that a family would be comfortable if it kept its cows comfortably. A society’s well-being was gauged by the well-being of the cows. Vedic literatures mention that an entire family or nation can be doomed if the cows are in distress. If this is true than today’s society is unhappy because it has failed in its duty of cow protection.
Also it was common to set aside a certain percentage of income for the cows. Many families even now set aside one rupee a day for this purpose. When famine strikes, some families go out of their way to take care of the cows. It is not uncommon to find skinny human beings and well-fed cows. Traditionally, old cows and bulls were looked after just like old parents, with entire family tending to their needs.
Traditional educational system, taught in the gurukulas, emphasized the importance of cow protection. Today’s educational system discusses the benefits of cow slaughter and beef export. India is already a world leader in beef export. Many Brazilian and Australian companies are unable to compete and going bankrupt.
The virtue of kindness has to be inculcated from a tender age. Cow protection needs to be included in the standard curriculum. If Garuda (bird carrier of Lord Vishnu) can be the national symbol of an Islamic country like Indonesia, cow can definitely be the national animal of India.
In India, cow protection remains a hotly debated issue. Many organizations are struggling to get cow slaughter completely banned while the government is trying to modernize slaughterhouses and augment beef export earnings.
If cow keeping becomes economically viable, that will immediately stop cow slaughter in India. Farmers often sell their cattle unwillingly out of economic pressure. If people start using cow products like toothpaste, soaps, medicines, fertilizers, pesticides etc., there will be no more cows available for slaughter.
Main utility of cow is her dung and urine. Milk was always considered a byproduct. Today cow’s main function is to provide milk and meat.
Leaving aside all cow products, if Indians just take two spoons of cow urine distillate every morning, it will save many cows and health of the nation will improve dramatically. In turn it will save billions in health care. Cow based rural economy is the only way to go for the third world countries like India. That’s the only way the village economies can flourish and the masses can rise above the poverty line.
Cow is a mobile dispensary. Over 150 medicines are being manufactured out of cow products now. These medicines, known as ‘panchagavya chikitsa’ work like a charm.
This is the only viable system of medicine for Indian masses. Modern health care is a failure even in a country like America where it remains a hotly debated issue. Health care is a multi-trillion dollar industry with strong muscle and lobbying power. India in next five years is investing $216 billion in health care infrastructure but it will remain out of reach for over 90% of the population. Health care system based on cow products is cheap and effective. It is highly suitable for rural masses who have easy access to cows. Panchagavya centers can be established on village level not only in India but all over the third world.
Now many medical colleges have started courses on panchagavya and dedicated cow science universities (called Kamdhenu visvavidyalaya) are coming up.
Cow is the single fact which can unite numerous factions of Hinduism. No matter what is one’s path, every Hindu agrees on the universal practice of cow protection. In Hinduism, different schools of philosophical thought exist and some of them don’t see each other eye to eye. But still there is complete agreement on one point - cow protection.
Today’s younger generation is blamed for not showing enough respect to elders. In traditional India, children were taught to respect mother cow and bull from an early age and this training extended to their original parents. As old cows and bulls are slaughtered now, a time will come when old parents would similarly be killed and their organs exported.
Every town and village in India had cow service cooperatives known as pinjarapoles. Retired cows passed their last days there in comfort and dignity. The local communities organized and executed this on a cooperative basis.
No cow should be left to loiter on Indian streets. They lead a very miserable life. Suffering from hunger, thirst and disease, they are often injured by moving vehicles. How can any sane person turn a blind eye to such a pathetic sight. Every town and city should have veterinary hospital for sick and injured cows. CareforCows.org is doing a commendable work in this connection in Vraja area of north India. In Delhi and NCR area, Love4cow Trust is spearheading the efforts in caring for stray cows. They have a truck with hydraulic system to carry sick or injured cows. Similar facilities are required for every Indian town and city.
Biogas and fertilizer from cow dung represent humanity’s future when the fossil fuels run out. A large family can meet all its requirement of energy and fertilizer from just two cows. Every home can be self-sufficient and grow energy in its own backyard.
Production techniques of various cow products should be made available on village level to make it a widespread cottage industry. Government can subsidize the machinery and investment just as it subsidizes slaughterhouses and beef production.
