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Line 1: − The '''Gomedha''' yagna 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 yagna is completely prohibited.+ − + Line 22:
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Gomedha Yajna (गोमेधयज्ञः) (view source)
Revision as of 15:35, 25 December 2020
, 15:35, 25 December 2020loka
{{NeedCitation}}
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.
''Sooyavasaad bhagavatee hi bhooyaa atho vayam bhagvantah syaama
''Sooyavasaad bhagavatee hi bhooyaa atho vayam bhagvantah syaama''
Addhi trnamaghnye vishwadaaneem piba shuddhamudakamaacharantee'' (Rigveda 1.164.40 or Atharva 7.73.11 or Atharva 9.10.20)
''Addhi trnamaghnye vishwadaaneem piba shuddhamudakamaacharantee''
(Rigveda 1.164.40 or Atharva 7.73.11 or Atharva 9.10.20)
The Aghnya cows – which are not to be killed under any circumstances– may keep themselves healthy by use of pure water and green grass, so that we may be endowed with virtues, knowledge and wealth.
The Aghnya cows – which are not to be killed under any circumstances– may keep themselves healthy by use of pure water and green grass, so that we may be endowed with virtues, knowledge and wealth.
The Vedic Lexicon, Nighantu, gives amongst other synonyms of Gau[ or cow] the words Aghnya. Ahi, and Aditi. Yaska the commentator on Nighantu, defines these as-
The Vedic Lexicon, Nighantu, gives amongst other synonyms of Gau[ or cow] the words Aghnya. Ahi, and Aditi. Yaska the commentator on Nighantu, defines these as-
Aghnya the one that ought not to be killed
'''Aghnya''' the one that ought not to be killed
Ahi the one that must not be slaughtered.
'''Ahi''' the one that must not be slaughtered.
Aditi the one that ought not to be cut into pieces.
'''Aditi''' the one that ought not to be cut into pieces.
''Yah paurusheyena kravishaa samankte yo ashwena pashunaa yaatudhaanah
''Yah paurusheyena kravishaa samankte yo ashwena pashunaa yaatudhaanah''
Yo aghnyaayaa bharati ksheeramagne teshaam sheershaani harasaapi vrishcha''
''Yo aghnyaayaa bharati ksheeramagne teshaam sheershaani harasaapi vrishcha''
(Rigveda 10.87.16)
(Rigveda 10.87.16)
The entire 28th Sukta or Hymn of 6th Mandal of Rigveda sings the glory of cow.
The entire 28th Sukta or Hymn of 6th Mandal of Rigveda sings the glory of cow.
''Aa gaavo agnamannuta bhadramakrantseedantu
''Aa gaavo agnamannuta bhadramakrantseedantu''
Bhooyobhooyo rayimidasya vardhayannabhinne
''Bhooyobhooyo rayimidasya vardhayannabhinne''
Na taa nashanti na dabhaati taskaro naasaamamitro vyathiraa dadharshati
''Na taa nashanti na dabhaati taskaro naasaamamitro vyathiraa dadharshati''
Na taa arvaa renukakaato ashnute na samskritramupa yanti taa abhi
''Na taa arvaa renukakaato ashnute na samskritramupa yanti taa abhi''
Gaavo bhago gaava indro me achhaan
''Gaavo bhago gaava indro me achhaan''
Yooyam gaavo medayathaa
''Yooyam gaavo medayathaa''
Maa vah stena eeshata maaghanshasah''
''Maa vah stena eeshata maaghanshasah''
7. May the cow eat green grass and pure water. May they not be killed and bring prosperity to us.
7. May the cow eat green grass and pure water. May they not be killed and bring prosperity to us.
== Animal Sacrifice ==
Madhvacarya has given the following statement in regard to animal sacrifice in his commentary to Srimad Bhagavatam 11.5.13:
''yajnesv alabhanam proktam''
''devatoddesatah pasoh''
''himsa nama tad-anyatra''
''tasmat tam nacared budhah''
''yato yajne mrta urdhvam''
''yanti deve ca paitrke''
''ato labhad alabhanam''
''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 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:
''nindasi yajna-vidher ahaha sruti-jatam''
''sadaya-hrdaya darsita-pasu-ghatam''
''kesava dhrta-buddha-sarira''
''jaya jagad-isa hare''
(Dasavatara-stotra)
== See Also ==
== See Also ==
* [[Ashwamedha_Yagna_(अश्वमेध_यज्ञ)]]
* [[Ashvamedha Yajna (अश्वमेधयज्ञः)]]
[[Category:Yajnas]]