[QUOTE=panoramix;63894]I guess one shouldn’t drink cow milk produced at industrial facilities neither… right?[/QUOTE]
What is that?
[QUOTE=Anand Kulkarni;63899]What is that?[/QUOTE]
Well, you know, mass production… cows are crowded together in hangars, without the basic for psychological health…
Stressed and imprisoned.
[QUOTE=panoramix;63900]Well, you know, mass production… cows are crowded together in hangars, without the basic for psychological health…
Stressed and imprisoned.[/QUOTE]
Well, that’s a sorry state of affairs for anyone.
Regarding the divinity in cows, it is supposed to be present in very few breeds, characterised by big hump on the back and a profuse dewalp (neck skin).
Protecting these breeds of cow goes much beyond ahimsa i.e. non violence and animal rights issues.
I am pasting a beautiful picture of one such serene looking vedic cow.
regards
anand
Admin edit - removed direct link to image due to size
Anand,
“Regarding the divinity in cows”
Dividing lines between this and that, the fellow tries to escape from the inescapable.
“it is supposed to be present in very few breeds”
Inescapable, inescapable.
“characterised by big hump on the back”
Camels should hijack cows.
“I am pasting a beautiful picture of one such serene looking vedic cow.”
An ordinary cow, declaring “moo” in the fields, no vedic daydreams dare enter here.
The decision is yours.
Perhaps ones decision should be to conform to reality since truth is not relative?
[QUOTE=Anand Kulkarni;63861]I’m looking for inputs on this subject, borrowed or experiential from forum members.
anand[/QUOTE]
Anand,
Much of what you have posted reads like religious superstition. The cow is the cow. An animal domesticated over thousands of years and used by man for food and labour. How this evolved into worship is not known or understood by me. But, if this belief system allows you to grow spiritually, then it is OK by me.
[QUOTE=FlexPenguin;64117]Anand,
Much of what you have posted reads like religious superstition. The cow is the cow. An animal domesticated over thousands of years and used by man for food and labour. How this evolved into worship is not known or understood by me. But, if this belief system allows you to grow spiritually, then it is OK by me.[/QUOTE]
Dear Friend:
Like you, even I used to discard and even mock this thing about the cow being divine and being just part of religious superstition, born of the necessity of dependence upon her milk.
In fact, I used to question about there being any divinity at all. More so, since academically, I was trained in science, engineering and all that.
Slowly, as a yoga aspirant, this started changing.
Coming back to the cow in particular, my eyes opened when I came to know that the yogis had, in their expanded consciousness seen something in the vedic cow that “made” this apparently ordinary looking creature divine. That something was, as I have mentioned at the start of this thread, [B]a direct connection (hot line) between the sun center and the ketu center of the astral body of the cow.[/B] This connection is named as [I][B]surya-ketu nadi.[/B][/I]
By virtue of this, the creature was seen to be divine because the connection between the giver (sun) and the taker (ketu) produced a kind of a never-ending [I][B]“pranic loop”[/B][/I] that endowed all her products with healing properties. Healing that was deeper than by any other means. Probably at karmic level.
I know several people who have gotten better by cow products. Naturally, they soon started respecting her in a special manner.
So, it is not a question of a belief to be used as a crutch for spiritual advancement. It is a fact that can be verified by anyone with a bit of patience. Or of course summarily rejected.
But wouldn’t such rejection be agnostic?
regards
anand
But I do not reject this. What I do see in the “direct connection (hot line) between the sun center and the ketu center of the astral body of the cow”, as you put it, is a symbol (not a crutch). I see the cow and the sun as the entities that are selected as part of that symbolism. I do not see the literacy, however. The cow is the cow. The sun is the sun. What the yogis are experiencing is something that is deep within them and can be shared, but the language of that experience includes the imagery of the cow and the sun.
At the risk of endangering this exchange - it is akin to the body and blood of the Christ. It is not literally flesh and blood.
Again, I am very open to everything. I may, at some point, see what you see. I do not reject this in the least.
[QUOTE=FlexPenguin;64130]But I do not reject this. What I do see in the “direct connection (hot line) between the sun center and the ketu center of the astral body of the cow”, as you put it, is a symbol (not a crutch). I see the cow and the sun as the entities that are selected as part of that symbolism. I do not see the literacy, however. The cow is the cow. The sun is the sun. What the yogis are experiencing is something that is deep within them and can be shared, but the language of that experience includes the imagery of the cow and the sun.
At the risk of endangering this exchange - it is akin to the body and blood of the Christ. It is not literally flesh and blood.
Again, I am very open to everything. I may, at some point, see what you see. I do not reject this in the least.[/QUOTE]
Dear Friend:
I too at one point thought that this (cow) could be imagery, useful in purification of the mind, [I]chitta[/I], etc.
