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The '''Gomedha''' yajna is a Vedic sacrifice in which an old cow was sacrificed and then brought back to life in a young body, by chanting the Vedic hymns. The sacrifice was just meant to prove the efficacy of the hymns of the Vedas. But in case if the sacrifice was conducted improperly under inexpert management, surely the performers of sacrifice would become responsible for cow killing. In this age of Kali, there is no possibility of performing the yajnas perfectly for want of expert brahmanas who are able to conduct such yajnas. Therefore, Gomedha yajna is completely prohibited.

The '''Gomedha''' yajna is a Vedic sacrifice in which an old cow was sacrificed and then brought back to life in a young body, by chanting the Vedic hymns. The sacrifice was just meant to prove the efficacy of the hymns of the Vedas. But in case if the sacrifice was conducted improperly under inexpert management, surely the performers of sacrifice would become responsible for cow killing. In this age of Kali, there is no possibility of performing the yajnas perfectly for want of expert brahmanas who are able to conduct such yajnas. Therefore, Gomedha yajna is completely prohibited.

== The Sacrifice ==

== The Sacrifice ==

In the Vedas and Puranas there are injunctions declaring that if one can revive a living being, one can kill it for experimental purposes.Therefore the great sages sometimes killed old cows, and by chanting Vedic hymns they brought them back to life for perfection.The killing and rejuvenation of such old and invalid cows was not truly killing but an act of great benefit.Formerly there were powerful brahmanas who could make such experiments using Vedic hymns, but now, because of the Kali-yuga, brahmanas are not so powerful. Therefore the killing of cows and bulls for rejuvenation is forbidden. (CC Adi 17.160-164)

In the Vedas and Puranas there are injunctions declaring that if one can revive a living being, one can kill it for experimental purposes.Therefore the great sages sometimes killed old cows, and by chanting Vedic hymns they brought them back to life for perfection.The killing and rejuvenation of such old and invalid cows was not truly killing but an act of great benefit.Formerly there were powerful brahmanas who could make such experiments using Vedic hymns, but now, because of the Kali-yuga, brahmanas are not so powerful. Therefore the killing of cows and bulls for rejuvenation is forbidden. (CC Adi 17.160-164)

In the Bhagavad-gita (18.44) there is a clear injunction that cows should be protected:  

In the Bhagavad-gita (18.44) there is a clear injunction that cows should be protected:  

''krsi-goraksya-vanijyam vaisya-karma svabhava-jam.  

''krsi-goraksya-vanijyam vaisya-karma svabhava-jam. ''

''

 

“The duty of vaisyas is to produce agricultural products, trade and give protection to cows.” Therefore it is a false statement that the Vedic scriptures contain injunctions permitting cow-killing.

“The duty of vaisyas is to produce agricultural products, trade and give protection to cows.” Therefore it is a false statement that the Vedic scriptures contain injunctions permitting cow-killing.

''svargasya na tu maranam''

''svargasya na tu maranam''

The Vedas sometimes prescribe animal sacrifice in ritual performances for the satisfaction of a particular devata. If, however, it is conducted whimsically, without rigidly following the Vedic prescriptions, such killing becomes actual violence and should not be accepted by any intelligent person. If the animal sacrifice is perfectly performed, the sacrificed animal immediately goes to the heavenly planets of the demigods and the forefathers. Therefore such a sacrifice is not for killing animals but for demonstrating the potency of Vedic mantras, by the power of which the sacrificed creature is immediately promoted to a higher situation.

The Vedas sometimes prescribe animal sacrifice in ritual performances for the satisfaction of a particular devata. If, however, it is conducted whimsically, without rigidly following the Vedic prescriptions, such killing becomes actual violence and should not be accepted by any intelligent person. If the animal sacrifice is perfectly performed, the sacrificed animal immediately goes to the heavenly lokas of the demigods and the forefathers. Therefore such a sacrifice is not for killing animals but for demonstrating the potency of Vedic mantras, by the power of which the sacrificed creature is immediately promoted to a higher situation.

In an era, before the birth of Lord Buddha, when dishonest persons tried to establish that animal killing is acceptable by misinterpreting the Vedic sacrifices,as a means for consuming flesh, Lord Buddha personally appeared and rejected their heinous proposition. This is described by Jayadeva Gosvami:

In an era, before the birth of Lord Buddha, when dishonest persons tried to establish that animal killing is acceptable by misinterpreting the Vedic sacrifices, as a means for consuming flesh, Lord Buddha personally appeared and rejected their heinous proposition. This is described by Jayadeva Gosvami:

''nindasi yajna-vidher ahaha sruti-jatam''

''nindasi yajna-vidher ahaha sruti-jatam''

== See Also ==

== See Also ==

* [[Ashwamedha Yagna (अश्वमेध यज्ञ)]]

* [[Ashvamedha Yajna (अश्वमेधयज्ञः)]]

[[Category:Yajnas]]

[[Category:Yajnas]]