Cows are the backbone of sustainable agriculture. Every cow gives back more to its community than it takes from it — and only a mother can give back more than she receives. This is why, for many millennia, Hindu culture has called her Gau Mata.
यत्र गावः प्रसन्नाः स्युः प्रसन्नास्तत्र सम्पदः।
यत्र गावो विषण्णाः स्युर्विषण्णास्तत्र सम्पदः॥
yatra gAvaH prasannAH syuH prasannAstatra sampadaH,
yatra gAvo viShaNNAH syurviShaNNAstatra sampadaH.
Places where cows are happy will witness happiness and prosperity; places where cows are in a state of sorrow will witness the disappearance of wealth, and suffering.
Cows — Gaus in Sanskrit — are extremely patient, gentle and intelligent mammals. They are observant, loving creatures. They contribute tremendously to every nation’s nutritional needs, provide sustenance to billions, and support local economies. Their role in keeping our topsoil healthy and fertile is well documented.
Cows are the backbone of sustainable agriculture; every cow gives back more to its community than it takes from it. Only a mother can give back more than she receives. For these reasons, cows have been revered in Hindu culture for many millennia. No wonder we call her Gau Mata — cow mother.
नमो ब्रह्मण्य देवाय गोब्राह्मण हिताय च ।
जगत् हिताय कृष्णाय गोविन्दाय नमो नमः ॥
Namo Brahmannya Devaaya Go-Braahmanna Hitaaya Ca ǀ
Jagat Hitaaya Krssnnaaya Govindaaya Namo Namah ǀǀ
Salutations to the Lord who is of the nature of supreme consciousness, and the friend and benefactor of the cows and the Brahmins. Salutations to the Lord who is the friend and benefactor of the whole world; salutations to Sri Krishna; salutations to Sri Govinda; salutations, salutations to Him again and again.
Mothers are taken for meat while their calves are either abandoned or killed. Suckling infants are rescued every day, all across India.
Primarily driven by the financial inability of ordinary Hindus. Most abandon older cows with a heavy heart, since it goes against their Dharma.
Cross-breeding programmes steadily displace indigenous Gau Vansha lineages.
During Mughal Raj
During British era
In India today
Figures as cited from data available in the public domain.
The nation that once fought many battles over cow protection has become one of the largest producers of beef in the world.
Illegal slaughterhouses far outnumber the legal ones, yet they function openly without legal consequence.
Cows are found abandoned, homeless and injured on the streets all across India. When she is old, sick or injured, and unable to produce milk, many owners abandon her — left on the streets, where she dies a painful death.
Many are captured by criminal gangs and sold to slaughterhouses. Cows are mutilated and starved. Many are taken across state lines, and even outside the country, through well-established smuggling routes.
When smugglers are apprehended by local police or by Gau Rakshaks, the rescued cows are found sick, starving and injured — some with their legs cut to prevent escape, some with broken bones.
Every request is vetted to the highest Dharmic standard before support is released.
Many Gaushalas are financially stressed and unable to feed their cows. Dharmansh provides financial support to vetted, genuine Gaushalas so they can continue their service.
When Hindu Karyakartas or organisations reach out seeking aid for medical services, Dharmansh intervenes and funds the medicines needed.
Some Hindu veterinarians treat sick cows free of charge, but Gaushalas usually need more. Life-saving surgery is often required, and Dharmansh supports these emergency requests.
When intake numbers rise, existing infrastructure is overwhelmed. Extra land has to be leased or purchased and facilities built to house rescued cows properly.
A report from our March visit to partner Gaushalas across two states.
For as little as $10 a month you can help support an abandoned, orphaned or injured cow through rehabilitation at a Gau Shala in India. Care for these lives is costly — it requires 24-hour staff and veterinary attention to keep them healthy and give them the best chance of returning to a normal life. We are in regular contact with centre staff, and our team visits often to see how the cows are progressing.