Dec. 2010 herding pastimes herding Cow Krsna’s Celebrating Madhu to Tribute New Admissions Saved by aCow &Calf Care Care n a v a d n i r v n i for for Cows Jaya Sri Guru! Jaya Sri Gopala! Jaya Sri Go Mata!

Dear Friends,

Our Govardhana Puja and Gopastami festivals brought a record crowd. Both celebrations were happy occasions which inspired many to offer well- Care for Cows in Vrindavana wishes and promises of continued is inspired by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada support. Founder-Acharya International Society for Krishna Consciousness Rupa Raghunath of Vrindavan CFC Trustees Food for Life has offered to host Kurma Rupa dasa forty members of our herd at their Hansarupa Dasa hospital/Sandipani Muni School Vraja Mohan dasa Harivallabha dasa complex in the village of Kiki Amit Dhulani Nagla only two kilometers further Rakesh Rohira down the Sunrakh Road. The cows Patrons are sure to be well-protected Mahanidhi Swami Maharaja and happy there as there is good Radha Jivan dasa security and several acres of CFC Staff organic vegetables growing. Kesi Nisudana Dasa Braja Gopal dasa (Switz.) We plan to move the twenty Puri Maharaja invalid residents to a one-acre Radhapati Dasa plot just off the Vrindavan- Laksmi Rupa dasi (Denmark) Syam Hari, Vijay, Chatikara road. That facility is Ravi, Sukumar, Santosh, Tej scheduled to be ready in one Prakash, Ajeet month. Editor Kurma Rupa dasa While most are not happy about our moving from the Sundrakh facility, it is becoming more and more clear that doing so will give all the cows more room and a healthier environment as well as involve more people in their service. We pray we can always remain in their service.

Care for Cows The CFC Staff in vrindavana Care for Cows in Vrindavan is a Charitable Trust careforcows.org registered in India, USA, and Switzerland. ~ portrait of the month ~

~ Bholanath ~ Above: A replica of Govardhana Hill made from rice, halava, fresh fruits, dried fruits and nuts Celebrating Krishna’s Cow-herding Pastimes Govardhana Puja & Gopastami

The Tenth Canto of Srimad- more appropriate to worship Bhagavatam describes how Govardhana Hill. Krsna once convinced His father Nanda Maharaja conceded to Nanda Maharaja to abandon Krsna’s argument and offered all the traditional worship of the paraphernalia meant for Indra Indra the rain-god and instead to Govardhana Hill. This infuriated worship Govardhana Hill. Krsna Indra who retaliated by inundating argued that since Govardhana all of Vrindavan with heavy rains. Hill provided all necessities to As the water started to rise the their cows, and since the cows Vrajabasis desperately appealed in turn provided them with all to Krsna to save them from of their requirements, it was drowning. The cows also had no Sri Gopal The Cowherd Boy Who Lifted Govardhana Hill to Protect the Cows and Vrajabasis from Devastating Rainfall

Above: A replica of Govardhana Hill made from rice, halava, fresh fruits, dried fruits and nuts Celebrating Krishna’s Cow-herding Pastimes Govardhana Puja & Gopastami

place to sit and to appease them and more than two-hundred-fifty all Krsna lifted Govardhana Hill guests participated by performing and balanced it on the little finger kirtana, worship the cow and of His left hand creating a giant partaking in a succulent feast. umbrella to shelter the distressed cowherds and cows. Indra was thus defeated and the residents of Vrindavan reveled in loving exchanges with Krsna under the hill for seven days. Govardhana Puja was observed this year on November 7, 2010

South Indian priests perform the worship

Above: Decotees perform kirtana in honor of the cow. Upper left: Our bulls watch curiously as the preparations are being made. Far Left: Guests interacting with the calves. Left: An honored calf. Below left: guests preparing to be served the feast after the worship of Govardhana Hill and the cow has been completed.

