Gopooja, Gosala and Gosamrakshana

“Hinduism” is not a religion but a way of life founded on Dharma. Temples are considered rendezvous of people, who want to attain spiritual heights by focusing their attention on all - pervading – life – force. From time immemorial, nurturing of cows and fragrant flowers in orchards within the precincts of temples have been in vogue. Many reasons, spiritual and scientific, could be attributed.

Akin to the cosmic “OM”, “AMMA”, the affectionate call of the calf is considered to be a universal language.

Cow is “Mother” personified :

When the God of Gods, Lord Sri Vinayaka began to pen the great epic “Mahabharatha” as narrated by the great sage “Vyasa”, the lines started with the mention of name “Nandhini” – the divine cow. Then followed the “Prathyangiraa Yagam” by sage Viswamithra.

Temples are nothing but the abodes of Gods and Godly saints. Lesson on “Meditation” were imparted by Lord Siva to Lord Nandhikeswara, from whom they reached the saints and Rishis through the sage Pathanjali. Ox and “Go” i.e. cow form integral parts of any temple festivals. Go-pooja augurs an auspicious beginning be it a temple, festival or domestic festival like Grahapravesam or House – warming ceremony. Go-dharma is the highest forms of Danams.

Scientifically also, Gomedham (the urine), cow dung and Panchakavyam (consisting of Gomedham, dung, milk, ghee, curd) are used to purify the atmosphere and body. They were used as Abhisheka – Materials. Even the munching by cows tantamount to a form of meditation.

For many reasons, especially financial crunch, that the temples faced, Go-samrakshama was given “GO” – by later. Our temple, Sri Mahaa Panchamukha Prathyangiraa temple, at Vediyanendal, Manamadurai, Sivaganga District makes it a point to continue Gosamrakshama, a great tradition even now.

A cow is the seat of venerable sages, rishis, Devas, Mahalakshmi, Gangadevi, the 14 universes, Upanishads, Vedas, four varnas, and what not according to one sastras.

Even Lord Krishna is said to have performed pooja to cow. Going round cow in a clock-wise movement is supposed to be going round the world. Go-Pradakshinam and Bhoo-Pradhakshinam are one and the same.

Let us all propitiate cow as mother and invoke her blessings!