The Cow is the Giver of Liberation and She is the Form of all Holy Places

The Cow is the Giver of Liberation and She is the Form of all Holy Places

In the Śrī Kṛṣṇa-janma-khanda section of Brahma-vaivarta Purāna 21/91 to 93 it is stated:

sarve deva gavam ange tirthani tat-padesu ca

tad guhyesu svayam laksmis

tisthaty eva sada pitah

“All the devatās reside in the limbs of the cow, and all sacred rivers and pilgrimages dwell in her feet. In her most sacred and subtle parts, Goddess Lakshmi herself eternally resides."

gos-padākta-mrdā yo hi

tilakam kurute narah

tīrtha-snāto bhavet sadyo

'bhayam tasya pade pade

"One who applies the dust touched by the cow’s feet (hoof) as tilak on the forehead gains the merit of holy bathing and becomes fearless at every step."

gāvas tishanti yatraiva

tat tīrtham parikīrtitam

prāṇāms tyaktvā naras tatra

sadyo mukto bhaved dhruvam

"Wherever cows dwell is declared a holy place; even one who merely sees them (without bowing) is instantly liberated, without doubt."