TO KILL COW: MEANS TO END HUMAN CIVILIZATION
4.
Cow
The Provider Of All Human Necessities
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, 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 and neglect and mistreatment of cows means degradation. Many of the maladies staring in our face today can be traced to this factor – humanity distancing itself from cow protection.
The cow is now forced to tread the path of disgrace and death. The society has reached a stage wherein a dead cow fetches more money than a living one.
Speaking on the troubled condition of our modern world, the late historian Arnold Toynbee once said, “The cause of it [the world’s malady] is spiritual. We are suffering from having sold our souls to the pursuit of an objective which is both spiritually wrong and practically unobtainable. We have to reconsider our objective and change it. And until we do this, we shall not have peace, either amongst ourselves or within each of us.”
Each one of us is aware of the condition of our urbanized, techno-industrial society that prompted Dr. Tonybee’s remarks. Especially in the West, and increasingly in the rest of the world, the mad quest for artificial luxuries has created a chaotic atmosphere. The goal of life? “How much money can I make?” And, “In how many ways can I spend it?” The results of such a philosophy are painfully evident: internationally, we face the risk of war and environmental cataclysm; nationally, crime waves and political corruption rule the land; and individually, we are plagued with anxiety and despair. This is the unfortunate condition of a society without spiritual direction.
Cow & Economic Prosperity
Land and cow are the engines of progress and prosperity. Societies with robust agriculture and cow protection are rich, happy and peaceful. Centuries ago, there were no industries in India. But still it was considered to be the richest nation in the world. There was untold wealth and this brought the invaders and colonizers to her doorstep. Prosperity and affluence was widespread. The reason was India’s focus on cow protection and agriculture. As India’s focus shifted to industry, especially in the post-independence era, India was reduced to severe poverty. Industries benefitted a few, helping them to become billionaires, but condition of masses considerably deteriorated.
Cow
The Provider Of All Human Necessities
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, 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 and neglect and mistreatment of cows means degradation. Many of the maladies staring in our face today can be traced to this factor – humanity distancing itself from cow protection.
The cow is now forced to tread the path of disgrace and death. The society has reached a stage wherein a dead cow fetches more money than a living one.
Speaking on the troubled condition of our modern world, the late historian Arnold Toynbee once said, “The cause of it [the world’s malady] is spiritual. We are suffering from having sold our souls to the pursuit of an objective which is both spiritually wrong and practically unobtainable. We have to reconsider our objective and change it. And until we do this, we shall not have peace, either amongst ourselves or within each of us.”
Each one of us is aware of the condition of our urbanized, techno-industrial society that prompted Dr. Tonybee’s remarks. Especially in the West, and increasingly in the rest of the world, the mad quest for artificial luxuries has created a chaotic atmosphere. The goal of life? “How much money can I make?” And, “In how many ways can I spend it?” The results of such a philosophy are painfully evident: internationally, we face the risk of war and environmental cataclysm; nationally, crime waves and political corruption rule the land; and individually, we are plagued with anxiety and despair. This is the unfortunate condition of a society without spiritual direction.
Cow & Economic Prosperity
Land and cow are the engines of progress and prosperity. Societies with robust agriculture and cow protection are rich, happy and peaceful. Centuries ago, there were no industries in India. But still it was considered to be the richest nation in the world. There was untold wealth and this brought the invaders and colonizers to her doorstep. Prosperity and affluence was widespread. The reason was India’s focus on cow protection and agriculture. As India’s focus shifted to industry, especially in the post-independence era, India was reduced to severe poverty. Industries benefitted a few, helping them to become billionaires, but condition of masses considerably deteriorated.
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How they will be happy? It is not possible. Most sinful activities. You produce your food. The bull will help you. And the cows will supply you milk. They are considered to be father and mother. Just like father earns money for feeding the children, similarly, the bulls help producing, plowing, producing food grains, and the cow gives milk, mother. And what is this civilization, killing father and mother? This is not good civilization. It will not stay. There will be catastrophe, waiting. Many times it has happened, and it will happen because transgressing the law of nature, or laws of God, is most sinful. |
People left clean and healthy village life, migrating to cities to live in slums and work is hellish factories. Industrial life offered no security. Any time factories would shut down and workers would have no place to go.