But after seeing the effects on several persons, I can say there is more to the vedic cow being “just a cow.”
I am glad that you are open minded on this. All I can say is, in case you get an opportunity to serve, tend or feed such a vedic cow, I pray to you, don’t miss it. Gently run your hand along her back several times over. Serve this way for 42 days. Then firm up your opinion.
regards
anand
[QUOTE=ray_killeen;64112]Perhaps ones decision should be to conform to reality since truth is not relative?[/QUOTE]
Dear Friend:
I agree totally.
The problem is that any reality would have gross, subtle and causal aspects and hence perceived as part truth or the whole of it, in proportion to one’s spiritual advancement, which in turn is the goal in the first place.
If a certain way of life has evolved out of sensitivity to all the aspects that would impact the goal in question, then such lifestyle certainly merits study and experimentation by those in an environment that is unfamiliar with such aspects.
Else, one’s rejection/ resistance to accepting the do’s and don’ts told and recorded for posterity, by advanced souls, becomes hindrance to one’s own progress.
regards
anand
Anand,
“But after seeing the effects on several persons, I can say there is more to the vedic cow being “just a cow.””
Certainly, there are many things on the Earth which have certain medicinal properties, which may in their effects fact far surpass that of a cow, vedic or not. Yes, a cow is divine. There is no question about it. But that is nothing special or unique, the whole existence itself is divine. For some reason one’s eyes are set like a narrow tunnel - remaining blind to the vast mystery. That is certain to be the case as long as one continues clinging to a certain belief system, tradition, or religion. Many individuals and societies have tried to throw differently decorated shoe-boxes on the mystery of things, and all have failed and will continue to fail like fools chasing their own tail.
Dear Friend:
Your words:
Yes, a cow is divine. There is no question about it.
I bow to you for your acceptance of this.
But again:
But that is nothing special or unique, the whole existence itself is divine.
You are certainly right. Creation is due to the grace of Divinity or is in fact, divinity itself. However, in creatures, it is the samskaras that are different. For example one can make a bracelet or a waistband from the same gold. But that’s besides the point.
As regards the [B]Vedic Cow[/B], I have already mentioned the purported special aspect [I][B](surya-ketu nadi)[/B][/I] found only in the Vedic Cow. I am saying that those who get a chance to verify the same, with the help of various results (medicinal or spiritual) of personal experiments, should indeed do so.
In particular one should look closely at the “medicinal” effects on what we know as [I][B]“karma-vyadhi”[/B][/I] or ailments born of one’s karma. If this is corrected then there is solid reason to categorise vedic breed of cow as a very, very special divine agent
Meanwhile, I don’t mind anyone calling me, or an entire society narrow minded, foolish etc.
regards
anand
The Vedas are very abstract poetry and have been translated to say many things. But what is interesting is that the word that is translated as ‘cow’ in the Vedas was also used in the Zen Avesta of Persia, where the Zoroastrians also did not eat the cow but used it for it’s many other functions in agriculture and for providing milk.
But there are also other interesting parallels in the ancient world where animals in the cow family (which we should recognize because even the modern concept of the cow was not as genetically in existence since it was a creature created out of agriculture and domestication) were considered sacred. We know the story of the Golden Calf from the old testament or Mittra and the Bull of ancient Greece. In myths and stories of the time, cow family creatures were very important symbols and can be seen in art from Egypt, Mesopotamia, Russia and all through Europe. Also note that many of these artworks and stories come from the time that was the Age of Taurus.
Taking these into consideration, may give a different perspective on how to interpret the cow creature symbolism that is found in the Vedas. The simplistic and literal prevents one from seeing these deeper meanings.
[QUOTE=Kasi;64303]The Vedas are very abstract poetry and have been translated to say many things. But what is interesting is that the word that is translated as ‘cow’ in the Vedas was also used in the Zen Avesta of Persia, where the Zoroastrians also did not eat the cow but used it for it’s many other functions in agriculture and for providing milk.
But there are also other interesting parallels in the ancient world where animals in the cow family (which we should recognize because even the modern concept of the cow was not as genetically in existence since it was a creature created out of agriculture and domestication) were considered sacred. We know the story of the Golden Calf from the old testament or Mittra and the Bull of ancient Greece. In myths and stories of the time, cow family creatures were very important symbols and can be seen in art from Egypt, Mesopotamia, Russia and all through Europe. Also note that many of these artworks and stories come from the time that was the Age of Taurus.
Taking these into consideration, may give a different perspective on how to interpret the cow creature symbolism that is found in the Vedas. The simplistic and literal prevents one from seeing these deeper meanings.[/QUOTE]
Dear Friend:
I’m afraid the Vedas are not at all abstract poetry. They are in fact the vibrational mapping in the sphere of sound, of innumerable holistic truths.
