So No Beef?
/
INDIAN MAN WITH COWS FROM THE ECONOMIC.COM
Fun fact about Indian culture: most Indians don’t eat beef. Why?
Here’s a quick rundown.
Since more than 80% of India’s population consists of Hindus, most of India’s traditions are centered around Hindu beliefs.
In Hinduism, the cow is portrayed alongside several gods and goddesses, so slaughtering a cow and eating their meat is seen as being disrespectful towards the gods who prance around with their cow friends. It’s kind of the equivalent to eating a dog when you know your friend has a golden retriever. Awkward, right?
depiction of lord krishna with his cows from iskconeducationalservices.org
For example, Lord Krishna, who in Indian mythology grew up as a cow herder, is most often depicted with a bunch of cows around him (sometimes, if you search for long enough, you’ll find pictures of him playing the flute while they dance around). In South India, lots of people address Lord Krishna as ‘Gopala’ or ‘Govinda’ which translates to ‘friend and protector of the cows.” When he’s so heavily associated with the animal, it’s only fair they’re respected just as much as he is.
(They’re cute, after all.)
With their close relationship to the gods, cows are considered auspicious and are known to be bringers of blessings and happiness to those who honour them.
Indians honouring a cow from verso.com
Many cows are dressed in garlands and marigold flowers, with bright stone necklaces and embroidered blankets; similar to the way the statues of Hindu gods and goddesses are dressed when they are being honoured and prayed to. On special occasions, cows are smeared with colourful face and body paint to make them look all dolled up and pretty.
In many parts of India, the cow holds so much religious significance that slaying one is seen as a sin and is punishable by law. To some, killing a cow is seen as the equivalent of killing a family member!
But that’s not the only reason cows are so heavily regarded in Indian culture—it’s also because Indians find the cow to be the most resourceful animal on Earth. They provide milk, butter, cheese, manure, fuel, leather, and many other things.
Since cows have all these great uses, Indians consider them to be gifts from the Gods and often hail them as a depiction of Mother Earth— a creature who provides nourishment to all.
Eating Mother Earth is probably not the best idea.
So, what’s the short answer when it comes to why Indians don’t eat beef?
COWS ROAMING THE STREETS IN INDIA FROM THEHINDU.COM
It’s simple: Indians love cows.
Cows are allowed to wander wherever they want, and some places in rural India even have “retirement homes” for lonely and aging cows.
That’s why when you’re in India (especially the south) you’ll more often see cows roaming the streets than you do birds or squirrels.
But don’t be scared if you see one dressed in human clothes while wearing face paint—he’s just escaping his birthday party.
Anusha Nimalaranjan is a second-year wannabe writer at Algonquin College. She is inept at small talk and is a side character in her dog’s life. Her talents include doing the bare minimum, putting too much salt in her food, and staying up at 3AM being haunted by her past life as a fanfiction author.