In sanskrit literatures cow is referred to as ‘kamadhenu’, bestower of all desires. For centuries, land and cows were the standard measure of one’s wealth. Currencies and share certificates are only bunch of papers which can come become useless anytime. Even today in many parts of Africa, people keep their investment in cows. A rich family means owning hundreds of cows.
But if you own so many cows, what can you do with all that milk? Srila Prabhupada explains about the utilization of milk:
“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 much 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.” (Garden Conversation, June 10, 1976, Los Angeles)
In sanskrit literatures cow is referred to as ‘kamadhenu’, bestower of all desires. For centuries, land and cows were the standard measure of one’s wealth. Currencies and share certificates are only bunch of papers which can come become useless anytime. Even today in many parts of Africa, people keep their investment in cows. A rich family means owning hundreds of cows.
But if you own so many cows, what can you do with all that milk? Srila Prabhupada explains about the utilization of milk:
“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 much 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.” (Garden Conversation, June 10, 1976, Los Angeles)
The cow is of the bovine ilk;
One end is moo, the other, milk.
~Ogden Nash
When cows graze in fields, they fertilize the soil by their urine and manure. On an average, a cow gives birth to ten calves in her life time and this way also she benefits the keeper.
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 do seem to be around 10 times more productive, in just one year, than eating them. When taken for the full life of a cow, 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 produce milk and the males can carry loads and pull ploughs.
It has been found that if an average cow’s contribution in her lifetime is quantified in money, it comes to millions of rupees. Thus cow represents sound economics. Sustainability of our colossal globalized economy has sharply come under question during recent meltdowns.
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 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 is switching over to cows instead of chemicals.
Many organic farmers are reviving age old practices of cow dung fertilizers and cow urine pesticides. Popularly known as ‘zero-budget farming’, it is being practiced on thousands of acres across India. When nourished by mother cow, soil remains fertile for thousands of years but when scorched by chemicals, it dies in 3-4 decades.
Cows eat our leftovers. We take the grains and the rest of the plant is taken by the cows. There is perfect cooperation in the nature’s plan. We feed the cow with these leftovers 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.
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 do seem to be around 10 times more productive, in just one year, than eating them. When taken for the full life of a cow, 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 produce milk and the males can carry loads and pull ploughs.
It has been found that if an average cow’s contribution in her lifetime is quantified in money, it comes to millions of rupees. Thus cow represents sound economics. Sustainability of our colossal globalized economy has sharply come under question during recent meltdowns.
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 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 is switching over to cows instead of chemicals.
Many organic farmers are reviving age old practices of cow dung fertilizers and cow urine pesticides. Popularly known as ‘zero-budget farming’, it is being practiced on thousands of acres across India. When nourished by mother cow, soil remains fertile for thousands of years but when scorched by chemicals, it dies in 3-4 decades.
Cows eat our leftovers. We take the grains and the rest of the plant is taken by the cows. There is perfect cooperation in the nature’s plan. We feed the cow with these leftovers 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.
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There’s something about getting up at 5 a.m., feeding the stock ….and milking a couple of cows before breakfast that gives you a lifelong respect for the price of butter…. |
Cows return significant quantities of nutrients to pastures through their 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 and enriched with groundnut cake and neem cake was effective in improving soil quality and enhancing microbial status. In this 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, leading to imbalances in soil micro-flora. This results in the spread of diseases like quick wilt which are caused by soil born pathogens. These problems can be alleviated by improving soil fertility and soil microbial status using fermented cow dung. Application of this manure to black pepper increases growth and improves soil status.
Not withstanding these researches, million of small farms in Asia and Africa still depend on cow dung based fertilizers.
