India has always attracted the attention of our people, and often this attention turns into sympathy for the “land of contrasts.” Regular author of Realnoe Vremya Natalia Fedorova talks about her experience of getting to know the culture and customs of this country. Today we bring to your attention the first part of her notes, dedicated to the sacred animal of the Hindus.

“What, are you going to worship a sacred cow?”

Perhaps this was the first thing my relatives said when they found out that I was interested in the culture of India and was going to live there for some time. Indeed, the idea of ​​some kind of sacred cow seems ridiculous and naive to those who, like me, were raised in the city and perceive the cow as nothing more than a peace-loving animal, a source of milk and meat. Well, or such a kind cartoon character in a white cap and apron. What is there to worship here?

When I studied the history of India, I was surprised by the fact that in 1914-1917, when Indian villages were struck by drought and Indians were dying of hunger, their traditions and pride did not allow them to even think of their large livestock as food. At that time, only people of the lower classes could eat meat in India, and they were only allowed meat from wild animals. And to this day, beef is not allowed to be sold publicly in some parts of India.

Popular eateries in India sell hamburgers, but the meat is chicken or lamb. Religious Hindus, of which there are many in the country, will never eat beef. In the past, pious Indians refused animal food altogether, but now, as my friend, who married a Hindu and has lived in this country for a long time, told me, they eat fish and chicken, although not often, for example once a week.

However, the inhabitants of India are not only people who adhere to the traditions of Hinduism, which prohibits the killing of cows, but also Muslims, whom their religion, as is known, allows them to eat beef. And under the influence of Western ideas, Indians are gradually adhering to their rules less and less strictly. And, by the way, India today ranks third in beef exports in the world.

Cows walking along the roads

In the small Indian towns I visited, as well as on the outskirts of larger cities, cows walking along the roads are a common sight. Cars, bicycles and motorcycles are forced to go around them without complaint, and pedestrians are forced to go around them. These can be young heifers or calves, whose necks are tied with colored ribbons or hung with bells, as well as adult and even old cows. You can just walk up and pet the cow, and she will look at you with her big, dark, wet eyes. Moreover, in India, white cows are common, with thin graceful legs, a small sloping hump and a medium-sized build. Fleshy and overweight breeds, which are usually bred in Russia, are not raised here.

Or you can even feed a cow by buying a cheap bunch of bananas from a street vendor. In holy places local residents They even make money by selling bunches of freshly cut grass from their carts, which pilgrims can offer to cows walking along the sidewalks.

However, now I have painted a picture for you through the eyes of a sentimental traveler. The truth is that all these cows walking along the roads are mostly homeless. They used to belong to poor people who could not support them, perhaps they are already old and cannot produce milk, or they are bulls for which the owners do not have money to feed. So these are homeless cows. To be fair, it must be said that compassionate Hindus sometimes feed homeless cows wandering the streets, when they approach their houses, they take out some food and do not drive them away.

And although this is concern, it is, of course, insufficient. Many cows are very thin, they lie on the roads or in the shade of trees and they feed not only on grass and leaves, but also, unfortunately, on bags and other plastic waste, which is scattered everywhere here in large quantities. There are often cases when cows die after eating bags. In addition, they are increasingly being hit on highways. And there is another sad fact: if previously a Hindu would never sell his cow for slaughter, even if he was dying of hunger, today morals are such that the poor often sell their cows to Muslims, who sell them for meat and leather.

Why are cows revered?

I told you about the manifestations of an already degrading Indian culture, but the philosophy of worshiping cows itself is very deep and deserves attention. And I will begin my story about her not from India, but from the Russian outback, from an old half-abandoned village on the banks of the Kama River, where 90-year-old Lyubov Fedorovna Krylova is living out her life. I had the opportunity to communicate with her for many hours as I collected the memories of old-timers. Lyubov Fedorovna worked as a milkmaid on a collective farm all her life. Here are her words: “My cow Milka got old, they took her to the procurement office and loaded her onto a cart. I still can’t remember. I tied her up. And she looked back at me, let me lick my hands and moo. Nurse. We drink its milk. I can't. They are like people, these cows. I can't eat cow's meat because of this. I just can't eat beef. They are like people. They all have some kind of character. I worked as a milkmaid. You will tie 16 heads. Which one is painfully smart, and which one is shameless. She will eat hers and crawl next to her. And the hostess turns around and complains: mooooo. They say she will eat everything from me. Well, how to count? Like people right, I can’t.”

