Gopāṣṭamī is the day when Krishna got the responsibility of tending the cows in Vrindavan. Krishna was extremely happy to get the opportunity to take care of the cows because he loves cows and today this is known to all.
If we love someone genuinely, then we love what he loves the most. So, if we say we love Krishna then we should love cows too. Krishna enjoys the company of the cows. Although he is the Supreme Lord, but he loves to be called as a cowherd boy. He is called Gopala because he takes care of the cows. He gives pleasure to the cows as well, so he is called Govinda. And Krishna’s friends are also cowherd boys.
How Gopāṣṭamī started?
As a child when Krishna was less than 6 years, he delightfully took the service of tending the calves. He did it so well that when he reached the age of paugaṇḍa [six to ten], the elders of Vrindavan gave him the responsibility of taking care of the cows. And that special day came to be known as Gopāṣṭamī.
In the Kārttika-māhātmya section of the Padma Purāṇa it is mentioned, “The eighth lunar day of the bright fortnight of the month of Kārttika is known by authorities as Gopāṣṭamī. From that day, Lord Vāsudeva served as a cowherd, whereas previously He had tended the calves.”
Cow’s milk is elixir for human society
As the Supreme Lord of the entire creation, Krishna does not have to do anything, but still in his eternal pastimes he chooses to take care of the cows. Now, when God loves someone then that someone has to be special. And cows are indeed special. Cow’s milk is elixir for human society. It has been medically proven and most importantly has been experienced by each one of us.
I do not think there can be anyone who did not grow up drinking cow’s milk. When children show reluctance to drink milk then mother forcibly makes child to drink the cow milk because a mother knows what is best for her child.
Cow’s milk is a great source of protein, calcium, magnesium and valuable nutrients like Vitamin B12 and iodine. As per a report in Economic Times, around 6 billion people all over the world consume cow’s milk. The paper further says that cow’s milk contains antibiotics which boost immunity and helps in preventing deadly diseases like cancer and HIV.
Just like a mother takes care of her baby selflessly, similarly, cows nourish us without expecting anything from us. Give her some grass which is widely available, and she is contented and gives us abundant milk. And from her milk, many delicious and healthy food items can be prepared.
Cows helps to solve economic problem too. Srila Prabhupada writes, “..one is considered to be a rich man by the strength of his store of grains and cows. With only these two things, cows and grain, humanity can solve its eating problem. Human society needs only sufficient grain and sufficient cows to solve its economic problems.” Srimad Bhagavatam Purport 3.2.29
Previously, on any auspicious occasions kings or rich men would give cows in charity along with gold, diamonds and other valuable gems. When Krishna appeared then Vasudeva and Devaki gave ten thousand cows in charity to the brāhmaṇas.
Cow’s Product a must for Vedic sacrifices
Cow’s products are used in worshipping the deity and in all Vedic ritualistic ceremonies. While churning the milk ocean, cows delivered five products, namely milk, yogurt, ghee, urine and cow dung. These are called as panca-gavya.
Panca-gavya is used in Vedic sacrifices. It is used in performing abhishek of the Lord in the festivals like Janmashtami, Ram Navami, Gaur Purnima and during the installation of the deities in the temple.
Cow represents India’s glorious past
Cow is a symbol of Indian spiritual culture and civilization which is India’s pride. Just like a flag of any country is not mere a piece of cloth, similarly cow is not just like any other animal. She represents India’s glorious past.
Just like when we see the flag of our country, we immediately remember our mother land, similarly when we see mother cow, we remember India’s rich Vedic culture and civilization which is India’s identity.
If anyone fails to show respect to the national flag, it means that he has no love and gratitude for the country where he was born and where he grew up. Similarly, if one is not honouring mother cow then it means that one does not have love for rich Indian spiritual culture in which cow played a significant role.
In fact, it won’t be wrong to say that if an Indian does not have reverence for cows then it also implies that he/she does not have genuine love for India. How can you say you love India, but you do not love those people and those animals which made this country a beautiful place.
I remember when I had gone to United Nations Office at Geneva in Switzerland, I was desperately looking for the Indian flag amongst hundreds of other country’s flags which were displayed on the lawn there.
And as soon as I was able to see the Indian flag, my heart surged with pride. I was overwhelmed with the thought of my country. Similarly, when I see cows especially in Vrindavan, I immediate remember Krishna’s wonderful pastimes with mother cows.
Scriptures about the importance of cow protection
When we read Vedic scriptures, we come to know how noble rulers protected religious principles by protecting cows. When Kali dressed as a king was torturing a bull and a cow then King Parikshit who was the emperor and grandson of Arjuna, immediately took his sword to punish the perpetrator.
The king boldly declared, “O son of Surabhi, you need lament no longer now. There is no need to fear this low-class śūdra. And, O mother cow, as long as I am living as the ruler and subduer of all envious men, there is no cause for you to cry. Everything will be good for you.” Srimad Bhagavatam 1.17.9
In Bhagavad Gita, 18.44, Krishna says that a vaisya has the duty to protect the cows, go-rakṣya.
Viṣṇu Purāṇa 1.19.65, mentions that the Supreme Lord is the well-wisher of brahmanas and the cows, go-brāhmaṇa-hitāya ca.
In Srimad Bhagavatam 11.11.43, Krishna tells Uddhava, “I can be worshiped within the cows by offerings of grass and other suitable grains and paraphernalia for the pleasure and health of the cows – goṣv aṅga yavasādinā.”
Srila Prabhupada has multiple times underlined the importance of cow protection. He says that human society will suffer if it fails to protect cows, “Civilized men who follow the system of varṇāśrama, especially those of the vaiśya class, who engage in agriculture and trade, must give protection to the cows. Unfortunately, because people in Kali-yuga are mandāḥ, all bad, and sumanda-matayaḥ, misled by false conceptions of life, they are killing cows in the thousands. Therefore, they are unfortunate in spiritual consciousness, and nature disturbs them in so many ways, especially through incurable diseases like cancer and through frequent wars among nations. As long as human society continues to allow cows to be regularly killed in slaughterhouses, there cannot be any question of peace and prosperity.” Srimad Bhagavatam 8.8.11
Show your love to Krishna by loving what Krishna loves
If we want to show our love to Krishna, if we want to preserve Vedic ethos, then it is imperative that cows should be restored to her original glorious position. She should be revered and protected as a mother. Indeed, scriptures say that a human being has seven mothers and one of them is a cow.
Killing cows or considering her just like any other animal imply that we do not value the love which Krishna has for cows. Taking care of cows and protecting her from being slaughtered means understanding the feelings of Krishna and reciprocating with it.
Both the government and people should take the onus of protecting the cows and taking care of her not just when she is giving milk but even when she is not giving milk. This is the best way to show our love to Krishna and celebrate Gopāṣṭamī.
On the day of Gopāṣṭamī, devotees of Krishna and many pious Indians go to goshala to feed the cows. They also worship mother cows on that auspiocus day. But why only on Gopāṣṭamī day, we should love and care mother cow every day of the year.
