Goshala – A House of Adopted Cows
We first began our goshala in 2021 when Jassu the Cow was donated to our Yogashram, by a neighbouring villager. She was a severely ill and bony cow with a malnutrient calf, both had skin infections and anxiety. we‘ve been medically treating them and feeding them mixed nutrients which grew them back to normal life. Over a year they both recovered and now we have multiple cows, bulls and calf donated by nearby villagers who could not take care of them and that was the beginning of our small start of goshala.
The presence of this cow shed purifies the whole atmosphere at Arogyam! We have dedicated and planned more space for them accompanied by a social experiment.
Taking care of cows is rewarding and fun. The indigenous cows are very affectionate, alert, and friendly. They demand lots of love and attention, and love to be hugged and patted just like domestic pets! These cows will not give their milk until a close bond has been established with their caretaker. If you are immersed in the forest bathing practise, these cows come to you themselves for cuddling.
In the Gavopanishad the glories of the cow are stated as follows
gavo bhutam ca bhavyam ca
gavah pushtih sanatani
gavo lakshmas tatha mulam
gosu dattam na nasyati
annam hy paramam gavo
devanam paramam havih
svahakara vasat karau
gosu nityam pratishthitau
gavo yajnasya hy phalam
gosu yajnah pratishthitah
gavo bhavishyam bhutam ca
gosu-yajnah pratishthitah
sayam pratasca satatam
homa kale mahadyute
gavo dadati vai homyam
rishibhyah purusharshabha
yani kani ca durgani
dushkritani kritani ca
taranti caiva papmanam
dhenum ye dadati prabho
na kirtayitva gaha supyat
tasam samsmritya cotpatet
sayam pratar namasye ca
gastatah pushtimapnuyat
gavam mutra purisasya
nodvijeta kathancana
na casam mamsa masniyad
gavam pushtim tathapnuyat
gasca sankirtaye nityam
nava manyeta tastatha
anishtam svapramalakshya
gam narah samprakirtayet
ghritena juhuyadagni
ghritena svasti vacayet
ghritam dadyat ghritam prasod
gavam pushtim sadashnute
gavam drishtva namaskritya , kuryacciva pradakshinam
pradakishni krita tena, saptadvipa vasundhara
matarah sarva bhutanam, gavah sarva sukha pradah
vriddhim akamsata nityam, gavah karyah pradakshinah
“The cow is the past and future. She nourishes the health of all living entities, and she is the root of prosperity. The piety one achieves by feeding a cow in never destroyed.”
“The cow is the cause of one’s accumulation of food grains. She awards the best sacrificial ingredients to the demigods. The sacrifice of the demigods and the sacrifice of Indra are both performed on the basis of the cow.”
“It is the cow which awards the result of sacrifice. The performance of sacrifice is dependent upon her. She is the past and future. All sacrifices are based upon her.”
“O greatly powerful King, every morning and evening when the sages perform fire sacrifices, it is the cow who supplies them the essential ingredients, in the form of ghee, etc.”
“My dear King, those who give milk-cows in charity become liberated from all types of danger, and also become free from all sinful reactions.”
“Do not go to bed at night without praising cows. Do not get up in the morning without remembering the cow. Offer respect to the cow daily, in the morning. By doing so, a human being achieves strength and nourishment.”
“Do not hate cow urine and cow dung. Never eat cow meat. By following this advice, human beings can become prosperous.”
“Chant the name of the cow daily and never insult her. If one sees a bad dream, one should immediately remember the cow.”
“Use ghee in fire sacrifices. Use ghee in all auspicious activities. Donate ghee and also use it for personal necessities. By doing this, the human beings will always support the cows and understand their value.
“One should see, offer obeisance, and circumambulate the cow. By doing so, one is suppose to have circumambulated the entire earth, with its seven islands. The cow is the mother of all. She gives happiness to everyone. People who desire prosperity should daily circumambulate the cow.”