A Concise Encyclopedia of Hinduism Klaus K Klostermaie

cow 52
the physical universe. (See also TIME,
DIVISIONS OF.)
cow
(go, gomätä)
‘Mother Cow’, held sacred by Hindus
as the seat of many gods. Killing a cow
was considered one of the most heinous
crimes and was heavily punished. Many
contemporary Hindu political movements
agitate for a complete ban on
cow slaughter, which is forbidden in
many Indian states. Affluent Hindus
establish in many places goÿäläs, homes
for old cows, who are fed and cared for
until they die a natural death. Many
ancient rituals involve cows, and the
five products of the cow (milk, curds,
butter, urine, dung) are highly priced
for their purity which they pass on
when applied to the human body.
Kø•æa, who also is known as Gopäla
(protector of cows), is often depicted in
the guise of a cowherd, and the cowherd
girls (GOPÏS) are considered the best
models of devotion to him.
creation (sø•flhi)
The first of the three divine cosmic functions,
often associated with BRAHMÄ.
Creation stories figure prominently in
the Puräæas. The Veda has two versions
of a creation myth: in the first the mythical
human, PURUÆA (1), is sacrificed and
out of his body the four CASTES are created.
In the second the whole universe is
fashioned by Väc (word). Some Puräæas
mention several creations: the first was
unsuccessful because of lack of will to
procreate among the first creatures.
Since creation is a process, it will find an
end and the universe will return to its
pre-creation state. Hindu theologians
emphasize that there was no need for
God to create the universe, and that the
divine creative activity is more like a
game (LÏLÄ). (See also ANNIHILATION;
SUSTENANCE; WORLD EGG.)
cremation (smäsana)
The most frequently employed mode of
disposal of dead bodies. It is believed
that the fire that consumes the body will
transform it into a higher form.
Cremation follows a set of ancient rules
and is usually done in specially chosen
places outside towns and villages.
Normally only members of the immediate
family are allowed to witness cremation.
Ancient taboos regarding pollution
by being associated with a corpse are
still maintained. SAMNYÄSIS are not cremated
but buried, because they perform
a symbolic self-cremation as part of
their rites of initiation. LI¢GÄYATS, a
reformist Hindu sect, also bury their
dead.