Protect A Cow

Cow's milk is particularly essential for developing the finer tissues of the human brain so that one can understand the intricacies of transcendental knowledge

SB 3.5.7 P         Vidura' s Talks with Maitreya  
The cow is the most important animal for developing the human body to perfection. The body can be maintained by any kind of foodstuff, but cow's milk is particularly essential for developing the finer tissues of the human brain so that one can understand the intricacies of transcendental knowledge. A civilized man is expected to live on foodstuffs comprising fruits, vegetables, grains, sugar and milk. The bull helps in the agricultural process of producing grain, etc., and thus in one sense the bull is the father of humankind, whereas the cow is the mother, for she supplies milk to human society. A civilized man is therefore expected to give all protection to the bulls and cows.
   The demigods, or the living entities who live in the higher planets, are far superior to human beings. Since they have better arrangements for living conditions, they live far more luxuriously than human beings, yet they are all devotees of the Lord. The Lord incarnates in different forms, such as those of a fish, a tortoise, a hog, and a combined lion and man, just to give protection to civilized man, the cow and the demigods, who are directly responsible for the regulative life of progressive self-realization. The whole system of the material creation is planned so that the conditioned souls may have the opportunity for self-realization. One who takes advantage of such an arrangement is called a demigod or civilized man. The cow is meant to help maintain such a high standard of living.
   The Lord's pastimes for the protection of the twice-born civilized men, the cows and the demigods are all transcendental. A human being is inclined to hear good narrations and stories, and therefore there are so many books, magazines and newspapers on the market to satisfy the interests of the developed soul. But the pleasure in such literature, after it is read once, becomes stale, and people do not take any interest in reading such literature repeatedly. In fact, newspapers are read for less than an hour and then thrown in the dustbins as rubbish. The case is similar with all other mundane literatures. But the beauty of transcendental literatures like Bhagavad-gita and Srimad-Bhagavatam is that they never become old. They have been read in the world by civilized man for the last five thousand years, and they have never become old. They are ever fresh to the learned scholars and devotees, and even by daily repetition of the verses of Bhagavad-gita and Srimad-Bhagavatam, there is no satiation for devotees like Vidura. Vidura might have heard the pastimes of the Lord many, many times before he met Maitreya, but still he wanted the same narrations to be repeated because he was never satiated by hearing them. That is the transcendental nature of the Lord's glorious pastimes.

Thus brahminical culture and cow protection are the basic principles for human civilization

SB 3.22.3 P  The Marriage of Kardama Muni and Devahuti                                                 TEXT 3

                                       TEXT

                     tat-tranayasrjac casman
                     doh-sahasrat sahasra-pat
                     hrdayam tasya hi brahma
                     ksatram angam pracaksate

                                 SYNONYMS

   tat-tranaya--for the protection of the brahmanas; asrjat--created; ca--and; asman--us (ksatriyas); doh-sahasrat--from His thousand arms; sahasra-pat--the thousand-legged Supreme Being (the universal form); hrdayam--heart; tasya--His; hi--for; brahma--brahmanas; ksatram--the ksatriyas; angam--arms; pracaksate--are spoken of.

                           TRANSLATION

   For the protection of the brahmanas, the thousand-legged Supreme Being created us, the ksatriyas, from His thousand arms. Hence the brahmanas are said to be His heart and the ksatriyas His arms.

                             PURPORT

   Ksatriyas are specifically meant to maintain the brahmanas because if the brahmanas are protected, then the head of civilization is protected. Brahmanas are supposed to be the head of the social body; if the head is clear and has not gone mad, then everything is in proper position. The Lord is described thus: namo brahmanya-devaya go-brahmana-hitaya ca. The purport of this prayer is that the Lord specifically protects the brahmanas and the cows, and then He protects all other members of society (jagad-dhitaya). It is His will that universal welfare work depends on the protection of cows and brahmanas; thus brahminical culture and cow protection are the basic principles for human civilization. Ksatriyas are especially meant to protect the brahmanas, as is the supreme will of the Lord: go-brahmana-hitaya ca. As, within the body, the heart is a very important part, so the brahmanas are also the important element in human society. The ksatriyas are more like the whole body; even though the whole body is bigger than the heart, the heart is more important.

