Biofertilizer Potential of Traditional and Panchagavya Amended

Marsland Press The Journal of American Science, 2010;6(2):61-67 Biofertilizer Potential of Traditional and Panchagavya Amended with Seaweed Extract Sangeetha, V and Thevanathan, R* Post Graduate and Research Department of Botany, Presidency College, Chennai-5, Tamil Nadu, India. sangeethadotv@gmail.com *Centre for Advanced Study in Botany, University of Madras (Guindy campus), Chennai-25, Tamil Nadu, India. thevanathan@gmail.com. ABSTRACT: The potential of utilizing panchagavya as biofertilizer was tested on the pulses Vigna radiata, Vigna mungo, Arachis hypogea, Cyamopsis tetragonoloba, Lablab purpureus, Cicer arietinum and the cereal Oryza sativa var. ponni by growing in soil amended with dried traditional and seaweed based panchagavya. Experimental seedling recorded higher rates of linear growth of both shoots and roots as compared to controls. These seedlings produced 264 to 390% more lateral roots than the control and maximum lateral root production was always observed in seedlings grown in soil amended with seaweed based panchagavya at low concentrations (1:100; panchagavya: soil). A similar observation was made on the number of leaves produced, leaf area and the number of root nodules formed in the pulses by rhizobia. A marked decrease in Chlorophyll a/b ratio, C/N ratio in the plants grown in seaweed based panchagavya indicating high chlorophyll b levels and a better nitrogen use efficiency in these plants respectively. [The Journal of American Science. 2010;6(2):39-45]. (ISSN 1545-1003). Key words: Panchagavya, Seaweed based, biofertilizer potential, pulses, cereal. INTRODUCTION The current global scenario firmly emphasizes the need to adopt eco-friendly agricultural practices for sustainable agriculture. Chemical agriculture has made an adverse impact on the health-care of not only soil but also the beneficial soil microbial communities and the plants cultivated in these soils. This eventually has lead to a high demand for organic produce by the present-day health conscious society and sporadic attempts are being made by farmers all over the world to detoxify the land by switching over to organic farming dispensing with chemical fertilizers, pesticides, fungicides and herbicides. In India, organic farming was a well developed and systematized agricultural practice during the past and this ‘ancient wisdom’ obtained through Indian knowledge systems such as ‘Vedas’ specify the use of ‘panchagavya’ in agriculture for the health of soil, plants and humans. In Sanskrit, panchagavya means the blend of five products obtained from cow, namely cow dung, cow urine, cow milk, curd and ghee (Sugha, 2005). The Vriskshayurveda systematizes the use of panchagavya. Few farmers in the southern parts of India have used modified formulations of panchagavya and found them to enhance the biological efficiency of the crop plants and the quality of fruits and vegetables (Natarjan, 2002). In the past three decades, crude extracts from seaweeds have been show to exhibit many bioactivities that include biostimulant, fertilizer and antimicrobial properties. Different forms of seaweed preparations such as LSF (Liquid Seaweed Fertilizer), SLF (Seaweed Liquid Fertilizer), LF (Liquid Fertilizer) and a manure prepared by using either whole or finely chopped seaweeds have been experimented and all of them have been reported to produce beneficial effects on cereals, pulses and flowering plants (Radley, 1961; Stephenson, 1974; 1981; Smith and van Staden, 1983; 1984; Tay et al., 1985; Temple and Bomelle, 1989; Sekar et al., 1995). In this paper, we present the results of an investigation made to evaluate the fertilizer potential of traditional and modified form of panchagavya amended with liquid seaweed preparations using some pulses and paddy as experimental plants. MATERIAL AND METHODS Traditional panchagavya Traditional panchagavya was prepared following the procedures outlined by Pandurang Vaman Kane, 1941. It contained fresh cow dung – 0.5 kg; cow urine – 1.0 L; cow milk – 7.0 L; curd – 1.0 L; ghee – 1.0 L and water – 1.0 L. These ingredients were taken in a 25.0 L concrete pot, mixed well and allowed to stand in shade for 21 days with intermittent stirring. After 21 days, the preparation was allowed to dry for 180 days in shade and the http://www.americanscience.org 39 americansciencej@gmail.comBiofertilizer Potential of Panchagavya Sangeetha and Thevanathan http://www.americanscience.org 40 americansciencej@gmail.com dried panchagavya was mixed with sterilized garden soil at a ratio of 1: 100 (panchagavya : soil) and used. Seaweed based Panchagavya Seaweed based panchagavya is a modified preparation (Natarajan, 2002) containing the aqueous extract of the alga, Sargassum wightii. The preparation contained Cow dung – 5.0 Kg; cow urine – 3.0 L; cow milk – 2.0 L; cow curd – 2.0 L; cow ghee – 1.0 Kg; sugarcane juice – 3.0 L; tender coconut water – 3.0 L; banana – 12 nos; yeast powder -100 g; jaggery – 100 g; water – 2.0 L. The above composition gives approximately 20.0 L of panchagavya. Cow dung and cow ghee were mixed together in a 25.0 L concrete pot and kept for 3 days with intermittent stirring to exhaust methane gas. On the fourth day all the other ingredients were added to the cow dung – ghee mixture along with spores of Lactobacillus sporogenes (one SPOROLAC tablet having 60 million spores / tablet) and mixed thoroughly. The mouth of the container was covered with a thin cloth and kept in the open in shade. This mixture was stirred twice everyday and after 18 days, 5.0 g of the algal extract residue was added to the preparation and used in experiments. Algal extract residue was prepared by extracting 100.0 g of shade dried Sargassum wightii with 5.0 L of boiling water for 30 minutes. The extract was allowed to cool, filtered through a layer of muslin cloth and dried in vacuo and the dry residue was used. Assay of panchagavya preparations on the germination and development of seedlings of pulses and rice The effect of panchagavya