Nurses, mothers - these are the words Russian peasant women called their cows. And every Hindu who has not deviated from his traditions can understand Lyubov Fedorovna. In India, a cow is called gomata (“go” - cow, “mata” - mother). The fact that the cow is a sacred animal is reported in many revealed scriptures. For example, they say that a person has only seven mothers - the one who gave birth to him; the one who fed him with her milk; wife of a spiritual master; priest's wife; the king's wife; mother earth and mother cow. She who fed us with her milk is our mother. So if we drink breast milk cows, then she is our mother.

There is another important reason for Hindus' love for cows. India has a strong tradition of worshiping demigods - representatives of various forces of nature, the god of wind, the god of fire, and so on. Above all these demigods is the Supreme God, a person who has many names, and among them the main ones are Krishna and Govinda. Govinda translates as "one who loves and protects cows." The scriptures contain the story that one day God was born in this material world in an ordinary village as a charming boy, he along with other boys herded calves, played the flute and relished butter, yoghurt, sandesh and other delicacies made from milk. Cows enjoyed his special favor. The scriptures say that in the spiritual world the Lord plays in the same way with His friends, surrounded by cows, which are called Surabhi there because they have an inexhaustible supply of milk flowing from their udders out of a mother's intense love for Govinda.

The culture of worshiping this image of the Lord is very strong in India, and in various ancient temples you can see images of happy cows around a beautiful bluish-skinned cowherd boy dancing and playing the flute.

Do cows have souls?

Most of us have probably never asked this question. I hadn't thought about it before either. Traditional religions in our area contain commandments prohibiting murder, but this is interpreted precisely as a ban on killing a person. And since, according to Abrahamic religions, animals are deprived of souls, they are intended as food for people. However, Vedic philosophy states that every living creature- including the ant, elephant, bacterium and cow - this is a soul embodied in a certain body in accordance with the actions that it performed in its past life. To paraphrase Vysotsky’s famous song, if a living creature has inclinations towards a pig’s life, then it will be born a pig. And the higher a living being is on the evolutionary ladder, that is, the more developed its consciousness is, the more sinful it will be to take its life. Therefore there is big difference between picking and eating a leaf of lettuce (which is also a living thing) and killing an animal, not to mention a person. Therefore, killing a cow is considered a grave sin and is equivalent to killing a mother.

Dung and cow urine

Now let's talk about economics. In earlier times, wealth was calculated not by the number of mythical figures in a bank account, but by how many cows and grain a person had. This was precisely the indicator of prosperity and stability of society not only in India, but also in other traditional cultures in many countries of the world.

The scriptures of India, which have survived to this day, contain not only spiritual instructions, but also completely practical guide about how to prosper economically. Much attention is paid to cows. It says that all five substances that come from the cow are pure and can be used in both cooking and medicine. We are talking about milk, sour milk (yogurt), ghee, manure and urine.

Manure can do more than just fertilize the soil. Dung cakes, which villagers still dry on the walls of their houses, tree trunks and fences, can be used when cleaning the house. It has been scientifically proven that manure has antiseptic properties. The walls of houses are smeared with manure so that it is not so hot in the summer - it retains coolness well and after drying is practically odorless. Manure is also used to fire the stove. I once asked my grandmother how they in the village got rid of mosquitoes before the invention of fumigators, and even more so before the introduction of electricity. She said that in the evenings they lit a dung cake, put it in an iron bucket and placed it in the middle of the hut. Not only mosquitoes flew away from the smoke, but also, as it was believed, unclean spirits. Manure is also added to Ayurvedic remedies, medicines and cosmetics.

Cow urine is also medicine. Ayurvedic firms sell pure cow urine to cure various disorders of the body and add it to many formulations. There are huge enterprises in India that have become rich precisely by selling products based on cow products, for example, Patanjali and Govardhan.

Previously, people knew these secrets, so a cow, ceasing to give milk due to old age or calving, did not become a burden - not only in an ethical, but also in an economic sense. The same applies to bulls. As I already mentioned, bulls are used in agriculture until now: they plow the land, transport goods, there is an irrigation system based on bull power.

About the benefits of milk

The sacred scriptures of India, as opposed to newfangled theories about the dangers of milk, recommend drinking milk every day. The Hindu tradition is to drink sweetened hot milk with spices in the mornings and evenings. The lives of saints indicate that many hermits and ascetics ate only milk, since Ayurveda claims that milk contains everything necessary for healthy life elements. At the same time, it purifies our mind and promotes our spiritual development.