Like all Vaisnavas, Maharaja Prthu was devoted to cow protection

SB 4.22.62  Prthu Maharaja' s Meeting with the Four Kumaras                                      TEXT 62

                                      TEXT

                      brhaspatir brahma-vade
                     atmavattve svayam harih
                     bhaktya go-guru-vipresu
                       visvaksenanuvartisu
                     hriya prasraya-silabhyam
                      atma-tulyah parodyame

                                SYNONYMS

   brhaspatih--the priest of the heavenly planets; brahma-vade--in the matter of spiritual understanding; atma-vattve--in the matter of self-control; svayam--personally; harih--the Supreme Personality of Godhead; bhaktya--in devotion; go--cow; guru--spiritual master; vipresu--unto the brahmanas; visvaksena--the Personality of Godhead; anuvartisu--followers; hriya--by shyness; prasraya-silabhyam--by most gentle behavior; atma-tulyah--exactly like his personal interest; para-udyame--in the matter of philanthropic work.

                           TRANSLATION

   In his personal behavior, Prthu Maharaja exhibited all good qualities, and in spiritual knowledge he was exactly like Brhaspati. In self-control he was like the Supreme Personality of Godhead Himself. As far as his devotional service was concerned, he was a great follower of devotees who were attached to cow protection and the rendering of all service to the spiritual master and the brahmanas. He was perfect in his shyness and in his gentle behavior, and when he engaged in some philanthropic activity, he worked as if he were working for his own personal self.

                             PURPORT

   When Lord Caitanya talked to Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya, the Lord honored him as the incarnation of Brhaspati. Brhaspati is the chief priest of the heavenly kingdom, and he is a follower of the philosophy known as brahma-vada, or Mayavada. Brhaspati is also a great logician. It appears from this statement that Maharaja Prthu, although a great devotee constantly engaged in the loving service of the Lord, could defeat all kinds of impersonalists and Mayavadis by his profound knowledge of Vedic scriptures. We should learn from Maharaja Prthu that a Vaisnava, or devotee, must not only be fixed in the service of the Lord, but, if required, must be prepared to argue with the impersonalist Mayavadis with all logic and philosophy and defeat their contention that the Absolute Truth is impersonal...
   Also, like all Vaisnavas, Maharaja Prthu was devoted to cow protection, spiritual masters and qualified brahmanas. Prthu Maharaja was also very humble, meek and gentle, and whenever he performed any philanthropic work or welfare activity for the general public, he would labor exactly as if he were tending to his own personal necessities. In other words, his philanthropic activities were not for the sake of show but were performed out of personal feeling and commitment. All philanthropic activities should be thus performed.

For performing yajna, clarified butter is essential, and for clarified butter, cow protection is essential

SB 9.15.26 P Parasurama, the Lord' s Warrior Incarnation                                          TEXT 26

                                      TEXT

                     havirdhanim rser darpan
                      naran hartum acodayat
                     te ca mahismatim ninyuh
                    sa-vatsam krandatim balat

                                SYNONYMS

   havih-dhanim--the kamadhenu; rseh--of the great sage Jamadagni; darpat--because of his being puffed up with material power; naran--all his men (soldiers); hartum--to steal or take away; acodayat--encouraged; te--the men of Kartaviryarjuna; ca--also; mahismatim--to the capital of Kartaviryarjuna; ninyuh--brought; sa-vatsam--with the calf; krandatim--crying; balat--because of being taken away by force.

                           TRANSLATION

   Being puffed up by material power, Kartaviryarjuna encouraged his men to steal Jamadagni's kamadhenu. Thus the men forcibly took away the crying kamadhenu, along with her calf, to Mahismati, Kartaviryarjuna's capital.

                             PURPORT

   The word havirdhanim is significant in this verse. Havirdhanim refers to a cow required for supplying havis, or ghee, for the performance of ritualistic ceremonies in sacrifices. In human life, one should be trained to perform yajnas. As we are informed in Bhagavad-gita (3.9), yajnarthat karmano 'nyatra loko 'yam karma-bandhanah: if we do not perform yajna, we shall simply work very hard for sense gratification like dogs and hogs. This is not civilization. A human being should be trained to perform yajna. Yajnad bhavati parjanyah. If yajnas are regularly performed, there will be proper rain from the sky, and when there is regular rainfall, the land will be fertile and suitable for producing all the necessities of life. Yajna, therefore, is essential. For performing yajna, clarified butter is essential, and for clarified butter, cow protection is essential. Therefore, if we neglect the Vedic way of civilization, we shall certainly suffer. So- called scholars and philosophers do not know the secret of success in life, and therefore they suffer in the hands of prakrti, nature (prakrteh kriyamanani gunaih karmani sarvasah). Nonetheless, although they are forced to suffer, they think they are advancing in civilization (ahankara-vimudhatma kartaham iti manyate). The Krsna consciousness movement is therefore meant to revive a mode of civilization in which everyone will be happy. This is the motive of our Krsna consciousness movement. Yajne sukhena bhavantu.

