Respect for the life of everyone, including the life of animals, has long been a central theme in Hinduism. Though some Hindus might have eaten the meat of the cow in ancient times, today the cow is revered as a sacred animal. Mahatma Gandhi once wrote, “If someone were to ask me what the most outward manifestation of Hinduism was, I would suggest that it was the idea of cow protection.”
Though there is no clear basis for worshiping the cow, the mention is often made in Hindu scripture. Lord Krishna, one of the most important people in Hindu texts, was said to be a cowherd. In fact, one of his holy names is “Govinda,” which translates to “one who brings satisfaction to the cows.” The thought of the cow providing milk and nourishment to nations is also a reason why the animal is now considered sacred.
Cows in India are often allowed to roam free. This religious practice has bumped into some serious problems, as over 40,000 cows are allowed to roam the streets of India. In heavily populated places such as New Delhi, the cows can cause traffic jams, rip open garbage in neighborhood trash cans, and injure themselves while wandering about. Many places have compromised and employed “cow catchers” to load the cows into transport vans and take them to a sanctuary or preserve outside of the cities, where they will be cared for throughout their lives.
However, the cow catchers — or anyone else, for that matter — must be very careful not to injure the cow in any way, as injuring or killing a cow is a significant offense in the Hindu religion. In fact, doing just the opposite is preferred: offering food to the cow, such as bits of bread or fruit, is considered good luck.
In addition to the living, breathing cows who are revered by so many in India and other countries, Hindu temples often feature statues and other icons that depict the cow. For instance, Nandhi the Bull is considered a protector, and a small image of him is often found near or in temples and altars.
The love of the cow has become so deeply ingrained in Hindu culture that the government has championed pro-cow legislation, and is even considering outlawing butchers in the cities, out of a desire to ensure that all cows in the country are safe.