Killing cows (BG and SB)

Expressions researched:
"cow cannot be killed" |"cow is never to be killed" |"cow killing" |"cow should never be killed" |"cow was about to be killed" |"cow-killer" |"cow-killing" |"cows are being killed" |"cows are not protected, but instead indiscriminately killed" |"cows will be abandoned or killed" |"kill a cow" |"kill cows" |"kill innocent animals like the cow" |"kill the innocent animals, especially the cows and the bulls" |"killed a cow" |"killed the cow" |"killing a cow" |"killing a woman, a cow or a brahmana" |"killing bulls and cows" |"killing of cows" |"killing the cow" |"killing the cows"

BG Chapters 13 - 18

Of all kinds of animal killing, the killing of cows is most vicious because the cow gives us all kinds of pleasure by supplying milk.

BG 14.16, Purport:

A human being has no need to kill animals, because God has supplied so many nice things. If one indulges in meat-eating anyway, it is to be understood that he is acting in ignorance and is making his future very dark. Of all kinds of animal killing, the killing of cows is most vicious because the cow gives us all kinds of pleasure by supplying milk. Cow slaughter is an act of the grossest type of ignorance. In the Vedic literature (Ṛg Veda 9.46.4) the words gobhiḥ prīṇita-matsaram indicate that one who, being fully satisfied by milk, is desirous of killing the cow is in the grossest ignorance.

In modern human society, spiritual knowledge is neglected, and cow killing is encouraged. It is to be understood, then, that human society is advancing in the wrong direction and is clearing the path to its own condemnation.

BG 14.16, Purport:

There is also a prayer in the Vedic literature that states:

namo brahmaṇya-devāya

go-brāhmaṇa-hitāya ca

jagad-dhitāya kṛṣṇāya

govindāya namo namaḥ

"My Lord, You are the well-wisher of the cows and the brāhmaṇas, and You are the well-wisher of the entire human society and world." (Viṣṇu Purāṇa 1.19.65) The purport is that special mention is given in that prayer for the protection of the cows and the brāhmaṇas. Brāhmaṇas are the symbol of spiritual education, and cows are the symbol of the most valuable food; these two living creatures, the brāhmaṇas and the cows, must be given all protection—that is real advancement of civilization. In modern human society, spiritual knowledge is neglected, and cow killing is encouraged. It is to be understood, then, that human society is advancing in the wrong direction and is clearing the path to its own condemnation.