Sri Bharatamata

Ashtottaram 21

 

 

21) OṀ GOPŪJA BHŨMYAINAMAH:

           OṀ (AUM) - GO -   POO - JA - BHOO- MYAI- NA--MA- HA

 

                (Gopūja: means 'cow worship')

 

 

 

 

Belief in the sanctity of the cow has been a basic tenet in Hinduism since the ancient days. Though sacrifice of a cow or a bull and eating its flesh were present in the remote past, even by the time of the Śatapatha Brāhmaṇa, its sacredness had been recognized and eating its flesh prohibited. The Ṛigveda calls the cow 'aghnya' (not fit to be killed) and praises it highly. The bull and the cow were the very centre of the agricultural society of the Vedic seers. Milk and milk-products were used in sacrificial rites, must have been largely responsible for this prohibition.

 

The epics and the purāṇās have showered high encomiums on the cow and gifting it (godāna). Cows on the earth have been described as the 'daughters' of the celestial cow 'Surabhi' or 'Kāmadhenu'. All the gods are said to reside in its various limbs. The cow is considered so pure that in certain religious rites, the performer has to live and sleep in the cow-pen for a specified period. 'Panchagavya' (a mixture of the five products of a cow, ex; milk, curds, ghee, dung and urine) is considered holy and is consumed during certain religious rites, especially of an expiatory nature.

 

The earth has often been compared to a cow. In the mythological works, whenever any serious trouble arises on earth, she is said to assume the form of a cow and approach its saviour, either God or a great king Pruthu, an incarnation of Vishn.u and a great king, is said to have 'milked' the 'cow' of this earth and obtained from it, corn, vegetables and other items of food. (Hence the earth was given the name 'pruthvi'-means the daughter of Pruthu). Association of Lord Krishna with the cows is also well-known to all students of Hindu religious literature. This has further enhanced their sanctity, especially in the minds of the masses. The Brahmavaivartapurāṇa describes in great detail, the 'Goloka' (cow-heaven), the abode of Lord Krishna, far above the Brahmaloka (the abode of Brahma) itself.

 

As part of the funeral rites, a cow is gifted away or let off. It is called 'anustaraṇī (that which helps in crossing). It is believed the dead person cross the fetid river Vaitaraṇi, flowing between the human world and that of Yama, the god of death.

 

Hindus worship Lord Krishna as 'Gopāla', 'Govinda' and we also call cow as 'Gomāta' (mother-cow). It shows the respect and honor we give to the cow and our land is 'Gopūja bhūmi.'