Gopashtami The Day Krishna was Named Govinda by Jagatananda Dasa

Because Krishna protects the and fell at Krishna’s feet offering cows, one of his dearest names prayers and begging forgiveness is Govinda. The first week of the for his audacity. bright fortnight in the month of At the same time, the queen of Karttik, i.e., up to the Saptami, the divine cows, Surabhi, rained are the days during which Krishna milk on Krishna and consecrated held up Govardhan Hill to protect him Govinda, meaning “Lord of the cows, cowherds and milkmaids the cows.” from the wrath of Indra. This day is commemorated On the eighth day, when as Gopashtami. Since Krishna Indra’s ego had been obliterated loves the cows, one shows one’s by Krishna’s show of miraculous devotion to him by showing power, he came down to earth devotion to them. Traditional ways of celebrating articles. This will increase one’s the occasion including bathing good fortune and lead to the the cows in the morning and realization of all desires. decorating them with flowers, Gopashtami is celebrated ornaments and cloth, and offering joyfully in almost all parts of India

them and the cowherds who take to a greater or lesser extent. But care of them worship. it is a particularly special event in As a part of the cow worship, goshalas, as giving in charity to the devotees feed them sweets them is also recommended. The and jaggery by hand (go-grasa) whole day should thus be devoted and circumambulate them several to contemplating the sacred times. One should also walk with nature of the bovine species! them a certain distance and play Our own progress depends on with them (go-krida). protecting the cows. Protecting them is self-protection, let it be said. Hari-bhakti-vilasa (16.251-252) recommends the two following verses from the Skanda Purana: May the goddess Lakshmi who is situated amongst the gods in the form of the cow to provide On Gopashtami, when the cows ghee for the sacrifices free us from come back from grazing in the the bonds of death. evening (go-dhuli samaya), they May I always live amongst the are to be greeted and once again cows: may they be before me, given puja with the five principal behind me and to my every side.

Tribute to Madhu

Madhu Mangal was one of the amputation was the only solution. first patients to be accepted at After the operation Madhu did Care for Cows. He was sitting not get up for about two weeks peacefully on the side of the street and Dr. Lavania recommended ruminating when the driver of a that we make a bamboo frame to Tata Sumo backed-up and crushed support him in a standing position. his hind leg. Witnesses started We did so and gradually Madhu’s screaming and the driver sped three legs got strong enough that forward crushing the leg again he could stand supported by the and drove off. That was may 2001 frame for two hours at a time. when Madhu Mangal was six- After a few days he began to get months-old. up by himself and hobble around. After Dr. Lavania examined him He was humble and friendly he reported that the so much of and seemed grateful that we were the bone had been crushed that helping him. Within a month a cow named Vrinda arrived also with a crushed hind leg that required amputation. She adjusted faster than Madhu and while they lived in the same pen together they bonded and could be seen regularly consoling each other(See cover). It was a good marriage. As Madhu grew his body weight began to collapse his rear ankle and in time he was not able to stand for very long. His stump became stiff and atrophied so he could not use it to stabilize himself. We devised a sling which he would use at feeding time. As he sat most of the day, soon his front legs started to get stiff and even standing in the sling became difficult for him. When Vrinda died it was obvious that Madhu was affected and it meant that he was alone most of the time. He was stoic and never demanded any special treatment but always showed gratitude and appreciation when someone would offer attention. Many guests took a liking to him and would brush him and bring him snacks. He was expert at requesting bananas with his eyes and always managed to get his share. He remained seated for almost three years and since we rotated him regularly and sat him on sand, he did not develop pressure sores until his last month. During his last year Madhu’s legs stiffened as he could not use them and he suffered much discomfort. He was extremely tolerant, noble and never morose. He never got to roam in a pasture or be the bull he was meant to be yet he was kind and affectionate to all who would sit with him. One of his friends who visited and brushed him regularly thinks that Madhu stayed with us for almost ten years so that people could benefit from having the opportunity to serve a real Vrajabasi.