preparation on germination and development of rice Oryza sativa var. ponni and the pulses, Vigna radiata, Vigna mungo, Arachis hypogaea, Cyamopsis tetragonoloba, Lablab purpureus, Cicer arietinum seedlings were studied. The growth medium was a mixture of dry panchagavya residue and soil at a ratio of 1: 100 (traditional), 1: 50 (seaweed based) and 1: 100 (seaweed based) v/v. Seeds were surface sterilized with 1.0% mercuric chloride, washed several times in running water, soaked overnight in sterile water and allowed to germinate in dark. Germinating seeds were implanted in soil preparations kept in pots of the size 5.2” tall and 3.5” radius. Seedlings raised in sterilized garden soil were used as control. Ten replicates were used for all experimental plants. The seedlings of pulses were inoculated with Rhizobium R4 (approximately 1×10 9 cells/mL of sterile nutrient solution) twice, i.e. on the 5 th day and then on the 11th day in both control and test pots (except for Oryza sativa var. ponni). All the developing seedlings except Oryza sativa were watered on alternate days with Wilson’s N-free nutrient solution. For Oryza sativa, normal water was used. Twenty one days old seedlings were carefully removed and their linear growth, the number of leaflets produced, leaf area, number of lateral roots formed, number of root nodules, and other biochemical parameters as detailed below were determined. Rhizobium (R4) was used in the inoculation of plants were grown on YMA (Yeast Mannitol Agar) medium as specified by J.M. Vincent with slight modifications (Thevanathan, 1980). Purity of the organism was checked frequently using 0.05% Congo Red YMA medium. Wilson’s nitrogen-free nutrient solution (Wilson and Reisenauer, 1963) was used in the preparation of the inoculum as well as for watering the developing seedlings. An effective 72 hours old strain of Rhizobium R4 strain was used for inoculating the seedlings. The seedlings were inoculated twice, first on the 5th day after germination followed by a second inoculation on the 11th day. Ten milliliters of a thick suspension of the inoculum (approximately 1×10 9 cells/mL of sterile nutrient solution) was pipetted out around the base of each seedling. During the first few days after inoculation, care was taken in watering the plants so as to avoid washing the inoculum out of the soil. Wilson’s nitrogen-free nutrient solution was used to water the developing seedlings on alternate days. Estimation of photosynthetic pigments Pigments from leaves of the developing seedlings were extracted with 80% acetone and the amounts of chlorophylla and chlorophyllb were determined as described by Arnon (1949) and Yoshida et al.(1976). Chlorophylla = 12.21 A663 – 2.81 A646 mg/g tissue Chlorophyllb = 20.13 A646 – 5.03 A663 mg/g tissue Where, A663 and A646 represent the optical density (OD) values at the respective wavelengths. Estimation of nitrogen and carbon At different stages of development, whole plants were carefully removed from sand, cleaned and dried. Shoot, root and nodules formed in pulses were dried separately in an oven at 90 o C, until the weights remained constant. Then the dry weights of Marsland Press The Journal of American Science, 2010;6(2):61-67 these parts were determined. The dried plant material was ground in a glass mortar with glass pestle and the nitrogen content was determined by modified microKjeldahl method (Nesslerisation) (Umbreit et al., 1972). Carbon content was calculated from total dry matter yield of the seedlings (Kvet et al., 1971; Terry and Mortimer, 1972; Turgeon and Webb, 1975; Causton and Venus, 1981). RESULTS The potential of utilizing panchagavya as biofertilizer was tested on the pulses Vigna radiata, Vigna mungo, Arachis hypogea, Cyamopsis tetragonoloba, Lablab purpureus, Cicer arietinum and the cereal Oryza sativa var. ponni by growing in soil amended with dried traditional and seaweed based panchagavya. Traditional panchagavya was used at a proportion of 1: 100 (panchagavya: soil) while seaweed based panchagavya was tried at 1: 50 and 1: 100 dilutions with soil. After 21 days, the seedlings were harvested and studied for their growth and development. Effect on the linear growth of experimental seedlings: Effect on shoot and root growth Soil amended with seaweed based panchagavya increased the linear growth of both shoot and root systems in all the pulses and rice as compared to respective controls (Figures 1 & 2). Enhancement in the growth of root and shoot systems in the experimental plants was more pronounced in seedlings grown in soil amended with seaweed based panchagavya rather than with traditional panchagavya. At a ratio of 1: 100 (panchagavya: soil), shoots of the rice seedlings grown in seaweed based panchagavya exhibited nearly 100 % more growth than that of the control plants. In pulses, the percent increase in the linear growth of shoots over control plants in Vigna radiata, Vigna mungo and Cicer arietinum was relatively low in the range of only 16 – 20% as compared to other experimental plants, in which it was 64 – 98%. Even in seedlings grown in traditional panchagavya, the shoots of the treated plants exhibited 3 – 50% more growth than the controls. Linear growth of root in the experimental plants too exhibited a similar response to treatment with panchagavya (Figure 2). In seaweed based panchagavya treatment, a two fold increase in the linear growth of root could be observed in Vigna radiata, Vigna mungo and Oryza sativa as compared to controls. Roots of other experimental plants responded to the same treatment with an increase in growth ranging from 37 to 89%. Increasing the concentration of panchagavya (1: 50 dilution) decreased the effect on linear growth of both shoots and roots of the experimental plants. Nevertheless, the effect of seaweed based panchagavya was more than that observed for treatment with traditional panchagavya. Effect on lateral root growth As observed for the linear growth of shoots and roots, the number of lateral roots formed also was more in the seedlings raised in soils