IWU * ** The Myth of the Holy Cow D.N. Jha navayana The Myth of the Holy Cow © D.N.Jha Published by Navayana Publishing, 2009 First published by Matrix Books, New Delhi, 2001 ISBN: 978-8189059163 All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or utilised in any form without the prior permission of the publisher. Printed by Sanjiv Palliwal, New Delhi Navayana Publishing M-100, 1 Floor, Saket, New Delhi 110017 navayana.org
[email protected] Distributed by IPD Alternatives (www.ipda.in) and WestLand Books Pvt. Ltd. Chennai gam alabhate[2]; yajno vai gauh; . yajnarn eva labhate; atho annam vai gauh; annam evavarundhe. Taittiriya Brahmana, III. 9.8.2-3 (Anandasrama- sanskritgranthavalih 37, vol. Ill, 3rd.edn., Poona, 1979). ‘ (At the horse-sacrifice) he (the Adhvaryu) seizes (binds) the cow (i.e. cows). The cow is the sacrifice. (Consequently) it is the sacrifice he (the Sacrificer) thus obtains. And the cow certainly is food. (Consequently) it is food he thus obtains.’ English translation by Paul-Emile Dumont, Proceedings of the American Philosophical Society, 92.6 (December 1948), p. 485. ‘. Silver foil or “varak” used for decorating sweets has more than just a pleasing look to it. It is made by placing thin metal strips between steaming intestines of freshly slaughtered animals. The metal is then pounded between ox-gut and the sheets are carefully transferred in .’ special paper for marketing. Bindu Jacob, ‘More to it all than meets the Eye’, The Hindu, 5 June 2001 (A news item based on a publication of the Animal Welfare Board of India under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India).