An essay on Cow, as it might seem unusual unless written by a 10-years old kid, can be a topic of interest by those keenly interested in ecology, naturopathy, or even those specializing in diary products. However, an elaborate research on this topic opens up possibilities to explore how a Cow can be an object of interest for many not professionally inclined to this resourceful species.
If you are an avid reader, a profound thinker, or a regular
follower of current affairs, the word Cow may trigger thoughts ranging from
political agendas, corruption to religious fanatism and spirituality. However,
what is necessary to have is a perspective when you look at a Cow or any object
per se. A perspective is a set of uncanny impressions inspired by the subject; spurred
by conditioned beliefs, a situation, a defense mechanism, or a sudden flurry of
thoughts mostly misconstrued as unreasonable. The perspectives here are
personal viewpoints not influenced by any religion but interprets the teachings
from certain schools of thoughts, which may or may not be deemed reasonable as
a matter of choice.
A Cow is symbolic to a new born, devoid of desires, hopes,
and complexities. The state of mind of a newborn, synonymous to a Cow, is interpreted
as Emptiness or Vacuity (or Sunyata)
in Mahanaya Buddhism schools and
other philosophical strands. Referred as non-self or Zero, Sunyata bases its ideologies from the five senses of clinging to
impermanent assets that are the result of all sorrows. Often related to
concepts like ego-drop, where you profoundly
connect with your inner self to achieve greater insights by becoming egoless, Sunyata is the ideal state of meditation
or Samadhi, a state meditation
practitioners strife to achieve. You can therefore think of a Cow to be always
in meditative state devoid of any self but is selflessly resourceful.
A Cow is, hence, symbolic to Zero (‘I have nothing, I need nothing, I am nothing but the universe’) that forms the basis for balance and harmony.
Zero has a special significance in Taoism, where it is interpreted as infinity, a
never-ending cycle of happiness and sorrow. The concept of Letting Go in Taoism
metaphorically explains Zero as a natural order of the universe, where time and
space coincide giving rise to bizarre consequences more complex than what our
life is and can be ever. However, a Cow can only help you understand the
concept of Zero, but cannot be a subject to inspire spiritual development. A
Cow lacks intelligence to transcendent to higher levels like humans. Hence, it
becomes necessary to achieve awareness yet be child-like. While a Cow (a child)
may only understand the basic existence of life, being child-like safeguards
your innocence when you travel to higher levels of existence and wisdom.
Though a blockhead, the psyche of a Cow, if perceived, have
greater mysteries to unfold. A Cow is free from all (or most) of the characteristics,
we are naturally aware of. The Cow, apparently, has greater significance in Shivaism and the Vedas that celebrate the resourcefulness, sanctity, and the
medicinal power of the Cow’s milk. The inception of Shivaism is based on the Vedas,
Upanishads, and the Agamas (texts
for sub-traditions of Shaivas), which
clearly compare the Vedas to a Cow
and the Agamas as its milk.
The significance of the Cow in history, culture, mythology, and
spirituality does not end here. There are endless instances of the Cow (in
different art forms) in Egyptian, Greek, Indian, and Persian cultures that
commemorate the holiness, generosity, and the motherhood of the Cow.
The Cow, hence, remains a symbol of power, life, and inspiring
metaphors.
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