India is a land of festivals, where those initiated by the sages of Sanatan Dharma not only hold spiritual and religious relevance but, when deeply inspected, are proven to be a boon for health, happiness, and holistic prosperity. Additionally, the connection these festivals share with nature makes them an evident blessing for the biodiverse ecosystem and environment. India has many unique traditions where even animals are respected, revered, and worshiped as deities. One such tradition is the celebration of Gopashtami 2025, where Gau Mata (Mother Cow) is worshiped. Gopashtami 2025 will be celebrated on 30 October. You will be surprised to know that this festival has a deep impact on health, prosperity, and economic wellness. Let us explore the traditional relevance and vision of Sant Shri Asharam Ji Bapu, who has been tirelessly working to enlighten the world with the secrets of Sanatan Dharma.
Gopashtami 2025 and Gau Mata: Nature’s Answer to Health and Sustainability
The Desi Cow has been identified as a boon by both modern science and Ayurveda. Each product of the cow has its own value, contributing to physical well-being. The Desi Cow possesses a Suryaketu Nadi that absorbs cosmic energies. This is the reason cow’s milk is yellow in color, often called the “golden nectar” for humanity due to its immense health benefits.
Scientists have found that various cow products such as ghee, milk, urine, and gobar have medicinal properties that help in treating various diseases, including some deadly ones like cancer. Their antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties make them highly beneficial for health. These properties are utilized in a wide range of products including medicines, soaps, shampoos, ointments, creams, beauty products, personal care products like phenyl, as well as agricultural products such as manure, pesticides, and fertilizers.
The Desi Cow has also proven useful in organic farming by providing safe food and improving soil quality. Various cow products also help in controlling pollution and contribute significantly to the ecosystem, thereby directly supporting the overall health of society. No wonder cow products are deeply integrated and heavily used in Ayurveda.
Divine Glory of Gau Mata and Gopashtami 2025 in Sanatan Dharma
Desi cows are considered very sacred in Hinduism. They represent wealth, strength, and motherly love. Atharvaveda Gosukta explains their origin with the following verse:
“Mata Rudranam, duhitha Vasunam swasadityanam amrutasya nabhih ma vadhista,”
which means:
“The cow is the mother of Rudras, the daughter of Vasus, sister to Adityas, the navel of amrita!… Don’t kill the cow.”
Desi cow is considered to be the ideal form of Brahma’s creation. Even Mother Earth takes the form of a cow to meet Lord Vishnu. As per Sanatan scriptures, thirty-three forms of Hindu deities reside in a Desi cow.
In Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna states in Chapter 10, Verse 28:
“Dhenunam asmi kamadhuk,”
which means:
“Among cows, I am the wish-fulfilling cow (Kamdhenu).”
This statement clearly indicates the importance of cows in Hinduism. Cows are not just spiritual figures but are also regarded as mothers, as they nurture all of humanity.
The presence of cows is considered very auspicious, and they have always been regarded with the highest respect. Bapuji mentions that Desi cows are the only animals whose biological waste is also considered sacred and is used for purification. Religious activities like Yagna are performed using cow dung cakes, and cow urine is used to purify spaces.
Gau Mata and Govardhan Leela: The Sacred Story Behind Gopashtami
The origin of Gopashtami traces back to the time of Lord Krishna. It is believed that Lord Krishna suggested to the people of Braj to stop their annual offerings to Lord Indra. This angered Lord Indra, and due to his ego, he wanted to demonstrate his might and power to the people of Vrindavan. He decided to flood the region of Braj so that the people would bow before him.
To protect the people and animals, including the cows, Lord Krishna lifted Govardhan Mountain on his little finger, sheltering everyone from the rains for seven continuous days, from Kartik Shukla Pratipada to Saptami. Realizing his mistake, Indra finally accepted defeat and sought Krishna’s forgiveness on Ashtami. On this day, Kamdhenu performed the coronation of Lord Krishna, giving him the name Govind, and this day came to be known as Gopashtami.
It is also said that this is the day when Nand Maharaj entrusted Lord Krishna with the responsibility of herding cows for the first time. This makes it clear that this festival has its own significance and represents the main theme of worshiping and protecting cows.
Rituals and Traditions of Gopashtami 2025
This day is dedicated to the worship of cows. The discourses of Sant Shri Asharamji Bapu include the proper procedure for worshiping cows on this auspicious day. Anyone who desires the fulfillment of all their wishes and good fortune should follow the traditional way of worshipping Gau Mata.
Here are some of steps which can be used to celebrate Gopasthami
- Take a bath before sunrise and prepare for the festival.
- Bathe the cow.
- Offer flowers and garlands to the cow.
- Color the horns of the cow if required.
- Decorate the cow with accessories that do not hurt them.
- Perform Aarti.
- Feed the cow with Naivedyam, fresh grass, fruits, and jaggery.
- Wash their feet with water and perform Parikrama.
- Walk with the cows for some distance.
- Once the cows return, perform a similar Panchopchar Pooja but do not bathe them.
- Take the dust of their hooves and apply it as Tilak.
Bapuji mentions that on this festival, one should take a pledge to protect cows and strongly oppose cow slaughter. Farmers should refrain from selling cows, calves, or bulls to slaughterhouses. Even non-milking cows or aged bulls contribute their worth through the dung and urine they produce, which covers their upkeep expenses.
Every individual should at least contribute to cow protection by exclusively using milk and ghee from indigenous cows.
Worshiping Gau Mata on Gopashtami 2025 : A Path to Fortune and Fulfillment
Bapuji mentions, “Hum Gayo ko nahi, Gaye hume Palti hai,” which means we don’t nurture cows; instead, they nurture us. Hence, Gopasthmi is a festival to express gratitude to Desi cows, which have been nurturing us from birth till death and even enabling our well-being after death.
This festival has a deeper spiritual meaning too. The discourses of Bapuji enlighten the world with its significance. “Gau” spiritually means “senses,” and the one who takes rules these senses so that they follow the right path is “Govind.” This festival is a day to surrender all our senses to the Almighty, who will pave the path to righteousness and self-realization. It also helps in breaking false illusions, just as Krishna did for Indra, thereby helping us realize the truth.
Worshiping cows has its own benefits. Circumambulating, touching, and worshiping the Desi cow provide numerous benefits, including physical, intellectual, financial, and spiritual well-being.
In the divine discourses of Pujya Bapuji, it is mentioned: “The aura that radiates from the body of a Desi cow significantly enhances the aura of the person who circumambulates it. A normal person’s aura is about 3 feet, but for those who engage in meditation and devotion, their aura expands further. Additionally, circumambulating a cow makes the aura even more pure and sattvic, increasing its strength.”
This day is also for taking a pledge to protect and serve cows. It is our responsibility to protect them from slaughterhouses and work on their preservation.
Conclusion
Gopashtami is a festival that celebrates the sacred bond between nature and humans. It is both vibrant and spiritually enriching. By taking part in the rituals and ceremonies, devotees have the opportunity to feel a profound sense of connection with the divine and also pledge to protect cows. As Bapuji mentions in his discourses, cows are a boon to humanity, and through this festival, we express our gratitude to them. If you want to join in and celebrate this festival in the serenity of nature, surrounded by Gau Mata in Nandan Van, visit the nearest Sant Shri Asharamji Ashram Gaushala and experience a profound sense of bliss.
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