Panchagavya - The Plant Tonic
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. It defines certain plant growth stimulants; among them Panchagavya is an important one that enhances 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.
Rishi Krishi, a system of Agriculture practiced in India is using Amrit pani (prepared by mixing 20 kg cow dung, 0.125 kg butter, ½ kg honey, ¼ kg ghee) and kept overnight 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).
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 almost 70% of the grain produce go for meat or fuel production.
Milk is a complete food. In India, even now there are thousands of ascetics who simply live on milk. They are in robust health and do not eat anything else.
Srila Prabhupada explains: “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).
In another experiment in Kerala, India, a manure prepared with fermented cow dung and enriched with groundnut cake and neem cake was effective in improving soil quality and enhancing microbial status. In this 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, leading to imbalances in soil micro-flora. This results in the spread of diseases like quick wilt which are caused by soil born pathogens. These problems can be alleviated by improving soil fertility and soil microbial status using fermented cow dung. Application of this manure to black pepper increases growth and improves soil status.
Not withstanding these researches, million of small farms in Asia and Africa still depend on cow dung based fertilizers.
Panchagavya - The Plant Tonic
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. It defines certain plant growth stimulants; among them Panchagavya is an important one that enhances 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.
Rishi Krishi, a system of Agriculture practiced in India is using Amrit pani (prepared by mixing 20 kg cow dung, 0.125 kg butter, ½ kg honey, ¼ kg ghee) and kept overnight 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).
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 almost 70% of the grain produce go for meat or fuel production.
Milk is a complete food. In India, even now there are thousands of ascetics who simply live on milk. They are in robust health and do not eat anything else.
Srila Prabhupada explains: “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).
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As for butter versus margarine, I trust cows more than chemists. |
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 happy cow giving milk out of affection for its calf, living in natural surroundings, that milk is as good as or better than our own 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, K and calcium -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 vitamin B12, 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 skin, colorectal and breast-cancer cells. Other researches on CLA suggest 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.
Cow's milk, the basis for all other dairy products, promotes strong bones by being a very good source of vitamin D, K and calcium -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 vitamin B12, 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 skin, colorectal and breast-cancer cells. Other researches on CLA suggest 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.
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Our first problem is, because we have got this material body, eating. Everyone must eat. So Krsna says in the Bhagavad-gita, annad bhavanti bhutani: [Bg. 3.14] "If there is sufficient food grains, then both man and animal, they become happy." Therefore our first religion is to produce food grain sufficiently to feed everyone. Krsi-go-raksya-vanijyam vaisya-karma svabhava [Bg. 18.44]. This matter has been entrusted to the vaisyas. They should produce sufficient food and give protection to the cows for sufficient milk. Then the whole human society, animal society, will be happy. But we are disobeying the orders or the rules given by God. Instead of producing food, we are producing motorcars. And motor tires, motor parts. And so many other things. And therefore people are starving. The manual labor is being misused. We are disobeying the orders of God. Therefore we are unhappy. I have seen all over the world. There are enough space for producing food grains. And if we actually produce food grain, we can maintain ten times of the present population of the whole world. There is no question of scarcity because God has created everything complete. Purnam idam purnam adaya purnat purnam udacyate [Isopanisad, Invocation]. There cannot be any defect in the creation of God. We have created these defects on account of our disobeying the orders of God. God never said that "motorcar-ad bhavanti bhutani." He never says. But instead of producing food grains, we are producing so many unwanted things. People's energy is engaged for... Just like in America or in every country, so much energy and resources are engaged for preparing war materials. And that means there must be war. And you must be killed; I must be killed. You will kill me; I will kill you. That's all. |
According to Ayurveda, the cow ghee (clarified butter) is believed to be the best food for brain functions and general health. It has many nutritive qualities and is an ideal diet for the heart patients who suffer from cholesterol issues. Cow ghee enhances physical and mental vitality, detoxifies, enhances eyesight, maintains the health of muscles and tendons and keeps the bones stout and flexible.
