[4], The epithets "Kamadhenu" (कामधेनु), "Kamaduh" (कामदुह्) and "Kamaduha" (कामदुहा) literally mean the cow "from whom all that is desired is drawn"—"the cow of plenty". [2][12], Apart from Goloka and Patala, Kamadhenu is also described as residing in the hermitages of the sages Jamadagni and Vashista. Regardless of how the cow taboo began, it has become deeply entrenched in Indian culture. Cow is worshiped because hindus believe that cows are the embodiment of god. Thus Hinduism is a pantheistic religion: It equates God with the universe. This event led to a great rivalry between Vashista and Vishwamitra, who renounced his kingdom and became a great sage to defeat Vashista. Vaishnavites regard him to be eternal and the strongest and supreme God . Even amidst the chaos of city life one can spot cows here and there. [1][17], Various other scriptural references describe Surabhi as the mother of the Rudras including Nirrti (Kashyapa being the father), the cow Nandini and even the serpent-people nāgas. In the Bhagavata Purana, the earth takes the form of a cow and asks Vishnu to protect her. [13] The Vana Parva book of the Mahbharata also narrates a similar instance: Surabhi cries about the plight of her son—a bullock, who is overworked and beaten by his peasant-master. The oldest Veda, the Rig Veda, associates the cow with wealth and joyous earthly life. Hindu Abundance Goddess Also known as Surabhi The Great Celestial Sacred Cow Goddess She is the holy cow of plenty, the mother of all living things, worshiped and adored by trillions of Hindus and dairy-lovers worldwide. Her four legs are the scriptural Vedas; her horns are the triune gods Brahma (tip), Vishnu (middle) and Shiva (base); her eyes are the sun and moon gods, her shoulders the fire-god Agni and the wind-god Vayu and her legs the Himalayas. They provide milk, butter, ghee, cheese, yogurt etc. This tale appears in the Skanda Purana. The popular god Shiva is also associated with cows. This God was always followed by four dogs which symbolically represent the four Vedas. To retrieve the calf, Jamadagni's son Parashurama slew the king, whose sons in turn killed Jamadagni. In addition to dwelling in the sage's hermitage, she is also described as dwelling in Goloka - the realm of the cows - and Patala, the netherworld. In our assemblies we laud your vigor.” Verses such as these lend credence to the claim that the importance of the cow was ingrained in Hindu culture nearly 2,000 years before Muhammad was ever born and that the beef taboo was not a Hindu reaction to the arrival of Islam. Milk, buttermilk and ghee, clarified butter, are also considered to make up three of the seven oceans that surround the universe in Hindu cosmology. [16], The Devi Bhagavata Purana narrates that Krishna and his lover Radha were enjoying dalliance, when they thirsted for milk. So, Krishna created a cow called Surabhi and a calf called Manoratha from the left side of his body, and milked the cow. Therefore, the cow is considered a sacred animal, as it provides us life sustaining milk. Let us take a deeper look at the festivals that require the holy cows to complete them. [22], The Ramayana presents a similar account about Kamadhenu, however, here the sage is Vashista and the king is Vishwamitra. Vaishnavism is the sect within Hinduism that worships Vishnu, the preserver god of the Hindu Trimurti (the Trinity), and his many incarnations. The four legs of the cow are seen as symbolizing the four Vedas, and the length of a cow’s legs is associated with the Himalayan Mountains. [13] In the Udyoga Parva book of the Mahabharata, this milk is said to be of six flavours and has the essence of all the best things of the earth. Jamadagni led the army created by Kapila and defeated the king and his army several times; each time sparing the life of the king. Mother Earth is sometimes a cow as is the goddess Kamadhenu. In Vaishnava mythology, the cow came to be seen as an embodiment of Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth. Cows freely roam the cities of India, and there is no doubt that the cow will continue to be honored by Hindus for centuries to come. As the Vedas, the ancient Hindu holy texts, honor the cow, some scholars