Chaitanya Simha Dasa with Pushpa, a cow he saved after she was run over by a car Saved by a Cow & Calf The testimony of Chaitanya Simha Dasa

If someone had predicted that death and why the world is full of one day I would be vegetarian, suffering. I would have made a wager My father was a patron of a against it and awaited a huge Krishna temple in England so return. devotees frequently visited our During my mid-twenties my daily home to offer us sanctified food diet consisted of meat. When my and other gifts. Once I questioned mother cooked vegetarian food, I them regarding the purpose of life would wince and feel like it was a and later one of them took the fast day. Meat was something that trouble to come to our house to filled my belly better than any other give me a book. I was really not food and the more I ate, the more I much of a reader but the devotee felt satisfied. noticed my hunger to know the It never occurred to me that Truth. eating meat was connected to the The next day I had to go slaughter of innocent animals. to Kenya on a business trip Despite my Indian descent, I and decided to take the book did not restrict myself from any along with me. It captured my particular type of meat. Even attention because it seemed eating beef was not a big deal for to answer all the questions me. Since I was brought up in the that were erupting in my head. West I felt normal going to burger I could not put it down and joints and consuming whatever finished it before we landed was available as life during the in Kenya. As I waited for my Eighties was centered around luggage my mind echoed the enjoyment and selfishness. mantra the book had taught One would expect that coming me: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna from a Hindu background would Krishna Krishna Hare Hare, Hare mean one automatically had faith Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama in a Supreme Person, but most Hare Hare. I felt blissful and in my generation knew little or satisfied silently repeating this nothing about Who the Supreme mantra. Being was and what He required After getting settled in Kenya from us. my client invited me for lunch However, whenever I read or and took me to a lavish Italian heard about a disaster, natural or restaurant. We browsed the otherwise, I silently questioned menu and I decided to have veal God as to why this happened. flavored with various aromatic My questions gradually deepened herbs and garden vegetables. and I began to wonder who God Being young and pretty athletic is, what happens at the time of it was not a problem for me to digest such a meal. Throughout This picture persisted and the day, however, the mantra began to gnaw at my inner self I learned in the book would demanding that I question my occasionally ring in my mind. actions. The vision of the cow I returned to my five-star golf and her calf persisted until I resort hotel where I had a room started to feel a burning sensation far away from the reception where throughout my body. I felt as it was very quiet. It was a special if my bed was transformed into room given to privileged clientele red hot coals. I was shaken from and I felt honored as I needed a sleep and went to the bathroom good nights rest away from the to splash some water on my busy area at the front of the hotel. face. My head started to spin Little did I know that would be uncontrollably as if someone the night that changed my life held me by the feet and spun me forever. In my slumber I saw a around. The image of the calf beautiful fawn-colored cow with eyes asking “Why?” appeared again. I shedding sad tears. Next to her was did not know what to answer but a calf of the same shade looking at immediately bent over the toilet me and beckoning “Why?” bowl and screamed. Whatever was in my stomach forcefully gushed satisfying my belly. A deep sense out. I had never experienced such of regret overcame me and I felt violent vomiting. For the next half- ashamed for all the violence I had an-hour I spewed my guts out inflicted on poor animals. I again until there was nothing left accept affirmed my vow to always be my life itself. I thought the end merciful to the innocent creatures was near... that I was going to die. of this world and I felt a sense In this most bizarre situation the of acceptance from whom I had pieces of the puzzle started making made my vow to. sense. I connected the book, the Many years have passed since mantra and the cow and her calf. that eventful day and I now I see The thought that my life could end the cow as my only shelter. She with my head in a toilet in a five-star saved me from the miseries of hotel inspired me to pray deeply. this world and made me aware I prayed to the Lord, “If You of how prone we are to accept wish that I live through this without question the violent norms ordeal, I promise to never again of modern society. We are led to eat any kind of flesh.” believe that the filthy temptations My mind reacted to this prayer of western society are acceptable and asked, “Are you sure?” when they are obviously not I could not endure this beneficial. Today, people, nightmare any longer. With my especially innocent children, have stomach emptied out, I felt a not a clue about the violence new life dawning on me. I felt as hidden behind the simple glass of though all my sins had been wiped commercial milk. clean and that I was starting a Whenever I visit Vrndavan with fresh new chapter in my life. I felt my family we feel gratitude while fortunate to be alive. sitting amongst the residents of After this I managed to rest Care for Cows. It has become our and awoke just before dawn. As I favorite place as there we have a watched the sun rise I felt he was chance to connect with the sacred smiling on me. I looked into the creatures who saved my life. The mirror and saw a new life starting. cow asks for very little and takes The episode was something I grass and other things we do not can never forget and I sat down use and transforms them into love and contemplated the events of in the form of milk. Since cows my life. In a deep meditation I want love and affection like all realized that just to gratify my living entities don’t they deserve tongue and belly I had inflicted to be treated like human beings? pain and suffering on many Krishna Himself cherished these innocent animals. I never again most sacred animals by personally wanted to witness the pitiable tending to them. I owe my life to tears of a cow being separated them. Thank you to mother cow from her calf for the sake of for saving me. New Admissions

