We are happy to announce that the Cow Protection Program at Radhadesh reached an important goal — returning to its original purpose of supplying milk for the altar worship of Sri Sri Radha Gopinatha.

Recently a cow and her calf arrived at Radhadesh to join the other older cows already here. The new arrivals are called Ganga and Bhumi. When they arrived the mother was just two years old and her newborn calf only two weeks.

Cows are very dear to Krishna and His devotees and we are very pleased that Radhadesh has matured to the point where the community can take care of its prime duty — milking cows and working with bulls. For Vaishnavas, taking care of cows is a solemn undertaking because, whether they produce milk or not, once they are taken in by a temple they stay for life. Thus to be able to take care of cows properly a dedicated team is needed.

With the support and encouragement of the Radhadesh community Surya Kunda Dasa has taken up the responsibility of looking after the cows. For several years he has wanted to take an active role in cow protection and finally this year he was able to fulfil his dream.

Future

The plan is to continue developing cow protection as part of a complete program, including a biological fruit and vegetable garden, sustainable forest management that supplies wood for our wood-fired heater, and agriculture with the cultivation of grains.

Over time, the community wants to increase the size of its herd in a natural and mature way. This includes raising and training oxen who will plough the land and provide transport for materials. The use of oxen to transport visitors around the property can also help increase awareness of the importance of these valuable animals.

What is cow protection?

The keeping of cows for the course of their natural lives, is considered an important part of Vedic culture for several reasons.

In Vedic scriptures such as Bhagavad-gita cow protection is promoted as part of a complete social system that creates harmony and prosperity for human society. Following this tradition, Srila Prabhupada, the founder-acarya of ISKCON, encouraged his followers to maintain and protect cows.

Bulls and cows are considered the basis for an agrarian economy — one that is kind to the earth. When taken care of side-by-side bulls and cows create a stable, sustainable, environmentally friendly source of food production and transport. Cows produce milk and bulls plough the land and pull carts.

There are so many facilities afforded by cow protection, but people have forgotten these arts… Even now in the Indian villages surrounding Vrindavan, the villagers live happily simply by giving protection to the cow. They keep cow dung very carefully and dry it to use as fuel. They keep a sufficient stock of grains, and because of giving protection to the cows, they have sufficient milk and milk products to solve all economic problems. Simply by giving protection to the cow, the villagers live so peacefully. — Srimad Bhagavatam 10.6.20 purport