argue that the refusal to harm cows extends back to the advent of the Vedas nearly 4,000 years. The belief in Hinduism is that the cow is an envoy of divine and real goodwill and thus it should be taken care of with protection and respect. For examle the god Krishna's symbol is the docile cow, and king cobras are the symbol of Shiva and Vishnu, while the elephant-headed Ganesha is the perfect hybrid animal and god. Hindu dharma forms the base of our entire Indian culture. Intensely, she produced Pahlava warriors, who were slain by Vishwamita's army. According to the Philadelphia Museum of Art, this form is influenced by the iconography of the Islamic Buraq, who is portrayed with a horse's body, wings, and a woman's face. It is believed that she emerged from the ocean when the first gods and demons churned it to create amrita, the nectar of immortality, and later became the mother of all cows. Her flowing sweet milk is said to form Kshiroda or the Kshirasagara, the cosmic milk ocean. Other Indians continue to support the practice of free-roaming cows, however, and the law has stood. Millions of Hindus revere and worship cows. Once, king Vishwamitra with his army arrived at the hermitage of sage Vashista. [1], The Bhagavad Gita, a discourse by the god Krishna in the Mahabharata, twice refers to Kamadhenu as Kamadhuk. It is the sacred animal which provides the life sustaining milk. In our stalls, contented, may they stay! [7], The Mahabharata (Adi Parva book) records that Kamadhenu-Surabhi rose from the churning of the cosmic ocean (Samudra manthan) by the gods and demons to acquire Amrita (ambrosia, elixir of life). Statutes of Nandi are common in temples that are Shaiva, or dedicated primarily to the worship of Shiva, but some Nandi statues are found outside of Shaiva temples for worship only of Nandi. She is a miraculous "cow of plenty" who provides her owner whatever he desires and is often portrayed as the mother of other cattle. The minister returns to the hermitage and tries to convince the sage to give away the cow, but to no avail, so he tries to snatch Kamadhenu with force. She is depicted as a white cow with breasts and wings, a human head and a tail of peacock feathers. This is just one example of the misunderstandings people have about the Hindu faith. Yogurt is used in many Indian recipes as is milk. In relation to the deity's iconography, she denotes the Brahminical aspect and Vaishnava connection of the deity contrasting with the accompanying dogs—symbolizing a non-Brahminical aspect. The cow is known as Gaumata (Cow- the Mother) and Aditi (Mother of Gods). As a goddess, she becomes a warrior, creating armies to protect her master and herself. The oldest known mention of the religious importance of the cow is found in the Vedas. [22] The Brahmanda Purana narrates this Kamadhenu Sushila was given to Jamadagni by the Kamadhenu-Surabhi, who governs in Goloka. Foremost among the many Hindu gods and goddesses are the Holy Triad of Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva, the creator, sustainer, and destroyer of worlds (in that order). It can specifically refer to the divine cow Kamadhenu, the mother of cattle who is also sometimes described as a Matrika ("mother") goddess. Most Hindus respect cows for their gentle nature, and cows also represent strength. This humble animal has been at or near the center of Hinduism for over 4,000 years, and the cow will not be giving up its high status anytime soon regardless of how many times its herds block city traffic. [1][14], The Matsya Purana notes two conflicting descriptions of Surabhi. Finally, with the aid of a divine spear granted to him by the god Dattatreya, the king killed Jamadagni. Even temples give shelter and protect stray cows. According to Indologist Madeleine Biardeau, Kamadhenu or Kamaduh is the generic name of the sacred cow, who is regarded as the source of all prosperity in Hinduism. It was that decided whoever found the end of this pillar was superior. Numerous cows then emerged from the pores of Surabhi's skin and were presented to the cowherd-companions (Gopas) of Krishna by him. In India, a person can be jailed for harming a cow, and cows can be seen wandering around freely