Revealing the sacredness of Cows !

ॐ श्री गणेशाय नम: नमो गोभ्य: अथ गोविमर्शनम्

ॐ = Ohm, the ultimate reality - the creator, protector and the destructor !
श्री गणेशाय नम: = Salutations to the Lord Ganesh, the initiator
नमो गोभ्य: = Salutations to the Mother Cow - a representative of the mother earth
अथ गोविमर्शनम् = Salutations to the Knowledgebases, thoughts and all the righteous discussion on holy/sacred cows

ब्रह्मर्षिवन्दिताम् = Enlightened Saints and Hermits have praised you
ब्राह्मी = the ultimate genuine breed of cows broughtup and domesticated by Indus valley civilization
राजर्षि = great kings such as 'Dilip', Krishna have
परिसेविताम् !=served you selflessly, endlessly
देवाश्रयकृतां =even all the deieties and angels have made you as their shelter,
दिव्यां = a full of divine energy, shiny quality
वेदानुमोदितां = sanatana-veda also have asserted you as divine
नुम:= please accept my salutations as well


पवित्रपांशुलां=the one who is pure,
पूतां = and even the dust from her feet can make other entity pure
परित:पुण्यदर्शनाम् = from every aspect, she is a divine and righteous shrine. even her presence and sight gives us pure mind and abiding union
इहामुत्र = she is the wealth of this universe and the one beyond
श्रियं वन्दे = righteouness with virtue and adorable presence
मातरं जगतामहम् = she is the mother of the universe/planet
!! २!!

अपवाद: समानोऽत्र = it is also exceptionally erroneous
पिवन्त्येव पशो:पय: != to assume that she is precious just because that she gives us milk
गवां तु तत्र वैशिष्ट्यं = but she has such an exceptional qualities
येनासां मातृता मता = that it would make her as our mother
!!३!!

ओंकारमय हुंकारं = she teaches us the real pronounciation of 'Ohm', 'Hum'-alphabets
व्याहरन्ती सुमंगला != divine sound-vibration prooves us that she is loving and knowledge abiding, intellectually symbolic
गोमाता व्यक्तमाख्याता = we have already asserted that she is the mother of all
उमा अम्बा च रम्भणात् = Uma, Amba, Rambha are her other few creative sound-vibration that gives us path of wisdom
!!४!!

धर्मधात्री धरारुपा = she is the mother of all sanatana-dharma, she resembles every aspect of mother earth,
यज्ञयोग्यार्थदायिनी = she provides all the ingredients for 'Yangya', and retains the righteousness within 'Brahmic-culture'
गोमाता व्यक्तमाख्याता= again, we have already asserted that she is the mother of all
वत्सला च पयस्विनी = the one who provides milk to their children and because of her tenderness also
!!५!!

बालाय चापि बृध्दाय = she makes children and old citizen
रोगिणे योगिने हिता= diseased and mystical one keeps healthy, cures
गोमाता व्यक्तमाख्याता= again, we have already asserted that she is the mother of all
दुर्बलपक्षपोषणात् = she helps keep all the organs healthy and provides nutritions to the weak ones
!!६!!

व्दित्रा तु शावका: सन्ति =animals like goat have 2-3 children
स्तनौ व्दावेव केवलम् ! = and have only two breasts to feed them
नैव न्याय्यमजादुग्धं = it is not logical and lawful to have milk from them
भावहिंसा न मातृता = it brings thought-violations and so it doesn't have mother quality that the cow has
!!७!!

महिषी भावशून्या हि = Buffalos have almost negligible motherhood towards human kind
गावोन्या (तथान्या) न्यूनलक्षणा != other various types of cows such as 'Neel, Jersey, Yaks' also have comparatively less motherly qualities
सास्नावती स्वत: पूर्णा = as the 'brahmi cows' with 'sashnaavati', the long neck with are pure breads
पन्चगव्य विधायिनी = The 5 nectars, http://govigyan.com/panchagavya.htm(Milk,Curd,Butter,Dung,Urine) are considered very holy,natural purifier in vedic-culture and are only taken from 'brahmi cows'. they are useful in arurvedic medicine
!!८!!

