GoMaatha (Mother cow) has been given an exalted status in Hinduism . All our Shastras and Puranas have hailed the Holy Cow as the embodiment of Motherhood(Maathruthva) and the temple where all the Gods, Devatas and the Holy Theerthas reside. GOSEVA is a duty enjoined on one and all. Gomaatha is the backbone of Yagya as well as agriculture and hence the backbone of human welfare.

Lord Krishna was born and grew up as a cowherd in Brindavan. He used to graze the cows and was always seen in the company of cows at Brindavan. He is therefore known as Gopala and Govinda- protector of cows. Lord Krishna used to roll on the sand where cows have walked and was proud to appear with Godhuli. Godhuli snanam (bath), where the body is covered by the dust from the feet of cows coming back after grazing, is considered as Punya theertha snanam.

Even today in all Vishnu and Siva temples, first thing in the morning, a cow and her calf will enter the temple and the Deity will view the rear side of the cow first( where Goddess Lakshmi resides) before anybody else is allowed for Darshan.

Such is the divinity of the cow that even the Gods would like to view the cow first before others are allowed to have Darshan of the Lord.

"GOMAATHA( HOLY COW) INDEED IS DIVINE. Though she appears like an animal, she gives milk like one's own mother. While our own mother gives milk only for a short period of our life, Gomaatha gives milk for use through out our life. That is the reason she has been given the exalted status of a Maatha along with Janaka maatha ( own mother) , Bhumaatha ( mother earth) and Sreemaatha( Jagan maatha- Paraasakthi).

Gomaatha is the temple where all the Gods, Devatas and Punya theerthas (holy tanks) reside.

THE WELFARE OF THE ENTIRE WORLD DEPENDS ON THE VAIDEEHA YAGYA KARMA ANUSHTANAMS CONDUCTED IN INDIA.THERE NEED NOT BE ANY DOUBT IN THIS MATTER. THE ENTIRE WORLD EXISTS BECAUSE OF YAGYA. IF THERE IS NO COW THERE IS NO YAGYA.

Gorakshanam is Boorakshanam.( saving the cow is saving the earth)

Lakshmi resides in the rear side (prishta baagam) of Cows. It is one of the 5 places where Goddess lakshmi resides.

Everything about a cow is holy.

(Well being) of Gomaatha will give Kshemam (Well being) to the entire country. Sins will reduce. Peace will prevail. For removing the Kali dosha and for the growth of Dharma, cow protection ( Go samrakshanam) is very important.

Gomaatha is the walking temple where Devataas and Punya Theerthaas reside .

All people should work like one large family on Goseva. Just because cow protection( Go samrakshanam) is not part of our essential duties, we should not disregard this as impractical . Even if it involves physical strain and expenditure, we must involve ourselves in cow protection.( Goseva)

Cows are our national Wealth. Cow slaughter must be stopped. Gohaththi (Slaughter) of GoMaatha is similar to Mathruhaththi (killing of one's own mother). There is no Prayachitta (propitiation) for both.”

(For the full text of Mahaswamigal’s speeches on Goseva, Pl read the Segment (periava on Go samrakshanam)

• Yaavarkkumaam Iraivarkoru pachchilai

• Yaavarkkumaam Pasuvirkor vaaurai

• Yaavarkkumaam Unnumbodhoru Kaippidi

• Yaavarkkumaam Pirarku Innuraithaane

• (It is everybody’s duty to offer flowers to the Lord, grass to the cow, food to the needy and nice words to others.)

• “ Aanirai Meikka Neepodhi, Arumarundhavadhariyai

• Kaanagam Ellam Thirindhu Un Kariya Thirumaeni Vaada

• Paanayir Paalai parugip Patraadhar Ellam Sirippa

• Thaenil Iniya Piraanae Sengabagappoo chootta Vaarai”

• Kandrinai Valolaikatti kanigal udhira eridhu

• Kandrugal Illam Pugundhu Kadharkindra pasu vellam

• “Vaanga kudam Niraikkum Vallal Perum pasukkal” (Pasuram 3)

• “Aetrakalangal Aethirpongimeedhalippa Maatradhe Paalsoriyum Vallal Perum Pasukkal” (Pasuram 21)

• “ Karaviagal Pinsendru Ganam Saerdhunbom” (Pasuram 11)

• Sri Aandal considered Srivilliputhur as Aayarbadi(Brindavan), The Lord of Srivilliputhur as Kannan( Lord Krishna/ Govindan) and herself as a Gopi and sang the essence of Vedas-Thiruppaavai (Pasuram 28)

• Namo brahmanya-devaya

• go-brahmana-hithaya cha

• jagad-hithaya krishnaya

• govindaya namo namah [Vishnu Purana 1.19.65]

• "I offer repeated obeisance's unto Lord Krishna, who is the protector and well-wisher of the cows and the Brahmans. He is also the protector of the entire society. The word “go-brahmana-hitaya” indicate that the Supreme Lord is especially concerned with the welfare of the cows and considers them before even the Brahmans (spiritual teachers).

• Swasthi Prajabyah Paripaalayantham

• Nyayyena Margaena Mahim Maheesaha

• Gobraahmanaebhya Shubhamastu Nithyam

• Lokaah Samasthah Sukhino Bavanthu

• Even while praying for the welfare of the world, the welfare of the Gomaata is prayed first

"The central fact of Hinduism is cow protection. Cow protection to me is one of the most wonderful phenomena in human evolution. It takes the human being beyond this species. The cow means the entire sub-human world. Man through the cow is enjoined to realize his identity with all that lives. Why the cow was selected for apotheosis is obvious to me. The cow was in India the best companion. She was the giver of plenty. Not only did she give milk, but she also made agriculture possible.

Cow protection is the gift of Hinduism to the world. And Hinduism will live so long as there are Hindus to protect the cow. Hindus will be judged not by their tilaks , not by the correct chanting of mantras, not by their pilgrimages, not by their most punctilious observances of caste rules, but their ability to protect the cow.

I worship it and I shall defend its worship against the whole world."