See all matajis like this

[Guest guest]

On 2 Jan 1999, Oleg Demtchenko wrote:

 

> > "While the calf, ever butting with its head, one knee slightly bent, and

> > its tail ever moving prettily, sucks its mother's udder whence the milk

> > drips, the cow, lowing softly in delight at her child, licks the upturned

> > face of the young one whose mouth is flecked by spots from her milk."

>

> You mean we all should look at matajis as a calf looks on his cow mother?

> But we shouldn't expect milk from them, should we?

 

PAMHO AGTSP

What does this have to do with cow protection?

YS, Jaya Govinda dasa

[Guest guest]

On Fri, 1 Jan 1999, COM: (Bhakta) Greg Harraz (San Jose, CA - USA) wrote:

> Great words! What is the exact source of this quote?

I believe it's from the SubhASitAvalI of MayUra. I made no attempt

to improve upon A.B. Kieth's translation (in his _History of Sanskrit

Literature_, pg. 212). To my knowledge, MayUra isn't considered a pure

vaiSNava, but this verse is certainly appreciable to any human being,

whoever wrote it. However, it's also a fact that MayUra has been quoted

copiously by RUpa GosvAmI in his anthology PadyAvalI, so it seems that

he thought highly of MAyUra's writing, if nothing else. I think the

auspicious picture this verse produces in the mind can help to purify

one's material existence. We all know how important it is to become pious

(GItA, 7.28); perhaps more thoughts like this may help us effect this.

What does it actually mean? Well, let's remember, poetry is

subjective, and good poetry always accomodates many interpretations. In

fact, most Vedic literature, including even the BhAgavatam, is also

poetry. Those who vociferously assert their views about it may do well to

remember this fact. As far as I'm concerned, this verse is the picture

of motherhood, vAtsalya. This very word for maternal affection is derived

from the word, "vatsa," calf. In Vedic culture, the love of a cow for her

calf is thus considered to be the paragon of motherly love, or even of

love in general, since the purest love in this world is maternal love. It

will do us good to consider all these things when we call someone our

mother; that word carries all the superlative respect as does the term

"prabhu." Hence, I said see all matajis like this.

 

Hare Krishna.

 

MDd

 

 

> > AhatyAhatya-mUrdhnA drutam anupibataH prasnutaM mAtur UdhaH kiJcit

> > kuJcaika-jAnor anavarata-calac-cAru-pucchasya dhenuH uttIrNaM tarNakasya

> > priya-tanayatayA datta-huGkAra-mudrA

> > visraGsi-kSIra-dhArA-lavazabala-mukhasyAGgam AtRpti leDhi

> >

> > "While the calf, ever butting with its head, one knee slightly bent, and

> > its tail ever moving prettily, sucks its mother's udder whence the milk

> > drips, the cow, lowing softly in delight at her child, licks the upturned

> > face of the young one whose mouth is flecked by spots from her milk."