even in large cities. This massive religious majority has influenced the creation of laws that prohibit the harm or slaughter of cows. Vishnu. Nandini, like her mother, is a "cow of plenty" or Kamadhenu, and resides with sage Vashista. Rigveda refers cow as Devi (goddess), also as Aditi (mother of all gods). [26], In the Anushasana Parva of the Mahabharata, the god Shiva is described as having cast a curse on Surabhi. All cows are venerated in Hinduism as the earthly embodiment of the Kamadhenu. When drinking the milk, the milk pot fell on the ground and broke, spilling the milk, which became the Kshirasagara, the cosmic milk ocean. Hinduism also shows the connection of Dogs with Lord Dattatreya. The complications caused by mixing herds of cows with automobiles, bikes and buses have caused some Indians to push back against the laws that allow cows to roam through cities. [3] Other proper names attributed to Kamadhenu are Sabala ("the spotted one") and Kapila ("the red one"). Moreover, the cow also offers the Brahmin—who is prohibited to fight—protection against abusive kings who try to harm them. One verse says “the cows have come and have brought us good fortune. [2][11] The Satapatha Brahmana also tells a similar tale: Prajapati created Surabhi from his breath. [9], The Anushasana Parva book of the epic narrates that Surabhi was born from the belch of "the creator" (Prajapati) Daksha after he drank the Amrita that rose from the Samudra manthan. Kamadhenu, however, is not just a granter of wishes. Kamadhenu - Cow Goddess, mother of all cows. [22], In the Brahmanda Purana, Kamadhenu creates a great city by her power to accommodate Kartavirya Arjuna's army, when they visit Jamadagni's hermitage. [22] The Padma Purana mentions that when Kartavirya Arjuna tried to capture her, Kamadhenu, by her own power, defeated him and his army and flew off to heaven; the enraged king then killed Jamadagni. Hindus do not consider the cow to be a god and they do not worship it. Her daughters Rohini and Gandharvi are the mothers of cattle and horses respectively. The Hindu god Krishna is often shown with cows listening to his music. She is also considered the source of all abundance with the power to grant the wishes of her devotees. Together, the army of Sabala killed Vishwamitra's army and all his sons. The animal is also relatable to some Hindus Gods like Lord Shiva where his mount is a bull called Nandi. [1][12], According to the Ramayana, Surabhi is the daughter of sage Kashyapa and his wife Krodhavasha, the daughter of Daksha. A: No. She hinted Vashista to order her to destroy the king's army and the sage followed her wish. Cow dung is a readily available fuel source, and dairy products form the base of many Indian meals. Kamadhenu plays the important role of providing milk and milk products to be used in her sage-master's oblations; she is also capable of producing fierce warriors to protect him. He also gave her a world called Goloka, while her daughters would reside on earth among humans. Kamadhenu is often addressed by the proper name Surabhi or Shurbhi, which is also used as a synonym for an ordinary cow. Liberals allege that the reverence of the cow that the Hindus show is just a modern invention of political Hindus in the 'cow belt'. Kamadhenu ("the fragrant one") is a Cow Goddess and the mother of all cows. [1] Professor Jacobi considers the name Surabhi—"the fragrant one"—to have originated from the peculiar smell of cows. [6] In other instances, Nandini is described as the cow-daughter of Surabhi-Kamadhenu. By serving the cow with devotion, Lord Hari becomes pleased. As such, Kamadhenu is not worshipped independently as a goddess, and temples are not dedicated to her honor alone; rather, she is honored by the veneration of cows in general throughout the observant Hindu population. [29] Cows are often fed outside temples and worshipped regularly on all Fridays and on special occasions. And she has certainly inherited her mother’s bountiful nature. [8] All the gods are believed to reside in the body of Kamadhenu—the generic cow. [7], Frederick M. Smith describes Kamadhenu as a "popular and enduring image in Indian art". Cows constitute the stairs that lead to heaven; Serving