Holy Cow

"Holy Cow!" is an exclamation of surprise used mostly in the United States, Canada, Australia and England. It is a minced oath or euphemism for "Holy Christ!" The use of the term "Holy Cow!" dates to at least 1905. The earliest known appearance of the phrase was in a tongue-in-cheek letter to the editor: "A lover of the cow writes to this column to protest against a certain variety of Hindu oath having to do with the vain use of the name of the milk producer."

The Western concept of "Holy Cow"

 Few people, however, revere the cow like the world’s 900 million adherents of Hinduism. Since the faith first evolved near Asia’s Indus River more than 4,000 years ago, respect for animal life has been a central theme in Hindu life. Although Hindus follow no single set of rules, reverence for cows can be found throughout the religion’s major texts.

A Hindu woman worshiping a cow in North India

Rig Veda are the oldest Hindu scriptures authored in the Punjab region of India. The Punjab region was called "Sapta Sindhu" or "Arya Vrata" and included seven rivers - Sindhu (Sindh), Vitasta (Jhelum), Asikni (Chenab), Parusni (Raavi), Vipasa (Beas), Satudri (Satluj), and Saraswati (Sirsa).

Rig Veda Verse 7.95.2 mentions "Sarasvati region poured milk and butter (ghee), indicating that cattle were herded in this region". Rig Veda Verse 3.33.1 speaks about of cows as symbol of wealth and in comparison with river goddesses, "Like two bright mother cows who lick their young, Vipas and Sutudri speed down their waters."

A Buddhist family and milking of a cow

Kamadhenu, the miraculous "cow of plenty" and the "mother of cows" in Hindu mythology is believed to represent the generic sacred cow, regarded as the source of all prosperity. Hindu women whisper their desires in the ears of  mythical "Kamdhenu" cow in hope for the holy cow to fulfill all their desires.

A Hindu woman whispering desires in the ear of mythical "Kamdhenu"

The term "Kamdhena" is mentioned eight times in Sri Guru Granth Sahib however it is NOT in the reverence of "Holy Cow" but instead redirects the devotees to the creator who is the real fulfiller of all desires.

ਧਨਾਸਰੀ ਮਹਲਾ ੪ ॥ धनासरी महला ४ ॥ Ḏẖanāsrī mėhlā 4. Dhanaasaree, Fourth Mehl:

 ਇਛਾ ਪੂਰਕੁ ਸਰਬ ਸੁਖਦਾਤਾ ਹਰਿ ਜਾ ਕੈ ਵਸਿ ਹੈ ਕਾਮਧੇਨਾ ॥
 इछा पूरकु सरब सुखदाता हरि जा कै वसि है कामधेना॥ 
The Lord is the Fulfiller of desires, the Giver of total peace; the Kaamadhaynaa, the wish-fulfilling cow, is in His power.

Beef Eating in India

While Rigveda contains verses in reverence of the cow, it also mentions animal sacrifice and beef eating was practiced by the ancient Aryans who settled in Punjab.

The fiend who smears himself with flesh of cattle, horses and human bodies, Who steals the milch-cow's milk away, O Agni,—tear off the heads of such with fiery fury.

At the same time, in Rig Veda (X. 86.14) Indra says: ‘They cook for one 15 plus twenty oxen".
The Rig Veda (X.91.14) says "for Agni were sacrificed horses, bulls, oxen, barren cows and rams".
Cattle were the major property in ancient India and were offered as sacrifice to appease the gods. Many gods such as Indra and Agni are described as having special preferences for different types of flesh - Indra had weakness for bull's meat and Agni for bull's and cow's. It is recorded that the Maruts and the Asvins were also offered cows.

Cow sacrifice in a Hindu Temple

So where do concepts change and how did the cow become a symbol of faith and reverence to the extent of assuming the status of `motherhood'?

Logical Explanation of Cow Reverence

Sacred Cow in Hindu Religion

Over a period of time mainly after the emergence of Jainism and Buddhism which promoted the concept of re-incarnation and vegetarianism, the emphasis consolidated the concept of reverence for the cow. Emperor Ashoka, a staunch Buddhist banned animal sacrifice and flesh eating. His pillar edicts point to a change in the eating habits through proper legislation. Edict V says: “Twenty-six years after my coronation various animals were declared to be protected — parrots, geese, mainas, wild ducks, queen ants, bats, terrapins, fish, tortoises, squirrels, porcupines, deer, donkeys, bulls, cows, pigeons, and all four-footed creatures that are neither useful nor edible.”