Curd is another byproduct of 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 the subsequent revolutions.
The world economy is now hooked on to 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$ 60 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.
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 as the value of machinery depreciates 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 for agriculture, 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.“
Curd is another byproduct of 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 the subsequent revolutions.
The world economy is now hooked on to 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$ 60 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.
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 as the value of machinery depreciates 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 for agriculture, 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.“
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Man through the cow is enjoined to realize his identity with all that lives. |
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.
Also, oxen 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.
Also, oxen 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.
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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, human cultures have lived with and protected cows. Cows have provided many essential services to humanity for very little maintenance. They are 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, programs 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, we will have to revert back to bull power for fulfilling our energy requirements.
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 being cured from with these medicines. Ayurvedic concept of health is called ‘holistic’ which means not only physical but also 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. Health care today means paying pharmaceutical giants who are making obscene profits out of people’s miseries. How many can afford such treatment? Panchagavya presents, on a grass root 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 the 4% of world’s population. If 4% of the population uses up more than 50% of the world’s health budget, then what will happen to the rest 96% population.
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. From constipation to cancer, diarrhea to diabetes, advocates of cow urine are offering to cure nearly everything.
Ayurveda says that illness is caused by an imbalance of three elements air (vata), bile (pitta) and mucous (kapha) in the body. 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. It is called Cow urine concoction (CUC). Over fifty chemical compounds have been identified in CUC. Its 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.
Also women apply cow urine in their hairs to get rid of lice.
For The Critics of Cow Urine
If urine of a mare can be used, why not the cow’s. Premarin is the commercial name for a 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. Since ages, Arabs have used camel urine to treat ailments.
Saying goes that one living being’s food is poison for another. What cow rejects can be perfectly useful for humans. Body excretes harmful waste materials. But these waste materials can be used by other species.
Why do we accept oxygen that is excreted by plants and why do plants take our excreta as manure? It is a natural law that living beings depend upon one another. Hogs relish human excreta more than anything else.
What to speak of cow urine, in many megacities, sewage is being recycled to supply drinking water. This is called toilet to tap water system.
Cow & Housing
In mud houses in India, cow dung is used to line flooring and walls because of its insect repellent properties. It stops insects and pests from burrowing in the walls. In cold places cow dung is used to line the walls for its thermal insulation property. Cow dung is also used in tropical areas as an mosquito repellent. Many companies are manufacturing cow dung based mosquito coils. 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 to 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 a short-order cooking. To replace dung with coal would cost India $15 billion per year, not counting the environmental costs.
Cow dung is used extensively to produce cooking gas called gobar gas. India is a leader in gobar gas technology, and there are hundreds of thousands of gobar gas plants in India. A gobar gas 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 is used as a fertilizer. What comes out on the right is of more value as a fertilizer than the raw manure. So the methane gas produced from this decomposition is an added byproduct which is literally "something for nothing," after the initial construction expense.
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 to a gas stove in a kitchen where it is used for cooking. This gas can be used for generating power, lighting up the house or running vehicles also.
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 more recent years, some economists have come to agree that cow is essential to world's economy. Cows are the greatest natural resource. They eat only grass --which grows everywhere--and generates more power than all of the generating plants in developing countries. They also produce fuel, fertilizer, and nutrition in abundance. Many developing countries run 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 linseed oil presses. In India itself, converting from bullocks to machinery would cost an estimated $30 billion plus maintenance and replacement costs.
Agricultural is still the mainstay of developing economies like India. Cow breeding and cow preservation are integral to it. 75 per cent of Indians live in villages and derive the greatest benefits from cows and bullocks. Despite the compulsions of modernism, tractors are not suitable for Indian 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."
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, programs 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, we will have to revert back to bull power for fulfilling our energy requirements.