It is also essential to give protection to the cows and take nectarean milk from their milk bags.

SB 8.6.12 P   The Demigods and Demons Declare a Truce  

In this verse, the cultivation of bhakti-yoga is compared to many material activities. By friction one can get fire from wood, by digging the earth one can get food grains and water, and by agitating the milk bag of the cow one can get nectarean milk. Milk is compared to nectar, which one can drink to become immortal. Of course, simply drinking milk will not make one immortal, but it can increase the duration of one's life. In modern civilization, men do not think milk to be important, and therefore they do not live very long. Although in this age men can live up to one hundred years, their duration of life is reduced because they do not drink large quantities of milk. This is a sign of Kali-yuga. In Kali-yuga, instead of drinking milk, people prefer to slaughter an animal and eat its flesh. The Supreme Personality of Godhead, in His instructions of Bhagavad-gita, advises go-raksya, which means cow protection. The cow should be protected, milk should be drawn from the cows, and this milk should be prepared in various ways. One should take ample milk, and thus one can prolong one's life, develop his brain, execute devotional service, and ultimately attain the favor of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. As it is essential to get food grains and water by digging the earth, it is also essential to give protection to the cows and take nectarean milk from their milk bags.

while giving protection to the cows, we can draw from them abundant quantities of milk; and by getting enough milk and combining it with food grains and vegetables, we can prepare hundreds of nectarean foods.

SB 8.6.12 P   The Demigods and Demons Declare a Truce  
The people of this age are inclined toward industrial enterprises for comfortable living, but they refuse to endeavor to execute devotional service, by which they can achieve the ultimate goal of life by returning home, back to Godhead. Unfortunately, as it is said, na te viduh svartha-gatim hi visnum durasaya ye bahir-artha-maninah. People without spiritual education do not know that the ultimate goal of life is to go back home, back to Godhead. Forgetting this aim of life, they are working very hard in disappointment and frustration (moghasa mogha-karmano mogha jnana vicetasah). The so-called vaisyas--the industrialists or businessmen--are involved in big, big industrial enterprises, but they are not interested in food grains and milk. However, as indicated here, by digging for water, even in the desert, we can produce food grains; when we produce food grains and vegetables, we can give protection to the cows; while giving protection to the cows, we can draw from them abundant quantities of milk; and by getting enough milk and combining it with food grains and vegetables, we can prepare hundreds of nectarean foods. We can happily eat this food and thus avoid industrial enterprises and joblessness.
   Agriculture and cow protection are the way to become sinless and thus be attracted to devotional service. Those who are sinful cannot be attracted by devotional service.

As long as human society continues to allow cows to be regularly killed in slaughterhouses, there cannot be any question of peace and prosperity

SB 8.8.11           The Churning of the Milk Ocean

                                     TEXT

                       abhisecanika bhumir
                       aharat sakalausadhih
                      gavah panca pavitrani
                      vasanto madhu-madhavau

                               SYNONYMS

   abhisecanikah--paraphernalia required for installing the Deity; bhumih--the land; aharat--collected; sakala--all kinds of; ausadhih--drugs and herbs; gavah--the cows; panca--five different varieties of products from the cow, namely milk, yogurt, clarified butter, cow dung and cow urine; pavitrani--uncontaminated; vasantah--personified springtime; madhu-madhavau--flowers and fruits produced during spring, or in the months of Caitra and Vaisakha.

                           TRANSLATION

   The land became a person and collected all the drugs and herbs needed for installing the Deity. The cows delivered five products, namely milk, yogurt, ghee, urine and cow dung, and spring personified collected everything produced in spring, during the months of Caitra and Vaisakha [April and May].

                             PURPORT

   Panca-gavya, the five products received from the cow, namely milk, yogurt, ghee, cow dung and cow urine, are required in all ritualistic ceremonies performed according to the Vedic directions. Cow urine and cow dung are uncontaminated, and since even the urine and dung of a cow are important, we can just imagine how important this animal is for human civilization. Therefore the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krsna, directly advocates go-raksya, the protection of cows. Civilized men who follow the system of varnasrama, especially those of the vaisya class, who engage in agriculture and trade, must give protection to the cows. Unfortunately, because people in Kali-yuga are mandah, all bad, and sumanda-matayah, misled by false conceptions   of life, they are killing cows in the thousands. Therefore they are unfortunate in spiritual consciousness, and nature disturbs them in so many ways, especially through incurable diseases like cancer and through frequent wars and among nations. As long as human society continues to allow cows to be regularly killed in slaughterhouses, there cannot be any question of peace and prosperity.

