Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 1.17.3
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesHuman Happiness Includes the Cow's Happiness
“Although the cow is beneficial because one can draw religious principles from her, she was now rendered poor and calfless. Her legs were being beaten by a śūdra. There were tears in her eyes, and she was distressed and weak. She was hankering after some grass in the field.”
What the purport teaches
- The cow stood weak, hungry and tearful, deprived of her calf. The purport describes the distressed condition of cows as another symptom of the Age of Kali.
- Cow's milk supports religious life and is required for the sacrificial fire. A calf gives satisfaction to its mother, and the householder's duty includes caring for cows and bulls.
- Economic development cannot bring true peace while cows and bulls suffer. The purport urges people to make these animals happy in all respects for the happiness of humanity.
Try this today
Identify one concrete way to support care that keeps cows, bulls and calves protected.
Ask yourself
Does my idea of prosperity include the well-being of cows, bulls and calves?
Carry the question through the day, then answer it in your own words before sleep.
The study points, practice and question are short summaries drawn from Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport. Read the full purport to go deeper.