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छन्दोदर्शनम
441
Here, for all appearances, it looks as though, generally, there is the praise of the cows, and observances involving cows' milk and Pancha Gavya etc. But, it is to be interpreted that this is a vrata ( observance ) to Purusha only, who contains all gods and shines as Indra, Aditya etc. The cow contains all the gods, and the word 'Go' indicates the very light and power which is Vāk, Indra, Aditya etc. It is transcendent. Cf. "In this bright cow” (Rg. III-56-3); the cow here means Aditya; Yaska confirms this saying that “Aditya also is cow.” So, the words Indra and 'Go' are mutually inter-changeable. Cf. “the cows are the wealth, the cows are Indra, may they give me whatever I want). “These cows are Indra, Oh, people" (Rg. VI-38–5). Indra is also Aditya: "Now, oh killer of Vstra, that is the dark man, oh Surya, the purpose with which you rose has brought all under your sway, oh, Indra !” (Rg. VIII-93-4). Våk, the mother of Aditya is indicated by the word 'Go'. Cf. “The cow caresses the rising Sun, her calf with a sound of love and Aditya makes a sound of love" (Rg. 1-164-28). And likewise, in reply to the cow whom he has accepted as mother, the cow is referred to as the mother of Rudra etc. Cf. “She is the mother of Rudras; daughter of Vasus; sister of Adityas; the treasure of Ambrosia. And so, I tell the inquisitive people do not kill the cow, who is innocent and mother of all '” (Rg. VIII-101-35 ). Again, “She is a goddess and comes to me from the gods. Such a cow, the little-minded man kills" (Rg. VIII-101-16). So the Vedas describe Våk and the cow as one and the same.
Thus, we assert that the vow to the cow, which is the refuge of all gods, is indeed a vow to Aditya, who is Indra himself, the lord of the whole universe. The result of the vows to the cow and to Aditya, namely, the purification of body and mind, sinlessness, good will and so on are the same or similar. Cf.“ Oh Mitra, Aditya, may he who observes your vows be rich in food, and be protected by you. He is neither killed nor conquered. Sin does not touch him from far or near” (Rg. III-59-2 ). Again, “We having taken the vow to Aditya, are in the good books of Mitra” (Rg. III-59-3). "May we be in the auspicious and good books of him (Aditya ) who deserves a sacrifice" (Rg. III-59-4).
Having all these in mind, with a discerning eye, the Rshi concluded the two hymns on the cow with this last mantra, which shows that the excellent result of the vow to the cow is the attainment of the supreme state of supra-consciousness.
Thus ends the second Hymn dedicated to the cow in the Eighth Section.
CD-56
