Why do Indians Worship Cow?

“It is said in Hindu literature that 33 million Gods and Goddesses reside in the cow.”

This sentence alone tells the sacredness of the cow for the Hindus. Ancient literature shows that there was a practice of Gaudaan (to donate cows).

In ancient times, when people settled down in different places for agriculture, the importance of cows was highly recognized. Bullocks were used to pull the cart and plow the farms for humans. Gobar (cow dung) and Gomutra (cow’s urine) were excellent fertilizers.

The cow produces more milk than its calf needs and humans use the remaining milk from cows. Cow milk plays an important role in one’s growth. For this reason, they started to call her mother (gomata). They made yogurt, cheese, and butter from cow’s milk. They also made medicines from the panchagavya i.e milk, gobar, gomutra, ghee, and curd. Lord Krishna is also portrayed in many stories as a cowherd and child who protect the cow. In the Vedas, the cow is associated with Aditi, the mother of all the Gods.

Cow dung also is used as floor plasters in many village houses. Today cow based medicines are also being used to treat complex diseases. Gobar gas is also produced from cow dung.

In ancient literature, the cow is considered as Kamdhenu or the divine cow, which fulfills all desires. The horns symbolize the gods. Its four legs symbolize the ancient Hindu scriptures or the Vedas and its udder, the four objectives of life, including wealth, desire, and salvation. For all these reasons, she is considered the sacred animal in Hinduism.