Cow Protection

Many wonder why the Vedic and Vaishnava cultures stress protection of cows. The philosophical reason is simple: the cow is considered one of our mothers, as she gives us her milk and thus nurtures our health and well-being. Just as no civilized person would injure or kill their mother, the Vedas teach that to take milk from the cow and then kill her is the same as killing one’s mother. Similarly, the bull is considered like the father because the bull traditionally helps in the tilling of the fields, and is therefore respected.

In ISKCON farms no cow, bull or calf is slaughtered. We look at innovative ways to work with the bull and engage their God-given strength in the service of others under humane and loving conditions. Regardless of milk production, cows and bulls also produce dung and urine which is valuable as fertilizer, compost, some medicines, cleaning products and biogas fuel. In ISKCON farms cows are sheltered in barns (goshala), where they are fed and are taken care of.
We believe protecting cows is a most important component of protecting the earth. According to the ancient Vedic texts the cow is the representative of Mother Earth. When the cow and the bull are mistreated, Mother Earth withdraws her bounty.