Milkman in Punjab, India

In ancient India, the cows were a symbol of prosperity and main vehicle for economic growth. One of the appeals to the population was the protection of cattle wealth, which was needed for the agricultural economy. Over time, killing and eating cow’s meat became intolerable as propagated by various religious heads is now established as an unpardonable sin. Today, in heavily Hindu nations like India and Nepal, milk continues to hold a central place in religious rituals. A citizen can be sent to jail for killing a cow or eating beef.

Woman milking cow in North India

Hindus worship cows as Gau Mata or the "Mother Cow". The milk of the cow provides nourishment and milk produce like yogurt, buttermilk, cheese, butter formed the staple diet for the ancient Indians. The role of cow in nourishing the family is similar to feeding of a baby by her mother. Since the the cow provides the milk just like our mothers, it was natural for ancient Indians to equate the cow with the mother.

Mother breastfeeding her baby

Every part of cow is utilized by the humans - milk, skin, horns, even the cow dung is used as fuel in India. Villagers collect the cow dung and dry it in sun in a specific part of the village. This dried cow dung or "Gobar" has been used as fuel in villages for centuries.

Woman making cow dung patties in North India

The Indian Cow

The Indian variety of cows is called Zebu, a species or sub-species of domestic cattle originating in South East Asia. Zebu are characterized by a fatty hump on their shoulders, a large dewlap and sometimes drooping ears. They are well adapted to withstanding high temperatures, and are farmed throughout the SE Asia as domestic cattle.

Sahiwal is a breed of Zebu cattle which originated from the Sahiwal district of Punjab now in Pakistan. They produce the most milk of all zebu breeds. Their color can range from reddish brown through to the more predominant red, with varying amounts of white on the neck, and the underline.

It is tick-resistant, heat-tolerant and noted for its high resistance to parasites, both internal and external. Cows average 2270 kg of milk during a lactation while suckling a calf and much higher milk yields have been recorded. Due to their heat tolerance and high milk production they have been exported to other Asian countries as well as Africa and the Caribbean.

Extreme Devotion or Blind Faith

This reverence sometimes goes to extreme when devotees consider the urine of cow to be a cure for many ailments. Gomutra refers to the usage of cow urine for therapeutic purposes in traditional Indian medicine, Cow urine is also an important component of the mixture called Panchagavya also used in Ayurveda. Urine of a pregnant cow is considered special and it is claimed that it contains special hormones and minerals.



Today, in honor of their exalted status, cows often roam free. Indeed, in some places, it is considered good luck to feed these homeless cows. But as cities have grown more crowded, cow-friendly policies have posed problems. Delhi’s 13 million residents, for instance, share the streets with an estimated 40,000 cows — leading to some complaints. One is that the grazing cows spread trash as they rip open garbage bags in search of tasty morsels. Another is that they dangerously snarl traffic.

“What is the greatest traffic hazard in Delhi today? Cows,” Bibek Debroy, a columnist for India’s Financial Express, wrote, “As our national animal, the tiger may be close to extinction. But the cow is very much around and many soon become our new national animal.”

My Personal Thoughts

The cow is a gentle animal, who gives more than she takes. I have grown up on the milk of cows and Murrah Bufallo commonly used for dairy in Northern India. Even now, my diet includes, Cha (Tea), Dahi (yogurt), Lassi (buttermilk), Paneer (Cheese), a variety of Indian sweets made from milk. I can sense a feeling of attachment to the animal. I also feel strange when I pass through an abattoir where cattle is slaughtered for meat. I empathize with the people who advocate vegetarianism and support ban on cow slaughter. I absolutely abhor the Halaal process of cattle slaughter as I think it is inhumane and amounts to animal torture.

I also feel that tying up a cow indoors all day or putting cows in cages for their milk is even more sinful than eating beef. I feel guilty drinking cow's milk as I feel as if I am stealing it from its intended recipient - her calf.

But does that feeling stops me from drinking milk, consuming milk products, or eating beef? The answer at the moment is No and I can't tell if this will change in future.