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 being cured from with these medicines. Ayurvedic concept of health is called ‘holistic’ which means not only physical but also 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. Health care today means paying pharmaceutical giants who are making obscene profits out of people’s miseries. How many can afford such treatment? Panchagavya presents, on a grass root 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 the 4% of world’s population. If 4% of the population uses up more than 50% of the world’s health budget, then what will happen to the rest 96% population.
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. From constipation to cancer, diarrhea to diabetes, advocates of cow urine are offering to cure nearly everything.
Ayurveda says that illness is caused by an imbalance of three elements air (vata), bile (pitta) and mucous (kapha) in the body. 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. It is called Cow urine concoction (CUC). Over fifty chemical compounds have been identified in CUC. Its 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.
Also women apply cow urine in their hairs to get rid of lice.
For The Critics of Cow Urine
If urine of a mare can be used, why not the cow’s. Premarin is the commercial name for a 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. Since ages, Arabs have used camel urine to treat ailments.
Saying goes that one living being’s food is poison for another. What cow rejects can be perfectly useful for humans. Body excretes harmful waste materials. But these waste materials can be used by other species.
Why do we accept oxygen that is excreted by plants and why do plants take our excreta as manure? It is a natural law that living beings depend upon one another. Hogs relish human excreta more than anything else.
What to speak of cow urine, in many megacities, sewage is being recycled to supply drinking water. This is called toilet to tap water system.
Cow & Housing
In mud houses in India, cow dung is used to line flooring and walls because of its insect repellent properties. It stops insects and pests from burrowing in the walls. In cold places cow dung is used to line the walls for its thermal insulation property. Cow dung is also used in tropical areas as an mosquito repellent. Many companies are manufacturing cow dung based mosquito coils. 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 to 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 a short-order cooking. To replace dung with coal would cost India $15 billion per year, not counting the environmental costs.
Cow dung is used extensively to produce cooking gas called gobar gas. India is a leader in gobar gas technology, and there are hundreds of thousands of gobar gas plants in India. A gobar gas 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 is used as a fertilizer. What comes out on the right is of more value as a fertilizer than the raw manure. So the methane gas produced from this decomposition is an added byproduct which is literally "something for nothing," after the initial construction expense.
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 to a gas stove in a kitchen where it is used for cooking. This gas can be used for generating power, lighting up the house or running vehicles also.
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 more recent years, some economists have come to agree that cow is essential to world's economy. Cows are the greatest natural resource. They eat only grass --which grows everywhere--and generates more power than all of the generating plants in developing countries. They also produce fuel, fertilizer, and nutrition in abundance. Many developing countries run 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 linseed oil presses. In India itself, converting from bullocks to machinery would cost an estimated $30 billion plus maintenance and replacement costs.
Agricultural is still the mainstay of developing economies like India. Cow breeding and cow preservation are integral to it. 75 per cent of Indians live in villages and derive the greatest benefits from cows and bullocks. Despite the compulsions of modernism, tractors are not suitable for Indian 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 & Sustainable Development
Growth and progress of the modern world is like progress of the moths into fire. We are running at great speed but we are on the wrong road. We are too busy with the speedometer to see the milestone. Vedic India presents an ideal example of sustainable development wherein perfect harmony exists between man and nature. 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-kamadugha mahi. Sarva-kama. The, another side is that you don't require industries, trade. 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, 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 industries. 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 them have some land. Let there be cows. Let cows become happy.
Now here is very important word, that payasodhasvatir muda, udhasvatir muda. The cows 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 purchased some cows, the calves had already been taken away. The cow was crying, regular tears were gliding down. So they can understand that... Who cannot understand? Suppose if you are taken to the concentrated camp? Just like the Germans did. What is the meaning of concentrated...? That you'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, they can understand. Very recently, about few years ago, some..., that animal stock store was some way or other broken and all the cows began to run... 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-kama-dugha. You get everything. Make your civilization very perfect, very luxurious simply by satisfying Krsna. This is Krsna consciousness movement.” (Lecture, Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.10.4 -- Mayapura, June 19, 1973)