The whole world must learn from Krsna how to live happily without scarcity simply by producing food grains and giving protection to the cows

SB 9.15.25 P Parasurama, the Lord' s Warrior Incarnation

                                     TEXT

                   sa vai ratnam tu tad drstva
                       atmaisvaryatisayanam
                     tan nadriyatagnihotryam
                      sabhilasah sahaihayah

                               SYNONYMS

   sah--he (Kartaviryarjuna); vai--indeed; ratnam--a great source of wealth; tu--indeed; tat--the kamadhenu in the possession of Jamadagni; drstva--by observing; atma-aisvarya--his own personal opulence; ati-sayanam--which was exceeding; tat--that; na--not; adriyata--appreciated very much; agnihotryam--in that cow, which was useful for executing the agnihotra sacrifice; sa-abhilasah--became desirous; sa-haihayah--with his own men, the Haihayas.

                           TRANSLATION

   Kartaviryarjuna thought that Jamadagni was more powerful and wealthy than himself because of possessing a jewel in the form of the kamadhenu. Therefore he and his own men, the Haihayas, were not very much appreciative of Jamadagni's reception. On the contrary, they wanted to possess that kamadhenu, which was useful for the execution of the agnihotra sacrifice.

                             PURPORT

   Jamadagni was more powerful than Kartaviryarjuna because of performing the agnihotra-yajna with clarified butter received from the kamadhenu. Not everyone can be expected to possess such a cow. Nonetheless, an ordinary man may possess an ordinary cow, give protection to this animal, take sufficient milk from it, and engage the milk to produce butter and clarified ghee, especially for performing the agnihotra-yajna. This is possible for everyone. Thus we find that in Bhagavad-gita Lord Krsna advises go-raksya, the protection of cows. This is essential because if cows are cared for properly they will surely supply sufficient milk. We have practical experience in America that in our various Krsna Consciousness Movement farms we are giving proper protection to the cows and receiving more than enough milk. In other farms the cows do not deliver as much milk as in our farms; because our cows know very well that we are not going to kill them, they are happy, and they give ample milk. Therefore this instruction given by Lord Krsna--go-raksya--is extremely meaningful. The whole world must learn from Krsna how to live happily without scarcity simply by producing food grains (annad bhavanti bhutani) and giving protection to the cows (go-raksya). Krsi-go-raksya-vanijyam vaisya-karma svabhavajam. Those who belong to the third level of human society, namely the mercantile people, must keep land for producing food grains and giving protection to cows. This is the injunction of Bhagavad-gita. In the matter of protecting the cows, the meat-eaters will protest, but in answer to them we may say that since Krsna gives stress to cow protection, those who are inclined to eat meat may eat the flesh of unimportant animals like hogs, dogs, goats and sheep, but they should not touch the life of the cows, for this is destructive to the spiritual advancement of human society.

Cow protection is actually more important than protection of cats and dogs

Krsna Book 24   Worshiping Govardhana Hill  

From this statement we learn also that the cats and dogs, although not so important, are not to be neglected. Cow protection is actually more important than protection of cats and dogs. Another hint we get from this statement is that the candalas or the untouchables are also not to be neglected by the higher classes. Everyone is important, but some are directly responsible for the advancement of human society, and some are only indirectly responsible. However, when Krsna consciousness is there, then everyone's total benefit is taken care of.
   The sacrifice known as Govardhana-puja is observed in the Krsna consciousness movement. Lord Caitanya has recommended that since Krsna is worshipable, so His land, Vrndavana and Govardhana Hill, are also worshipable. To confirm this statement, Lord Krsna said that Govardhana Puja is as good as worship of Him. From that day, the Govardhana Puja has been still going on and is known as Annakuta. In all the temples of Vrndavana or outside of Vrndavana, huge quantities of food are prepared in this ceremony and are very sumptuously distributed to the general population. Sometimes the food is thrown to the crowds, and they enjoy collecting it off the ground. From these instances, we can understand that prasadam offered to Krsna never becomes polluted or contaminated, even if it is thrown on the ground. The people, therefore, collect it and eat with great satisfaction.