amended with both traditional and seaweed based panchagavya (Figure 3). However, use of the latter produced more lateral roots than the former in all the cases. Effect on lateral root formation was more pronounced in Arachis hypogea as compared to other experimental plants. Seedlings grown in soil amended with panchagavya produced 264 to 390% more lateral roots than the control and maximum lateral root production was always observed in seedlings grown in soil amended with seaweed based panchagavya (1:100; panchagavya: soil). Treatment with seaweed based panchagavya was higher than that observed for both control and traditional panchagavya. Effect on leaf development and growth Plants grown in soil amended with panchagavya produced more leaflets ( in pulses) or leaves (in Oryza sativa) than their respective controls (Figure 4) and the effect was more pronounced in seedlings grown in soil amended with low levels of seaweed based panchagavya (1: 100, panchagavya : soil ). In Cyamopsis tetragonoloba, Lablab purpureus and Oryza sativa, the number of leaflets formed in seedlings grown in seaweed based panchagavya at 1: 100 dilution was observed to be twice of that recorded for their respective controls. Arachis hypogea, Cicer arietinum and Oryza sativa also exhibited positive response to the treatments with both traditional and seaweed based panchagavya while Vigna radiata showed poor response. Seedlings grown in soil amended with traditional panchagavya produced less number of leaves per plant than those grown in seaweed based panchagavya. In all the plants, increasing the levels of seaweed based panchagavya in soil resulted in decreased production of leaves (Figure 4). Apart from the large number of leaf or leaflet production, the leaf area or the lamina of the leaves in plants grown in soil amended with panchagavya was always larger than those of the control plants (Figure 5). The growth of leaves in all the experimental plants was high when grown in seaweed based panchagavya. In Lablab purpureus, the lamina size was nearly 27% larger with seaweed based panchagavya as compared to those grown in soil amended with traditional panchagavya (Figure 5). As compared to control, these seedlings produced leaves http://www.americanscience.org 41 americansciencej@gmail.comBiofertilizer Potential of Panchagavya Sangeetha and Thevanathan http://www.americanscience.org which had 93% more surface area than that of their respective controls. Percent increase over control in the leaf area of the seedlings of Vigna radiata, Vigna mungo, Arachis hypogea, Cyamopsis tetragonoloba and Cicer arietinum grown in soil amended with seaweed based panchagavya at a ratio of 1: 100 was 27%, 35%, 46%, 140% and 37% respectively. In Oryza sativa, the percent increase in leaf area in response to the same treatment (1: 100 panchagavya: soil) was 96%. 42 americansciencej@gmail.com Effect on photosynthetic pigments Panchagavya amended soil had a profound effect on the quantities of chlorophylls too in leaves of the experimental plants (Figure 6). A low chlorophyll a/b ratio as compared to the control was recorded in the leaves of all the plants grown in panchagavya soil preparations. Seaweed based panchagavya was more effective than the traditional panchagavya irrespective of the dilutions tried. The ratio decreased with a decrease in the levels of seaweed based panchagavya in soil. In other words, low levels of the panchagavya in soil effectively decreased chlorophyll a/b ratio without decreasing the levels of the individual pigments. The treatment increased the quantities of chlorophyll b in the leaves of the experimental plants resulting in a low chlorophyll a/b ratio. Effect on nodule formation Since all the experimental plants except rice were legumes, the effect of panchagavya on root nodule formation was also studied in these legumes. Root nodule formation was also enhanced in the presence of panchagavya. Again, the effect was marked in the seedlings grown in soil amended with low levels of seaweed based panchagavya (panchagavya: soil; 1: 100). The effect was maximum in Arachis hypogea and minimum in Cyamopsis tetragonoloba. Even traditional panchagavya treatment could cause an increase from 18% to 62% in the formation of root nodules (Figure 7). Effect on C/N ratio The seedlings raised in soil amended with panchagavya registered a low C/N ratio as compared to their respective controls (Figure 8). Percent reduction in the C/N ratio of seedlings grown in panchagavya amended soils was in the range of 1 – 22%. The C/N ratio of Arachis hypogea grown in seaweed based panchagavya preparation was 22% less than that of its control. Oryza sativa recorded a value that was 16% less than that of the control seedlings (Figure 8). Lowest values for C/N ratio in the experimental plants were recorded in seedlings grown in soil amended with low levels of seaweed based panchagavya (1: 100; panchagavya: soil). Even at a concentration of 1: 50 (Panchagavya: soil), the seaweed based preparation was able to reduce the C/N ratio by about 3 to 17% than the controls. Marsland Press The Journal of American Science, 2010;6(2):61-67 http://www.americanscience.org 43 americansciencej@gmail.com DISCUSSION The biofertilizer potential of panchagavya prepared in the traditional way and a modified preparation amended with seaweed extract have been evaluated for their fertilizer potential using the pulses Vigna radiata, Vigna mungo, Arachis hypogea, Cyamopsis tetragonoloba, Lablab purpureus, Cicer arietinum and the cereal Oryza sativa var. ponni as the experimental plants. Some farmers in the southern parts of India use a modified panchagavya that contains many other plant products to boost fermentation and to support the growth of beneficial microorganisms. In the past three or four decades, the potential of seaweeds and their liquid extracts in agriculture as a biofertilizer and a source of growth promoters have been indicated by many (Bentley, 1960; Bhosle et al., 1975; Williams et al., 1981; Jeanin et al., 1991; Immanuel and Subramaniam, 