The cow is a sacred animal in India. The special status of the cow in Hinduism or the worship of a sacred animal

India is a country located in the southern part of Asia, most of it is located on the Hindustan Peninsula. This state is washed by the Indian Ocean, namely the Bays of Bengal and the Arabian Gulf.

Fauna of India

This country is home to many species of mammals, birds, insects and reptiles. The fauna of India is very diverse. The most common fauna here are camels, monkeys, elephants, cows, and snakes.

Camel

These are the most common animals in India, they are mainly used for transporting goods, as well as for riding, in ancient times they even took part in battles.

There are two types of this animal - dromedary and bactrian, that is, one-humped and two-humped. Camels are herbivores. They are able to feed on those desert plants that are not eaten by any other animals. This, for example, An adult animal weighs about 500-800 kilograms, and it lives for 30-50 years. The camel body is very well adapted to survive in the desert. Thanks to the specific shape of red blood cells, a camel can drink an impressive amount of water at one time - 60-100 liters. Thus, the animal makes a supply of fluid, which can last for two weeks. When a camel goes without water for a long time, its body gets it by burning fats, and the animal can lose most of its weight. In India, the milk of this animal is often consumed. It has a number of useful properties: it contains vitamins C and D, microelements (calcium, magnesium, iron and others). Another positive property of this product is that it contains very little casein, which makes milk difficult to digest.

Indian elephant

Elephants are also very common animals in India. In addition to the animal that lives in this state and bears the corresponding name, there is also another species of elephant - the African one. The Indian differs from it in that it has smaller ears and is smaller in size than the African. Another interesting thing is that both males and females have tusks, while in Indians only males have tusks. These animals are the largest land animals (they are surpassed in size only but they live in the ocean). Elephants are used as a means of transportation in the jungle. In India, these animals are very popular because of their docile nature. In addition, elephants often participate in religious celebrations.

Monkey

These are very common animals in India. Species such as macaques, langurs and others live here. Many even live in big cities.

King of Beasts - Indian Tiger

Now there are only 3,200 individuals of this species left on the territory of this state. Many of them live in mangrove forests. Previously, these animals often attacked people, so they were exterminated in large numbers, but hunting tigers is not easy.

What kind of snakes live in India?

The king cobra lives on the territory of this state. However, people very rarely suffer from its bites, since it lives far in the forests, hunting small animals there. Sand efa is also much more dangerous to humans. The first reaches 1.5-2 meters in length, has a rich yellow color and a dark pattern on the head, which is somewhat reminiscent of glasses, hence the name. The second belongs to the same family with vipers. Its length is small - about 70 centimeters. It is a brown colored snake with a zigzag pattern on its sides.

Peacock

Many people associate these birds with Indian culture. They are often found not only in the mythology of a given country, but also in Persian and Islamic legends. Even in Christianity there is a mention of the peacock - it is a symbol of life. This bird is very common in Indian art - both in literature, music, and painting. Peacocks are very common in this state; they live almost everywhere.

What animals are considered sacred in India?

First of all, these are cows. Since ancient times, these are sacred animals of India. They were considered as such in Ancient Egypt. In the mythology of this country, there is a belief that after death you can get to heaven if you swim across the river while holding on to the tail of a cow. This is also due to the fact that the milk of this animal is very often consumed as food. Therefore, the cow is considered a symbol of life.

Another part of India is elephants. They are considered a symbol of wisdom, kindness and prudence, and are often depicted in homes and on temples. There are also sacred animals of India, which are representatives of certain gods. These are, for example, monkeys - they are considered the incarnation of the god Hanuman, an ally of Rama. In addition, rats are sacred animals in India. There is even a whole temple dedicated to them - thousands of these animals live there. There is a legend associated with them in India. According to her, Karni Mata was a Hindu saint, and when one of her children died, she began to pray to the god of death Yama to return her son to her, and he turned all her sons into rats. There is also a snake cult in India. According to ancient legends, these animals are the patrons of the waters of the valley. If we turn to mythology, we can find out that snakes are the sons of Kadru. In myths, these animals are described in human images, they are endowed with such traits as wisdom, beauty and strength. In addition, the peacock is also found in Indian mythology - Krishna’s headdress was decorated with its feathers. Temples dedicated to this god are painted with images of this bird.

The first rays of the Sun illuminated these colorful cities. In a couple of hours the unbearable heat will begin. And in this everyday bustle, the main thing is not to hit a cow walking right along the roadway, and not to lose vigilance, because these hooligan monkeys have been looking for a victim for a long time. Because this is India.