भुक्तं पीतं च यत्किन्चित् = whatever cow eats and drinks -
पवित्रमुपजायते ! = the elements becomes purer
शापवशान्मुखं दुष्टं =even though she has been cursed on her mouth by Lord Shiva
नैष दोषो बसुन्धरान् = the cows on earth even being excused from such
!!९!!

वन्धनं ग्रन्थवच्चास्या= the way how holy books are wrapped in a cloth
हितायैवोपयुज्यते != for their own safety, we need to tie them with a rope
विक्रयं ह्युपलब्ध्यर्थ = selling of a cow is perhibited, but for the people who are willing to serve them are allowed to buy - if their primary intention is to serve and retain as a pet
देवसेवा प्रसादवत् = they represent/symbolize the collective deity in order to serve them
!!१०!!

समं पयस्तु पुत्रेण= treat their milk like your children
विक्रेतव्यं न कर्हिचित् != never sell the milk if possible
कन्यापण्यं गवां पण्यं = to sell cow is like selling your own daughter
प्रथाप्यस्ति पुरातनी(सुवातनी)= this has equally truthbased, traditional, time-immemorable, saying and not only a folklore
!!११!!

यत्र गौस्तत्र गङ्गापि =where there is a cow, there is the holy 'Ganges'
यत्र गौस्तत्र वै रमा != where there is a cow, the goddess of wealth also resides within
गोमूत्रे संस्थिता गङ्गा= the reason for this is in the cow urine- Ganga resides and
गोमये कमलालया = and in cow dung Kamala-Laxmi, godess of wealth resides
!!१२!!

ब्रह्माद्या देवताश्चास्या: = many deities such as Brahmaa,
प्रतिष्ठाने(प्रत्यङ्गेषु) प्रतिष्ठिता: != do reside on each part(organs) of the cow
पूजिता यत्र गाव: स्यु: = the place where she gets worshiped
देवतास्तत्र पूजिता: = obviously all the deities are also praised and respected
!!१३!!

यत्र गाव: प्रसन्ना: स्यु: =where the cows are happy and treated well
प्रसन्नास्तत्र सम्पद: != there all the wealth/goddess become happy
यत्र गावो: विषण्णा:= where cows are suffered, tortured and sacrificed
स्युर्विषण्णास्तत्र सम्पद: = that is where the family, community, nature, nation are tortured, suffered with many diseases
!!१४!!

ओजस्तेजश्च(तेजो हि)=Cows are the wealth,shiny path of a great nation
राष्ट्रस्य भावना च पवित्रता !=cow represents inner-compassion and divine purity
गोश्चापि भारतं वर्षं = cow is the mobile India
देशभक्तैर्विचार्यताम् = let patriotic citizen of a nation think,discuss on this
!!१५!!

श्रध्दया पूज्यतामद्य=cows are symbols of respect, peace and so do pray them during their day of Gopastami
श्रद्धा पूजास्वरुपिणि != they are the compassion,service and worshiping living idols
गोपालानुचरन्तीयं =Lord Krishna himself serviced cows as a slave,
भवतामस्तु कामधुक् =let cow mother become an inspiration to everyone on earth and she fulfills everyone's worldly and well as divine desires
!!१६!!

Avoid Animal Sacrifices in the Temples of Nepal

How can we be respectful in the temples when we visit them?
General

1. By regulating a darshan-line, first come first serve basis for the Adults
2. Providing a separate line to the disabled, elderly individuals and the ladies with children and others exceptions
3. Allocating time intervals for a certain society members such as Sanyasis, Yogis and Sadhus.
4. Debate on the strong points of the cause and repect everyones view as well. Do not kill each other in the name of this peaceful praying and animal saving effort!!



Temple Sacrifices:
3. Not sacrificing Animals in the peripheri of temples and around.
4. Not allowing the blood to be poured in the 'murti' - statue itself. That will make the temple dirty, un-higinec and digrade the 'swaroop' of the idol itself.
5. Discouraging people to not to do 'bali-pratha'. So many bad/adverse consequesces that may create to children,pregnant woman and elderly individuals.
6. Killing is like smoking in public, there is always a chance of second-hand consumption of bad habits.