India is called the land of cows. However, the current situation is such that it is very difficult to find good cow's milk in India. Packaged milk in stores is basically a mixture of buffalo milk with cow's milk and still unknown additives. Hindus use it only to add it to tea. And the love for tea, instilled by the British, is so strong today that many local residents simply refuse milk. Those who want to drink it look for a milkman who delivers milk from his cows. But vouch for good quality This milk is also not needed - often it is also diluted. And cows that are allowed to walk the streets and eat everything are unlikely to produce milk that is healthy.

Natalia Fedorova, photo by Ananta Vrindavan and Indradyumna Swami

The cow in India is considered a sacred animal. This is an unspoken truth. This animal is equated there with the status of “Mother”, and it is sacred. That is, she is characterized by such maternal qualities as kindness, modesty, wisdom and calmness. In addition, she feeds people with her milk all her life. Therefore, God forbid someone in India yells at a cow, or, even worse, slaughters it and then eats it.

Traveling along the Indian road can be as exciting for everyone as visiting art monuments or grandiose temple complexes. It can cause admiration, just like the natural beauty or the skill of yogis in this “mystical” India. But it can also cause horror - a traveler on Indian roads can have his hair “stand on end” from all these various means of transportation. After all, at the same time, cars and buses, tractors and trucks, mopeds and motorcycles, rickshaws (a rickshaw is a light two-wheeled cart driven by a person holding on to two shafts) and cyclists, carts pulled by animals, and just people are moving along the road...

Local traffic can be called “functional chaos”. If in our country people drive in the right lane, and in Japan - in the left lane, then in India they often drive in both. Straightaway. And in both directions! And woe to all pedestrians! Although they themselves, raised in the best local traditions, strive to make their contribution to this chaos. For example, pedestrians do not at all consider it necessary to cross the road only where there is a zebra crossing (if there is one at all). And if tourists and other visitors to India think that cars will slow down for a crossing where there is someone, they are sorely mistaken: in India, cars do not stop for anyone, anywhere. Even at the zebra crossing, there is a real “urban Indian jungle” here even without it...

So golden rule when crossing the road in India it’s “look left, look right, and then run as fast as you can before anyone hits you.” This is very similar to computer game, but that's not it virtual reality, and the most real one!

However, right in the middle of this “madhouse”, there is a serene creature, not paying any attention to the bedlam reigning around. This is the Holy Indian Cow. What kind of creature is this, whose cult is so revered in India?

In India, all animals are sacred, but in the animal pantheon the Sacred Cow undeniably occupies the most important place. They call her “Gau Mata”, Mother Cow, considering her to be the personification of all that is best (among all living beings on the Planet!). That is why this peaceful ruminant animal has a special niche in Indian mythology and philosophy.

... Wealth in ancient Indian agrarian society was measured, as a rule, by the number of cattle owned by an individual or family. The cow was a means of payment - it was exchanged for goods and services, it was given as a dowry, it was reluctantly given as a tax. And “Gau-dan”, the gift of cows to Brahmins (priests and abbots of Hindu temples), was considered as the most pious and righteous ceremony.

Naturally, cows were used not only to satisfy the tax collector, decorate the daughter's dowry and pay the monthly bills. For the huge population of such a large country as India, milk has always been one of the main sources of nutrition. Bearing in mind all its derivatives... And, for example, cow dung as before, it is still used as fuel: manure mixed with straw in the form of cakes is dried in the sun, and then their homes are heated with this fuel. Half of India's rural population lights their stoves this way! In addition, manure mixed with clay is a real miracle material for construction and is used as plaster.

Finally, since Indians are mostly vegetarians, the cow, given its sacred status, is rarely taken to slaughter. But there is also reverse side such a ritual relationship. As soon as the poor animal stops producing milk, its owner finds it quite politically correct to turn the cow out onto the street. According to legend, if a cow living in a house dies, then its owner must, willy-nilly, make a pilgrimage to all the holy cities of India in order to be cleansed of this sin. And upon his return he must feed all the Brahmins living in his village. Thus, letting a cow live outside is more practical option for its owner.

