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Some examples of glorification of the cow in the Vedas:
AtharvVeda XI.1.34 states "dhenuh sadnam rayeenham" i.e. 'cow
is the fountainhead of all the bounties'.
The entire Sukta 28 of Vith Mandala of the RgVeda sings glory of
the cow.
(seven hymns alongwith their full text and Hindi translation could
be seen in the book entitled "Gyan Ganga Sagar-Vol.11" at pp.100-103).
RgVeda VI.28.3 states 'enemy may not use any astra i.e. weapon
on cows'
RgVeda VI.28 4 states 'no body should take them to butcherhouse
to kill them'
RgVeda VI.28.5 states 'milk of cow is used in the first offering (ahuti)
to Soma'
YajurVeda XXIII.48 states "Gostu matra n vidyate" i.e. Cow cannot
be compared with anything.
Scriptures of Sikhism:
In Dashamgranth, Gurugovind Singhji prays to God as follows:
Yahi deh agya tark ko khapaun Goghat ka dukh jagat se mitaun
Aas poornh karo turn hamari Mite kasht gauan chhoote khed bhari
[He desired to remove the cow slaughter from the world and save
them from any torture]
Aadigranthsahab states as follows:
Doodh katore garhve paani Kapila gaai namey duh aani
[ It is in praise of the cow's milk]
Cow and Swami Dayanand Saraswati
Swami Dayanand was the first crusader against cow slaughter and
his book `GokarunanidhilOcean of mercy for the cow] is a living testimony
which speaks of his inner feelings on the subject. It was written on 24th
February, 1881. This treatise has three sections namely 1) Discussion of
the essential principles 2) Rules and 3) Sub-rules. This stipulates constitution
of a society for preservation and protection of the cows. Swamiji pleaded
with the British officials to stop cow slaughter and personally met Col. Brooks,
political agent of Rajasthan and Mr.Muir, Lt.Governor of N.W.P.(now Uttar
Pradesh) to state that the cow was the backbone of the Indian economy
and soul of its socio-cultural fabric. At the instance of Swamiji, Maharaja
Sajjansingh of Udaipur and Maharaja Jaswantsingh of Jodhpur banned the
long prevailing practice of slaughter of animals in their states. Swamiji even
drafted an appeal that was to be submitted to the Queen Victoria duly signed
by two crore Indians but this work was interrupted due to death of Swamiji
in 1883. He deeply felt for the cow and waged a battle for its cause. His
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