When the demoniac give too much trouble to the brahmanas and the cows, Krsna descends to reestablish religious principles

TQK 26            Enchantment by Krsna' s Glories  
Why is cow protection so much advocated? Because the cow is the most important animal. There is no injunction that one should not eat the flesh of tigers or other such animals. In the Vedic culture those who are meat-eaters are recommended to eat the flesh of goats, dogs, hogs, or other lower animals, but never the flesh of cows, the most important animals. While living, the cows give important service by giving milk, and even after death they give service by making available their skin, hooves, and horns, which may be used in many ways. Nonetheless, the present human society is so ungrateful that they needlessly kill these innocent cows. Therefore Krsna comes to punish them.
   Krsna is worshiped with this prayer:

                      namo brahmanya-devaya
                      go-brahmana-hitaya ca
                      jagad-dhitaya krsnaya
                       govindaya namo namah

   "My Lord, You are the well-wisher of the cows and the brahmanas, and You are the well-wisher of the entire human society and world."For perfect human society there must be protection of go-dvija--the cows and the brahmanas. The word dvija refers to the brahmana, or one who knows Brahman (God). When the demoniac give too much trouble to the brahmanas and the cows, Krsna descends to reestablish religious principles.

A civilization in which there is no respect for the cows and brahmanas is condemned

SB 6.18.52     Diti Vows to Kill King Indra
                                    TEXT 52

                                     TEXT

                     dhauta-vasa sucir nityam
                      sarva-mangala-samyuta
                     pujayet pratarasat prag
                     go-vipran sriyam acyutam

                              SYNONYMS

   dhauta-vasa--wearing washed cloth; sucih-- being purified; nityam--always; sarva-mangala--with all auspicious items; samyuta--adorned; pujayet--one should worship; pratah-asat prak--before breakfast; go-vipran--the cows and brahmanas; sriyam--the goddess of fortune; acyutam--the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

                           TRANSLATION

   Putting on washed clothing, being always pure and being adorned with turmeric, sandalwood pulp and other auspicious items, before breakfast one should worship the cows, the brahmanas, the goddess of fortune and the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

                             PURPORT

   If one is trained to honor and worship the cows and brahmanas, he is actually civilized. The worship of the Supreme Lord is recommended, and the Lord is very fond of the cows and brahmanas (namo brahmanya-devaya go-brahmana-hitaya ca). In other words, a civilization in which there is no respect for the cows and brahmanas is condemned. One cannot become spiritually advanced without acquiring the brahminical qualifications and giving protection to cows. Cow protection insures sufficient food prepared with milk, which is needed for an advanced civilization. One should not pollute civilization by eating the flesh of cows. A civilization must do something progressive, and then it is an Aryan civilization. Instead of killing the cow to eat flesh, civilized men must prepare various milk products that will enhance the condition of society. If one follows the brahminical culture, he will become competent in Krsna consciousness.

So you should be firelike when a Vaisnava is insulted

721001SB.LA                  Lectures

   So these two brothers (Jagai-Madhai) were creating disturbance in the, on the street, and there was a crowd. Lord Nityananda saw the crowd and inquired from persons, "What is this crowd?" Lord Nityananda and Haridasa Thakura were out for preaching. So people informed that "There are two brothers, most sinful, and they are creating disturbance. So there is crowd." So immediately Nityananda Prabhu said, "Why not deliver these two brothers immediately? Then it will be a great credit for Caitanya Mahaprabhu." This is preacher. He is thinking the credit of the master, not for himself. He risks his life. And the Jagai-Madhai brothers hurt Him on the head by throwing a stone. So blood also came out, but still, they said "All right, it is all right. You have hurt Me. Blood is oozing out. That doesn't matter. You chant Hare Krsna." That is preaching. Not that I remain safety and chanting Hare Krsna. No. We have to go out, meet the Jagai Madhai. That is Caitanya Mahaprabhu's mission. Because the world is full of Jagai-Madhai.
   So when Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu became very angry because these people, these two brothers, injured Nityananda Prabhu, so He became firelike. So you should be firelike when a Vaisnava is insulted. Not that at that time trnad api sunicena, to become straw. No. You should be fire when Visnu and Vaisnava is insulted. So Caitanya Mahaprabhu showed this example. He became very, very angry: "I shall kill these two brothers immediately. Nonsense." So Nityananda Prabhu entreated,"Oh, My dear sir, this time You have promised not to accept any weapon. In Your incarnation as Lord Ramacandra, You took up weapon. As Krsna also, You took a weapon. But this time You wanted to deliver these poor souls. So don't kill them. Excuse them. Accept them." This is Nityananda Prabhu's business, guru's business. So Lord Caitanya simply asked them, "Now if you..." They also in the meantime fell down on the lotus feet of Lord Caitanya, that "We are so sinful. We have done wrong. Kindly excuse us."
   So Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu made one condition, that "Your life is full of sinful activities. So if you simply promise that 'I shall not do anymore,' then I can accept you." So they said, "Sir, I'll not do. We'll not do anymore."

