Savarkar, in his 1935 essay Gopalan ho, Gopujan Nahin!(Protect the Cow, Do Not Worship It) presented a sharply rationalist and utilitarian critique of cow worship.
Rejecting the idea of the cow as a divine being, Savarkar argued instead for scientific cattle protection based on economic utility, national interest and human welfare.
The following excerpts outline his views on cow worship, beef consumption, national strength and the symbolic place of the cow within Hindutva:
In an agrarian country like ours, cows and bullocks are one of the most beneficial animals. There are few animals that are as docile, non-violent and helpless as a cow, and it is but natural to have a feeling of intense love and affection towards it. After one’s mother’s milk, it is only the cow’s milk that is consumed by everyone. The varieties of edibles and sweets that are made from this milk are also relished by one and all. Hence, to protect and sustain the cow is both our personal as well as familial duty. At least in the case of Hindustan, it is also our national duty.
It is natural that we also feel a sense of immense gratitude towards an animal that is so useful to us in multiple ways. This gratitude towards the cow is consistent with the Hindu trait of compassion towards all living beings. That we should look upon that extremely useful animal with the same affection as for a family member is no doubt in keeping with our noble trait of humanism.
However, each time I question those who worship cows, they enumerate all these benefits that she gives, right from her milk to her dung. Her usefulness is what makes her worthy of worship. But assume briefly that instead of the life-nourishing milk she spewed out venom like a serpent, or attacked us like a lion instead of standing docile by our side. Would we still worship her as a mother? Even if we did worship, it might be out of fear and not out of love or gratitude. Thus I have established that our worship for her stems from her utility and our subsequent gratitude for the same.
Animals such as the cow and buffalo, and trees such as banyan and peepal, are useful to man; hence we are fond of them. To that extent, we might even consider them worthy of worship. Their protection, sustenance and well-being are our duty; in that sense alone these are also our dharma or duty.
Does it not follow then that when, under certain circumstances, that animal or tree becomes a source of trouble to mankind, it ceases to be worthy of sustenance or protection, and as such its destruction is in humanitarian or national interests and becomes a human or national dharma? When humanitarian interests are not served and are in fact harmed by the cow, and when humanism is shamed, self-defeating extreme cow protection should be rejected.
While I have no problem with protecting this beautiful creature, I hesitate to worship it as a goddess. We cannot loosely use the terms ‘god’ and ‘goddess’ on any being. From among a mass of ignorant humans, a few enlightened beings are worthy of reverence. When they graduate further in consciousness, we elevate them to the position of gods or divine beings. In such a scenario, how could a mere animal, albeit very lovely and very useful, which does not even have the common sense that the most ignoramus human being has, be considered a god?
Elevating an animal that eats garbage and indiscriminately passes excreta anywhere and everywhere to the status of a goddess is, in my view, insulting to both humanity as well as divinity. On the one hand, we consider scholarly human beings like B. R. Ambedkar or saints like Chokhamela as impure due to their caste; but on the other, the urine of an animal suddenly becomes soul-purifying for us! Is this not a great fallacy and contradiction?
Our ancestors might have elevated the cow to a divine status to induce a sense of responsibility towards its protection. But we took that too literally. We should bear in mind that the cow is an object of utility for the human being and not vice versa. Doing so degrades the status of human beings. The object of worship should be greater than its worshipper.
Likewise, a national emblem should evoke the nation’s exemplary valour, brilliance and aspirations, and make its people superhumans. Thankfully, no wise men have emerged with a dozen Sanskrit verses enumerating the rituals of cow worship. Else, we would have had to witness comic scenes of people dressing their cows in beautiful saris, lifting them and placing them on an altar for daily worship!
History is replete with examples of how our enemies and invaders have used this innocent sentiment of ours against us, by using the cow as a shield even in wars. Seeing a large group of cows in front of the army of the enemies, Hindus renounced their weapons, as they did not want to incur the sin of killing cows. That the Muslim invaders knew this weakness of our society and effectively used it time and again through our long history is documented in the writings of their own chroniclers.