A nationwide awareness has to be created. Citizens should vote for a political party which has cow protection in its agenda. All kingdoms in India set aside a portion of state outlay towards cow protection. Today’s government is dedicating its resources for killing more and more cows.
No cow should be left to loiter on Indian streets. They lead a very miserable life. Suffering from hunger, thirst and disease, they are often injured by moving vehicles. How can any sane person turn a blind eye to such a pathetic sight. Every town and city should have veterinary hospital for sick and injured cows. CareforCows.org is doing a commendable work in this connection in Vraja area of north India. In Delhi and NCR area, Love4cow Trust is spearheading the efforts in caring for stray cows. They have a truck with hydraulic system to carry sick or injured cows. Similar facilities are required for every Indian town and city.
Biogas and fertilizer from cow dung represent humanity’s future when the fossil fuels run out. A large family can meet all its requirement of energy and fertilizer from just two cows. Every home can be self-sufficient and grow energy in its own backyard.
Production techniques of various cow products should be made available on village level to make it a widespread cottage industry. Government can subsidize the machinery and investment just as it subsidizes slaughterhouses and beef production.
A nationwide awareness has to be created. Citizens should vote for a political party which has cow protection in its agenda. All kingdoms in India set aside a portion of state outlay towards cow protection. Today’s government is dedicating its resources for killing more and more cows.
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Sometimes the naughty babies (Krishna and Balarama) would crawl up to the cowshed, catch the tail of a calf and stand up. The calves, being disturbed, would immediately begin running here and there, and the children would be dragged over clay and cow dung. To see this fun, Yasoda and Rohini would call all their neighborhood friends, the gopis. Upon seeing these childhood pastimes of Lord Krsna, the gopis would be merged in transcendental bliss. In their enjoyment they would laugh very loudly. |
Murder is one thing but a murder involving exceptional brutality or cruelty is a whole different thing. For days and weeks on end, cows are piled on top of one another and shipped to far distant places. Most of them are injured and many die. Its long cruel road to the slaughterhouse. This is their final journey after a lifetime of service. This is the reward these innocent creatures receive after giving so much to the human race. The treatment they receive is the last frontier of inhumanity. A public awareness has to be created against this barbarism and culprits should be brought to book. Cruel transport is illegal but the police is always hand in gloves with the butchers.
Cow is also a mobile temple. She is said to house the Supreme Lord and all the functional deities of material world. Cows and bulls are represented in all Hindu temples and home altars.
There is need for more seminars and workshops on the subject, both on local and international level.
If we examine the world history in last two thousand years, we find that all the revolutions were inspired by literature. There is need for more printed material on the subject to reach every home. Also there is need for more material for world wide web.
Things Can And Do Change With Efforts
A lot of things have been changed in this world with effort. There is no need to think that “nothing” can ever be done to stop the cruelty on cows and other animals.
Previously, there was no concern at all for animal testing on products, for example. The majority of people did not even know their products where being tested on animals.
Well, now they do. PETA called attention to it, and brought about enforced labeling on products that test on animals (among other things).
That’s just a small example. Slavery used to exist in the world. Now, no one would even consider it. Something/someone changed it. It didn’t just happen by itself. If enough people care and work together, anything can be changed.
It’s like trying to turn the Titanic around, getting people to think of cow as friend, not food, but hopefully in the future it will be a thing of the past, like slavery and such.
Cow is also a mobile temple. She is said to house the Supreme Lord and all the functional deities of material world. Cows and bulls are represented in all Hindu temples and home altars.
There is need for more seminars and workshops on the subject, both on local and international level.
If we examine the world history in last two thousand years, we find that all the revolutions were inspired by literature. There is need for more printed material on the subject to reach every home. Also there is need for more material for world wide web.
Things Can And Do Change With Efforts
A lot of things have been changed in this world with effort. There is no need to think that “nothing” can ever be done to stop the cruelty on cows and other animals.
Previously, there was no concern at all for animal testing on products, for example. The majority of people did not even know their products where being tested on animals.
Well, now they do. PETA called attention to it, and brought about enforced labeling on products that test on animals (among other things).
That’s just a small example. Slavery used to exist in the world. Now, no one would even consider it. Something/someone changed it. It didn’t just happen by itself. If enough people care and work together, anything can be changed.
It’s like trying to turn the Titanic around, getting people to think of cow as friend, not food, but hopefully in the future it will be a thing of the past, like slavery and such.