However, one should not think that such stray ownerless cows are doomed to starvation. Whenever a meal is prepared in a Hindu home, the first roti(unleavened bread) goes to the cow. Noticing her on the street, the Indian calls her to his door and treats her with delicacies, which are offered to the Gods themselves on the altar. IN favorable days In the Hindu calendar, cows are also offered sweets and grass, which is considered a very pious act.

According to mythology, the eighth incarnation of the god Vishnu was Krishna, who grew up in a shepherd family. Krishna had the habit of pleasing the ears of the cows by playing the flute, which is why he is also called “Gopal” - “The Shepherd” or “one who takes care of the cows.” So the profession of a shepherd has a completely divine precedent and divine protection.

In one of the most ancient sacred texts of Hinduism - Puranas- it is said that, among other wonderful things and creatures, the Gods, churning the ocean, obtained from it the wish-fulfilling cow Kamdhenu. Hindus firmly believe that every cow is Kamdhena!

It is not surprising that in tales and legends there are many stories praising and extolling the cow. Here is one of them:

“In the ancient kingdom of Patliputra there lived a powerful king who had fame, wealth and wisdom. And only one thing was missing for the ruler to be completely happy - a son. When the king, losing patience, went to consult his Guru, he told him: “Once, leaving the temple, Your Majesty did not honor a cow standing nearby. If you want a son, then you must find a cow as white as milk and take care of her.” The king did just that: he found such a cow, fed and watered her, drove insects away from her, accompanied her to the pasture and even slept next to her in the barn. One day a tiger jumped out of the forest, but the king blocked her with himself, begging the tiger to spare the cow. The tiger objected that he, as the mount of the Goddess Durga, also needed a sacrifice. Then the king fell to his knees and invited the tiger to eat him instead of the cow.”
Do I need to tell the end of the story? You yourself already understood perfectly well that in the end the king finally got a son...

There is another reason for cow worship in India. According to Hindu mythology, a Hindu must cross a river to reach heaven after death. And this can only be done by holding onto a cow’s tail...

In India, many animals are revered: monkey, cobra, tiger, peacock and many others. However, the first place still belongs to the Sacred Cow. Currently, there are cow protection organizations, and one Indian political movement has set as its goal to make the cow the national animal of India (and not the tiger, as written in the constitution).

... let us return to the beginning of the story.

Why do cows prefer not to walk on the outskirts of cities and towns, but mostly come across them on the roads, and choose a place in the middle? They gather under traffic lights looking as if they are helping police officers manage traffic flows. What do cows actually do on the streets of India? Why aren't they on the farms where they should be?

Of course, these cows do not suffer from mad cow disease; there is a reason for their behavior. Recent studies have shown that Indian cows prefer busy highways because car exhaust fumes repel insects and the cows themselves get a high from toxic substances.

Vedas about milk and dairy products

The ancient scriptures of India described cow's milk as amrita, literally "the nectar of immortality." There are many mantras (prayers) in all four Vedas that describe the importance of cow and cow's milk not only as a perfect food but also as a medicinal drink.

Rig Veda states: "The milk of a cow is amrita... so protect the cows." Aryans (pious people), in their prayers for the freedom and prosperity of the people, also prayed for cows that provide a lot of milk for the country. It was said that if a person has food, then he is rich.

Cottage cheese dahi(made from cow's milk) and ghee(ghee dehydrated butter) is wealth. Therefore, in the Rig Veda and Atharva Veda there are prayers asking God to provide us with such an amount of ghee that there will always be an excess of this in our house nutritious product.

The Vedas describe ghee as the first and most important of all food products, as an essential component of sacrifices and other rituals, because thanks to them it rains and grain grows.

Atharva Veda emphasizes the importance and value of ghee, in other parts of the Vedas ghee is described as an impeccable product that increases strength and vitality. Ghee strengthens the body, is used in massages and helps increase life expectancy.

The Rig Veda says: "The milk was first 'cooked' or 'processed' in the udder of a cow and thereafter was cooked or processed in fire, and therefore the dahi made from this milk is truly healthy, fresh and nutritious. A person performing heavy labor work, must eat dahi at noon when the sun is shining."

The Rig Veda says that the cow transfers medicinal and preventive effects into her milk. medicinal herbs, which she eats, so cow’s milk can be used not only for treatment, but also for the prevention of diseases.

The Atharva Veda says that the cow, through milk, makes a weak and sick person energetic, provides vitality to those who do not have it, thus making the family prosperous and respected in a “civilized society.” This indicates that good health in the family was an indicator of prosperity and respect in Vedic society. Material wealth alone was not an indicator of respectability, as it is now. In other words, availability large quantity cow's milk in household was taken as an indicator of prosperity and social status.

