Live Caitanya Caritamrta · CC Ādi 17.159
The Vedas Require Protection of Cows
“Refuting the Kazi’s statement, the Lord immediately replied, “The Vedas clearly enjoin that cows should not be killed. Therefore every Hindu, whoever he may be, avoids indulging in cow-killing.”
What the purport teaches
- Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu refuted the Kazi’s statement: the Vedas forbid cow-killing. The cow is considered a mother.
- The purport describes a restricted concession for meat-eaters involving a goat before the goddess Kālī. It does not sanction buying meat from markets or maintaining regular slaughterhouses to satisfy the tongue.
- The Bhagavad-gītā states that the duties of vaiśyas include agriculture, trade and protection of cows. Thus the claim that Vedic scriptures permit cow-killing is false.
Try this today
Write down one reason the purport gives for protecting cows.
Ask yourself
How does considering the cow a mother deepen your understanding of cow protection?
Carry the question through the day, then answer it in your own words before sleep.
The study points are short summaries drawn from Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport; the practice and question are plain words for trying the verse today.