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Why is the cow sacred and not the other animals?

Expressions researched:
"why is the cow sacred and not the other animals"

Conversations and Morning Walks

1975 Conversations and Morning Walks

First of all, killing is sinful. But from economic point of view, cow is very important because it supplies milk. And milk preparation, we Indians know how many you can get nice milk preparation. How nutritious, how palatable. And that is good for human being. Why you should kill if you have got sufficient food, eh?
Room Conversation -- March 2, 1975, Atlanta:

Prabhupāda: A sinful man cannot become happy, that is not possible. All our sinful activities, the so-called scientists are helping, "Yes, you can do this." And the church is sanctioning. This is going on. The Christian religion says, "Thou shalt not kill," and they are now teaching, "yes, you can kill the child. You have killed cows and so many things, that is all right. Again you kill your child."

Guest (1): Swami, can I ask you a very silly question which has been asked to us a lot of times and we don't have a satisfactory answer, to whit: why is the cow sacred and not the other animals?

Prabhupāda: Because it gives milk.

Guest (1): But there are a lot... Buffaloes give milk too.

Prabhupāda: Not so much.

Guest (1): In larger quantities.

Prabhupāda: But, milk means it is scientifically proven, milk means cow's milk.

Guest (3): But what about the killing of those cows which are not the milching type, as cows that are being bred here?

Prabhupāda: First of all, killing is sinful. Christ said, "Thou shalt not kill." That is sinful, it doesn't matter whether you kill cow or goat or anything. But from economic point of view, cow is very important because it supplies milk. And milk preparation, we Indians know how many you can get nice milk preparation. Dahi, rābṛi, this, that, Huh? But how nutritious, how palatable. And that is good for human being. First thing is that why you should kill if you have got sufficient food, eh? Patraṁ puṣpaṁ phalaṁ toyam (BG 9.26). Eh? Vegetables, fruits, then food grains, then sugar, everything is there sufficient. At least we Indian, we know we can prepare hundreds and thousands of preparations, nice palatable, enjoyable. Why should you go to kill the animal?

Guest (2): Well scientists claim that meat ah...

Prabhupāda: Scientists, first of all we have rejected that.

Guest (2): ...provides excellent quantity of proteins. (laughs)

Prabhupāda: But however protein you may accumulate, can you stop your death?

Guest (2): No.

Prabhupāda: Then what is value of protein? If you think that protein will save you from death, then you collect the best protein. But after all, you are going to die. Nature will not allow you to live, even you take much quantity of protein.

Guest (2): That's correct.

Prabhupāda: First of all make solution that you will not die. Then try to find out best protein.

Page Title:Why is the cow sacred and not the other animals?
Compiler:Labangalatika, Rishab
Created:17 of Jan, 2011
Totals by Section:BG=0, SB=0, CC=0, OB=0, Lec=0, Con=1, Let=0
No. of Quotes:1