Instead of writing about my day today, I'm going to answer a question I get asked probably twice or so a week.
Do Hindus worship cows? Why are cows seen as gods in India?
Both of the ideas presented in the questions above are wrong. Hindus do not worship cows nor do we view them as a god or gods.
So, why then do Indians not eat beef?
The above question is a good one, but a correction must be made here as well. Hindus do not eat beef; Indians, however, are simply people from India and are free to eat what they please. Not consuming beef is a religious concept, therefore it is associated with Hindus and not Indians.
Moving along... The cow is seen as a mother. That sounds whack, right? There's a story behind everything and this is no different. If you're familiar with Indian gods (which is also another incorrect statement, but I'll save that for another post), you might be familiar with Lord Krishna. He's the blue fellow who enjoys eating butter 24/7. Anyways, one day, the little Lord was lost in the woods. Many days passed and the little boy grew hungry beyond means. Just in time, a nursing cow happened to cross his path. Sensing the little Lord's distress, she suckled him with her own little calf, treating him like family. The lord never forgot what the cow had done. From that day forth, he deemed that cows never be harmed for because of the cow, Krishna was able to survive.
So that's the story, ladies and gentlemen. But if that's not enough for ya... The cow is seen as the ultimate giver to us humans. For many, the milk the cow provides is not only a source of calcium, but a source of income. Milk is essential in India throughout one's life, it's almost as if it's the new water. My own grandparents (who live in India) sell the extra milk their cows make for profit. Indirectly, other key products/ingredients such as yogurt and butter/ghee also come from the cow's milk.
In addition to milk, the cow also provides (warning, this is not for the weak hearted) its dung. Okay, that sounds lame, right? Cow dung actually has many useful purposes. Not only can it be used for construction of houses/buildings, but it can be used for flooring. That doesn't make sense, I know. Let me explain... Cow dung is rather sanitary and is often used in Hindu ritual ceremonies. The "dot" Hindus wear...in some religious functions, the dung, after burned and made into a powdery-like substance, is worn as a bindi (the forehead marking). Back to the flooring, the dung is seen as a natural cleanser. After the heavy rains, Hindus will often spread cow dung over the dry earth of their yards. When it dries and hardens, it makes for smooth flooring. What other purposes can cow dung possibly serve? Fire! That's right folks, cow dung is better than firewood when it comes to fuel purposes; it's a key source of energy for many homes.
So there you have it-- because the cow is constantly giving and never expecting anything in return, they're seen as symbols of the other; AKA "mothers of the earth". Hindus see cows as an extension, or a gift from God. It makes perfect sense why we would not consume beef.
So the next time you hear a Hindu being asked this question, step up with the TRUE answer. :)