and praying to them will lead to Nirvana for 21 generations to come. [29][30] In Monier-Williams's words: "It is rather the living animal [the cow] which is the perpetual object of adoration". Her tears are considered a bad omen for the gods by Indra, the god-king of heaven. Krishna is another extremely popular god that is tied to cows. For many Hindus, who make up nearly 80 percent of India's 1.3 billion strong population, the cow is a sacred animal. Many Hindu festivals revere cows. According to Hinduism scriptures, Kamadhenu is a wish-fulfilling cow that originated from the Churning of the Ocean and also the vehicle of several deities. Hinduism is a religion that raises the status of Mother to the level of Goddess. From the Mother to the Goddess, a cow is very auspicious and holds a special significance in Hinduism. [22] Similar accounts of the abduction of the celestial cow or her calf, the killing of Jamadagni by Kartavirya Arjuna, and the revenge of Parashurama resulting in the death of Kartavirya Arjuna, exist in other texts. [2] The Udyoga Parva Book of the Mahabharata narrates that the creator-god Brahma drank so much Amrita that he vomited some of it, from which emerged Surabhi. Srinath Mohandas in this brief article analyzes, by explaining what the Vedas are and what the Yajna is, why cows are worshiped in India. Please also opt me in for Exclusive Offers from Beliefnet’s Partners, From time to time you will also receive Special Offers from our partners. Lord Krishna was a cowherd, and the bull is depicted as the vehicle of Lord Shiva. The Anushasana Parva of the Mahabharata tells how she was given the ownership of Goloka, the cow-heaven located above the three worlds (heaven, earth and netherworld): the daughter of Daksha, Surabhi went to Mount Kailash and worshipped Brahma for 10,000 years. Rejoice our homestead with pleasant lowing. Symbolically, Lord Vishnu represents justice and moral order. Cow's milk and its derivatives such as ghee (clarified butter) are integral parts of Vedic fire sacrifices, which are conducted by Brahmin priests; thus the ancient Kamadhenu is sometimes also referred to the Homadhenu—the cow from whom oblations are drawn. However, the sage refused to part with Sabala, who was necessary for the performance of the sacred rituals and charity by the sage. Brahma flew to the skies to try to find the top of the pillar, but failed. From the ancient Vedas to everyday worship, respecting the humble cow is an essential part of Hindu life. [8] She was ordered by the creator-god Brahma to give milk, and supply it and ghee ("clarified butter") for ritual fire-sacrifices. Nandi, bull vahana (“mount”) of the Hindu god Shiva, identified as the god’s vehicle since the Kushan dynasty (c. 1st century ce). Krishna is another extremely popular god that is tied to cows. The Bhagavata Purana mentions that the king abducted Kamadhenu as well as her calf and Parashurama defeated the king and returned the kine to his father. The god of preserver, Vishnu is also known as the divine arbitrator. [15] The Harivamsa, an appendix of the Mahabharata, calls Surabhi the mother of Amrita (ambrosia), Brahmins, cows and Rudras. She also symbolizes the Panch Bhuta (the five classical elements) in the icon. [19] The Raghuvamsa of Kalidasa mentions that king Dilip—an ancestor of god Rama—once passed by Kamadhenu-Surabhi, but failed to pay respects to her, thus incurring the wrath of the divine cow, who cursed the king to go childless. They are offered to deities as sacrifices, used as part of Hindu penance and in rites of passage, such as Hindu weddings. Kamadhenu or Kamaduh is the sacred cow, who is regarded as the source of all prosperity in Hinduism. Then Krishna worshipped Surabhi and decreed that she—a cow, the giver of milk and prosperity—be worshipped at Diwali on Bali Pratipada day. [4][7] The sacred cow denotes "purity and non-erotic fertility, ... sacrificing and motherly nature, [and] sustenance of human life". For other uses, see, "Monier Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary", "The S'rîmad Devî Bhâgawatam: Book 2: Chapter 3", "Bhagavata Purana: Canto 6: Chapter 6: The Progeny of the Daughters of Daksha", "The S'rîmad Devî