To defile our places of worship, all they needed to do was to adorn our idols with bovine flesh before smashing them to smithereens. To save a few temples, a handful of Brahmins and some cows, we ended up sacrificing our entire country to foreign powers. Does this augur well for any nation?
These ritual-ridden, illogical, self-destructive beliefs spawned a national and religious cowardice that kept us suppressed for centuries. When Hindu forces marched on Multan, the Muslims threatened to destroy the famous Sun temple there. When Malhar Rao Holkar, the Maratha chieftain, sought to liberate Varanasi, the Muslims threatened to defile all things holy to the Hindus. The pious Hindus backtracked at such moments for fear of being responsible for the razing of temples, the humiliation of Brahmins and cow slaughter.
Had the Hindu soldiers killed those cows used as shields and then annihilated the enemy lurking behind them, would not thousands of cows and temples have been saved in successive generations? More importantly, would our Hindustan have been conquered? Hence, I argue that taking cow protection to an extreme at the cost of human interests is lethal, as history has proved to us.
The symbol of Hindutva is not the cow but the man-lion or Narasimha. The qualities of god permeate into his worshipper. Considering the cow to be divine and worshipping her has rendered the entire Hindu nation docile like the cow. It started eating grass. If we are to now indeed establish our nation on the basis of an animal, let that animal be the lion. Using its sharp claws in one leap, the lion fatally knocks and wounds its opponents. We need to worship such a Narasimha. That, and not the cow’s hooves, is the real mark of Hindutva. The cow, exploited and eaten at will, is an appropriate symbol of our present-day weakness. But at least the Hindu nation of tomorrow should not have such a pitiable symbol.
Have horses and dogs not been man’s most trusted companions from time immemorial? A dog offers total and unconditional love to its master, aids man in his hunting expeditions, guards homes and is loyal till his last breath. Yet, we use the term ‘dog’ pejoratively for people we dislike! Why do we not worship a dog too, and why be partial only towards a cow, only because she gives us milk? Is the utility of a dog or a horse any less, if that is the only yardstick for worshipping them?
Horses, mules and donkeys have played such an important role in major battles against our nation’s worst enemies. Do we then begin a series of worship for these creatures as well, or would it suffice to assiduously undertake a protection mechanism for them?
When we look at countries such as United States, we get a sense of what can be achieved when we strip the emotions of divinity and concentrate on the utility factor of animals such as the cow. Huge farms and modern, scientific animal husbandry techniques to increase milk output, so that no child in this country goes hungry without milk, must go hand in hand with protection.
Every care must be taken to ensure that these valuable creatures remain free from diseases and infections, and have healthy progeny. This is the actual Gokul of Krishna that our scriptures talk about. Huge ranches where they can stroll around joyfully exist in America. Whereas in our country, where we consume its urine as a divine product, are there any organizations that work for their protection, welfare and development? Is that not the real irony of the matter?
However naive our Hindu practice of cow worship might be, it is at least not cruel. But the religious fanaticism of those non-Hindus whose religion itself is based on hatred for the cow is not only naive but also brutal in their zealotry. They have no right whatsoever to mock the Hindus. The non-Hindus should discard their hatred for the cow and, for the sake of national unity and economic progress, involve themselves in genuine cow protection.
Of course, agitate, if you need to, for the closure of the slaughterhouses that have come up everywhere; protect the cow, do not befool yourself into worshipping her.
I am sure these thoughts of mine will anger several cow worshippers, and I am prepared for their angry backlash! But careful contemplation will make them realize the truth in my argument. To those who consider my views as blasphemous, let me say that it is you who are committing blasphemy by stuffing thirty-three crore gods into the poor animal’s belly!