1999; Thevanathan et al., 2005). These reports formed the basis for a new formulation of panchagavya with the inclusion of an aqueous extract of the brown alga, Sargassum wightii and assess for its biofertilizer potential in the present investigation. Panchagavya is normally advocated as foliar nutrition (Caraka-Samhita, 1981; Susruta Samhita, 1985; Chauhan, 2002 b; 2004 b; 2005; Fulzele et al., 2001; Joshi, 2002; Garg and Chauhan, 2003 a; Saxena et al., 2004) and has not been tried as manure. Nevertheless dried and powdered seaweeds have been shown to be a good source of manure when mixed with soil in small quantities for the cultivation of vegetable crops and tea. In the present investigation dried traditional panchagavya and seaweed based panchagavya were tested as manure. Dried panchagavya (both traditional and seaweed based) when mixed with soil at a ratio of 1:100 (panchagavya: soil v/v) and used as a growth medium promoted the linear growth of both the shoot and roots of the seedlings of both the pulses and the cereal, the paddy (Figures 1 and 2).The effect was pronounced in soils amended with seaweed based panchagavya even at 1:50 (v/v) dilution. The effect on all experimental plants except Lablab purpureusBiofertilizer Potential of Panchagavya Sangeetha and Thevanathan http://www.americanscience.org 44 americansciencej@gmail.com was moderate in the sense that the linear growth did not mimic etiolation. Similarly, soils amended with panchagavya (both traditional and seaweed based) promoted the production of lateral roots, leaves, leaflets and the growth of lamina in all the experimental plants (Figures 3, 4 and 5). As compared to control, the seedlings produced leaves which had 93% more surface area than that of their respective controls. Percent increase over control in the leaf area of the seedlings of Vigna radiata, Vigna mungo, Arachis hypogea, Cyamopsis tetragonoloba and Cicer arietinum grown in soil amended with seaweed based panchagavya at a ratio of 1: 100 (v/v) was 27%, 35%, 46%, 140% and 37% respectively. Increased production of lateral roots would provide more surface area for absorption of water and minerals by the experimental seedlings than their controls. Similarly, large number of leaves or leaflets with greater surface area could be construed as an indication of enhanced photosynthetic efficiency in plants grown in soil amended with panchagavya. This is further confirmed by the marked decrease in the ratio of chlorophyll a to chlorophyll b (Figure 6) in leaves of the plants grown in soil amended with both traditional and seaweed based panchagavya. The C/N ratio also was very low in these plants as compared to controls (Figure 8). A low C/N ratio is normally indicative of a better carbon and nitrogen use efficiency than plants with high C/N ratio. Since all the experimental plants except rice were legumes, the effect of panchagavya on root nodule formation by rhizobia was also studied in these legumes. Panchagavya promoted the formation of root nodules by the inoculated rhizobia (Rhizobium, R4) in the experimental plants (Figure 7). The effect was marked in the seedlings grown in soil amended with low levels of seaweed based panchagavya (panchagavya: soil; 1: 100). The effect was more pronounced in Arachis hypogea. Even the use of traditional panchagavya as manure was able to increase nodule formation by nearly 18% to 62% (Figure 7). Though panchagavya has been claimed to have antibacterial activities (Subramaniam, 2005; Sugha, 2005), use of panchagavya as manure in the present investigation was found to promote both the survival ability and nodulating efficiency of the inoculated strain of Rhizobium (Figure 7). High levels of trace elements and adequate amounts of potassium and nitrogen have been shown to be present in seaweeds (Smith and van Staden, 1983, 1984; Tay et al., 1985; Temple and Bomelle, 1989; Sekar et al., 1995). But for the low levels of phosphate, seaweed meal has been shown in this lab to be an alternative to farm yard manure in raising cereals, pulses and nodal cuttings of tea (Thevanathan et al., 2005). This could be the reason for the enhanced effect of seaweed based panchagavya over traditional panchagavya in promoting the growth and development of experimental pulses and cereals. CONCLUSION The biofertilizer potential of traditional and a modified panchagavya containing liquid seaweed preparation of Sargassum wightii were investigated. Soil amended with panchagavya at a concentration of 1: 100 (panchagavya: soil v/v) increased the linear growth of both shoot and root systems of the seedlings of the pulses Vigna radiata, Vigna mungo, Arachis hypogea, Cyamopsis tetragonoloba, Lablab purpureus, Cicer arietinum and the cereal Oryza sativa var. ponni. Increase in linear growth of the shoots and roots was associated with a concomitant increase in the number of lateral roots produced, the number of leaves or leaflets produced, increase in leaf area, nodule formation by Rhizobium and a decrease in the chlorophyll a/b and C/N ratio. The effect was further enhanced when seaweed based panchagavya was used as manure at the same concentration. CORRESPONDING AUTHOR Thevanathan, R. 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Original Article
J Reprod Infertil. 2011;12(1):3-7
Effects of Kamdhenu Ark and Active Immunization by Gonadotropin
Releasing Hormone Conjugate (GnRH-BSA) on Gonadosomatic
Indices (GSI) and Sperm Parameters in Male Mus musculus
Javid Ahmad Ganaie, Varsha Gautam, Vinoy Kumar Shrivastava
*
– Endocrinology Laboratory, Department of Biosciences, Barkatullah University, Bhopal, India
Abstract
Background: Active immunization against GnRH decreases the secretion of gonadotropins and causes cessation of gonadal function, thereby, inducing infertility. Based
on the immunoenhancing activity of Kamdhenu ark (distilled cow urine), this study
was performed to evaluate its effects on the gonadosomatic indices (GSI) and sperm
parameters in male mice receiving a GnRH contraceptive vaccine.
Methods: Sixty adult male mice of Parke’s strain were divided into three groups of
