Krishna and Cows
Krishna's message for cow protection
The very word "Govinda," which is famous name of Lord Krishna, means "one who brings satisfaction to the cows." And Lord Krishna has many such transcendental names which reflect his relationship to the cows. Gopala means "the protector of cows," and Lord Krishna is famous throughout India as Bala-Gopala, "the child who protects the cows."
Nanda Maharaja had 900,000 cows. Vishwanatha Chakravarthi gives this description of the cows of Vrindavana. Krishna knew every cow by its name. If any cow was missing, Krishna would immediately chase after the missing cow and call her by name. The cows were divided into herds by color - black, white, red, or yellow. In each color there were 25 further divisions making a total of 100 herds. There were also eight herds of cows that were spotted or speckled or heads shaped like a mridanga or that had tilak marks on their foreheads. There was a total of 108 different herds of cows. Each of the 108 herds had a herd leader.
Thus when Krishna calls out, "Hey Dhavali" (the name of a white cow), a whole group of white cows come forward, and when Krishna calls "Hamsi, Candani, Ganga, Mukta" and so on, the twenty-four other groups of white cows would come answering back. The reddish cows were called "Aruni, Kunkuma, Saraswathi etc., the blackish ones "Shyamala, Dhumala, Yamuna, etc., and the yellow ones were called "Pita, Pingala, Haritaki, etc." - Srimad Bhagavatam 10.35.19 purport.
As described in the Brahma Samhita (surabhi apbipalayantam), Lord Krishna on his planet, Goloka Vrindavana, engages in tending the surabhi cows. These cows are the Lord's pet animals." - Srimad Bhagavatam 8.8.2 purport.
Krishna says in Srimad Bhagavatam, "I can be worshipped within the cows by offering grass and other suitable grains and paraphernalia for the pleasure and health of the cows, and one may worship me within the Vaishnavas by offering loving friendship to them and honoring them in all respects." - Srimad Bhagavatam 11.11.43 purport.
A cow benefits all; it provides a lot for the welfare. Lord Krishna is also the Creator. He created cows with a special mood. It is completely pure. Milk is a complete meal and it is Sattvic. Its ghee is used for all ceremonies. Kheer served to gods are made from milk, all sweets served to Gods are made of cow's milk. Even cow dung and urine are purifying due to their sterilizing effect. Thus the cow is very unique. It is the topmost living being. It is beautiful, gentle, and generous. Cows are sinless (they can never cause offense to the Lord) and they are always giving something or the other to the Society. They are worshipped by Lord Krishna. He is delighted by any service to the cows no matter how trivial. He never forgets even a little service done for the benefit of cows. Cows need to be protected because they are very simple and gentle.
WHY WORSHIP THE COWS?
To answer this question we have to state a principle. We worship someone due to their nature and actions. Even God is worshipped because of his nature and actions. Across all religions, God is described as very merciful, benevolent, kind etc. This is his nature. He is always acting for the benefit of all, he guides us through difficult times and misery. He provides protection and provides for every one's welfare. These are his actions. Sarve Jana sukhino bhavantu, Sarva mangalaani bhavantu. Sarva Dharma Sama Bhavaha.
Cows are pure by nature. They are completely Sattvic. How is this? We know that cow's urine and dung are disinfectants. This is sufficiently proven. If the excreta are so purifying, then what to speak of the other products like milk, butter, ghee? Secondly, cows are very simple and never harm any body by themselves. They provide milk for the entire human race. These are some examples.
Then there is a deeper meaning. In Sanskrit, Cows are called "GO." In Vedic culture all knowledge begins with the word "Ga." Guru and Gayathri are the beginnings of all knowledge. All auspicious activities also start with worshiping the cows. No scarifice can be done without Ghee; sacrifices are considered auspicious and ghee is a must. The "GA' signifies cows, and this has a sacred meaning.
For Vaishnavas (people worshiping Lord Krishna in his personal form) there is a still deeper meaning. The meaning is within the words - Govinda, Gopi, Govardhana, Goloka Vrindavan. It is clear these are the greatest. Govinda is Lord Krishna, the protector of cows, Gopis are the highest devotees, Govardhana is the best servant, and Goloka Vrindavan ("go loka - the abode of cows") is the highest destination. The meaning is obvious. There is nothing without the cows. We all serve cows. Cows are the dearest to Lord Krishna, they are his deities. This is the highest form of worship of Lord Krishna and available to only a very select few devotees. Even this knowledge is very rare - most people don't understand the exalted position of cows, they see cows as animals. People who serve Krishna's cows are the most fortunate and achieve all results. This is the ultimate and the simplest. Its how 'goloka vrindavana' is achieved while being in the material world.
"namo brahmanya-devaya
go-brahmana-hitaya cha
jagad-dhitaya krishnaya
govindaya namo namaha"
"I offer repeated obeisances unto the Lord Krishna, who is the protector and well-wisher of the cows and the Brahmans. He is also the protector of the entire society. Unto that Lord, who is always satisfying the senses of the cows, I offer my obeisances again and again."-- Vishnu Purana 1.19.65
The words go-brahmana- hitaya indicate that the Supreme Lord is especially concerned with the welfare of the cows and considers them before even the Brahmans (spiritual teachers). The Brahmans are dear to the Lord because they worship him, as indicated by the words brahmanya-devaya (the Lord of the brahmanas).
"chintamani-prakara
sadmasu kalpavriksha
lakshavrateshu surabhir
abhipaalayantam
lakshmi-sahasra-sata-sambhrama
sevyamanam
govindam aadi-purusham tam aham bhajami."
"Lord Krishna is situated in a spiritual abode made of transcendental gems. In that abode he is surrounded by millions of desire fulfilling trees (kalpa-vriksha), and he takes pleasure in tending the divine cows. He is always being served with great reverence and affection by hundreds and thousands of devotees. To that Supreme Lord, who is always trying to satisfy the senses of the cows, and who is the original person, I offer my worship."
---- Brahma Samhita.
MAY LORD KRISHNA SHOWER ALL HIS BLESSINGS TO ALL OF US
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