Gou seva

For centuries, the cow has stood as a symbol of divine grace and nurturing in India. Revered across our sacred texts—Vedas, Upanishads, and Puranas—the cow is not just an animal, but Gaumata, our beloved Mother Cow. In the rich tapestry of Indian culture, the cow holds a position of purity, faith, and reverence. It is said that the cow is the abode of 33 crore gods, a testament to its spiritual significance.

The word Gau is not just a reference to a cow, but a symbol that encompasses values of respect, prosperity, and harmony. Terms like Gokul, Gopal, Goverdhan, and Gaumukh all begin with Gau, highlighting the cow’s integral role in shaping the spiritual and cultural landscape of India. Lord Krishna, a central figure in our mythology, is inseparable from the image of cows. His flute enchanted the hearts of cows, and their milk and butter were his favorites. This profound connection between Lord Krishna and Gaumata reinforces the reverence with which cows have always been regarded.

Yet, today, this sacred relationship is under threat. The declining respect for Gaumata is evident in the heartbreaking sight of cows abandoned on the streets, left to roam through piles of garbage. In their desperate search for food, they often consume harmful substances like plastic, sharp objects, and discarded waste. This results in severe health problems, including digestive disorders, infections, and even cancer. Tragically, many cows suffer in silence, with no one to care for them, no one to offer medical help when they are injured or ill.

The situation is made worse by the growing number of slaughterhouses, which have proliferated from 300 before India’s independence to over 36,000 today. Cows are often transported in overcrowded, unhygienic conditions, with no access to food or water. In these slaughterhouses, they endure horrific cruelty—scalded with boiling water, mutilated, and slaughtered while still alive. Their bodies are disrespected, their lives wasted for profit.

This cruelty is not just an attack on the cow but on the very values that form the foundation of human civilization. The mistreatment of Gaumata is an affront to compassion, and it is our collective responsibility to protect her.

At Rajaram Gaushala, we are committed to the welfare and protection of cows. Through our Gou Seva initiatives, we aim to raise awareness about the suffering of cows and to provide them with the care and respect they rightfully deserve. We believe that the preservation of Gaumata is not just about saving cows—it is about restoring the dignity and humanity that is essential to our civilization.

Let us come together to ensure that the sacred cow is treated with the love, respect, and protection she has given us for millennia.