7/26/2006: Hindu ritual sacrifice

[Shawnee123]

From About.com who references Achaya, K. T. (2002), A Historical Dictionary of Indian Food, Oxford University Press, ISBN 019565868X.

"Literature on Lord Krishna, one of the Hinduism's most important figures who is believed to have lived 5000 years ago, depict him as a cowherd. He is often described as bala-gopala, "the child who protects the cows." Another of Krishna's names, Govinda, means "one who brings satisfaction to the cows." Other scriptures identify the cow as the "mother" of all civilization, its milk nurturing the population. The gift of a cow is applauded as the highest kind of gift."

"The export trade in Indian leather is worth about $1.7 billion and India's export share of the leather market has been on the increase. Germany is the largest importer of Indian leather (19%) followed by the UK (17%)."


"It used to be illegal in India to kill a member of the genus Bos, but now, many slaughterhouses operate in big cities like Mumbai or Kolkata. While there are approximately 3,600 slaughterhouses operating legally in India, there are estimated to be over 30,000 illegal slaughterhouses. The efforts to close them down have so far been largely unsuccessful."

I guess I just don't understand whether sacrificing cows is GOOD or BAD according to Hinduism. I claim ignorance so if anyone can enlighten me I would appreciate it.