twenty. Group I served as the controls, while group II was immunized by GnRH-BSA
conjugate (50/0.2/35 µg/ml/g BW) by four intraperitoneal injections at different intervals on days 1, 30, 60 and 90. However, group III was supplemented daily by oral
Kamdhenu ark (100 ppm) along with GnRH-BSA immunizations. The animals were
sacrificed after 30, 60, 90 and 120 days and their testis and epididymis were dissected
out weighed and semen analysis was performed.
Results: GSI values, sperm motility, sperm count and sperm morphology in male Mus
musculus were decreased significantly in all the experimental groups as compared to
the control group (p<0.01). Kamdhenu ark significantly enhanced the effect of GnRH
vaccine on the aforesaid parameters especially in 90 and 120 days treated groups
(p<0.05).
Conclusion: The changes witnessed in sperm parameters suggested that the GnRHBSA immunization suppressed the activities of gonadotropins and testosterone directly through hypothalamo-hypophysial-gonadal axis and indirectly by acting on the
testes which may modulate the sperm morphology, sperm count and motility. However, Kamdhenu ark seems to have enhanced these effects because of its immunemodulatory properties too.
Keywords: GnRH-BSA, Gonadosomatic indices (GSI), Immunization, Kamdhenu ark, Mus
musculus, Sperm parameters.
To cite this article: Ganaie JA, Gautam V, Shrivastava VK. Effects of Kamdhenu Ark and Active
Immunization by Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone Conjugate (GnRH-BSA) on Gonadosomatic Indices
(GSI) and Sperm Parameters in Male Mus musculus. J Reprod Infertil. 2011;12(1):3-7.
Background
onadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) con-
trols the production of gonadotropins, thereby having an orchestrating effect on the reproductive hormone cascade and spermatogenesis (1).
Active immunization against GnRH has successfully suppressed the secretion of gonadotropins
and decreased sperm production, follicular development, ovulation and conception in male and female mammals (2, 3). Vaccination against GnRH
blocks the hypothalamic-pituitary- gonadal axis.
Therefore, it can be used as an alternative for
castration and fertility control in farm animals,
companion animals and wildlife species (4-6).
Application of GnRH vaccination in humans has
been suggested for controlling fertility-related
endocrine disorders and gonadal steroid-dependent diseases (7). Active immunization of adult
animals against GnRH causes the loss of synthesis
and secretion of gonadotropins and cessation of
gonadal function as long as the antibody titers
* Corresponding Author:
Vinoy Kumar Shrivastava,
Endocrinology
Laboratory, Department
of Bioscience, Barkatullah
University, Bhopal (M.P.)
India.
E-mail:
vinoyks2001@yahoo.com
Received: May 9, 2010
Accepted: Aug. 10, 2010 J Reprod Infertil, Vol 12, No 1, Jan/ Mar 2011
JRI Kamdhenu ark and GnRH-BSA immunization
4
remain elevated (8).
It has been reported that cow urine contains all
beneficial elements such as chemical properties,
potentialities and constituents that are capable of
removing all the ill effects and imbalances of
body caused by various infectious agents and
toxicants. In this way, it ensures a protection
against various ailments including the most
dreaded diseases like cancer, diabetes, hepatitis
etc. (9). Kamdhenu ark (distilled cow urine) has
been reported as a strong immunomodulator and
bioenhancer by various researchers (10, 11).
Experimental studies of Rangasamy and Kaliappan revealed the protective effects of cow urine on
haematological, serum biochemical parameters
and immune status of broilers (12).
The present study attempts to evaluate the
effects of GnRH-BSA immunization on gonadosomatic indices (GSI) and sperm parameters in
male mice and to examine the modulatory role of
Kamdhenu ark following the immunization.
Methods
Sixty adult male mice, Mus musculus, of Parke’s
strain (P), weighing 30±5 g were used in the
study. The animals were divided into three groups
of twenty. The mice in Group I served as the
controls, receiving intraperitoneal Phosphate
Buffered Saline (PBS) injections (100 µl) on the
1
st
, 30
th
, 60
th
and 90
th
days, while the mice in
group II were immunized by GnRH-BSA conjugate (50/0.2/35 µg/ml/g BW) (Sigma-Aldrich,
USA) dissolved in 100 µl of phosphate buffered
solution (0.01 N) emulsified with an equal volume
(100 µl) of Freund’s adjuvant (Sigma Aldrich,
USA). GnRH-BSA injections were given intraperitoneally at different intervals, i.e. on days 1
st
,
30
th
, 60
th
and 90
th
However, the mice in group III .
were supplemented with daily Kamdhenu ark
(100 ppm) (Gaytri Shakti Peeth, India) orally
along with the intraperitoneal injections of GnRHBSA. Five animals from each group were
sacrificed in monthly intervals, i.e. on days 30, 60,
90 and 120 and their testes and epididymides were
quickly dissected. The testes were weighed for
observing gonadosomatic indices [gonad weight/
100 g BW], while the epididymides were processed for semen analysis, i.e. sperm motility,
sperm count and morphology by Prasad method
(13). Cauda epididymides were dissected out to
release sperms in normal saline (100 mg tissue/
2 ml N.S.) for sperm suspension. For studying
sperm morphology, Leishman`s stain was used
and the slides were finally observed at 400×
magnification (14).
Statistical Analysis: The collected data were analyzed through one way ANOVA and post-hoc
methods using EZANOVA software. P-values
<0.05 or <0.01 were considered significant while
values <0.001 were considered as highly significant.
Results
GSI values decreased in all the experimental
groups compared to the control group. However,
more significant decrease in GSI was observed in
the group treated by Kamdhenu ark along with
GnRH-BSA, especially in the later part of the
experiment (p<0.01) (Table 1). Moreover, sperm
motility and sperm count significantly decreased
throughout the investigation in all the treated
groups compared to the control group (p<0.01)
(Table 2). However, some mice immunized by
