COW CRUELTY AND CONSCIENCE DR. SHRINIWAS KASHALIKAR

Yesterday; I read few incidences in the life of one of the greatest propounders of NAMASMARAN viz. Shri Brahmachaitanya Gondavlekar Maharaj from Gondavle of Satara district in Maharashtra (India). These were related to his compassion for cows.

He rescued cows on several occasions; from being slaughtered; even by paying double the money to the butchers. Several spiritual leaders in the world; full of concern for universal welfare or holistic renaissance; were and are against cow slaughter.

Many of us; argue against cow slaughter; with economic excuses and plead that slaughter of cows and other animals; are biological and hence natural phenomenon of “animals eating animals”. They plead this; as if it is a necessity for survival of human beings. Obviously; these are utilitarian views. They are deceptively attractive; but betray the soul and are treacherous to the conscience. This is disguised cruelty.
If our souls and consciences are to be cared for; and blossom; then the compassion in our heart has to rise above the cruelty inside and outside us.

The first expression of our compassion would be abstaining from eating meat. Second, would be to help people caring for and rearing cows. But such efforts to serve cows; at personal and institutional levels; are not enough; as the cows still continue to be slaughtered and eaten; by billions; even as their souls and consciences grieve!

Hence; an international law, convention and consensus have to be built up for at least; stepwise prevention of slaughter of cows; followed by other animals.

The usual question is; why cow slaughter first; before all other animals?

The answer is; I have inherited the special sympathy, care and even reverence for cow; as a Hindu. The rationalist may find this; blind belief or blind love. But; if they need no reason to love their kin and kith, fiancé, paramour or friends; then I don’t need any reasoning for sympathizing, caring, or even revering cow; even if they find it blind!

To start with this sympathy, care and reverence might have been ingrained as a part of the Ayurvedic or economic utility; of cow. But now; it is beyond any utility. In fact the sympathy, care and reverence for cow, without any petty selfish and ulterior motive is far more beautiful and soothing to the soul than ever before!

In view of our own holistic blossoming; slaughter of cows and other animals ; should be banned at least stepwise; even if it sounds stressful initially; to our craving tongues; used to the taste of kidneys, stomach, saliva, intestines, liver, brain, heart, blood, muscles, cartilages, bones and also; urine, feces, tears and the chemicals secreted during death imposed against will; of cow!

As far as the economic aspects are concerned; the conscientious political and economic leaders can surely discover professional and job alternatives; to those involved in the transactions associated with; selling, slaughtering and reselling, cooking and catering; of kidneys, stomach, saliva, intestines, liver, brain, heart, blood, muscles, cartilages, bones and also; urine, feces, tears and the chemicals secreted during death imposed against will of cows.