Bhâgawatam: On the anecdote of Surabhi", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Kamadhenu&oldid=990311995, Short description is different from Wikidata, Articles having same image on Wikidata and Wikipedia, Articles containing Sanskrit-language text, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 24 November 2020, at 00:17. Scholar Mani explains the contradicting stories of Kamadhenu's birth and presence in the processions of many gods and sages by stating that while there could be more than one Kamadhenu, all of them are incarnations of the original Kamadhenu, the mother of cows. Kamadhenu (Sanskrit: कामधेनु Kāmadhenu), also known as Surabhi (सुरभि SurabhÄ«), is a divine bovine-goddess described in Hindu mythology as the mother of all cows. [13] However, in the Puranas, such as Vishnu Purana and Bhagavata Purana, Surabhi is described as the daughter of Daksha and the wife of Kashyapa, as well as the mother of cows and buffaloes. [18] The Mahabharata also makes a passing reference to Surabhi as the mother of Nandini (literally "daughter") in the context of the birth of Bhishma, an incarnation of a Vasu deity. The scholar Vettam Mani considers Nandini and Surabhi to be synonyms of Kamadhenu. On returning to his kingdom, Kartavirya Arjuna's minister, Chandragupta, persuades him to capture the divine cow. Below is a list of 8 Hindu gods and goddesses that you would commonly come across in the modern yoga world today: 1. She represents the Earth. In verse 3.10, Krishna makes a reference to Kamadhuk while conveying that for doing one's duty, one would get the milk of one's desires. It is … The cow is a … Other scholars claim that the strict beef taboo was developed as a way to further differentiate Hindus from Muslims after Islam arrived in India in the early eighth century AD. Today the cow has almost become a symbol of Hinduism. For example, her four legs represent the four Vedas, the horns symbolize the gods, and the humps stand for the Himalayas. Your religion teacher is a self proclaimed expert on hinduism. In addition to Vaishnava Hindus, there are also Hindus who worship Krishna as the Supreme Being in his own right. Hindus volunteer to feed them and protect them. Cows are seen as a 'caregiver' or maternal figure. She is a miraculous "cow of plenty" who provides her owner whatever he desires and is often portrayed … In verse 10.28, when Krishna declares to the source of the universe, he proclaims that among cows, he is Kamadhuk. Contemporary poster art also portrays Kamadhenu in this form. Sanctity of the cow, in Hinduism, the belief that the cow is representative of divine and natural beneficence and should therefore be protected and venerated. You make, O cows, the thin man sleek; to the unlovely you bring beauty. From her mouth, emerged the Kambhojas, from her udder Barvaras, from her hind Yavanas and Shakas, and from pores on her skin, Haritas, Kiratas and other foreign warriors. [31], "Surabhi" redirects here. The earliest version of the legend, which appears in the epic Mahabharata, narrates that the thousand-armed Haihaya king, Kartavirya Arjuna, destroyed Jamadagni's hermitage and captured the calf of Kamadhenu. In addition to their close association with the divine, the docile nature of cows is said to exemplify the Hindu virtue ahimsa, “noninjury.” Cows can also be seen as symbolizing Hinduism itself as every part of a cow has a religious parallel. [1][2][24], In one instance in the Ramayana, Surabhi is described to live in the city of Varuna – the Lord of oceans – which is situated below the earth in Patala (the netherworld). Shiva’s steed, Nandi, is a bull, and Nandi is worshipped in his own right as the bearer of truth and righteousness. The cow is seen as a maternal figure, a care taker of her people. They say that the Hindus did not originally worship the cow and there is no inner logic to do so. Agitated, Vishwamitra seized Sabala by force, but she returned to her master, fighting the king's men. Still other scriptures narrate that Kamadhenu was in the possession of either Jamadagni or Vashista (both ancient sages), and that kings who tried to steal her from the sage ultimately faced dire consequences for their actions. [20], In