GnRH-BSA + Kamdhenu ark also showed decreased values for sperm motility and count than
the GnRH-BSA immunized groups (p<0.05). The
Table 1. Gonadosomatic indices (GSI) in the experimental and control groups of
male mice, Mus musculus,after different intervals
Group
GSI (gonad weight/100 g BW)
Duration
30 days 60 days 90 days 120 days
Control 0.40 ± 0.02 0.43 ± 0.05 0.50 ± 0.01 0.54 ± 0.04
GnRH-BSA 0.36 ± 0.06 0.30 ± 0.02
a
* 0.23 ± 0.00
a
0.16 ± 0.00
a
GnRH-BSA + KA 0.32±0.03 0.26± 0.01
a
0.19±0.01
ab
0.12±0.00
ab
Mean ± SEM of five animals (Accuracy of calculation up to two decimal digits)
a
= Significant difference with the controls in the same column (p< 0.01)
b
= Significant difference with GnRH-BSA groups in the same column (p< 0.01)
* = Significant differences (p< 0.05) J Reprod Infertil, Vol 12, No 1, Jan/ Mar 2011
Ganaie JA, et al. JRI
5
percentage of morphologically normal sperm decreased significantly with increased percentage of
abnormal forms of sperms, i.e. pin head, large
head, oval head, double head, head less, bent
neck, looping mid piece, coiled-tail, double-tailed,
tailless in all the experimental groups as compared
to the control group (p<0.01) (Table 3, Figure 1).
Moreover, some significant alterations in normal
sperm morphology, such as large head, headless
and pin head sperm were also observed in GnRHBSA + Kamdhenu ark treated group when compared with GnRH-BSA, especially in the later part
of the experiment (p<0.01).
Discussion
The endocrine effects of active immunization
against GnRH have been studied in a variety of
young adult male and female animals (15-17).
Experimental studies have demonstrated decreases in gonadotropins, sperm production,
follicular development, ovulation and conception
after immunization against GnRH, chemically
conjugated to a carrier protein. GnRH immuneization affected sperm motility and sperm counts
in ram lambs, boars and colts (18, 19). Several
other experimental studies have revealed the
deleterious effects of immunization against GnRH
on different sperm parameters in rats, bulls,
stallions, cats and dogs (20-24).
Cow urine has been tested for its immunomodulatory properties that enhance both cellular
and humoral immune responses (25, 26). Kamdhenu ark (distilled cow urine) has been reported to
increase the humoral immunity in rats (27).
Chauhan et al., (2004) observed that Kamdhenu
ark may modulate the immune responses because
it increases the secretion of interleukin-1 and 2
Table 2. Sperm motility and sperm count in the experimental and control groups of male mice, Mus musculus, after
different intervals
Parameters Group
Duration
30 days 60 days 90 days 120 days
Sperm Motility (%)
Control 59.00±4.33 63.76±2.77 65.05±2.31 69.60±3.19
GnRH-BSA 39.40±3.81
a
21.56±1.36
a
13.00±2.11
a
9.40±1.14
a
GnRH-BSA+ KA 33.80±1.72
a
17.06±1.00
ab
* 10.46±1.65
a
7.16±0.95
a
Sperm Count (million/ml)
Control 62.00±3.18 68.60±2.10 75.50±3.76 78.00±2.11
GnRH-BSA 49.10±2.65
a
35.22±3.21
a
21.00±2.20
a
16.42±1.78
a
GnRH-BSA + KA 44.18±2.82
a
26.12±2.00
ab
* 18.30±1.90
a
12.34±1.10
ab
*
Mean ± SEM of five animals (Accuracy of calculation up to two decimal digits)
a
= Significant difference with the controls in the same column (p< 0.01)
b
= Significant difference with the GnRH-BSA groups in the same column (p< 0.01)
* = Significant differences (p< 0.05)
Figure 1. Normal morphological sperm forms in the controls
(A) and morphologically abnormal sperms after GnRH-BSA
and Kamdhenu ark along with GnRH-BSA administration (BI) in male Mus musculus. J Reprod Infertil, Vol 12, No 1, Jan/ Mar 2011
JRI Kamdhenu ark and GnRH-BSA immunization
6
(28). Recently, Ganaie and Shrivastava reported
the modulatory effects of Kamdhenu ark on
GnRH-BSA immunization in female mice (29).
In corroboration to above studies, our study also
revealed that GnRH-BSA immunization significantly decreased the values of GSI, sperm motility, count and morphology in male Mus musculus.
The aforesaid parameters diminished more significantly in the group supplemented with Kamdhenu
ark along with GnRH-BSA immunization. All
these changes in GSI and sperm parameters
suggested that GnRH-BSA immunization could
have directly suppressed the activities of gonadotropins and testosterone through hypothalamohypophysial-gonadal axis or might have indirectly
affected the testicular tissue. However, more
significant decreases in the parameters after
Kamdhenu ark supplementation may be because
of its modulatory and bioenhancing properties.
Acknowledgement
The authors gratefully acknowledge the help and
financial support of Professor Meenakshi Benerjee, the head of Department of Biosciences,
Barkatullah University, Bhopal (M.P), India.
References
1. Garner LL, Campbell GT, Blake CA. Luteinizing
hormone (LH)-releasing hormone: chronic effects
on LH and follicle-stimulating hormone cells and
secretion in adult male rats. Endocrinology. 1990;
126(2):992-100.
2. Hoskinson RM, Rigby RD, Mattner PE, Huynh VL,
D'Occhio M, Neish A, et al. Vaxstrate: an anti reproductive vaccine for cattle. Aust J Biotechnol.
1990;4(3):166-70, 176.
3. Prendiville DJ, Enright WJ, Crowe MA, Vaughan L,
Roche JF. Immunization of prepubertal beef heifers
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4. Bonneau M, Enright WJ. Immunocastration in cattle
and pigs. Livest Prod Sci. 1995;42(2-3):193-200.
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6. Miller LA, Johns BE, Killian GJ. Immunocontraception of white-tailed deer with GnRH vaccine. Am J
Reprod Immunol. 2000;44(5):266-74.
Table 3. Percentage of normal and abnormal sperm morphology in the experimental and control groups of male mice, Mus musculus, after different intervals
Days Groups
Normal
(%)
Abnormal (%)
Pin head
Large
head
Oval
head
Double
head
Head less Bent neck
Looping
mid piece
Coiled tail
Double
tailed
Tail-less
30
Control 58.44±2.12 5.0±0.35 1.0±0.35 4.0±0.79 1.2±0.65 4.0±1.17 3.0±0.86 4.4±1.60 1.6±0.30 0.0±0.0 2.5±1.00
GnRHBSA
27.77±0.78
a
8.4±1.03 5.0±0.79 5.80±1.29 2.2±0.74 5.8±1.08 6.4±1.03 6.2±0.65 2.4±0.75 2.2±0.96 5.4±1.15
GnRHBSA+ KA
24.00±1.22
ab*
