Bhakta Jana Vatsale!
Vatsala. A common name for girl children in India. Bhaktavatsalan. The name of Lord Sriman Narayana. Many slokas, songs, and archanai have this word. What does it mean? Why should I, a volunteer at Azhagiyamanavalan Aa Nirai Koodam, a cow-shelter … find this word interesting?
Please enjoy this video shot on our premises. It shows how a cow showers affection on a lonely calf.
Balram lost his mother Rohini earlier this month. Shortly after, Senkamalavalli, an older cow became very attached to him. And him to her. They now graze the meadows of Srirangam together. Watching the affection that the foster-mother showers on the calf amazes us all. As I am sure it would amaze you too. Please spread the word and help spread the bliss.
To understand the meaning of the word Vatsala, we must first understand the behaviour of cows. Cows are animals that are most hygienic. They do not eat grass that they themselves step on. They maintain the highest standards of cleanliness and hence purity. So much that, they are the very abode of Sri Mahalakshmi.
When a cow gives birth to a calf, the little one is covered with blood, placenta, and urine. It falls to the floor and accumulates dirt and mud all over it. Not to mention germs and other bacteria.
What we observe after is the greatest display of love and affection a parent can show. The mother cow licks her calf clean. The mother who is exhausted after giving birth. The cow who normally shuns dirt off her own feet. The cow who places purity above all else disregards all her standards for her child. She licks off all the dirt on the calf. The calf, which has no strength finds solace in this. In this regard, the cow reminds us of the Lord himself.
The Lord Sriman Narayana is the purest of pure. He occupies the highest of positions. He is exalted by the Vedas, Puranas, Itihasas, Agamas, and Arulicheyal. Yet, he has shunned everything and taken abode in temples, in our hearts, and our homes. This quality is known as Vatsalyam.
Vatsa – means a calf. Vatsalya means the affection a mother cow exhibits to her calf.
Our culture is dense with examples like these. To discover more such joys, visit us in Srirangam. Join us as a volunteer and contribute what little you can. Participate financially. Let us come together and share the joy.