The language of the Vedas is Sanskrit which is unique because its vocalisation evolved from roots which are directly connected with the divine energy centers in our body and hence utterance and meaning become inseparable.
Coming to the subject of the Cow, yes, many animals have been deployed for symbolism in various cultures. However, the effects of administering the various products of the [I][B]Vedic Cow[/B][/I] and even “administering” proximity, to persons suffering from karma-rooted afflictions, leads us to conclude that her status of unique divinity can even be taken literally.
regards
anand
Dear Friends,
Here is what Sridhar Swami quoted about Mother Cow !
shastras.com/stotras/other/dhenustotram.html
I salute you mother at your holy feet,
Since this worldly life is full of misery,
Be kind and hear this request of your devoted son,
And help him to depend on you to cross this sea of life
Oh Cow, all the Gods and goddesses live inside you,
And they get pleased completely by worship to you,
While your milk is our energy, your ghee is our life,
And mother you have been praised in various ways by Vedas
Power, stability, good brain to acquire knowledge,
Peace and devotion are daily got from you without fail,
Oh mother by the devas out of the Khir* made with your ghee and milk
And so these blessings can also be received by us ordinary people.
*A sweet dish made using milk
Similar to Fire burning all wood, all sins are burnt.
By the Pancha Gavya*, which is described as pious
And oh mother, it is drunk by Brahmins well versed in Vedas,
For attaining absolute purity due to your blessing.
*Mixture of milk, curd, ghee, cow’s urine and cow’s dung
You have been described by the Vedas with reverence as Brahma,
And the great God of Gods, Krishna did service to you, .
And I being an ordinary man am unable to describe your greatness and virtues.
He who serves you with a sense of devotion,
And chants this prayer addressed to the cow without mistakes,
Would attain wealth, devotion and get all types of blessings,
And also health of the body definitely.
Thus ends the prayer addressed to the cow written by
The great saint and teacher Sridhara Swamin.
Who is a sanyasin and a great sage.
Dear Friends,
Here is one of his rare pics with hug to a calf !
h t t p ://sridatta.org/slides/image004.html
“Sridhar Swami quoted about Mother Cow !”
Sridhar Swami must have been far too entangled in his own swaminess. Though even the skin, the bones, and the marrow have withered away, he continues grasping onto the skeleton of a Hindu corpse. Entertaining oneself with borrowed voices, one’s own true face is not to be found anywhere.
Anand,
“I’m afraid the Vedas are not at all abstract poetry”
You are right, much of it is not even abstract poetry, but absolute nonsense - starting with the declaration that the Vedas is a revelation from God.
“They are in fact the vibrational mapping in the sphere of sound, of innumerable holistic truths”
If clinging to ritualism and animal sacrifice is amongst the so called innumerable holistic truths, then it may be far better to become deluded.
“The language of the Vedas is Sanskrit which is unique”
Certainly that is what the tradition has said. And the fanatic Brahmins are just as convinced that Sanskrit is a divine language which has come from the devas of God, just as the Jews are equally convinced that Hebrew is a divine language which has been passed down through the angels of God. For eternities upon eternities, such fellows continue entertaining themselves with figments of their own imagination, depriving themselves of seeing directly into the inexpressible Way.
“However, the effects of administering the various products of the Vedic Cow and even “administering” proximity, to persons suffering from karma-rooted afflictions, leads us to conclude that her status of unique divinity can even be taken literally”
While deluding oneself with child-like superstitions, the Vedic Cow continues chewing grass.
Dear Friend,
Many try to support & blame killing of animals in Vedic rituals and hence blindly support killing of Holy Cows for flesh. It was part of ritual for them who were able to bring Prana out of living back and restablish again. Those stalwarts can be compated to Lord Shiva who not only killed King Daksha but re-established his life with Head of a Ship.
Rather than blindly making blind arguments one should try experience blessings of mother cow by touching & getting vibrations from Vedic cow for 42 days as Anandji has advised before.
In previous yugas the Vedic injunction was given “jiyaite pare yadi tabe mare prani veda-purane ache hena ajna vane” that means in the Vedic scriptures known as Puranas there are injunctions declaring that one can take the life of a living being only if they are able to revive it back to life again by chanting Vedic mantras. But we find that this injunction has been terminated in todays age of kali yuga by the Brahma-Vaivarta Purana where it is stated that in the present age of kali yuga it is forbidden to kill cows under any circumstances.
Shree Jagannath Das has given great information at:
h t t p://w w w.bhagavad-gita.org/Articles/holy-cow.html