Cow & Hindu mythology:


Kamadhenu’s complexion is like the white clouds. Every part of cow’s body has a religious significance. Its four legs symbolize the four Vedas, and its teats the four Purusharthas (i.e. four objects or aims of human existence. These are (i) dharma or righteous conduct, (ii) artha or wealth, (iii) kama or desire, and (iv) moksha or liberation. Its horns symbolize the holy trinity of Hindu gods (Brahma (tip), Vishnu (middle) and Shiva (base)); her eyes are the Sun and Moon gods, her shoulders represent the fire-god Agni and the wind-god Vayu.Goshala3

Actually all gods are believed to reside in the body of Kamadhenu — the divine cow. The image here illustrates the vedic teaching that each part of the cow embodies a particular deity. Kamadhenu is also well-known through its other five forms: Nanda, Sunanda, Surabhi, Susheela and Sumana.

In Srimad Bhagavatam, Lord Krishna says “…..I can be worshiped within cows by offerings of grass and other suitable grains and paraphernalia for the pleasure and health of the cows.

The cow symbolizes the dharma itself. Mythologically, Brahma (the creator) created the brahmins (priests) and the cow at the same time, the Brahmins were to recite the religious scriptures while the cow was to afford ghee (clarified butter) for offerings in religious sacrifices. Brahma also affirmed cow to be the mother of gods, which ought to be worshipped. Anybody who killed a cow or allows another to kill it, was deemed to rot in hell, for as many years as there are hair upon his body.


Some temples and houses have images of Kamadhenu, which are worshipped. The cow does not have any temples where she is worshipped as the chief deity, but it is regularly fed outside temples and worshipped regularly. In many households, a portion from the regular daily first meal is set aside to be fed to the cow. To a pious Hindu, every cow is regarded as an Avataar (earthly embodiment) of the divine Kamadhenu.