It is very important to know that there are certain times prescribed for taking milk for the purpose of curing diseases and normal functioning of the body. Ayurveda An ancient Indian treatise on the harmony of soul and body says that the time to take milk is the dark time of the day and the milk taken must be hot or warm; good with spices to regulate doshas (kapha, vata and pita), with sugar or honey.

Chharak-shastra is one of the oldest books in the history of medical science. Sage Chharak was an eminent Indian physician, and his book is followed to this day by those who practice Ayurveda. Chharak describes milk as follows: "Cow's milk is tasty, sweet, has a wonderful aroma, dense, contains fat, but is light, easily digested and does not spoil easily (it is difficult for them to get poisoned). It gives us peace and cheerfulness." The next verse of his book states that due to the above properties, cow's milk helps us maintain vitality (ojas).

Dhanvantari, another ancient Indian physician, stated that cow's milk is a suitable and preferable diet for any ailment, its constant consumption protects the human body from vata, pita (Ayurvedic constitution types) diseases and heart diseases.

India. Cows. Cows in India. Everyone knows that cows in India are considered a sacred animal. But what does this even mean? Are they idolized? Are they worshiped? How is the life of these darlings of fate? Is it true that they just walk along the streets of Indian cities? That they all belong to no one?

Since childhood, Varvara was very curious and loved bazaars

Let's figure it out.

Hinduism does give cows a special status. Since ancient times, they have been considered symbols of wealth and abundance. By the way, this was not only the case among the Hindus - the ancient Egyptians and Romans also saw them as status animals. But among the Hindus, this respect moved to the next level - the cow was not just a nurse, but also a source of heat (cow dung cakes are still used as fuel in India), fertilizer and labor.

IN ancient religion India's earth goddess Prithivi appears in the form of a cow. And although in Hinduism the cow is already a deity, its meat is Taboo for believers. The cow is considered the embodiment of selflessness - after all, it gives so many useful things to humans. How can you eat the meat of such a creature?

Walking along the streets of Indian cities, you actually see cows every now and then. Even in the huge () Delhi there are areas where they exist, and even in smaller cities, it’s like this at almost every step.

Olga also parked

At first glance, it may seem that all these cows are ownerless. Actually this is not true. Every cow has an owner who lets her out to “graze” on something that is not lying well.

Boris decided to get acquainted with the proposals of local farmers

Cows wander freely through the city streets all day, and in the evening they return home. By the way, as they explained to me, bulls, unlike cows, often don’t belong to anyone. What is the point of keeping an animal that does not produce milk, Hindus argue. Bulls simply live on the street, and sometimes walking cows get knocked up by them.

Antonina loved to go to the sacred river. There she thought better about the eternal.

At the same time, Hindus treat cows without unnecessary trepidation. If necessary, they are whipped with rods and even beaten with sticks. Screams drive them away from places where they are not allowed. That is, there is no talk of any idolization, or even special veneration here.

Sergei felt awkward. He was the only guest from the groom's side at this wedding.

Cows can often be seen grazing on piles of urban garbage. Many food waste they dump them directly into the street, and the cattle do not hesitate to chew them with a peaceful, thoughtful look. But some are not averse to trying “stronger” delicacies, gnawing at pieces of iron from landfills, or even trying to bite into rusty cars.

In fact, Diana prefers German cars, but no fish and no fish.

Cows like to lie down in the middle of the street, which greatly annoys local tuk-tuks and pedicabs. In old cities, the streets are narrow, and sometimes you can’t avoid the lying animals.

After afternoon tea, Zlata liked to relax a little - it was her “me time”

But they get along well with other residents of Indian streets - dogs.

She felt responsible for these cute (but generally useless) dogs - after all, she tamed them

And Indian cows have learned to walk up stairs. This spectacle is very comical; it is clearly not easy for the clumsy animals to go down the steps, but nevertheless they have become alert and do it every day.

Mikhail was philosophical about the steps. There was the most delicious garbage down there

The Hindu ban on eating cow meat has repeatedly played an important role in the history of the country.