India is one of the cradles of human civilizations. A country where divine splendor, luxurious palaces, expensive fabrics and gems coexist with deep poverty. Where the development of high technologies and scientific discoveries does not interfere with manual labor and handicrafts. Almost all people in India are deeply religious. 80% of the population professes Hinduism. This belief in myths and legends, the worship of gods, of which there are several thousand, and this is a way of life in which the veneration of sacred animals occupies a special place. The first thing you can meet when you go outside is a cow. The greatest respect is shown to these animals everywhere. They are allowed to roam everywhere, even the most crowded streets of big cities. In many places in India, before breakfast it is considered auspicious to give something to the cow to eat. She can enter the temple, and none of the praying people would think of kicking her out. Because it is perceived as a good sign. The ritual status of the cow is emphasized by a strict ban on eating beef. Few Hindus, excluding low castes, would agree to eat meat. If a man kills a cow, he will become an outcast in his village. The priests will not perform services in his house, the barbers will not shave him.

Forefather of Surabhi

Forefather of Surabhi

According to legend, the Mother of all cows, Surabhi, or the Cow of Desires, appeared at the dawn of the universe. It belonged to the sage Vasistha and was stolen from him. The kidnapper, who was once the powerful ruler of the Firmament, was cast down to Earth. And he was doomed to become a Man from God. The cow represents abundance, purity, holiness. And is considered as a benign animal. Just like Mother Earth, the cow is the principle of selfless sacrifice. It produces milk and other dairy products, which serve as the basis of a vegetarian diet.

Sacred cow in India

Pedestrians and motorists give way to these sacred animals without further ado. And if, God forbid, you run over a cow, you can get a serious fine or even life imprisonment. Once on one of the busy roads there was a traffic jam for almost a day, because one such sacred animal decided to lie down, right in the middle of the street. And when a certain foreigner hit a cow while driving a car, his lawyers miraculously managed to prove that the owner of the cow was to blame for the accident. He created such unbearable living conditions for his horned one that she had no choice but to commit suicide. And the foreigner’s car was only a tool for settling scores with life. To avoid getting into such stories, it is better not to touch these animals.

But bulls are used as labor. They are reliable and faithful human helpers. They plow on them, ride on them and transport heavy loads on them too. All gods in Hinduism have riding animals - vahana, which are also revered by Hindus. Shiva rides on the sacred white bull Nandi, which means the giver of joy. It symbolizes controlled courage and devotion. He is also a symbol of true pure karma, the law that brings order to society and the universe.

Nandi

Nandi stands on four legs. Purity of body and mind, compassion, and exploration of truth. Images or statues of gods are also commonly found in Saivite temples. And people believe that if you whisper your wish into the ear of the sacred bull, he will definitely convey it to Shiva.

Elephants enjoy special attention and respect among Indians. According to Hindu traditions, any person who harms an elephant incurs a curse. After all, the Earth rests on four elephants. This animal is also the hero of many Hindu and Buddhist parables and legends. One of the most revered and widespread deities in Hinduism is the elephant-headed god Ganesh. It brings wealth and prosperity. Helps in business and removes obstacles. Ganesh is the son of the god Shiva and his wife Parvati. And no one can definitively answer the question of why he has the head of an elephant. There are many legends in India. According to one of them, Ganesh was a very capricious child. One day, with his crying, he did not let Shiva into his wife’s chambers for a long time. The father became seriously angry and, in a fit of anger, blew off his son’s head. To calm Parvati, Shiva had to revive Ganesh by taking the head of an elephant passing by.

Shiva, Parvati, Ganesh

During the time of the Maharajas, the elephant was a symbol of power and greatness, and played a decisive role in military battles. When Alexander the Great decided to go on a campaign against India, the strong elephant army of the Punjabi king Porus was waiting for him. Seeing these giants, the horses rushed desperately across the field. The elephants began to snatch the enemy riders from their saddles and smash them to the ground. Only thanks to the military cunning of the Macedonian did the Greeks manage to defeat the elephant army. King Porus' personal elephant saved his owner's life by using his trunk to pull arrows out of his chest. Porus had to give Alexander his faithful friend. The elephant was very homesick for its former owner. The emperor knew that the elephant liked rich and beautiful clothes, and ordered a luxurious blanket with gold threads to be made for his new favorite. And decorate the tusks with gold rings. The vain Ajax then faithfully served Alexander.

