Kow Katha (by Taru)
(From Brijabasi Spirit (1976) Vol III #9)
Sometimes the thought occurs that actually it is the cows who are protecting us instead of vice versa. From a material standpoint, I don’t think any of us would want to go through the trouble of raisÂing cows. It’s not a big money-makÂing enterprise and it involves so much work. But from the standpoint of the sastras, or Vedic scripture, we can understand that cow protectÂion is beyond material business-maÂking. Factually, it is one of the main items of devotional service. When Krsna appeared on this planet, it was in Vrndavana, where everyone is engaged in tending the cows. He is known as Govinda, as Gopala, and as ‘go brahmana hitaya ca,’ names which indicate that He is always eager to give pleasure and protectÂion to the cows. So by engaging in cow protection we can draw the atÂtention of the Supreme Lord. Just like a person may please a rich man
indirectly by giving some little present to his son, so we can please the supremely independent Personality of Godhead by serving His beloved cows. Thus we can see that the cows are so merciful in allowing us so much opportunity to serve them and thus please Krsna. Kirtanananda Maharaja has oftenÂtimes mentioned while visiting the barn that, “These cows will make you Krsna Conscious.”
So a couple more devotees have joined us in the cow department. Ramai dasa is helping feed and brush the cows and clean the barn. Mother Rupa Ramesvari, probably the best barn cleaner in history, is also back helping to brush the cows and keep their pens clean. And last but not least, another old hand, Parambrahma dasa, has returned aftÂer a two and a half year tour of duty elsewhere, to take over manÂagement of the barn. He is filling the gap left by Amburish dasa, who is now out in the fields all day helping put up the feed for the cows. We are still quite a way from independently meeting all the needs of our mothers, the cows, but our service is increasing gradually. What this means is that we still have to rely on help from outside–buying grain for instance—instead of growing it all ourselves. HopeÂfully someday in the future we will be able to accomplish all such necÂessities by devotee labor alone. In the meantime we trudge on trying the patience of Kirtanananda Swami as we rather ineptly attempt to imÂpersonate farmers.
As for the cows themselves, the last eight calves which were born were all heiffers, which is a New Vrindaban record. Two years ago Kaliya, the original cow of VrindaÂban, gave birth to a pair of heifÂfers, Kadamba and Krsungi. Last week Kadamba gave birth to a little heifer calf and Krsungi is due to freshen in another couple of weeks. Sarasvati is due to calf at about the same time. We are all looking forward to this event with the hope that Sarasvati will become the first New Vrindaban cow to milk out