For example in mid-19th century, the British had entire armies of mercenaries from the local population in the service of the British. They were called sepoys. One day a rumor spread among them that new packages of cartridges were rubbed with either cow or pork fat. (Some of the sepoys were Muslims, who are not allowed to eat pork). The fact is that the soldiers of that time, in order to load the gun, had to tear this packaging with their teeth. The British authorities hastened to assure the soldiers that they were not using any animal fat, and offered to supply the sepoys with ungreased cartridges. But this only confirmed the original rumors, and in 1857 the soldiers rebelled. The Sepoy Mutiny lasted over a year and is considered by some to be India's first (albeit unsuccessful) war of independence.

"Am I not a sacred animal?" thought Gregory, “Who else if not me to eat from this urn?”

When India gained its independence from the British a hundred years later, the ban on cow meat again influenced political situation. There were many Muslims living in the country who loved to eat beef. They were not ready to give up such an important part of their diet. The Indian desire to ban cow slaughter exacerbated already strong tensions between Hindus and Muslims, and Pakistan eventually separated from India, becoming an independent state with Islam as the official religion.

They liked to call themselves the Three Musketeers

Today, cow slaughter is prohibited in the vast majority of states, although no such law exists at the federal level. And some states even prohibit the sale of cows (this is disrespect for the animal!) Transporting cows from one state to another is also often illegal, although this does not stop anyone.

Vyacheslav was restless in his soul all day

It should be noted here that some of the cows are actually buffaloes (and therefore buffalos... buffalos?) To my untrained urban eye, they are all the same, but for Indians the difference is quite significant. After all, the slaughter of buffalos is no longer subject to either religious or legal prohibitions!

"You need to sunbathe your whole body!" Julia always told her friends

If you are offered beef in India, be skeptical. It may very well be that this is actually buffalo meat. It is not as tasty and much tougher than the meat of “real” cows that we are all accustomed to.

Christina tried to popularly explain to her colleagues the advantages of a market economy over a planned one.

It is true that they say that there are illegal slaughterhouses where real cows are slaughtered. Since 24 out of 29 states have laws against this, there are ten times more of these underground businesses than legal ones.

An endless stream of people did not allow Alexander to cross the road

But enough about the sad stuff. Most cows (and even buffaloes) in India live happy and serene lives. If you look at them from the outside, here they are, the masters of life. Wherever you can find these animals. For example, at the station, I met several people right on the platform.

Katyukha hoped that the train would not be too late

I still don’t understand, to be honest, they wandered here themselves, or the owners dragged them in and were going to load them onto the train. To be honest, after what I saw on Indian trains (), I wouldn’t be the least bit surprised.

Yashka was very afraid of bumping into the ticket inspector because he forgot his ticket in his other trousers

Some more photos of Indian cows in their natural environment:

“I don’t see anything difficult in this,” thought Yana, “I’m sure I can do it”

Evgeniya recently started doing yoga

Anna got up on the wrong foot, everything pissed her off today

Veselchak Viktor, through his connections, got some delicious straw

Not all of them lead carefree lives. Some are harnessed - literally. It’s not clear whether this is a cow or a buffalo? How to distinguish?

It's good to be a sacred animal. I want that too. What about you? Would you agree to be reincarnated as an Indian cow?

In India, all animals are sacred, but in the animal pantheon the Sacred Cow occupies the main place. For Hindus, a cow is equated to the status of a mother, because this animal is characterized by such maternal qualities as modesty, kindness, wisdom and calmness. In India, a cow is called "Gau Mata", which literally translates as "Mother Cow". Therefore, while on vacation in India, it is forbidden to shout at a cow, beat it, and, especially, eat beef.

There are several legends that tell how the cow became a sacred animal for Hindus. And they are all very interesting. According to Hindu mythology, in order for a Hindu to reach heaven after death, he must swim across a river. This can only be done with the help of a cow, holding on to its tail. The Puranakh (an ancient sacred text of Hinduism) says that the Gods, when creating the ocean, took from it the cow Kamdhenu, who could fulfill any desire. Hindus believe that every cow is a Kamdehena and can also fulfill human desires if loved and respected. The cow is a wet nurse because milk and all dairy products are very beneficial for human health.

If you believe the ancient scriptures, then Krishna, the most revered deity in India, was a cow herder, and treated these animals with trepidation. Therefore, the profession of a shepherd is considered honorable and blessed by God in Hinduism.

Even now, in the modern era, the people of India are sensitive to their symbol of motherhood. The cow in this country is protected by law. Moreover, the Indian government strictly ensures that its regulations are followed. So, no one has the right to drive away cows, and for killing an animal you can go to jail. These animals are allowed everything: to walk along pedestrian streets and roadways, enter courtyards and gardens, and relax on the beaches.