It seems to me that the whole world knows that for Hindus the cow is a sacred animal. Hindus revere the cow as a mother...They treat this (delicious) animal as a deity, honor and protect it, it is believed that the cow is kind, fertile, calm and a completely peace-loving creature.

It is believed that a cow selflessly provides a sea of ​​products - milk, and as you know, many food products can be prepared from milk, especially for vegetarians, most Indians are vegetarians and dairy products are the main product for them after vegetables.

Cows here are not abused or chased...they feel like they are the masters of the roads. If you wanted to lie down and rest on the road - please! They know that everyone will go around them and no one will chase them. Only if the whole herd starts a picnic on the highway and there is no way to get around them, then they will be driven aside with gentle pats on the sides.

There are many cows on the street mainly in the north of India and especially in the capital, Delhi. The cows are not as well-fed as our village cows, it may sound funny and stupid, but our cows are cute... they cannot be compared with the Indian ones, whose ribs stick out and the color is not attractive.

It is customary that people in India do not eat beef. They are mistaken! Are eating! Usually Christians and Muslims, beef can be purchased freely in stores. In Delhi, there is the Nizamuddin district, in Mumbai there are Christian areas like Bandra, and in other areas, beef is also freely sold in shops run by Christians. Beef in India is very cheap; when I first arrived in India, a kilo of veal (more expensive than beef) cost only 70 cents, now it’s one and a half dollars, which is also not expensive.

Despite the fact that the cow is under state protection.

In a chain of American restaurants like in Delhi, Rubby Tuesday, Thanks God its Friday, Chilli, Pop Tates, there is always beef on the menu, but they call beef meat from bull, usually tough and with a specific smell. They are probably afraid to admit that they cook beef freely... that’s why they got out of the situation with bull meat, but in Mumbai they cook beef, especially at Pop Tats, they have very tasty chops.

The bull is also a sacred animal; according to legend, it was a vehicle for God Shiva, but the bull is not as strongly deified as the cow.

Somehow ten years ago, my fellow Tashkent residents (all men), who were engaged in the business of fresh flowers while in India for a long time, missed beef and did not know that this meat could be freely purchased in the Nizamuddin region. They drank vodka for courage and decided to go and kill the cow, since they can be found at every turn on the streets of Delhi. No sooner said than done! At night they caught a young cow, took it to a secluded place and, after praying, killed it. The meat was cut up, and the skin, head and limbs were buried, but not deep.

We went to our hotel on the roof, which had a local kitchen, put the spoils in the refrigerator and went to bed, anticipating how during the day they would fry kebabs and make pilaf. We called in advance all our fellow countrymen who were in Delhi at that time (me too) and invited them to dinner. But they were woken up by the police without getting enough sleep! Someone saw the blood in the morning, followed the trail, dug up and discovered the remains of the Mother God COW! Immediately, a law-abiding citizen called the police, all traces led to a nearby hotel, and evidence was found in the refrigerator there.

They were all arrested, they wrote in the newspapers about this savage attitude of foreigners towards God, although they were not given a prison term; after being fined, they were deported back to Tashkent. The hotel administrator told me all this when I arrived for dinner to taste the beef... Two hotel employees were given a day off for health reasons; after learning that Mother Cow was slaughtered by the guests, they were gutted.

My husband does not eat beef, he says that he has nothing against this meat, but in his subconscious something does not allow him to step over himself and taste beef. But it doesn’t prohibit my son and me, so we have beef in our diet.

Photo from internet.

Reviews

Louise, good afternoon! I don’t know if it’s true or not, but in connection with cows I remembered a story I heard as a child. A Russian woman went to India and decided to marry an Indian there. By faith, he professed Hinduism (I don’t know if there is such a religion). And according to their laws, a woman could marry him only after eating a cow dung :)) this is probably a fiction :))))

Good afternoon, Tatyana! This is fiction, there is no such thing!!! :)))))

They drink cows' urine, and one supposedly holy cow whose urine (sorry!) had healing urine was lined up with containers to collect the healing liquid!!! It happened in Calcutta about three years ago.
With a smile, Louise.

Each country has its own special customs and signs. They were formed throughout the history of the state’s society under the influence of cultural characteristics acquired in the process of development.

This article will focus on the Indian cow - an animal that is considered sacred in India. Most likely, the vast majority of readers know about this interesting fact, but not everyone can boast of knowledge regarding direct awareness of the reasons for such a not very obvious custom. This article will tell the reader exactly about them.

