Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature c7.372

c7.372

GOHATYĀ. In ancient India killing of cows was considered to be a great sin. It is interesting to note the punishment prescribed for this crime in the Agni Purāṇa. For one month he should drink barley water only. He should live in a cow-shed wearing the hide of the cow he has killed. He can have some supper and that too without salt. He must bathe for two months in cow’s urine. During day time he should follow the cows looking after their comfort. He should drink the menstrual discharge with his face lifted upwards. Fasting, he should give away as charity ten cows and a bull. If not, he should give as charity all his wealth to god-fearing brahmins. If a man only stops the cow for others to kill he should bear a fourth of the punishment; if he stops and ties it for killing he should bear half of the punishment and if he stops, it ties it and gives the weapon for killing he should bear three-fourths of the punishment. (Agni Purāṇa, Chapter 159),