1. Sacred cows in India - cultural aspects - By Julien Teyssier ISTM – 2005-2006

2. - Sacred cows in India -2 / 10 Table of contents I – Hinduism & origins II – Symbols III – Beneficial things (3 slides) IV – Today’s world (2 slides) Conclusion Questions

3. - Sacred cows in India -3 / 10 I – Hinduism & origins From Vedic times –Lots of citations and comparaisons (light, mother, etc.) Krishna –5000 years ago –Cowherd « the child who protects the cows » Sacrifice of barren cows Root/Limbs of sacrifice

4. - Sacred cows in India -4 / 10 II – Symbols Abundance Mother of all civilization Matriarchal figure of Earth Intermediary beetwen people & god Past & Future To give a lot & to take very little => Hindus aspire to the same ideal. Prosperity & peace

5. - Sacred cows in India -5 / 10 III – Beneficial things 1/3 Dairy products –Milk, ghee, butter, etc. Tillage Dung : –Fuel / Combustible –Fertilizer in fields –Cleanser for body –Desinfectant in home –Anti-polluant

6. - Sacred cows in India -6 / 10 III – Beneficial things 2/3 Urine : –Religious rituals –Medicinal purposes « Panchagavya » the supreme purificatory : –Milk –Curds (when milk turn sour/yoghurt) –Ghee (clarified butter) –Urine –Dung

7. - Sacred cows in India -7 / 10 III – Beneficial things 3/3 Sanctifier : –Root/Limbs of sacrifice –Bathing in water mixed with cow-dung Fragrance To give food to children who haven’t parents To give luck

8. - Sacred cows in India -8 / 10 IV – Today’s world 1/2 Religious ritual What people can’t do… (offical injuctions) –To eat –Slaughterhouses –To injure or to kill –To insult –To push –To forbid a cow wander & fed on your field (=> social equalizer)

9. - Sacred cows in India -9 / 10 IV – Today’s world 2/2 What cows can do… –To roam freely in streets, fields –To go to hospital –To be a gift (the best gift a person give) –To stand up in the middle of streets –To sleep in the middle of streets –To eat what they want

10. - Sacred cows in India -10 / 10 Conclusion Long history linked with relegion Big presence Not a random animal => Lots of symbols Beneficial things –Fed –Religious Very present nowadays A real statute in India’s society

11. Sacred cows in India - questions -