7.6±0.57 4.20±0.65 6.4±1.03 2.4±0.75 8.6±0.90 5.6±1.3 6.5±2.19 1.80±0.24 1.66±0.51 2.5±0.75
60
Control 64.00±1.41 5.4±0.57 4.2±0.65 3.4±0.57 0.60±0.00 5.0±1.36 3.4±0.57 4.2±0.65 2.5±0.55 1.33±0.51 0.80±0.14
GnRHBSA
23.20±1.16 a 11.2±0.65 10.20±1.74 7.20±0.50 2.60±0.90 7.80±0.65 9.4±1.15 10.80±1.38 4.0±0.70 2.00±0.00 3.5±0.87
GnRHBSA+ KA
20.65±0.94 a 10.80±0.45 6.4±0.59 7.4±0.90 0.00±0.00 11.80±1.43 10.00±1.76 9.60±0.51 2.50±0.48 3.0±1.11 5.80±2.38
90
Control 67.10±1.74 4.5±0.65 2.60±1.03 2.2±0.41 0.00±0.00 3.401.71 2.60±0.90 1.60±0.83 0.00±0.00 2.60±1.03 1.0±0.21
GnRHBSA
14.24±0.48 a 13.60±1.15 5.80±0.93 6.0±1.00 1.20±0.65 10.40±0.75 12.0±0.79 17.80±1.94 2.50±1.15 1.0±0.25 8.0±0.65
GnRHBSA+ KA
12.72±0.23 ab 13.20±1.19 8.80±0.96 5.80±1.55 2.2±0.96 13.40±1.03 9.5±2.07 10.80±1.29 3.0±0.79 2.5±0.83 11.0±1.76
120
Control 72.00±1.66 2.60±0.41 2.20±0.39 1.0±0.50 0.00±0.00 2.80±1.29 1.20±0.54 2.0±0.44 1.00±0.00 0.00±0.00 2.5±1.15
GnRHBSA
10.33±0.25
a
12.80±1.55 7.00±0.79 6.00±0.79 2.80±0.96 16.00±1.36 17.20±0.96 20.60±1.95 5.00±1.11 2.80±0.41 9.50±1.68
GnRHBSA+ KA
7.95±0.40
ab
14.60±1.03 11.00±0.79 7.20±0.82 3.80±0.96 17.60±1.07 15.00±1.83 14.25±2.21 4.60±1.15 4.0±1.17 12.50±0.65
Mean ± SEM of five animals (Accuracy of calculation up to two decimal digits)
a = Significant difference with the controls in the same column (p< 0.01)
b = Significant difference with GnRH-BSA groups in the same column (p< 0.01)
* = Significant differences (p< 0.05) J Reprod Infertil, Vol 12, No 1, Jan/ Mar 2011
Ganaie JA, et al. JRI
7
7. Simms MS, Scholfield DP, Jacobs E, Michaeli D,
Broome P, Humphreys JE, et al. Anti-GnRH antibodies can induce castrate levels of testosterone in
patients with advanced prostate cancer. Br J Cancer.
2000;83(4):443-6.
8. Kumar N, Savage T, DeJesus W, Tsong YY, Didolkar A, Sundaram K. Chronic toxicity and reversibility of antifertility effect of immunization against
gonadotropin-releasing hormone in male rats and
rabbits. Toxicol Sci. 2000;53(1):92-9.
9. Bhadauria H. Gomutra-Ek Chamatkari Aushadhi
(Cow urine- A Magical therapy). Vish Ayur Patrika.
2002;5:71-4.
10. Chauhan RS, Singh BP, Singhal LK. Immunomodulation with kamdhenu ark in mice. J Immunol
Immunopathol. 2001;3(1):74-7.
11. Garg N, Chauhan RS, Kumar A. Assessing the
effect of cow urine on immunity of white leghorn
layers. International Society for Animal Hugges
(ISAH). 2005;2:81-3.
12. Mathivanan R, Kalaiarasi K. Panchagavya and
Andrographis paniculata as alternatives to antibiotic growth promoters on haematological, serum
biochemical parameters and immune status of
broilers. J Poult Sci. 2007;44(2):198-204.
13. Prasad MR, Chinoy NJ, Kadam KM. Changes in
succinic dehydrogenase levels in the rat epididymis
under normal and altered physiologic conditions.
Fertil Steril. 1972;23(3):186-90.
14. Highland HN, Rao MV, Chinoy NJ, Shah VC. Analysis of the functional and nuclear integrity of
human spermatozoa. Int J Fertil. 1991;36(1):43-7.
15. Esbenshade KL, Britt JH. Active immunization of
gilts against gonadotropin-releasing hormone: effects on secretion of gonadotropins, reproductive
function, and responses to agonists of gonadotropin-releasing hormone. Biol Reprod. 1985;33
(3):569-77.
16. Johnson HE, DeAvila DM, Chang CF, Reeves JJ.
Active immunization of heifers against luteinizing
hormone-releasing hormone, human chorionic
gonadotropin and bovine luteinizing hormone. J
Anim Sci. 1988;66(3):719-26.
17. Meloen RH, Turkstra JA, Lankhof H, Puijk WC,
Schaaper WM, Dijkstra G, et al. Efficient immunecastration of male piglets by immunoneutralization
of GnRH using a new GnRH-like peptide. Vaccine.
1994;12(8):741-6.
18. Grizzle TB, Esbenshade KL, Johnson BH. Active
immunization of boars against gonadotrop in releasing hormone. I. Effects on reproductive parameters. Theriogenology. 1987;27(4):571-80.
19. Dowsett KF, Pattie WA, Knott LM, Jackson AE,
Hoskinson RM, Rigby RP, et al. A preliminary
study of immunological castration in colts. J
Reprod Fertil Suppl. 1991;44:183-90.
20. McLachlan RI, Wreford NG, Tsonis C, De Kretser
DM, Robertson DM. Testosterone effects on
spermatogenesis in the gonadotropin-releasing hormone-immunized rat. Biol Reprod. 1994;50(2):
271-80.
21. Cook RB, Popp JD, Kastelic JP, Robbins S, Harland R. The effects of active immunization against
gnRH on testicular development, feedlot performance, and carcass characteristics of beef bulls. J
Anim Sci. 2000;78(11):2778-83.
22. Janett F, Stump R, Burger D, Thun R. Suppression
of testicular function and sexual behavior by vaccination against GnRH (Equity) in the adult stallion. Anim Reprod Sci. 2009;115(1-4):88-102.
23. Levy JK, Miller LA, Cynda Crawford P, Ritchey
JW, Ross MK, Fagerstone KA. GnRH immunecontraception of male cats. Theriogenology. 2004;
62(6):1116-30.
24. Ross MK, Miller LA, Crawford PC, Ritchey JW,
Fagerstone KA. GnRH immunocontraception in
cats. In: Baker H, Boyle S, Griffin B, editors. Proceedings of the 2004 ACCD International Symposium on Non-surgical Methods for Pet Population
Control; 2004 June 24-27; Denver, Colorado, Belle
Court (Portland): ACCD Press; 2005. p.113-5.
25. Prabhakar K, Singh GK, Chauhan RS, Singh DD.
Effect of cow urine on lymphocyte proliferation in
developing stages of chicks. Indian Cow. 2004;1
(2):3-5.
26. Kumar R, Chauhan RS, Singhal LK, Singh AK,
Singh DD. A comparative study on immunostimulatory effects of Kamdhenu Ark and Vasant Kusumakar in mice. J Immunol Immunopathol. 2002;4
(1-2):104-6.
27. Garg N, Chauhan RS. Kamdhenu ark changes
humoral immunity in rat. In: National Symposium
on Molecular Biology in India- A Post Graduate
Update; 2003 Jan 18, Gwalior, India, Gwalior
(Madhya Pradesh): Cancer Hospital and Research
Institute; 2003. p. 98.
28. Chauhan RS, Singh DD, Singhal LK, Kumar R.
Effect of cow urine on interleukin-1 and 2. J
Immunol Immunopathol. 2004;6(1):38-9.
29. Ganaie JA, Shrivastava VK. Effects of gonadotropin releasing hormone conjugate immunization
and bioenhancing role of Kamdhenu ark on estrous
cycle serum estradiol and progesterone levels in
female Mus musculus. Iran J Reprod Med. 2010;8
(2):70-5.