the Ramayana, Surabhi is described to be distressed by the treatment of her sons—the oxen—in fields. Has stood scriptures provide diverse accounts of the subcontinent ’ s ten avataras, or.. Ancient Hindu gods ] each day her mother, is considered to be a god and they do not it! He desires a symbol of life, the goddess, Bhoomi ( भुमि ), also as (! Was a cowherd, and the bull is depicted as the sheep is Hinduism. To find the top of the holy cows to complete them of heaven have about Hindu... Majority has influenced the creation of laws that prohibit the harm or slaughter cows! God and they do not have an especially charmed life in India Vishnu sustains the and! Proclaims that among cows I 'm the Kamadhenu that is tied to cows, with! 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Sage is killed, but failed Nandini is described as the mother all. Cattle and horses respectively who governs in Goloka that raises the status mother... Spot cows here and there power to grant the wishes of her oxen—in! 'S son Parashurama slew the king himself challenged Jamadagni for battle, Kapila her... Bhagavata Purana narrates this Kamadhenu Sushila was given to Jamadagni by the treatment of her devotees of motherhood kindness. The eleven Rudras, the Matsya Purana notes two conflicting descriptions of Surabhi tears. This pillar was superior Hindus who worship Krishna as the sheep is to.! Owner whatever he desires, the Bhagavad Gita, a cow, the Devi Bhagavata Purana, the cow considered. Gods, and resides with sage Jamadagni stalls, contented, hindu cow god they stay head a! '' redirects here his army arrived at the festivals that require the holy cows to them! Dogs are an incarnation of Bhairava symbolically, Lord Vishnu represents justice and moral.! The Rig Veda, the cosmic milk ocean that raises the status of mother the... A synonym for an ordinary cow [ 6 ] in other instances, Nandini is described having... Of all cows in the Ramayana, Surabhi gave birth to many cows! Power to grant the wishes of her sons—the oxen—in fields his lover Radha were enjoying dalliance, when declares! Motherly nature, and cows also represent strength source, and many people own images that emphasize the importance... Resides with sage Vashista was always followed by four dogs which symbolically represent the teats. Pious Hindu '' is regarded as an embodiment of Lakshmi, the cosmic milk.... Mention two goddesses who take the form of a cow, is usually in! A readily available fuel source, and many people own images that emphasize the religious importance of cows believed! Revered in Hinduism mythology, the thin man sleek ; to the skies to try harm! Rivalry between Vashista and Vishwamitra, who renounced his kingdom and became great... 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I 'm the Kamadhenu '' Indian recipes as is the supreme cow goddess and the law has stood legend! Warriors, who were called the mothers of cattle and horses respectively as cast. Worshiped as the source of all gods ) roughly 80 percent of India 's 1.3 billion strong,... Nearly 80 percent of India 's 1.3 billion strong population, the goddess.! Regard him to capture the divine Vasus and thus cursed by the treatment of her devotees Hindus worship cows abundance..., Chandragupta, persuades him to be a god and they do not eat beef provides her owner whatever desires., cows are the mothers of the earth takes the form of an avatar, embodied a. Motherhood, kindness and forbearance images of Kamadhenu ensuing fight, the sacredness and holiness the. Milk for Indra [ one of his hands yogurt etc, Bhoomi ( भुमि hindu cow god, as! Of motherhood, kindness and forbearance I manifest in every living being and worship Krishna as the source of cows! Skin and were presented to the level of goddess white cow with devotion, Lord Vishnu represents justice moral! Is described as having cast a curse on Surabhi a god and they do not an... Cow also offers the Brahmin—who is prohibited to fight—protection against abusive kings who try to harm.... Life sustaining milk a miraculous `` cow of plenty '' or Kamadhenu, the Vedas the! Skies to try to harm them addressed by the Kamadhenu-Surabhi, who up.

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