Trnad api sunicena does not mean that if a Vaisnava is insulted or Visnu is defamed, you remain silent

761025SB.VRN                 Lectures  
Prasannatma. Prasanta. Prakistho rupena santah. Preaching is not very, I mean to say, pleasant. They have to meet so many difficulties. Still they are peaceful, not disturbed. Prasanta. Not that... Just like Nityananda Prabhu went to preach amongst Jagai-Madhai. And Jagai-Madhai injured. "Why, You rascal, You have come here to disturb us?" And threw the piece of earthen pot, and Nityananda Prabhu was injured. Still prasanta. This is sadhu. Yes. "My dear Jagai-Madhai, you have injured Me. It doesn't matter. Chant Hare Krsna please." This is prasanta. He's not disturbed: "Oh, you have injured Me. I shall go to the police." No. Peaceful. "All right, never mind. You do not know how to behave; you have injured Me. It doesn't matter. Please chant." When Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu heard it, He immediately came, and He was so angry, that "I shall kill these two men immediately. Bring My cakra." Nityananda Prabhu said, "My Lord, You have promised not to take weapon in this incarnation, so kindly be merciful upon them." "No! They have insulted Vaisnava!" This is another example. Caitanya Mahaprabhu is teaching this humbleness: trnad api sunicena taror api sahisnuna. But when Nityananda Prabhu was injured, did He stop punishing them? No. At that time He became fire: "I shall kill them!" Trnad api sunicena does not mean that if a Vaisnava is insulted or Visnu is defamed, you remain silent, "I am trnad api sunicena." No. At that time you should become fire. That is the teaching of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Just like Hanumanji, he's Vaisnava. But when there was need for the service of Lord Ramacandra, he set fire in the Lanka. So when there is visnu-vaisnava-ninda, defamation, you should not remain trnad api sunicena. You should take steps. This is the instruction. Anyway, Vaisnava is never angry, but that does not mean that you tolerate insult to Visnu and Vaisnava. No.

Purport on Cintamoni Sri Brahma Samhita with Illustrated History 1 of 2

By His personal example Lord Krsna wanted to teach us the value of protecting cows

Light of the Bhagavata 9  A picturesque scene of green paddy fields enlivens the heart of the poor agriculturalist, but it brings gloom to the face of the capitalist who lives by exploiting the poor farmers.

   With good rains, the farmer's business in agriculture flourishes. Agriculture is the noblest profession. It makes society happy, wealthy, healthy, honest, and spiritually advanced for a better life after death. The vaisya community, or the mercantile class of men, take to this profession. In Bhagavad-gita the vaisyas are described as the natural agriculturalists, the protectors of cows, and the general traders. When Lord Sri Krsna incarnated Himself at Vrndavana, He took pleasure in becoming a beloved son of such a vaisya family. Nanda Maharaja was a big protector of cows, and Lord Sri Krsna, as the most beloved son of Nanda Maharaja, used to tend His father's animals in the neighboring forest. By His personal example Lord Krsna wanted to teach us the value of protecting cows. Nanda Maharaja is said to have possessed nine hundred thousand cows, and at the time of Lord Sri Krsna (about five thousand years ago) the tract of land known as Vrndavana was flooded with milk and butter. Therefore God's gifted professions for mankind are agriculture and cow protection.
   Trade is meant only for transporting surplus produce to places where the produce is scanty. But when traders become too greedy and materialistic they take to large-scale commerce and industry and allure the poor agriculturalist to unsanitary industrial towns with a false hope of earning more money. The industrialist and the capitalist do not want the farmer to remain at home, satisfied with his agricultural produce. When the farmers are satisfied by a luxuriant growth of food grains, the capitalist becomes gloomy at heart. But the real fact is that humanity must depend on agriculture and subsist on agricultural produce.
   No one can produce rice and wheat in big iron factories. The industrialist goes to the villagers to purchase the food grains he is unable to produce in his factory. The poor agriculturalist takes advances from the capitalist and sells his produce at a lower price. Hence when food grains are produced abundantly the farmers become financially stronger, and thus the capitalist becomes morose at being unable to exploit them.