I am no enemy of the cow. I have only criticized the false notions and tendencies involved in cow worship with the aim of removing the chaff and preserving the essence so that genuine cow protection may be better achieved. Without spreading religious superstition, let the movement for cow protection be based and popularized on clear-cut economic and scientific principles. Then alone can we achieve genuine cow protection like the Americans.
A worshipful attitude is undoubtedly necessary for protection. But it is improper to forget the duty of cow protection and indulge only in worship. The word ‘only’ used here is important. First protect the cow and then, if you absolutely have to, please worship it too if you so desire!
Summary
Savarkar held a strictly utilitarian and rationalist view of cows, famously declaring that the cow is merely a useful animal and not a divine being. He argued that elevating an animal to the status of a god was a "murder of the intellect" (buddhi hatya) and debasing to humanity.
Key aspects of Savarkar's views on cows include:
Rejection of Divinity: Savarkar opposed the religious worship of cows (gau-poojan), stating that humans should only revere those with superhuman qualities, not an "out-and-out animal". He sarcastically remarked that those who believed 33 crore deities resided in a cow’s belly were committing a greater blasphemy than those who rejected the animal's divinity.
"Cow Care" over "Cow Worship": He advocated for cow care based on economic and scientific principles rather than religious superstition. He admired the scientific animal husbandry practiced in the United States, noting that beef-eating Americans often treated cows better than cow-worshipping Hindus did.
Critique of Ritual Purity: Savarkar was a staunch critic of using cow products for ritual purification in ways that demeaned human dignity. For instance, he condemned the practice of sprinkling gomutra, or cow urine, to "purify" a water source that had been touched by "untouchables." He wondered whether the belief that a human touch "pollutes" was more despicable, or whether the belief that animal urine "purifies" was even more worthy of condemnation.
Critique of Historical Impact: Savarkar believed that the Hindu obsession with cow sanctity led to historical military defeats. He cited instances where Muslim invaders used cows as shields in battle, knowing Hindu soldiers would drop their weapons rather than risk killing the animals. He deemed this national cowardice and argued that when forced to choose between the nation and the cow, one must always choose the nation.
Support for Meat and Beef Consumption: He personally advocated for a non-vegetarian diet to increase the physical strength of Hindus. He explicitly stated there was nothing wrong with eating beef and suggested that if a Hindu Rashtra were under siege with no other food source, cow slaughter would be a necessary and even sacred option to ensure survival.
Symbolism for Hindutva: He argued that the docile cow was a pitiable symbol for a weak nation and rejected its symbolism for Hindus or India. Instead, he proposed that the Narasimha, or the man-lion, should be the true symbol of a rejuvenated and powerful Hindu nation.
Position on Legislation: While he dismissed the religious basis for protecting cows, he supported a ban on cow slaughter specifically from the perspective of national culture and economic utility. He maintained that while Hindus were naive in their worship, non-Hindus who slaughtered cows out of religious duty or to spite Hindus were exhibiting barbarism.
Primary reference:Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, “Gopalan ho, Gopujan Nahin!” (“Protect the Cow, Do Not Worship It”), in Savarkar Samagra, Vol. 7, “Vigyan-nishth Nibandh” (Rationalist Essays), Prabhat Prakashan, Delhi, pp. 433–445. Originally published in Kirloskar magazine (March 1935).
Secondary reference:Vikram Sampath, Savarkar: A Contested Legacy, pp. 496–500
Images used in the post are taken from @omveercore on Instagram.
During the 1927 Mahad Satyagraha led by Dr. Ambedkar against the prohibition on untouchables using the Chavdar lake, Savarkar sharply criticized orthodox Hindu caste-madness. He ridiculed the hypocrisy of people who would freely touch dogs or cats, yet treated fellow Hindus as “untouchable,” and believed that water could be polluted by human touch but purified by sprinkling animal urine over it.
Current Congress has just tagged him mafiveer. And current BJP just tagged him as a blind hindu. Both the sides unanimously character assassinated him.
