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-gītā, advises go-rakṣya, 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.
There seems to be an ongoing debate over Veganism vs. Vegetarianism amongst devotees. Even in communities like New Vrindaban, where the cow is being protected, and there is an ample supply of fresh whole milk.
I happened to run across this comment by Mahananda dasa on Facebook and decided to share part of it with you today.
Milk… Krsna’s Miracle Gift To Mankind
EDITORIAL, Jul 27, 2000 — by Mahananda dasa
“The protection of cows maintains the most miraculous form of food, i. e., milk for maintaining the finer tissues of the brain for understanding higher aims of life. ” Srila Prabhupada
In response to the article written a few days ago about the harmful affects of drinking milk, I would like to present our view of milk drinking that we have accepted from our spiritual master.
Despite the evils of modern dairies and the cruel methods of obtaining milk from the mother cows, or despite the unwanted chemicals that store bought milk might introduce into your body and cause ill effects, still, we do not condemn drinking milk nor support veganism as part of our philosophy.
Quite the contrary. The glories of drinking cow’s milk are everywhere in Srila Prabhupada’s books. And though this may cause some doubts in the minds of those who have embraced vegan-ism, we as devotees faithfully follow the advise of our teacher, though it is sometimes contrary to fads or scientific theory.
Ever since I first became a vegetarian, back in the early 1970’s, I have relied on Dairy Products to keep up my health and strength. Of course I also became an avid organic gardener to supply fresh vegetables to my diet, planted fruit trees, started keeping bees, and learned how to cook with beans, rice and whole wheat flour. Not all of us have the luxury to live on the land, but all the ingredients for a healthy life are available in your local grocery store. We do not have to rely on the sinful practice of killing innocent animals to maintain our health.
Milk is such a miraculous food source! From it we get yogurt, butter, cheese’s, ghee etc., and all of it is delicious and filled with essential nutrients.
Packed with Essential Nutrients
Milk, cheese and yogurt are nutrient power houses! Three daily servings of dairy contribute to 3 out of the 4 under consumed nutrients of public concern ― calcium, vitamin D and potassium. The fourth is fiber, which can be found in foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains and beans ― all foods that pair well with dairy! Vitamin A, Vitamin D and protein are also essential for a healthy immune function and are all found in dairy.
Every 8 ounce glass of milk delivers the following 13 essential nutrients:
Calcium (25% Daily Value, or DV): Calcium helps build and maintain strong bones and teeth.
Protein (16% DV): Protein helps build and repair muscle tissue.
VitaminD (15% DV): Vitamin D helps build and maintain strong bones and teeth.
Phosphorus (20% DV): Phosphorus helps build and maintain strong bones and teeth, and support tissue growth.
Vitamin A (15% DV): Vitamin A helps keep skin and eyes healthy, and helps promote growth.
Riboflavin (35% DV): Riboflavin, also known as vitamin B2, helps your body use carbohydrates, fats and protein for fuel.
Vitamin B12 (50% DV): Vitamin B12 helps with normal blood function and keeping the nervous system healthy.
PantothenicAcid (20% DV): Pantothenic Acid, also known as vitamin B5, helps your body use carbohydrates, fats and protein for fuel.
Niacin (10% DV): Niacin is used in energy metabolism in the body.
Zinc (10%): Zinc helps to maintain a healthy immune system, support normal growth and development, and maintain healthy skin.
Selenium (10%): Selenium helps to maintain a healthy immune system, regulate metabolism and protect healthy cells from damage.
Iodine (60%): Iodine is necessary for proper bone and brain development during pregnancy and infancy, and is linked to cognitive function in childhood.
Potassium (10%): Potassium supports heart health and helps to maintain a healthy blood pressure, regulate body fluid balance and maintain normal muscle function.
Yogurt is packed with seven essential nutrients: protein, phosphorus, calcium, zinc, riboflavin, pantothenic acid and vitamin B12, and cheese delivers six essential nutrients: protein, phosphorus, calcium, niacin, vitamin A and vitamin B12
This morning as I was heating up some hot milk to offer, I was reminded of something Srila Prabhupada said about drinking milk; ‘that we should drink milk “sipping hot” this will help develop the finer brain cells needed to understand spiritual subject matter’
I don’t have anything against vegans, rather I respect their endeavor to not promote violence against animals by refraining, but we are getting our milk from protected cows, and I view milk as one of the many gifts from God. Milk, yogurt, butter, ghee, and paneer (cheese curd), have all been used for thousands of years in Vedic cooking. And Krishna is also known as Makhan Chor (the butter thief) and is very fond of eating butter and yogurt, and is something that is offered daily in all the ISKCON temples
…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-gītā, advises go-rakṣya, 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. (purport to SB 8.6.12)