Sacred animals provide a kind of assistance to pedestrians. Every driver in India is sure to let a cow pass, even if it stops in the middle of the road. But in this country it is not customary to let pedestrians pass. Therefore, local residents and tourists, in order to cross a busy highway, wait for the animal and cross the street with it.

Hindus keep a cow as long as it is healthy and produces milk. As soon as a sacred cow grows old, it is kicked out of the yard. It's not that the owners are cruel and heartless, but they have no other choice. They cannot send a cow to slaughter for obvious reasons, but the death of the sacred nurse in the house is considered a sin.

If such a misfortune were to happen in someone’s yard, the owner would be obliged to make a pilgrimage to the sacred Indian cities. In addition, the owner of a dead cow undertakes to feed all the priests of his city. Many people cannot afford such atonement for sin, so the easiest way is to send the cow home. This to some extent explains the fact that there are so many of these representatives of artiodactyls walking along the streets in India.

The Vedic teaching is very popular among Indians, in which milk is considered the most valuable product on the planet. Some believe that constant consumption of milk can make a person immortal. However, not only milk, but also other cow products in Ayurveda are endowed with supernatural properties. For example, cow dung can protect against evil spirits and dark forces. It is diluted with water and a cleansing ritual is carried out, wiping the floors and walls of homes with the solution.

India is a unique country. Many people know that the sacred animal in India is the cow. This seems strange and unusual for people who raise it for slaughter. Indians treat all animals with respect, but the cow is the leader. This is a kind and bright creature, endowed with wisdom, calmness and love for all living things.

Many people know that the sacred animal in India is the cow.

To understand why the cow became a sacred animal in India, we must look to the past. Legends about the cow are passed down from generation to generation:

1. One day the Raja's son became very ill and no one could help him. The boy grew weaker day by day. The father called on the gods for help, spending days and nights in prayer. One day a stray cow came to the house. The Raja considered this to be a sign from heaven. The child was given milk and he began to recover. Since then, it has been believed that cow's milk has great power and helps with various ailments.
2. Ancient writings indicate that during the creation of the world, the Gods took a cow from the ocean, capable of fulfilling any desires. Today it is believed that any cow can make wishes come true, the main thing is to find the right approach to it.
3. Another legend says that in order to move to another world after death, a cow is needed; only she can help a person overcome this path. The deceased must hold tightly to the tail so as not to get lost on the way.

Why is a cow a sacred animal (video)

How do animals live in India?

The Indian cow is protected by law. The authorities strictly monitor the safety of the animal. They cannot be beaten, frightened, or driven out. For killing a cow you are sent to prison. They can walk wherever they see fit: along the road, at pedestrian crossings, they can bask on the beach, or go into other people’s yards. Nobody has the right to stop her. In this country, it is customary to let a cow pass on the road, but not a pedestrian. Some try to take advantage of the moment and cross the road with her.

Another explanation why the cow is a sacred animal is practical. Hindus consider her the Great Nurse, and they are right. During her life, she feeds a person with milk and provides manure for food, which is used in medicine. After death, people dress in her skin.

It is a great honor to be a shepherd. According to legend, God descended to earth in the form of Krishna. He grew up in a shepherd's family, loved cows very much and even played the flute for them.

A sacred animal does not always live happily. Hindus love and honor her very much, but the death of a cow in the house is considered a terrible sin. To atone for this sin, the owner must make a pilgrimage to all the holy places of the country. Upon returning home, he is obliged to feed all the Brahmins in the area. Not everyone can afford this, so sick cows are driven out of their homes. This is why there are so many stray cows in India.

It is believed that if a Hindu eats a cow, then the afterlife terrible corporal punishment will overtake him. There will be as many of them as there are hairs on the body of an eaten cow.

These animals roam freely even on airfield runways. To free up space, they use recorded sounds of tiger growls.

Indians treat all animals with respect, but the cow is the leader

A holy cow is a Divine being; to offend her means to anger God.

1. To ensure benefits for yourself in the afterlife, you need to care for, protect, wash and feed the animal.
2. Even if a resident of India is dying of hunger, he will not eat a cow walking calmly nearby.
3. Vedic texts say that the cow is the universal mother.
4. Cow's milk can awaken the best qualities.
5. Ghee, or ghee, is used in religious rituals.
6. Even cow dung has great power. It is used to cleanse the home.
7. Since ancient times, Hindus have worshiped the cow as a deity. It is believed that the peace and quiet of existence depends on the animal. The place where she was was energetically clean and bright.
8. The Hindu cow is able to protect from evil and dark forces, help a person atone for sins and avoid hell.

