In this episode of series seven, Animals and the Devine, I chat with Yamini Narayanan, an academic from Deakin University, about the complex ties between Hinduism, dairy farming, and the sacred status of cows in Indian politics.
The Sacred Cow and Political Agendas Yamini unpacks how cows, revered as sacred in Hinduism, are used as symbols to further political agendas, particularly within the Hindutva movement. Despite the widespread bans on cow slaughter, India remains the largest dairy producer, exposing a paradox in how these animals are treated.
Theological Significance and Exploitation We dive into the theological significance of cows in Hinduism, where they are often viewed as maternal figures. Yamini challenges the notion of sacredness, explaining how it frequently leads to their commodification in dairy farming. We discuss the gap between sacred status and humane treatment, as cows endure harsh realities like forced pregnancies and the separation of calves.
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Krishna and the Dairy Calf Yamini draws a powerful analogy between the story of the Hindu god Krishna, raised by cows, and the experience of a dairy calf, both experiencing separation from their mothers. This conversation opens up a broader critique of kinship narratives, questioning whether cows should be considered “mothers” in such an exploitative context.
Ethical Conduct and Religious Narratives We also explore how religious myths, like the story of Dharma’s sacred cows, underscore the importance of ethical conduct. Yamini shares a Hindu origin story that she interprets as a call for plant-based, vegan alternatives to dairy, suggesting that these narratives can inspire more humane treatment of animals.
Reflections on Animal Advocacy The episode concludes with Yamini reflecting on her personal journey in animal advocacy. She recommends insightful readings, including her book Mother Cow, Mother India and Catherine Gillespie’s The Cow with Ear Tag #1389, for those interested in exploring the ethical complexities of dairy farming.
This thought-provoking episode invites listeners to reconsider how religious and cultural narratives shape the way we treat animals and challenges us to make more ethical choices in the future.
Book Recommendation: The Cow with Ear Tag #1389 by Kathryn Gillespie
Show Notes:
The sacred status of the cow is so widespread, so institutionalized, so deeply entrenched in Hindu culture, that it is actually quite a central question about the whole notion of Hinduism identity and cows. - Yamini Narayanan
Episode 3 of Series 7: Animals and the Divine Transcript
Guest Bio: Yamini Narayanan is an Associate Professor of International and Community Development at Deakin University, Melbourne. Her work explores the ways in which (other) animals are instrumentalized in sectarian, casteist and fascist ideologies in India, and how animals are also actors and architects of informal urbanisms. Yamini’s research is supported by two Australian Research Council grants. Her newest book Mother Cow, Mother India (2023) is published by Stanford University Press. In 2019, Yamini was awarded the Vice Chancellor’s Award for Mid-Career Research Excellence. In recognition of her work, she was made Fellow of the Oxford Centre for Animal Ethics (FOCAE), a distinguished honor that is conferred through nomination or invitation only.
Book Recommendation: The Cow with Ear Tag #1389 by Kathryn Gillespie
What to start your own podcast in he Animal Advocacy or Animal Welfare Space? Check out my Beginner Podcast Consulting Services!--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/anthrozoo/message
(This blog post was written with the help of AI and edited for content and accuracy by Marika Bell)
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