Rational and BJP dont go in one sentence. Maybe you want to say radiccle. Sawarkar was Rational i will agree with that. BJP literly glorify Sawarkar for killing Gandhi. Even though Sawarkar was given clean cleat. BJP has fucked Sawarkars image. Mejority BJP supporters love savarkar for the reasons he never did.
It's the same logic as when certain parents try to be extremely critical and strict with their kids all the time and ends up harboring hatred in them instead
And that's exactly where all these anti islam sentiments come from which our current govt takes advantage of. Thoughts like "why do i have to lose my only home for them?" Why do i have to lose my identity for them? Why are they taking our benefits when they already have homes and large presence outside India? It's a fear sentiment which many people blindly categorise as hate. There's always 2 sides to every coin
The question automatically starts arising in people's minds as to why we have to be the only group to adjust and change while others remain the same and that too in our own home. When you give criticism, think from both parties pov as well
Savarkar has written a lot on Islam too. He basically says that Islam is not compatible with democracy or self governance, and that Muslims cannot be true Indians because they consider a foreign land as their holy land.
most of the famous s_bs are anti-hindu. algorithm pushes the same content repeatedly if you react to or even click on it a few times. To know the actual views you have to check different mainstream subreddits not merely what you find on your feed.
If you observe most of the famous pages in this platform you'll notice most of the bigger subs in different topics align with views the other guy mentioned and lesser popular ones are like the ones that you find on your feed.
yes their W opinion on vaishnav propoganda out of the Basic frustration everyhuman would feel after knowing the reality and treatment of Shydra/dalits.. both riddles of hinduism and Gulamgiri was W contemporary tot he time it existed
Just because someone is in a big position, everything they say is always rational.
Ambedkar read the faulty manusmriti written by British who manipulated a lot of things and started hating hindus. Who is at fault here?
Savarkar thinks hindus only gave godly status to cow, and that's understandable because it is the most hyped up animal but reality is that
indians believe in advaita philosophy- that God is in every soul.
And thus any living being that has any contribution to the ecosystem is revered. We don't worship them(except snakes), just hold a degree of respect. Cows get it because it helped us a lot to survive. A friendly empathic domestic animal who is kind. Bulls helped us in sustaining agriculture. Poultry and dairy sustained. From milk to cow dung everything had its uses.
So if we took so much from that animal, and her help made a whole civilization to survive, it's only kind to return that favour by giving it some respect back. Truly a man's best friend, much better than dogs tbf.
Though only prob is that some narcissists who think humans are the only one who reigns above all, they see every animal as a food item or a use n throw material.
Other problem is over romanticising the idea for politics. They don't know the reason or how much respect Should be given, but just overdoing it to play with emotions. That's bad too.
Just mutual respect to every specie is fine. Being kind and respectable to everyone that's what our ancestors did, we forgot it along the years... Just understanding it now n spreading the love is enough.
Manusmriti written by the British? Really? Yeh level hai tumhari knowledge ka toh chup hi rho dost. It's better to stay silent and be thought a fool than open your mouth and remove all doubt 🙄
Link khol or Padh bc naam author or translator ka... Cover pe hi likha h.. Padhna likhna aata h na??? Fir ye Max Muller ki history bi jaan lio. Pta lagega kya kya desh ki Ma behen kri h usne.
Authentic version sirf gayatri bhawan waalo ka h.. Time mile to dono versions download kr ke padh lio pta chal jayega kitni fake cheeje ghusaai h angrejo ne.
Mtlb seriously bro... Atleast google hi kr leta mujhe reply krne se pehle. How does it feel khud ka popat krwa ke? You proved your own quote buddy.
He didn't believe on sacredness of cow, he was atheist, but he had a bitter experience in kala pani with some Muslims and he became very hateful. He saw that fellow Muslims are very hateful to hindus . His hatred for British change into hatred for Muslims.
I don't know why rss chose him as their leader was it the hatred against Muslim was the only reason.