Zoolatry in various religions

India is not the only country where animal worship takes place. For example, East Asia worships the tiger. The Chinese town of Kunming is the main place of worship. There is a special tiger festival in Nepal. Vietnam is famous for its many tiger temples. It is considered a good tradition to decorate the entrance to a temple or home with images of a tiger. This animal, according to the indigenous people, is capable of driving away evil spirits and evil spirits.

Residents of Thailand are kind to white elephants, seeing in them the embodiment of the souls of the dead. Europe and America attach particular importance to wolves, considering them strong and fearless. However, representatives oriental culture cannot afford such an attitude. For them, the wolf is a symbol of depravity, anger and meanness.

Turks consider the horse to be a sacred animal. Many representatives of the Islamic world agree with them. A horse is both a friend and an ally. A true warrior and ruler is always on horseback.

But India went the furthest. Not only the cow in India deserves attention. Dogs are the messengers of death, guarding the gates to Heaven. The elephant is a significant figure in religious teachings. The tiger is associated with the god Shiva, and the god wears spectacled snakes around his neck as an ornament. The cobra is considered the most sacred snake.

Service to animals, honor and worship - this is zoolatry. Animals become objects of worship. Hindus build temples in honor of sacred animals, protect them, devote holidays, dances and festivals to them. In ancient times, warriors performed special rituals to gain the favor of any animal. The man was unable to cope natural phenomena And wild animals. Religious rituals allowed them to overcome their fears and gave them hope for survival. Each tribe had its own sacred beast, which it worshiped. Numerous drawings on stones and in caves allow us to better understand the significance and importance of these rituals. This is how the world of ancient people was structured. The worship of certain animals is an ancient tradition.

sacred cow in India, like other sacred animals, it is endowed with divine power. It is believed that God speaks to people through them. To offend such an animal means to commit a sin.

Sacred animals of India (video)

A look into the past

Hinduism is one of the most ancient religions. Originated as a Dravidian belief. When the Aryans came to this territory, conquering the lands, they contributed to religious teachings. Presumably, these were immigrants from the current territory of Russia. The Aryans were more adapted to life than the local population. They could hunt, engage in agriculture, and cattle breeding. What type of activity the tribe preferred depended on climatic conditions. Areas near rivers were convenient for growing different cultures. The steppes were used for cattle breeding. The Aryans could not engage in agriculture because the soil was unsuitable. The only way to feed themselves was raising livestock. There was little choice:

1. Tour. This animal successfully exists in the herd. It was not difficult to domesticate him. Initially, its manure was used for fertilizer.
2. Sheep. It was noticed that she grows quickly and produces good offspring. The meat was used for food, and the warm skin was useful in everyday life.
3. Goat. Kept for milk production. Goat milk it tasted good and was healthy, but it was never enough.
4. Cow. The first thing people noticed was that the milk yield was much higher than that of a goat. She gave milk for much longer, and it was more satisfying and healthier. Manure perfectly fertilized the soil. Later they began to use the skin, which increased awareness of the importance of this animal in human life.

As a result, the cow became the main and main breadwinner for people. When an animal plays an important role in a person’s life, various magical abilities and special powers begin to be attributed to it. Children could drink cow's milk, which means that the first person was fed with the milk of this animal. The gods drank this milk, which means the cow is a sacred animal. The Aryans settled all over the world and spread love and respect everywhere. In mythology you can often find the image of a cow or a bull. For example, Zeus was depicted as a bull, and his wife as a cow. This is how these tribes reached India. The Dravidians were conquered, the Aryans implanted their religion, views and teachings. Thus, reverence and love for the cow came here. The cow is the sacred animal of India, the Great Mother, holy and immaculate. God Shiva rides a white bull, and no one dares to doubt the divine origin of the cow.

Hinduism is one of the most ancient religions. Originated as a Dravidian belief

Some people find this attitude funny. Others look at this with emotion. Important and a necessary condition is a respectful attitude towards traditions when crossing the border. No matter what city in India a person comes to, one must remember that the cow is a sacred animal. After all, as you know, ignorance does not exempt from punishment.