Cow Donation (Gau Daan)

Description - Godaan, also known as Gau Daan, represents the profound act of gifting a cow, and is described as the highest form of charity in ancient texts like the Mahabharata, it surpasses all other donations.

दानानामपि सर्वेषां गवां दानं प्रशस्यते ।  

गावः श्रेष्ठाः पवित्राश्च पावनं ह्येतदुत्तमम् ॥ (Mahabharata, Anushasana Parva 83-3)

Donation of cows is superior to all others. Cows are supreme and sacred. 
There exists no parallel to the act of donating a cow in this world. Such a charitable act not only purifies one's soul but also serves as a profound karmic cleansing. It's a belief deeply rooted in Hindu tradition that when someone benevolently donates a cow, celestial beings such as the Sun, Moon, Varuna, Agni, Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva themselves extend their reverence.

In Hindu scripture, a cow holds a place of prominence as one of the seven mothers to every human, alongside one's own mother, Rajapatni, Mother Earth, Brahmin, Guru Patni, Nurse, and Mother Cow. The nurturing qualities of a cow are evident in the milk it provides, akin to a mother's care. The products of a cow, including Milk, Curd, Ghee, Gaumaya (cow dung), and Gaumutra, collectively form Panchagavya, integral to sacred puja rituals.

A single cow is sufficient to sustain a Brahmin's family due to the abundance of products she offers. Throughout history, cows have been generously donated by kings and individuals to Brahmins and others as a symbol of goodwill and spiritual merit. The advantages of cow donation are immeasurable, and it is a widely held belief that at least one cow should be donated in one's lifetime.

In Garuda Purana, under the 47th chapter of the Preta Khanda mentions the Vaitarni River. After the soul leaves the body, it must cross this river after death. The one’s who have done good karmas and daans in their lifetime can easily cross the river. It is believed that people who do Gau Dan never fall into the Vaitarni river after death.

Kali Yuga (the present Yuga) is one quarter virtue and three quarters sinfulness. In this Yuga human beings fail to follow Dharma. A charity is the best way to retribute for the bad karma. Therefore, Gau Daan is a Maha Daan in the Kali Yuga.

There are six primary reasons for performing Gau Daan:

• Swasthya Gau Daan: Gifting a cow to a needy family attracts blessings of health and abundance.
• Debt (Runa) Gau Daan: Those unable to repay debts perform this daan, seeking spiritual relief.
• Gau Daan (Utkranti) for painless death: To ensure a painless transition for those on their deathbed.
• Trouble-free after-death journey (Antardhenu): Facilitating a smooth journey after death by aiding in crossing obstacles.
• Vaitarani Gau Daan: Designed to help souls safely navigate the treacherous river of hell, Vaitarani.
• Gau Daan for Moksha (Moksha Dhenu): Done with the intent of attaining liberation from the cycle of rebirth and leading a virtuous life. 
   

Rudra Centre Puja services will perform Cow donation on your behalf. As per the rituals, a healthy cow along with a rope, bucket, food, shawl, symbolic offerings is donated to a needy farmer or Brahmin and some money given for upkeep of the cow. For the ritual to be complete, 11,000 japa of Sun's moola mantra “Om hram hreem hroum sah suryaya namah” and Vishnu mantra “Om Namo Bhagwate Vasudevaye” will be chanted in your name by priests.

Rudra Centre priests will perform Puja as per vedic rituals based on birth details. Please mention your birth details (name, date, place, time), & Sankalp (your wish) at checkout. This is a individual Puja(you may do puja on individual name or include your near and dear ones in the puja). Videos and Photos of Donation and Puja ritual would be sent via whatsapp or email. 

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