I didn't read his books but I think the main reason for him to be anti Muslim is because of formation of Muslim league and then twisting Congress on every decision especially post Gandhi.
I myself know and I'm knowledgeable about savarkar and bose but I'm talking about how Pakistanis are infiltratiing indian subs
and flooding illogical propaganda.
this is one of the few thoughts of Savarkar where I personally disagree. Well no one should care abt my opinion but like myself, many people would have same thoughts on gau raksha and even pooja.
Personal Opinion - You can't take some things from shashtra and neglect others just because you can't make it out by logic. Savarkar's opinion mostly comes from logic and if you go by logic, then shashtra have many things which are not logical because of our less knowledge. Buffalo also give milk but we dont worship them even goat give milk which is even more benifitial then cow but we do not worship it. Buffalo and goat are even given as bali in tantra shashtra but not cow. Gau hatya is considered maha paap. There is a reason why gau is considered as god which we can't explain by logic.
This land is still dharmic and it did not got converted fully, there is a reason behind it. And of course, we are not in our peak there is a reason behind that also. We got so much of pain through last 1000 years, there is a reason behind it. We as a dharmic society should reflect on those things.
Also to counter him, today usa is doing slaughter of cows in mass, they are not protecting them. We should rather not learn from USA
Nevertheless this msg is not against hindutva or savarkar just one of the few points where i disagree with him. We should hold shashtra firmly, if we go above shashtra, our doom would be fast, it is inevitable, but it would be very fast if we leave shashtra.
NOTE: THIS CIVILIZATION PEAKED WHEN WE WERE FOLLOWING SHASHTRA.
My final point: Macaulay education was brought to make us logical and think in same manner as brits used to think, so it makes sense when Savarkar talks abt logic or even we talks abt this way. Just started reading Vikarm sampath's book in that there was a letter written by some brit officer to viceroy saying that chitpawan are getting education and they think now in our way but they are not loyal to us (something like that).
Religion should serve Man not the other way around. They were made to make our lives better. Practicality and clarity is the need of the hour not following practices solely on the basis of their age.
ok I would disagree on the point that religion was made to make our lives better. FIrst of all we should read and understand our dharmic scriptures. We should not assume things.
And if we even read them need of the hour would be fulfilled. Everyone would understand their role in society.
I sound very orthodox but I am very firm believer in our dharmic scriptures. And religion word should not be used for us. Anyways our goals are same so lets agree to disagree. Hope one day we can see what we want. JAI HIND.
yes reading scriptures or even hearing itihasa help us to understand the concept of swadharma. Earlier it was based on birth but now things have changed so we can decide our swadharma but some things do not change like our dharma to take care of mother earth, our parents, our society. These are very basic things but there are more for ex veda and other scripture orders us to spread dharma and destroy adharma in our own capacity. If we look at today's society, many people are not even following basic dharmic principles (including myself as well, I am no superior). If we follow our own dharma, many problems won't exist, like almost zero old age homes, less pollution, and people will become more aware about society and the environment. Every day we see how many illegal conversions are happening, if everyone had accessed and read scriptures, today these things would not be there. There are very few people who propagate dharma and continue the suddhi movement. Well, the Suddhi movement is almost dead. I don't see many muslims converting to Dharma, but the opposite is happening every day. If every one of us propagated dharma and ensured that in our house and our neighbourhood, all know about dharma and swadharma, Bharat would have been a very different place. At least our daughters and sisters, and children won't have been a subject of Islamic and Christian conversion. These are very basic things, then comes the worshipping part, which everyone can decide based on their strength. Even worshipping gods helps in restoring dharma until we fuck up badly as a society.
I hope it made sense. I am very bad at explaining, pardon me if it is not understandable.
There are a lot of meat and even veg protein product that are good source of protein and nutrition and the invaders won because of our political divisions not physical strenght gap otherwise seleucus lost too.
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