Legal Aspects:
1. Immediately create a law to protect 'Animal Sacrifices' in the public.
Making it illigal would help and recognize the social aspects of a well being of a functional society.
2. Allow certain time in the temple for all different kinds of believers. There are Vaisnav, Shakti upashak, Shaiva upashak who do not belive in killing. It shows the feudal system still applies in the temple. Break the barrier otherwise half of the people would not even participate in temple darshanam.
3. Take examples from certain South Indian temples and how the pilgrims/devotees are not allowed to touch the idols rather all the sacrifices (monitory, flowers, coconuts) are all done in a certain specific place.
4. Politically it is seen that the violence need to come to an end. Ending violence, extorsion and intimidation starts from home and temples. Nepal is a country where temples and houses are equal in numbers. The root cause of the violence in Nepal today is the discipline that we grow in. The temples are the places where there has to be a regulated laws - where people are not allowed to sacrifice and animals such as Lumbini, Pasupatinath, Muktinath, Swambhunath etc..even Devi-tirtha for certain days or time to begin with. Let us give it a try.
5. Ethical/Phycologic: There are certain animals in Nepal where they are treated as pets and they grow in the farm and houses. At least they are better than the poultry animals but still some personal affection will be built during their stay and children are affected when the animal are sacriiced in the same house in front of them.
6. At least avoid sacrificing in front of the children, pregnant woman, sadhus, elderly citizen.

Tantric


1. There are certain ignorant believers or the sect of people who still believe on killing and sacrificing would give them prosperity, well health and better spiritual life. The very tantric Mandala(circular palace of god's kingdom)-believed by both Hindus, Buddhits, Newars is the gate to the paradise. Bodhisatwa/Abalokiteswar are the universal connecting points and forces. Shiva is the protectors of all the animals and so is the Buddhaatma. Educate the pilgrims on the way and lead them towards proper way of community and connectedness theories and proper values.
2. Even great tantrik like 'Gubhajoo' used his leg as a log to prove mystical power. Some time before canibbalism were also a part of certain society but now no longer practiced in the world. How politically correct a person need to be by allowing other individual to participate in the community building nor separating them out!
3. Every creature is special and creative and unique. Preserve them, help them preserved. Affection to animal make us live longer and better.
4. Preserve them from being extict. People when practice killing, generally do not know how to tolerate killing other animals too. Rhinos, Dolphins, Crocodiles, Deers, Tigers, Danphe, Ghorals are very bad examples in Nepal are getting nearly into extinction.

http://www.goveg.com/amazingAnimals.asp


Receive help from every sources:
1. There are certain Churches in the world who believe in non-violence
2. Sanatana organizations Iscon, Certain Buddhits, Vaisnavs, Krishna Pranami, Marbadis are very strict on their diet and healthy eating and preaching - get help from them to cultivate a culture to restpect fellow nepalese to educate on these sentiments.
3. Tell, educate people about the usefulness of Sheep wool, Yak milk and other great products that they can produce. Economically farming for such products will be better than sacrificing to begin with. Questions may arise then - what may happen to the poor people who sell chickens, eggs next to the temples. We can always ask them to help cultivate farming, help them grow their business by preserving them. Teach them not only how to fish but improve better fish farming in the lakes and rivers.



Show and tell, Movies
1. Advocate on students, volunteers, church fellowmen, bhajan tolis on Animal protection. Spiritual and preaching against violence.
2. Encourage Healthy eating - more green and 'satwik-bhojan and bhajan'
http://foodawareness.org
3. Ecological Aspect of preserving animals and temple is the worst place to teach children.
4. There were even great western sciences who lead vegetarian lives and loved animals to their heart -
Albert Einstein,Charles Darwin,Leonardo DaVinci,Ralph Waldo Emerson, Plato,Socrates,
Voltaire,Gandhi,Henry David Thoreau, Nikola Tesla,Sir Issac Newton

Support the cause, become an Activist:

