Hinduism,what is the importance of cow dung ,and why it is used in havans and homams ? 6 months ago

Hinduism,what is the importance of cow dung ,and why it is used in havans and homams ?

Dried cow dung is used in havans and homams. Because the cow eats only grass and dry paddy and other green leaves and pure water with vegetables. The cow did not eat non-veg items. so, the dried cow dung is used. Verses of the Rigveda refer to the cow as Devi (goddess), identified with Aditi (mother of the gods) herself. The cow continued to be especially revered and protected among the animals of India.

By the early centuries AD, the cow was designated as the appropriate gift to the brahmans (high-caste priests) and it was soon said that to kill a cow is equal to killing a brahman. The importance of the pastoral element in the Krishna stories, particularly from the 10th century onward, further reinforced the sanctity of the cow.

Cow-Related Practices

The cow remains a protected animal in Hinduism today and Hindus do not eat beef. Most rural Indian families have at least one dairy cow, a gentle spirit who is often treated as a member of the family.

The five products (pancagavya) of the cow — milk, curds, ghee butter, urine and dung — are all used in puja (worship) as well as in rites of extreme penance. The milk of the family cow nourishes children as they grow up, and cow dung (gobar) is a major source of energy for households throughout India. Cow dung is sometimes among the materials used for a tilak - a ritual mark on the forehead. Most Indians do not share the western revulsion at cow excrement, but instead consider it an earthy and useful natural product. Everything from a cow was used from their droppings to assistance with plowing the fields. The day-to-day work with the cow was much more important to the people's lives. Over time the private respect that each family had for this animal grew and became public and then became a part of the culture taking form in their religion. Today every part of the cow holds religious symbolism. For example the horns symbolize the Gods,