Today's quote

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SB 1.17.9

TRANSLATION

O son of Surabhi, you need lament no longer now. There is no need to fear this

low-class südra. And, O mother cow, as long as I am living as the ruler and

subduer of all envious men, there is no cause for you to cry. Everything will

be good for you.

 

PURPORT

Protection of bulls and cows and all other animals can be possible only when

there is a state ruled by an executive head like Mahäräja Pariksit. Mahäräja

Pariksit addresses the cow as mother, for he is a cultured, twice-born,

ksatriya king. Surabhi is the name of the cows which exist in the spiritual

planets and are especially reared by Lord Sri Krsna Himself. As men are made

after the form and features of the Supreme Lord, so also the cows are made

after the form and features of the surabhi cows in the spiritual kingdom. In

the material world the human society gives all protection to the human being,

but there is no law to protect the descendants of Surabhi, who can give all

protection to men by supplying the miracle food, milk. But Mahäräja Pariksit

and the Pandavas were fully conscious of the importance of the cow and bull,

and they were prepared to punish the cow-killer with all chastisement,

including death. There has sometimes been agitation for the protection of the

cow, but for want of pious executive heads and suitable laws, the cow and the

bull are not given protection. The human society should recognize the

importance of the cow and the bull and thus give all protection to these

important animals, following in the footsteps of Mahäräja Pariksit. For

protecting the cows and brahminical culture, the Lord, who is very kind to the

cow and the brähmanas (go-brähmana-hitäya), will be pleased with us and will

bestow upon us real peace.