Why can't Hindu's eat cows?

Answer 1

1. Cow is a pet -

A simplistic answer will be a question - why do Westerners no eat dog's meat, or cat's meat ? The obvious point is that people world over do not eat their pets, and cow in the least is a pet.

Why don't people eat their pets ? Because people get emotionally attached with the pets. A pet becomes a family member. Also most civilized people people protect those who are under their protection. The same point has tionall been emphasized by a story from Hindu scripture -literature 'Raghu Vamsha by Kalidas. In the story, King Dilip, forefather of Lord Rama, offers to a lion his own life in exchange of a divine cow that is under Dilip's protection. Such is the Hindu scriptural reverence for the defence of

those under your refuge.

2. Cow's usefulness for Indian agricultural economy -

Similarly one can ask why do people in the West not eat horse meat?

In the west, the agriculture depended on horses till last century, hence horse meat is not part of western diet. Similarly, agriculture in India from ancient times to even now largely uses oxen for farming. So you don't destroy the 'work horse' of agricultural economy. Cows, oxen thus have been crucial for Indian agriculture.

3. Dietary considerations -

Unlike Chinese diet, Indian diet uses milk and milk products to large extent. In the hot, hardy Indian climate, the milk yield goes down. The average milk output of an Indian cow therefore is lower compared to cows in cooler climates. Hence in order to protect the milk yield, in the old days, the numbers of milch cattle had to be protected. The best way known to man, to protect certain species is to make it 'holy'. Thus by giving cow a 'holy' status, the sages ensured its protection.

The importance of milk in Indian diet arose from the keen observation of nature by the sages. The newborn of all mammals are nourished by mother's milk. If milk is good for defenceless babies, then it must be good for man, who was vulnerable from physical defences, compared to all other animals. Interestingly, it is only human being that drinks milk of other species. From all aspects such as milk yield, domesticability, availability of fodder etc, a cow is most suitable. Yet, this does not explain veneration of cow by Hindus.

4. Logical higher explanantion for how 'useful' became 'holy' cow -

The one quality that distinguishes humans from other animals is that of 'gratitude'. It is Hindu gratitude that takes a 'dumb' cow to a higher plane of thought. After our birth, our mother nourished us with her milk when we were totally helpless, for a year or two. Thereafter it is cow's milk that nourishes us for the rest of our lives. The Hindu

respects the mother as the lifegiver, hence the term Matru devo bhava meaning 'see God in your mother'. He then extends the same logic and the same gratitude furher to a cow who nourished him with her milk too. In every civilized society mother is respected and venerated, she is never cosidered as object of 'consumption'. The Hindu extends the same logic, same courtsey to a cow. Thus this extension of gratitude makes cows 'holy'.

5. Scriptural support

Indian scriptures describe Lord KrishNa as a cow herder in his youth. His childhood stories regale Hindus even now. A one particular story about Govardhan tells that it was KrishNa who asked cow herders to stop worshipping Indra - a powerful God in the heavens, and then asked them to worship cows since they gave them their livelyhood. Once again the subtle teaching for cowherders was 'see God in everything', even in

your work. Approaching work as worship makes every menial task a joyful and rejoicing endeavour. It will also make you feel God as something close and not something distant.

A famous hymn in praise of Gita, the most sacred Hindu text, compares Gita to a cow, Lord Krishna as the milker, the essence of Upnishads as the milk.

The Hindu thought goes beyond mere kindness to animals as the SPCA (Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) in the West wants.

Even though cow herds have been prevalent in India for over 5000 years, the ideas of 'cow tipping' and lassoing are unheard of.

6. Symbolically, cow represents the qualities of earth -

ever giving, ever nourishing. The Hindu reveres all animals and the cow is revered as

representative of all animals and many other animals are revered as carriers (Vaahanas) for the demi-Gods.

Answer 2

Orthodox Hindus (such as Brahmins) would never eat or even touch any meat. Let alone pork and beef, since Hinduism preaches "ahimsa" (non-violence) and a sense that God dwells in each and every living being.

Beef, on the other hand, has a completely different perspective in Hinduism as beef is the meat of a cow, which is considered holy and motherly in all Hindu sects. Eating beef is one of the biggest sins in Hinduism and many Hindus regard beef-eating people as not a Hindu.

Drinking cow's milk is completely encouraged in Hinduism and is considered cleansing and pure. But eating beef in Hinduism is as, or even more sinful than a Muslim eating pork or dog or a Jew eating cheese and pork at the same time.

Answer 3

Orthodox Hindus (such as Brahmins) would never eat or even touch any meat. Let alone pork and beef, since Hinduism preaches "ahimsa" (non-violence) and a sense that God dwells in each and every living being.

Beef, on the other hand, has a completely different perspective in Hinduism as beef is the meat of a cow, which is considered holy and motherly in all Hindu sects. Eating beef is one of the biggest sins in Hinduism and many Hindus regard beef-eating people as not a Hindu.

Drinking cow's milk is completely encouraged in Hinduism and is considered cleansing and pure. But eating beef in Hinduism is as, or even more sinful than a Muslim eating pork or dog or a Jew eating cheese and pork at the same time.

End note: As cow is sacred so Hindus should also stop eating dairy products like milk etc.. because in the dairy farm Cows get extremely tortured ! So just not eating beef doesn't help the holy mother. Hindus, please stop consuming milk products too and end the hypocrisy !

Answer 4

According to Hindu scriptures Cows are considered very sacred for many reasons.

Amongst all the mammals, cow's milk is next to the mother's milk. It is easily digestable for infants.

Besides soluble fats, cow's milk is said to have useful minerals and ingredients for brain cells.

Cow's Gobar (excreta, stool, waste) is excellent organic manure.

Cow's urine according to Ayurveda is used for many medicinal purposes.

In ancient times, and still in certain villages, cow's progeny , oxen, is used to carry bullocks and also used for ploughing in the fields. India being primarily an agricultural nation, cow has been important animal.

After its death, its skin is used as good quality leather.

Thus this is the only animal which has its use while living or dead, and as such, understanding its value as a national wealth, it was worshipped and held sacred by Hindus.

Answer 5

Hinduism has always been a very environmentally friendly and nature loving religion.

Since ancient times not just the cow but many of India's animals and plants have found a special place in a Hindu's worship. This has been done to cultivate an attitude of love, sympathy and kindness with all universal life.

The cow holds a special sacred spot in Hinduism because for nearly 5000 years India has been an agricultural country. To prevent the cow from being looked upon as a "resource" to be used and slaughtered when it is no longer needed, the cow has been given a special status. Just as one would not discard an old parent when their "utility" has expired, so too the cow who has nourished our bodies with her milk and butter is valued like a mother.

Answer 6

Many religions have dietary limitations. Many orthodox Hindi do not eat any meat, as they believe that do do so is a type of violence. The cow (beef) is considered sacred within their religion.

Answer 7

Because the cow is sacred to the god Krishna.

Answer 8

The Hindu religion requires its believers to abstain form eating all meet, and be vegetarian.

Answer 9

As a matter of fact, Muslims do eat beef. Hindus, on the other hand revere cows and bulls. Killing/Slaughtering them is something they do not take lightly.