Guest guest Posted June 9, 2000 Report Share Posted June 9, 2000 - "Janesvara (das) HKS (Almvik - S)" <Janesvara.HKS (AT) pamho (DOT) net> killing of cows > Hare Krishna, pamho. AGt Srila Prabhupada! > > We have a problem with the commune/government in Sweden, they want to kill > two of our cows because they are suffering of old age. They refer to a law > that protect domestic animals from suffering. > > One question which we actually don't know the answer to here in ALmvik is > whether it is not possible to "help" a cow to die at the fag end. Those who > are taking care of the cows say it's sometimes a very long and obviously > painful process before they die. In other words: is the prohibition to kill > a cow absolute, 100,00% applicable? > > Someone has been in a similar situation and can give a good advice? > > ys Janesvara das > Dear Janesvara Prabhu, PAMHO. AGTSP. Yes the prohibition to kill a cow is absolute, 100% applicable! As you know according to scripture and Srila Prabhupada the cow is your mother because she gives you milk and the bull is your father because he tills the earth to give you grain. Would you kill your mother and father at their fag end? If Srila Prabhupada were alive on the planet today and you asked him if you could kill your old mother because you did not want to see her suffer by dying a natural death, what do you think he would say? This is not the Vedic understanding that you interfere with your mother or father's destiny, their karmic rewards or punishments. Just as with humans cows can die quietly and swiftly and they can die slowly and in pain. It all depends on their Karma. Who are you to interfere? Are you God? The cow is in the mode of goodness and if she dies naturally according to her time, minimum, she will get a human birth in her next life, what to speak of cows who are living with devotees and have been protected all their lives. They are exalted souls. If we interfere with the laws of nature and hinder them in their passage to their next birth, this is an offense on our part. In regards to your government having some policy that they must kill old cows to prevent suffering; you must be exemplary in your Goshala. If you keep everything very clean and nice clean bedding for these older cows and they are very comfortable as much as possible, they will see that whatever suffering is coming will be minimized and that these cows are loved. In addition it would be prudent to keep such older cows in a more private area where they can receive more personal care and are not in the government's face. If you have been aware of their policy, you must begin to set a policy yourselves as how to deal with it that is in compliance with the scriptures and Srila Prabhupada's vision of cow protection. We have discussed this in length in the cow conference and the Minimum Cow Protection Standards (ISKCON Law 507) states the prohibition. You can ask further questions as to how to deal with a dying cow to the cow conference, cow (AT) pamho (DOT) net . It is never easy to take care of a soul that is leaving their dying body,whether it is human or cow, but it is our responsibility to be their caregiver in a Krsna conscious manner. STANDARD I PROTECTION Recommended: 6) Death a) A dying cow should be kept as comfortable as possible and given as much association and transcendental sound vibrations as possible. There should be access to water and food. Not Allowed 2) Death due to the following conditions: a) Failure to provide adequate feed, shelter, safety measures and health care. b) Performing euthanasia c) Placing a sick cow in a situation where he/she will be trampled, eaten, frozen, etc. causing death. 3) Neglecting the cow while she dies. Not providing feed and water. Bhagavad-gétä Bg 14.16 PURPORT: Of all kinds of animal killing, the killing of cows is most vicious because the cow gives us all kinds of pleasure by supplying milk. Cow slaughter is an act of the grossest type of ignorance. In the Vedic literature (Åg Veda 9.4.64) the words gobhiù préëita-matsaram indicate that one who, being fully satisfied by milk, is desirous of killing the cow is in the grossest ignorance. Your servant, Balabhadra das ISKCON Minister for Cow Protection and Agriculture Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 16, 2000 Report Share Posted June 16, 2000 > One question which we actually don't know the answer to here in ALmvik is > whether it is not possible to "help" a cow to die at the fag end. Those > who are taking care of the cows say it's sometimes a very long and > obviously painful process before they die. In other words: is the > prohibition to kill a cow absolute, 100,00% applicable? The cows should be allowed to die of natural causes. You can try to make her as comfortable as possible, providing a blanket and tape recorder to play Srila Prabhupada bhajans, etc. Death is always difficult, but we try to help by making the best arrangement that is possible under the circumstances. Under no circumstances may a cow be killed. Your servant, Vipramukhya Swami Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 19, 2000 Report Share Posted June 19, 2000 Dear Balabhadra Prabhu, pamho. Agt Srila Prabhupada! Thank you for your reply Prabhu. ys Janesvara das Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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