1. Boycott the temples where they allow animal sacrifices- this way pundits, pujaries will feel the concern and will be educated better first
2. Provide banners, advertisements, scholarships for the children who keep the promises and help others to make temples free of animal sacrifice.
3. All pray together in certain temples on certain days/morning/bhajan/sangeet yatra and educate people on such



Support great personalities
1. Nepali Baba is a well known figure who does his skilled temple pooja and sponcer some in Devi-Peetha such as 'Dakchin Kali' and invite all the relatives, friends and family to see them. they are such a great flowers, vegetable offerings and look so beauiful that you don't feel like doing any bad 'pratha'
2. Once in a while do a bhajan-lahari in each sahkti pitha- invite great singers, musician and perform spiritual contests and dominate the scene by non-violence sangit. Invite Ani Choying Dolma as a chief guest and she will change the enviroment.
3. Start a petting zoo and make more money from the business men/women by keeping them forever.
4. Write articles, send me any links about supporting ideas and the most important thing is -
5. Be a spiritual example, be healthy in action, words, thoughts and mind. Know the facts about what you put into your body. What you believe and pray is what you become, what you eat is what you are !

Movement against cruelty to animals

By Avantika Regmi


Micheal Vick, a United States football pro, signed a 10-year, $130 million ($37 million signing bonus) contract with his United States football club in December 2004. Besides this large sum, Vick had another disgusting and cruel source of money. Across several states he was organizing and funding dog-fighting games. Pit Bulls (specifically bred and trained for dog fighting) were set loose in fighting arenas like gladiators to maul and maim each other. The loser Pit Bulls were often beaten, hanged and electrocuted to death and Vicks himself dispatched several.
A couple of months ago, I met a rescued Pit Bull with raw flesh still exposed on the entire length of its back even after three weeks of very good medical treatment. Someone had deliberately poured petrol on its back and lit it. The raw wound and the terrible pain were supposed to make the dog fiercer. This was the type of operation that Vick was organizing.

Fortunately, the American law finally caught up with him. Vick was indicted and now faces from one year to five years in prison. His multi-million dollar football contract has been cancelled, as well as all his endorsements. In short, his career is finished and his money has evaporated into thin air.

People who inflict wanton cruelty towards animals, like Vick, would not have to pay such a huge penalty for their cruelty had the United States not had any laws dealing with animal rights. Even more important is the fact that the American society is sensitized to animal rights and has a sizable number of passionate and committed army of animal rights activists to check violations.

Such medieval barbaric sports, from human gladiators to animal gladiators did not stop in a day or a year or even a decade. While the human form ended long ago, the gory animal form has nearly stopped because of almost one hundred and fifty years of struggle to enact and enforce animal rights law. In 1866 the American Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals was organized. This was the harbinger of the anti-animal cruelty movements in the United States and since then thousands of organizations and societies have come up all over the United States.

The British passed their first law for the prevention of cruelty to animals in 1822, which is also known as the Magna Carta of animal rights law. In 1824 the first society for the prevention of cruelty to animals was launched in London. So no wonder then different states of British India had statutes enacted by the 1860s to deal with cruelty against animals.

An amendment to the Bengal Act of 1869 "Cruelty to Animals -Act No. 3" dealt with the "punishment for employing animals unfit for labor, and authorizes the local government to set up infirmaries for animals which are diseased or disabled, or which have been cruelly treated."

The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act of India came in 1890. Today more than a century later hundreds of laws and acts are in place to protect the animals against human excesses. Maneka Gandhi has co-authored a 1234 page book titled "Animal Laws of India." It is a compilation of all the animal rights laws in existence and various landmark cases of animal rights movement in India. These laws cover the whole gamut of animals – wildlife, domestic, pets and all the animals who are vulnerable to abuse and cruelty.

Various states of India have laws that prohibit animal sacrifice -The Andhra Pradesh Animal and Birds Sacrifices (Prohibition) Act of 1950; The Gujarat Animal and Birds Sacrifices Act of 1972; The Karnataka Prevention of Sacrifices Act, 1953; The Kerala Animals and Birds Sacrifices Prohibition Act, 1968; The Pondicherry Animals and Birds Sacrifices Prohibition Act, 1968; The Rajasthan Animal and Birds Sacrifice Prohibition Act, 1975 and The Tamil Nadu Animal and Birds sacrifices Prohibition Act, 1958.