To the right is one of the most gentle, humble and noble bulls that has ever joined us. He was turned out to wander the streets and found his own way to our gate. He frequented our outside feeder and one day was invited in has had made himself at home. Both of these new admissions require sponsors. Those interested in maintaining a well-behaved son in Vrindavan may inquire from kurmarupa(at)careforcows.org. New Admissions

It happened again that an unknown foreign pilgrim saw an injured calf on the streets of Vrindavan and felt impelled to do something. Not discouraged by the prevalent apathy and disempowered feelings common to most passersby, he pleaded for help only to be snickered at for his inability to speak Hindi. Finally a ricksha-walla feigned concern and helped the pilgrim load the young bull on the seat and brought them to Care for Cows for the correct fare times four. After helping unload the bull and placing him on a clean sand bed the pilgrim watched with concern the cleaning of the wound and the setting of the fracture then sighed with great satisfaction for having made a selfless sacrifice to help the downtrodden knowing it would please the Protector of the Cows. His face shone much brighter than that of the profit-oriented opportunist who peddled off to increase his fortune further. Thank You From the Cows

The cows send their heart-felt thanks to those who assisted during November 2010

Abhirama Dasa Iryna Lukyanenko Rachel Basaric Adi-sakti dasi Jagannath Dasa Rasa Mandala Dasi Alexandra Kolemagina Joseph Allmon Renato Basaric Amit Goswami Kantilal Shivlal Rachel Borsch Anonymous Kirupanithi Pooranavelu Rahul Sharma Anshul Mehra Kitri Waterman Ravi Gopal Bhakta Vidya Sagar Krishen Kanadia Rohinisuta Dasa Bonnie Hamdi Krishna Priya Dasi Rose Bauco Carl & Stella Herzig Labangalatika Dasi Sergey Vasiliev Carly Gumina Lilia Murasheva Shanti Green Chandricka Pasupati Liliya Toneva Smruta Sawardekar Charles Power Luci Mattinen Suada Ajanovic Christian Katstner Ludmila Gafner Sujana Dasi Derek Carroll M. A. Tottey Suryakant Gautam Devala Dasa Madhava Dasa Tomasz Zulawnik Devender Kumar Madhava Priya Dasi Tonis Porgand Dhruva Maharaja Dasa Mandapa & Jagat Priya Tracy Molina Doyal Govinda Dasa Mandira Mani & Sri Govinda Venkata Venkateswaran Elena Nikiforov Margaret Newman Vijay Sharma Elizabeth Stewart Mark Leigh Vikas Shah Emil Bagirov Nalini Gogar Vladimir Shlepkov Enver Ajanovic Nayan Ruparelia Vyapaka Dasa Gaurangapriya Dasi Padma Inc. Vyasapada Dasa Hansavatar & Yogamaya Paolo Musu William Yeung Hulya Erdem Podoleanu Irina Yajnavalkya Dasa

May cows stay in front of me; may cows stay behind me; may cows stay on both sides of me. May I always reside in the midst of cows. —Hari Bhakti Vilas 16.252