Surabhi Cow
Surabhi Cow
The
earliest evidence for elements of the Hindu faith date back as far as 3000 BCE. It
is the third largest religion in the world (after Christianity and Islam) with close to
a billion followers all over the world including about a million in United States.
The sanctity of the cow is perhaps the foremost sentiment of Hindus for whom this
sacred animal has far deeper nuances in Hindu culture and ethos than is generally
understood. For instance, in Sanskrit, the vocabulary used to mention the cow is
indeed staggering, revealing the extraordinary importance attached to the cow and
bull.
Hindu scriptures tell us that the cow is a gift of the gods to the human race. It is a
celestial being born of the churning of the cosmic ocean. The Surabhi cow is
symbolic of Earth itself. It follows that the cow represents the Divine Mother that
sustains all human beings and brings them up as her very own offspring. Much as
a mother shows the highest mark of affection for her young, the passion of the cow
for her calf is often referred to in Indian literature. The ancient texts describe how
the gods run to the succor of a devotee like a cow hastening to feed her calf. In
fact, the cow is even more than a mother in the sense that it fulfills all the needs of
her children as well. The cow is known as Kamadhenu, the wish filling cow, and
the abode of the 330 million demigods. Hence to take care of this innocent and
self-sacrificing animal is a matter of virtue for Hindus who identify the act ad
dharma or moral duty.
***
Light of the Bhagavat verse 9
With good rains, the farmer’s business in agriculture flourishes. Agriculture is the
noblest profession. It makes society happy, wealthy, healthy, honest, and
spiritually advanced for a better life after death. The vaisya community are
described as the natural agriculturalists, the protectors of cows, and the general
traders.
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surabhi cow
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When Krsna saved the inhabitants of Vrndavana from the wrath of Indra by lifting
Govardhana Hill, a surabhi cow from Goloka Vrndavana, as well as King Indra
from the heavenly planet, appeared before Him. Indra, the King of heaven, was
conscious of his offense before Krsna………
After this, the transcendental surabhi cow, who also come with Indra to see Krsna,
offered her respectful obeisances unto Him and worshiped Him. The surabhi
offered her prayer as follows. "My dear Lord Krsna, You are the most powerful of
all mystic yogis because You are the soul of the complete universe, and from You
only all this cosmic manifestation has taken place. Therefore, although Indra tried
his best to kill my descendant cows in Vrndavana, they remained under Your
shelter, and You have protected them all so well. We do not know anyone else as
the Supreme, nor do we go to any other god or demigods for protection. Therefore,
You are our Indra, You are the Supreme Father of the whole cosmic manifestation,
and You are the protector and elevator of all the cows, brahmanas, demigods and
others who are pure devotees of Your Lordship. O Supersoul of the universe, let us
bathe You with our milk because You are our Indra. O Lord, You appear just to
diminish the burden of impure activities on the earth."
In this way, Krsna was bathed by the milk of the surabhi cows, and Indra was
bathed by the water of the celestial Ganges through the trunk of his carrier
elephant. After this, the heavenly king Indra, along with surabhi cows and all other
demigods and their mothers, worshiped Lord Krsna by bathing Him with Ganges
water and the milk of the surabhis. Thus Govinda, Lord Krsna, was pleased with
all of them. The residents of all higher planetary systems, such as Gandharvaloka,
Pitrloka, Siddhaloka, and Caranaloka, all combined and began to glorify the Lord
by chanting His holy name. Their wives and damsels began to dance with great
joy. They very much satisfied the Lord by incessantly pouring flowers from the
sky. When everything was very nicely and joyfully settled, the cows overflooded
the surface of the earth with their milk. The water of the rivers began to flow and
give nourishment to the trees, producing fruits and flowers of different colors and
tastes. The trees began to pour drops of honey. The hills and mountains began to
produce potent medicinal plants and valuable stones. Because of Krsna's presence,
all these things happened very nicely, and the lower animals, who were generally
envious, were envious no longer.
After satisfying Krsna, who is the Lord of all the cows in Vrndavana, who is
known as Govinda, King Indra took His permission to return to his heavenly
kingdom. He was surrounded by all kinds of demigods who passed with him
through cosmic space. This great incident is a powerful example of how Krsna
consciousness can benefit the world. Even the lower animals forget their envious
nature and become elevated to the qualities of the demigods.