Radhanath Swami on Cow Protection

Krishna with cows

Nanda Maharaj, Yashoda mayi and all the Vrajavasis unanimously accepted Krishna’s advice. They prepared mountains and lakes of bhoga. As brahmanas were performing fire sacrifices, Nanda Maharaj and the other cowherd men were serving the cows and making them happy. They were feeding the cows the freshest grass and nicely decorating them with gold, silver and silks.

(HH Radhanath Maharaj narrates his experience) For many years I took care of cows. Sometimes they kick, but it is really purifying when they kick you. Ultimately cows just like to look nice, they just want to feel nice and they want to be loved and I brushed their faces, after I milked the cows and fed them. I would brush every hair on their body exactly in the direction it naturally went, with a special cow brush. And when the cows would come out of the Goshala, they would be dancing and

smiling because they would be looking so nice. And it’s not that they look nice, it’s the time, the attention and the affection that you give to make them look nice. That’s what they love!

Srila Prabhupada taught us that cow protection, in the spirit of Vrindavan, is not just about not killing them but about making them happy by giving them the feeling that they are loved and cared for. 

– Radhanath Swami

Krishna with cows