Luck of Zebu

 

Luck of Zebu

 

Agudemba traveled to India riding a donkey, Mahu. Since the Indian cow is protected by legislation, it has simply become a god. As for the donkey, it does not receive any special respect. Donkey Mahu was not happy about this, thinking it was racial discrimination against the donkey.

Agudemba said to the donkey:

In India, not all cows are gods. Just like people are divided into three, six or nine levels, dogs include native dogs and shepherd dogs. In India, cows also have levels.

The sacred cow in India specifically refers to a type of cow with a huge knob on the top of its neck. Its scientific name is Zebu, and it is also called "Brahman cow" in India. And cows, oxen, and buffalo are not the "gods" at the top of the cattle pyramid.

Because the religion that most people in India believe in is Hinduism, not Buddhism, Hinduism worships cows. Cows are considered extremely sacred. In Indian mythology, cows are Shiva’s mount and a symbol of the universe.

Cows can walk freely on the streets and will not be driven away when entering the fields to eat crops grown by farmers. Hinduism strictly prohibits killing cows, eating beef, and using cowhide products. This cultural phenomenon can be seen everywhere in India, but not all types of cows All are treated like this, and only the "zebu" is respected as a sacred cow.

However, except for a few beautiful and strong white zebu cattle that are put into temples for people to support, most zebu cattle also have to work, doing physical labor like oxen and buffaloes.

The lowest "caste" in the Indian cattle world is the tragically fateful buffalo. If zebu is the upper caste of Indian cattle, then buffalo is definitely the lowest caste. Buffalo is not sacred in India, and there is even a view that "buffalo meat is not beef". In addition to hard work, the buffaloes in India are one of the main foods for Muslims and Christians in India, and even their skins are made into leather products. India is actually a major beef exporter, 80% of which is buffalo meat. The country's buffalo accounts for 53% of the world's total number of buffaloes. The low-priced buffalo meat is very popular in Africa and Southeast Asia. India's neighbor Nepal slaughters hundreds of thousands of buffaloes every year to worship the gods.

Agudemba advised the donkey: You don’t have to worry about being a donkey instead of a cow. Although Zebu is regarded as a sacred cow in India, when the Zebu gets old, it will only die. Even the sacred cows are not as comfortable as imagined. When they cannot provide labor, because the law stipulates that cattle cannot be slaughtered, they will be let out by their owners and left to fend for themselves. Some sacred cows are injured by cars on the street. Some were unable to obtain food and starved to death.

Agudengba sang a snowy song called "Cow Ballad":

 

There are straight trees in the snowy mountains,

In troubled times, there are no straight people.

The mortal world is full of people,

How many close friends do you have?

 

Cows, horses, donkeys and mules all have lives;

Luck is controlled beyond one's control.

I need help and praise you for your hard work.

I smile when I eat you.

 

Since ancient times, tyrants have no mercy;

When powerful ministers fight against each other, they are all evil.

The greedy heart is hard to satisfy,

Having too much money harms others as well as yourself.

 

Zebu was ridden by gods during its lifetime.

He died inexplicably after being abandoned.

The flowers of wealth never last long;

After death, he was cursed to become a cow ghost.

 

Today is a day for gods and ghosts,

Life and death are all about luck.

Poor ignorant people just accept their fate,

Perpetuating bad habits harms all living beings.