Jyotirmath Peetham Shankaracharya, Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati, arrived in Bhubaneswar on October 6th as part of his nationwide tour for the Gau Pratishtha Dhwaj Sthapana Bharat Yatra. During his visit, he offered prayers at the revered Lingaraj Temple and shared his profound views on the importance of cow protection in Indian culture, advocating for a significant change in the way cows are perceived by society and the government.

Advocating for Cow Protection

After offering prayers, Swami Avimukteshwaranand addressed the media and devotees, emphasizing the spiritual and cultural importance of cows in Indian tradition. He stated, “I have come here as part of the Gau Pratishtha Dhwaj Sthapana Bharat Yatra, a nationwide journey aimed at bringing attention to the need for cow protection and preservation. Forming laws is the work of the government, but as ‘gau bhakts’, it is our duty to serve and protect Gaumata.”

He further stressed the importance of changing the official classification of cows. “The government has placed cows on the list of animals, but in our culture, the cow is not considered an animal. We consider cows as deities, they are called ‘Mata’. This distinction is crucial for preserving our traditions and beliefs,” he said, urging for the removal of cows from the official list of animals.

A Call to Uphold Tradition

Swami Avimukteshwaranand’s visit is part of a broader campaign to reinstate the traditional reverence for cows in Indian society. His message focused on the idea that the legal classification of cows impacts how society perceives them, and changing that classification could lead to a shift in public consciousness. “Once the law comes and people understand that cows are not animals but ‘Mata’, their point of view would change, and they would treat cows with the respect they deserve,” he stated.

His message resonated with devotees and followers, many of whom share the belief that cows hold a sacred place in Hindu culture. According to Swami Avimukteshwaranand, the protection of cows is not only a religious duty but also a moral and cultural imperative that should be enshrined in law.

Cultural and Religious Significance

Cows, revered as Gaumata, have been an integral part of Indian tradition and religious practices for centuries. In Hinduism, cows are often associated with motherhood and nourishment, and their protection is seen as essential for upholding dharma (righteousness). The Shankaracharya’s comments come at a time when discussions around cow protection have gained renewed importance across various religious and political platforms in India.

Swami Avimukteshwaranand’s Gau Pratishtha Dhwaj Sthapana Bharat Yatra has been instrumental in drawing attention to the issue of cow protection, and his visit to Odisha is expected to strengthen the movement further. He urged devotees to actively participate in the campaign to ensure that the cultural and spiritual significance of cows is preserved for future generations.

The visit of Jyotirmath Peetham Shankaracharya, Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati, to Bhubaneswar has highlighted the need for greater recognition of the spiritual importance of cows in Indian society. His call to remove cows from the official list of animals and recognize them as deities is part of a larger effort to preserve India’s rich cultural heritage. As the Gau Pratishtha Dhwaj Sthapana Bharat Yatra continues, his message is expected to resonate with more devotees and lawmakers across the country.