Why is the cow seen as holy in Hinduism?

Why is the cow seen as holy in Hinduism? Why is she worshipped as “Mother Cow?” This is a question that so many people ask, so Sadhviji filmed the answer – all while enjoying the cows of Parmarth Niketan’s gaushala, or cow home.

Parmarth’s gaushala hosts about 75 cows…members of Parmarth’s Parivar! Some are milk-giving cows who, after their babies drink their full, twice a day provide their extra milk as loving offerings to the ashram residents. Many of the cows are elderly, past their milk giving years, living in what we call a “cow old age home.” Many are young, both girls and boys, enjoying the “cow day care center.” They eat organic grass as well as lots of fruit and jaggery fed by loving ashram residents and visitors, and spend most of the day outside in the sunshine wandering, playing and interacting with each other. This is the only place in the world where Sadhviji drinks milk, because she knows that the cows are cared for, and that the milk is so beautifully offered by our gaumatas!

Enjoy the answer to why we worship Mother Cow and why, regardless of your religion or spiritual tradition, you certainly should respect and protect her!