Hinduism and the Cow?

Question

Can you please explain why you the cow is consider sacred, and why isn't it eaten?

Wouldn't it be a great honor to consume the flesh of a sacred animal and wear it?

Can you please explain the sacredness of the cow.

Answer 1

The only reason that the cow is considered sacred is because of its "symbolic value". The cow is an animal that provides us with milk and because of this, along with it's peaceful nature, it is perceived as being a mother.

The cow is NOT a Hindu deity that Hindus worship (you may have come across many stupid insults against Hindus as being cow worshipers). It is only sacred due to its symbolic value. Hinduism, like all Asian religions (Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism, Shintoism), is obsessed with symbolism. A certain animal symbolizes a certain concept, a certain color symbolizes a certain concept while a certain season symbolizes a certain concept.

Eg. the cow is sacred because it symbolises motherhood; the bull symbolises virility; black symbolises power etc.

Answer 2

Well, technically we shouldn't eat any meat, because that violates ahimsa (nonviolence). The cow does play an important role in Hindu scriptures, for example Krishna is associated with cows because as a boy, He grew up among cowherds.

Another reason the cow is respected and not consumed is because it is a primary source of milk for people. Hindus believe that because of that, they are kind of like mothers. Would you kill and eat your mother?

Answer 3

I can't wait to see the answers to this question.
I've always wondered also about this but I'll
bet that if they get hungry enough they would
eat that old sacred cow.

Answer 4

Deja moo...

I think I've herded this bull somewhere before.




They believe that any animal may be a relative. It goes along with the reincarnation idea.