It should be noted that human culture places special accents on animals. “Our little brothers” are mentioned in the myths of different countries, become heroes of fairy tales, and are even noted for special roles in religious texts. All this can subsequently affect the behavior of the society of a certain state, which you should definitely find out about before visiting this country.

Perhaps everyone might have asked this question. Indeed, it is not entirely clear why this particular animal was chosen by the Indians as sacred. It should immediately be noted that not only in India a cow represents sacred animal. Buryonka is also mentioned in Scandinavian myths, playing an important role in the creation of all living things. Animal worship is part of the dogma of many religions around the world.

Choice cows Raj as a sacred animal is not surprising. What qualities can an ordinary cow be associated with? Calmness, kindness, serenity. Indians believe that cows have a number of maternal qualities, which include care, wisdom, and kindness.

It is simply impossible, or even very difficult, to kill a cow. associate with something unpleasant, evil, dark. Since ancient times, this animal has been valued by people for its milk and meat. It is worth noting the fact that until now, having a cow on your farm is highly valued.

Gallery: cow is a sacred animal in India (25 photos)

Why did the cow become a sacred animal in India?

As mentioned above, the sacred cow plays big role in different traditional foundations of different societies. But it is in India that this animal is the object of real worship.

In order to determine the reason for the emergence of such a cult of sacred cow worship in India, one should simply turn to the texts of Indian religion, in which the animal appears not just as a certain symbol, but represents something sacred and important.

So, a few legends about the cow that emphasize the meaning and explain the status of the sacred animal:

1. It is no secret that the Ganges River in India is considered sacred by the inhabitants of this country. According to Indian beliefs, it is through this that a person’s soul goes to heaven. Accordingly, to get to heaven, you need to swim across the river. Here the holy cow acts as a kind of guide, because you can swim across the entire river holding on to its tail;
2. In one of the most sacred texts of Hinduism - the Puranaha - there is a legend that tells the story of the creation of the world in a very interesting way. In the process of creating all things, the Gods took the cow Kamdhenu from the ocean, which was able to fulfill any desire. It is not difficult to guess that Indians see Kamdhena in every cow, hoping that the sacred animal will help their most secret dreams come true;
3. The sacredness of the cow is also reinforced by its importance in terms of human nutrition. Indians consider cows to be real nurses, since their milk, as well as dairy products, are very beneficial for human health.

It is also worth noting some interesting facts about cows regarding their sacred status in India.

In Ancient Egypt, the image of a cow personified the idea of ​​vital warmth. The goddess of heaven, joy and love, Hathor, was depicted as a cow or with cows. According to ancient Scandinavian myths, magical cow Audumla nursed the giant Ymir. And from his body the whole world was subsequently created. Among the ancients cow was the personification of heaven, the nurse of the earth, who waters the fields with her milk. In India, cows are revered and compared to gods. It is believed that every cow contains a piece of divine matter, so it must be respected and protected. Vedic Indian texts say that cow is the universal mother. If you look after a cow well, feed it and take care of it, then you can increase the chances of a better life in the next life. Why exactly? cow enjoys such respect and honor? This has its own common sense. A cow feeds a person with the most useful products from the first years of his life. Hindus, who very rarely eat meat, obtain the proteins and beneficial minerals necessary for the body from dairy products. Cheeses, cottage cheese, fermented milk drinks are useful at any age, they give the body energy and strength. It is not for nothing that in Rus' the cow was respectfully called “mother-nurse.” But humanity uses cows not only as milk producers. To this day, manure plays an important role in the way of life of many peoples. Dried cow dung is used as... Manure is used to cover the roofs of huts or is used as a building material for adobe houses when the manure is mixed with clay. But not only backward countries stuck in a primitive communal system use manure. In modern farms, it is the best fertilizer, not only cheap and effective, but also environmentally friendly. Cattle leather is still used in industry, although humanity is constantly inventing new and high-quality artificial materials. Leather goods were not a tribute to fashion, but a necessity of life. Leather was used to make shoes, belts, clothes and furniture, and other household items. Cows are very peaceful, calm and kind animals. They are surrounded by an aura of peace, tranquility and mental well-being. These large and quiet animals accompanied humanity for many centuries, helping it survive in harsh conditions, supplying it with food and keeping it warm. It is not surprising that in many cultures the cow was revered as a cow, and among some peoples the cult of this animal has been preserved to this day.