The Gujarat Animal Sacrifice Prohibition Act section 2a gives the definition of worship place as - "in relation to a temple includes any mandap, building and land appertaining to the temple and ordinarily used for any purpose connected with the worship in the temple or not, and the entire area of land appertaining to the temple on which jatra or fair is held."

Further, Section 3 of the Prohibition Act states –"No person shall sacrifice or cause to be sacrificed any animal or bird for the purpose, or with the intention of, propitiating any deities." Section 5 of the Act states that – "whoever contravenes section 3 will face imprisonment upto 6 months, or fine upto five hundred rupees, or both."

However, even with the law in place does not completely prevent devotees from sacrificing animals in India. Politics complicates matter. For example, in 2003 the then Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Jayalalitha imposed complete ban on sacrifices in temples. Yet a year later she revoked the ban for electoral gains and brought out an ordinance to annul the 1958 Act. So, success has depended on enforcement. But the fact remains that animal rights laws are present aplenty in India.

In many states of India however there are no laws to prohibit animal sacrifice like in West Bengal and Assam. But when King Gyanendra offered animal sacrifice at the famous Shakti temples in Bengal (Kali Temple) and Assam (Kamakhya Temple) he brought on the wrath of animal right activists and millions of Indians who patently detest such acts.

Bihar is another state, which does not have any animal sacrifice prohibition law but many other factors may be acting as buffer against animal sacrifice. One is the association of Buddha – The Bodhgaya Temple Act, 1949, prohibits people from performing animal sacrifice within the temple precincts.

This is the reason why hundreds of thousands of Biharis from Nepal's bordering districts land up to celebrate Bara's Gadimai Festival every four years. During the festival more than hundred thousand animals and birds including 40,000 to 50,000 buffaloes are slaughtered in a culling field. A documentary made by Forum of Environmental Journalists shows the savagery of the people – one scene shows forty–fifty thousand buffaloes in a large field with hundreds of drunken men with spears and swords moving around them– these are the people who are given a license to kill the animals. In another scene the soil is seen soaked in blood – separated heads and bodies of thousands of innocent animals scattered all over. There is no method to these killing. The men are drunk and they pierce and gore the animals slowly to their death.

A lone crusader Dr. Jagdish Arohi, a Bara resident, is the only voice against this medieval madness – he stands with his posters and banners against the sacrifices. He has been doing this for more than fifteen years.

It's almost two hundred years since the first prevention of cruelty to animals law was enacted and almost hundred and fifty years since India came out with statutes against cruelty to animals. But even in year 2007 Nepal does not have a single law that protects the animals. Why?

Is it because we are inherently cruel and barbaric?

Is it because we are ignorant?

Is it because of our acute poverty?

Is it because we remained isolated from the outside world for a long time?

Or is it because the Europeans never colonized us?

Is it because we never saw any social movements apart from political movements?

Whatever the reasons, our passion to inflict cruelty to animals, whether in the name of preserving and adhering to age-old cultural practices and beliefs, religious rituals, has no rationale in the world today. The shame and ignominy that Nepalis the world over felt when the sacrifice of goats to repair the Nepal Airways was widely reported is a case in point. If Nepal truly wants to progress on all fronts and come out of the rut of this medieval penury and squalor it also has to come out from the rut of this medieval mindset, of superstition and mindless cruelty.

I encourage my readers to think seriously about animal sacrifice if they still believe in it. You have learnt the English language to read and communicate in the global arena and yet are stuck in rituals that are patently medieval for religious or cultural matters. Others who understand the barbarism of animal sacrifices, want it to end, and yet are confused as to what to do to start their own small movements from today. We can put up fliers in temple areas. The flier doesn't need to be fancy and printed out. One can take a piece of paper and write simple messages like – "Let's celebrate a cruelty-free Dasain." It's so simple. Don't wait another day.

avantikaregmi@aim.com