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CELESTIAL IMPORTANCE OF COW
Cow has been given an exalted
position in Hinduism. Our predecessors have intelligently
given us the treasure of respecting this holy animal which was
used by humans for thousands of years from time immemorial -
both for agriculture and economic achievements.
In the "Rig Veda", there is one
whole section devoted to the cow. It is called "Gosooktham".
There are known family elders who would never take their daily
food until they have recited this "Gosooktham" and performed "Go pooja".
"Grahapravesham" or house warming is
not complete without the presence of the cow and the calf for
the puja. It is considered very auspicious if perchance the cow
gushes its dung in the precincts of the new house. The
Gomuthram, Gomiyum and the
Panchagavyam are con sidered most
sacred in the rituals as also for treatment of certain ailments
in the past centuries. It is being rediscovered in many regions
of our country today. Not only during sacred occasions like the Gruhapravesam, but also during the obsequies rituals performed
by the Hindus, cow is gifted away in "Go-Dhanam" to a sacred
being. This is considered equal to giving as gift, the Gods of
the entire 14 lokas, that the religion believes exist
Though certain traditions have
been found fast disappearing, one can still see the Hindu offer
his pranams to the rear of the cow, where Mahalakshmi dwells and offers "Pradakshina" i.e. circumnavigates the cow in
reverence. For this is equal to the "pradakshina" of all the "mukkoti
devas" of the "14 Lokas" that the Hindus
believe. As the above sloka confirms, the Gods of the 14 Lokas
reside in the body of the cow.
Gavam Angeshu Thishtanthi
Bhuvanaya Chaturdasaha" It is recorded in our "Puranas" like the
"Matsya Kavyam" and "Mahabharata", that the Gods were immensely
pleased with the birth of such a celestial animal that each one
of them occupied a part of the cow. When it was the turn of
Goddess Mahalakshmi, there was no place for her to occupy. She
found place in the rear of the cow, which she gleefully
occupied. Thus giving sanctity to the rear of the cow.
Go-Muthra and
Gomiyum
Hindus believe that the very animal was rendered to
this world as Kamadhenu. The celestial being. The holy animal
that came out along with the Amrutham, the nectar, when the
Devas and the Asuras churned the Meru Parvatham, using Serpent
King Vasuki as the tool. Having come out to the Bhooloka along
with the Amrutham or Nectar during the churning, she occupies a
significant place in Hinduism, thus rituals are added with a
holy touch.
SIGNIFICANCE OF
PANCHAGAVYAM
There are various Dravyams
considered auspicious and vividly described as most suitable,
however, there is no Dravyam like
PANCHAGAVYAM which is held
high and accorded a special status - this is called "King of
Abhisheka Dravyam". As the spark of fire destroys
woods, Panchagavyam has the effect to burn away human sins.
Pancha-kavyam is derived from five
different cows with five different substances. For
example, (1) cow urine from black cow, (2) cow dung from white
cow, (3) copper colored cow milk, (4) blood colored curd, (5) 'kapila'
colored cow ghee. According to Dharmasaastra, if all
these cows are not available, then all the ingredients mentioned
herein can be procured from 'kapila' colored cow.
Panchagavyam is GOD's first
preferred and primary Dravya abhishekam. These
five holy ingredients have one each Athi Devatha.
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Milk |
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Chandran |
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Curd (Yogurth) |
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Vaayu |
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Ghee |
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Suryan |
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Cow Urine |
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Varunan |
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Cow Dung |
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Agni |
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Therefore, it gains importance
while Abhishekam is performed above the Lord's matted locks.
Suryan, Chandran Vaayu, Varunan,
Agni - all these celestials bless through
Panchagavyam, they
bestow unlimited wealth, happiness and everlasting peace, hence,
considered most coveted treasure of mankind.
We have seen earlier -
panchagavyam is given top-most importance amidst all other
Abhisheka Dravyams in Shiva Puja. During Shivarathri - out
of four kaala puja, first kaala puja is done with
Panchagavyam.
Special status accorded in both Shaivam and Vaishnavam.
Vishnu is Adhidevatha for Ghee.
Generally pure milk abhishekam
gives good health and off-springs; cow related curd abhishekam
provides progeny; ghee derived from cow bestows Moksha;
cow-urine removes sin - all these substances put together "panchagavyam"
gives combined benefits of all ingredients mentioned above.
Consumption of
"Panchakavya abhisheka theertham"
certainly destroys at
once all unknown diseases, knowingly committed sins, mitigate
sufferings from poverty. It also has high quality of
medicinal values, its divine, these medicinal values have been
enumerated through hymns by scholars and Rishis.
Aayurveda boasts of this rare dravyam and
accords a special status - it is called "kritham".
medcine made out this celestial substance is used for epileptic
attack.
Multitude of color combination
exist among cows, however, milk procured from them are of same
color and quality. Inspite of this, each cow's milk taste
differ from others.During Upakarma - (when the holy thread is
changed) by Samavedic Brahmins -
Panchagavyam is consumed after
taking bathe.
No doubt - "Panchagavyam"
is considered equivalent to nectar due to its energetic values. |
