Irrespective of the religion, charity is considered an equally high virtue in every religion. The word charity (Paropkaar) is made up of two words. ‘Pari’ + ‘Upkar’, it means doing good to others. By doing good to others, a person attains virtue. Charity has been kept at the top in all religions and it is believed that by donating, a person's bad deeds are transformed into good deeds and he is liberated from his sins. Even in Hindu religion, charity is considered paramount. There is no other virtuous deed greater than this in Hindu religion. It is said in the Puranas that if a person donates to a needy person, then the donor receives the blessings of that needy person and by this, whatever defects are there in the person's horoscope are also removed. If we look at it from the point of view of Vedic astrology, it is said that every person should donate according to the planets located in his horoscope. By doing this the person gets special benefits.

Donating a cow is a Mahadaan

Donating a cow is the biggest donation. There is no greater donation than this. Those who donate cows, all their sins are reduced and they attain virtue. Often people donate cows when one of their relatives dies. When a cow is donated after the death of a family member, it is given special recognition. It is believed that when someone dies, his dead soul has to travel the path to heaven or hell. So when the dead soul travels this journey, it has to cross the river vaitarni in between.

One must donate cow once in life

It is said in the scriptures that every person must donate a cow once in his life. Some rules for donating a cow have also been mentioned. It is believed that the cow donated to Brahmins is the best and the best. Apart from this, it is also mentioned in the scriptures that which cow should be donated to a Brahmin and by which method.

Donate a cow to a Brahmin who is not Divyang

Cow donation should always be done to a Brahmin whose body part is not damaged. Nor should a Brahmin be  divyang. Cow donation should be made only to a Brahmin who is not divyang and who can perform the Yagya Havan. Also, the Brahmin's family should be prosperous and his wife should also be alive. Virtuous and peaceful Brahmins are considered better for donating cows.

How should the cow be donated?

It is believed that gods reside in all the parts of a cow. That is why before donating a cow, it should be decorated. It is believed that Brahma and Vishnu reside in the horns of the cow. Mahadev resides in the head of the cow, Gauri resides on the forehead and Kartikeya resides in the nostrils. The cow has Sun-Moon and Ashvatara Naga in its eyes, Ashwini Kumar in its ears, Vasudev in its teeth, Varun in its tongue and Devraj Indra in its neck. The rays of the sun reside in the hair, Gandharva resides in the hoof, the earth resides in the stomach and the four oceans reside in the four udders. Ganga is believed to reside in cow urine and Yamuna in cow dung.

A cow with shiny horns and shiny hooves is always donated. The donated cow should be such that it is capable of giving milk. An old cow is never donated. While donating a cow, a person should put sesame seeds along with ghee and milk in a bronze vessel and place it on its tail and then donate it.

Which is the best time for Godan?

However, cow donation can be done at any time. But when a cow is donated during Pitru Paksha, it is considered the best. During this period, people can donate cows in two ways. One is for those relatives who have died and the other is for oneself. To please the ancestors and receive their blessings, a cow must be donated during Pitru Paksha.

Shree Krishnayan Desi Gauraksha Evam Gaulok Dham Sewa Samiti

If you live in a place where you cannot maintain cows personally, you can engage in cow protection by adopting one of our resident cows, bulls or calves. from our Shree Krishnayan Gaurakshala. You can donate for one month, one year or lifetime feeding and care. You can also perform worship of the adopted cow with the assistance of a Gaushala Purohit/priest. Shree Krishnayan Desi Gauraksha Evam Gaulok Dham Sewa Samiti’ is one of the largest Gaurakshashala of desi cows in India. We protect, feed & shelter ailing, starving, destitute and stray desi cows’ majority of which are abandoned by their owners or saved from butchers. Most of these Gauvansh are milk barren. This gaushala is run and managed by saints.