Why is the cow sacred for some in India?

Question

Im Argentine, and althoug this question might sound silly to some of you, I really want to know.

Answer 1

The cow is NOT sacred.

Q: Why are cows sacred?

A: In the chatrooms and message boards of the Internet, there are often bitter disputes between Indians and Pakistanis, which usually deteriorate into vulgar abuse. I have noticed that one of the most common forms of hitting out at Hindus is that they worship the cow.

This might as well be cleared up now. The Hindu does not worship the cow, has never worshipped the cow, and is not likely to ever worship the cow. To continue to propagate this delusion is only indicative of ignorance and laziness, but the Hindu has nothing to do with it. The cow is not even sacred, in the way it has been misunderstood by Europeans. The cow is literally taboo, a very different animal indeed from the sacred cow of popular delusion. Taboos in sociological terms are both positive and negative, as in taboos that must be respected and deferred to, as well as taboos that deal with what is abhorrent.

The cow is Aghanya--that which may not be slaughtered. It is true that later sects began to call the cow "the mother" and even wrote some dubious scripture to support this, but it was a rather childish transference of reverence from the mother to the cow because both provide milk! The "milk-debt" was culturally a very strong more, and it was felt that it would not be fair to leave the cow out of its share of respect for contributing to your health. Nevertheless, the cow was originally only Aghanya



(This article is very long -2 pages- with even more information. Read it at the link below if you're interested.)

Answer 2

I know Argentines love beef. I am touched by your curiosity.

The Rig Veda (ancient scripture of the Hindus) prescribes that " She is like the mother of the cosmic Forces, the daughter of the cosmic Matter, the sister of cosmic Energy, the centre of the ambrosia. I address to men of wisdom --kill not her, the sinless inviolate cow."

It is due to this that Hindus consider the cow sacred. Hindus believe that the soul travels from earth to Yamapuri after death. Yamapuri is the city of Lord Yama who decides whether the soul did punya(pious deeds) or paap(sin). This concept of judgement after death is common in other religions also. The path to Yamapuri becomes difficult and torturous for sinners while it is smooth for pious souls. The cow is credited in reducing the difficulties in that path for the soul. It allows the soul to overcome the worst obstacle, called Vaitarini river, which is a cess pool into which sinners are swallowed. Lord Yama decides whether the soul goes to Heaven or Hell. It is believed that the results of our karma (deeds) are punya or paap. The karmic residue is the only thing which accompanies the soul. The rest of our belongings including wealth, children, spouse, friends and relatives etc. do not follow the soul after death. So there is great emphasis in doing good deeds to increase our Punya while we are alive.

These concepts are not taught in modern times and many Hindus also may be unaware of the above.

Just as you said about your question, my answer may sound silly but that is what is written in Hindu scriptures.

Answer 3

Only the white cows are sacred. I know from experience. I was on a wrestling tour in India in the early 80's and my fellow Canadians and American's wanted some real meat. So we went out one night and stole a cow....cut it up and had a cow on a spit.
The promoter came by, took one look and told us he could nolonger protect us from the Hindu. We had just killed a sacred animal. so to make a long story short....we booked our @sses back home. Never to return to India.

Answer 4

maximum gods and goddesses have their puppy animal or a chicken. Cow is the puppy of Krishna, who's really universal contained in the Hindu pantheon. you could not kill a cow, is a regulation in a lot of said in India, even with the undeniable fact that, you could make a cow's existence a living hell through milking as a lot because the most suitable drop of milk and leave her on the streets to locate foodstuff for herself. this is a pitiable sight in India to ensure cows with epidermis and bones.

Answer 5

When the nomadic tribes came into India and started settling they brought cows with them. The cow provided milk which was used to make butter and cheese. The skin of the cows was used for clothing and tents. Thus the more cows you had the wealthier you were. This also made them reluctant to kill the cows. As time passed by the cow was incorporated into their beliefs as a deity.

Answer 6

In Hinduism, the cow is considered sacred and its protection is a recurrent theme in which she is symbolic of abundance, of the sanctity of all life and of the earth that gives much while asking nothing in return. Most Hindus respect the cow as a matriarchal figure for her gentle qualities and providing nurturing milk and its products for a largely vegetarian diet. Hindus do not worship the cow, yet it holds an honoured place in society and most will not eat beef in general.

Answer 7

As you see, Cows are the vital source for milk and people kill them for it's meat, but just imagine if you had a cow , would'nt it give you fresh milk? Because of this people consider them as "mother" as a mother gives milk to her baby , a cow gives milk to almost all human beings. Thus a cow is considered sacred for some in India.

Answer 8

Mahathma Gandhi was a stauch supporter of protecting cows in India. These are his words and may explain why cow is considered scared by most Hindus.

• The cow to me is a sermon on pity.
• The cow is the purest type of sub-human life. • Mother cow is as useful dead as when she is alive.
• Mother cow expects from us nothing but grass and grain. • Cow protection is the gift of Hinduism to the world.
• Cow protection to me is one of the most wonderful phenomena in the human evolution
• Cow protection means protection of the weak, the helpless, the dumb and the deaf.
• The central fact of Hinduism is cow protection.

Answer 9

Cow is sacred to Hindus ..... There is a reference by Bhishma in Mahabharata "Cows represent sacrifice. Without them, there can be no sacrifice…Cows are guileless in their behaviour and from them flow sacrifices…and milk and curds and butter. Hence cows are sacred..."
The cow thus acts as a surrogate mother by providing milk to humans.
for more reading follow the link below

Answer 10

am from india, , , not that indians worship cows , but the hindu religion says so , cow is mother figure to them , she is worshipped and even the cowdung is sacred for hindus n its also worshipped, , , , , though there r traces in the history that the brahmans the highest cast in the hindua used to slaughter cows n used her blood in the prayers, , the sacred books of hindus THE VEDAS says so, , , , , ,