Page 89 - GOTIL (ENG) Sample

Appendix 1 311

Cows

If one is trained to honor and worship the cows and
brāhmaṇas, he is actually civilized. (Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam
6.18.52 Purport)

The Supreme Personality of Godhead generally appears
in various types of incarnations to give protection to
the cows and brāhmaṇas. The Lord is described as go-
brāhmaṇa-hitāya ca; in other words, He is always eager
to benefit the cows and brāhmaṇas. When Lord Kṛṣṇa
appeared, He purposefully became a cowherd boy and
showed personally how to give protection to the cows and
calves. Similarly, He showed respect to Sudāmā Vipra, a
real brāhmaṇa. From the Lord’s personal activities, human
society should learn how to give protection specifically to
the brāhmaṇas and cows. Then the protection of religious
principles, fulfillment of the aim of life and protection
of Vedic knowledge can be achieved. Without protection
of cows, brahminical culture cannot be maintained; and
without brahminical culture, the aim of life cannot be
fulfilled. The Lord, therefore, is described as go-brāhmaṇa-
hitāya because His incarnation is only for the protection of
the cows and brāhmaṇas. Unfortunately, because in Kali-
yuga there is no protection of the cows and brahminical
culture, everything is in a precarious position. If human
society wants to be exalted, the leaders of society
must follow the instructions of Bhagavad-gītā and give
protection to the cows, the brāhmaṇas and brahminical
culture. (Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 8.24.5 Purport)