Sixth Sense of Cow

Cow has a sharp sixth sense. As per an epic story, the cow could once talk. It predicted an impending accident to its master and helped him avoid it. The God then made the cow dumb for changing what was destined.

Cows respond to the joy and suffering of people. There are many examples of cows shedding tears and even refusing food empathising with their masters.

Sensing Danger :

• Lathur in Maharashtra had a devastating earthquake on 30 September 1993. Devani breed of cows in that place had been behaving strange, crying and jumping around a few days before this as a warning to the people. We could not decipher the message.
• Similar things happened before Tsunami in 2004 too. Then, Baraguru, Amblacheri and Kangayam breed of cows behaved strangely. We could not get the message again.

Speciality

Characteristics of Cow

Overall Characteristics :

 

Indian Cow Breed

 

• The Indian cow belongs to Bass Indicus variety.
• High shoulder, flappy under-neck, and Suryaketu nerve on the back are easy differentiators of the variety.
• It is believed that Suryaketu nerve absorbs medicinal essences from atmosphere and makes milk, urine and cow dung more nourishing.

Skin :

• High shoulder, flappy hanging dewlaps under-neck, and long ears increase the area of skin that sweats and keeps the body cooler. This is apt for our climate.
• Sweat glands are wider and the sweat is aromatic, protecting from monsoon-insects.
• The cow drives away insects by swift muscle movements
• With small hair, skin remains clean.
• With all these uniqueness, an Indian ox can work with comfort in rain and shine.

Tail :

• Long enough to touch ground.
• Tail joint is unique and allows swirling around till the neck.
• It also swats flies and insects.

Hoof :

• Joined, does not gather twigs and dirt.
• Indian ox has smaller and strong hoof. This is suited for ploughing and pulling cart.
• Some of the Indian varieties can work without horse-shoes.
• Unlike tractor, the ox does not harden the top soil and kill the helpful insects.

Chromosome :

• Different actions and features of the body are controlled by chromosomes.
• As a cow would always have adequate quantity of chromosome, there is no infertility for generations.

Life Activities :

• Basal metabolic rate(BMR) is the amount of energy expended while at rest in a neutrally temperate environment.
• Indian cow has a lower BMR. In draught it can survive with small quantity of food. Though it becomes weaker then, it recovers fast when it gets nourishment.
• Such temporary difficulties do not later affect its milk yield or fertility.

Immunity to Disease :

• Cows are born with immunity to diseases. There is no difference between the ones grazing in the fields or kept in the sheds.
• This reduces the expenditure on their medical care.
• For this reason, America and Europe import Indian cows, cross breed with local variety to improve their immunity.

Efficiency :

• Indian ox has strong muscles and long legs. They work for long hours in difficult conditions.
• High shoulder holds the plough well.

Caring :

• Cows can be housed in very ordinary shed and even under a tree.
• Some Indian varieties require very little food.
• In villages they generally roam around fields and forests through the day.

Milk :

 

Gir – Best Milking Breed

 

• Some Indian breed cows give up to 20 litres of milk per day.
• Main varieties of Indian milch cows are Gir, Sahival, Tharparker, Rati and Sindhi.
• We can improve other breeds by better care and nourishment.

Panchagavya :

• Constitutes cow urine, cow dung, milk, curd and ghee.
• Used as food, medicine, manure and insecticide.
• They increase immunity to diseases.
• Without side effects, they fight cancer, hypertension, skin diseases, and urinary diseases.

Introduction

An Intimate introduction of Cow

 

Cow

 

 

 

For those of us who grew up in villages, mention of cow brings nostalgia.  Our dawn was through the cowshed beside the house. Milking cows was a loving early morning ritual for the mothers. Mother would move to the shed with a shining pot, lovingly stroke the cow on its back, calling it with its favourite name. The milk that the cow spared for the household nourished the whole family, especially the children, even like it nurtured its own calf.

The cow is a moving temple, being abode of thirty three crore Gods of the Hindu pantheon. She has given sacred Panchagavya with immense medicinal value and is a moving hospital.

Cow is the mother of the universe (Gavo Vishwasya Matharaha). She helps in agriculture, transportation, food, medicine, industry, sports, religious functions, emotional stability, economy, etc. From time immemorial, cow has a special place in Indian society.

Indian Cow Breeds

 

Battlefield

Role of Cow in the Battlefield

Apart from responding to our daily needs, cows have fought for us in battlefields!

Recorded Battles :

• When Hyder Ali was ruling the Mysore State, the Nizam of Hyderabad attacked Chitradurga Fort. Hyder Ali had a fleet of Amrit Mahal oxen in his army! He tied burning torches to the horns of 237 of these oxen and let them attack Nizam’s army, resulting in the defeat of 3,000 strong attacking army.
• Captain Javinson had Amrit Mahal oxen in his brigade in Afghanistan. As recorded by him, when his troop travelled in narrow valleys of Teri hills in 1842, the oxen were cheerful even after pulling the carts for 16 continuous hours.
• Commanding Officer Lord Wellesley credits the Amrit Mahal oxen for his victory over Napoleon in Pensular War.
• Amrit Mahal oxen were part of the troop deployed in Mesopotamia in First Word War (1914 – 1918). They surprised the people by walking faster than camels, crossing narrow valleys and bridges with tact, adapting to adverse weather conditions and fighting with even reduced feed.

Abode All Gods

Cow, the abode of all the Gods

Every atom in cow’s body is abode of the 33 crore Gods. All the 14 mythical worlds exist in the limbs of cow.

 

Cow, the abode of all the Gods

 

• Brahma and Vishnu on the root of two horns
• All the sacred reservoirs and Vedavyasa on the tips of the horns
• Lord Shankara on the centre head
• Parvathi on the edge of head
• Kartikeya on the nose, Kambala and Ashwatara Devas on the nostrils
• Ashwini Kumaras on the ears
• Sun and Moon in the eyes
• Vayu in dental range and Varuna on the tongue
• Saraswathi in the sound of cow
• Sandhya goddesses on the lips and Indra on the neck
• Raksha Ganas on the hanging under the neck
• Sadhya Devas in the heart
• Dharma on the thigh
• Gandharvas in the gap of hoofs, Pannaga at the tips, Apsaras on the sides
• Eleven Rudras and Yama on the back, Ashtavasus in the crevices
• Pitru Devas on the ides of umbilical joint, 12 Adityas on the stomach area
• Soma on the tail, Sun rays on the hair, Ganga in its urine, Lakshmi and Yamuna in the dung, Saraswathi in milk, Narmada in curd, and Agni in ghee
• 33 crore Gods in the hair
• Prithwi in stomach, oceans in the udder, Kamadhenu in the whole body
• Three Gunas in the root of the brows, Rishis in the pores of hair, and all the sacred lakes in the breathe.
• Chandika on the lips and Prajapathi Brahma on the skin
• Fragrant flowers on nostrils
• Sadhya Devas on the arm-pit
• Six parts of Vedas on the face, four Vedas on the feet, Yama on the top of the hoofs, Kubera and Garuda on the right, Yakshas on the left and Gandharvas inside
• Khecharas in the fore of the foot, Narayana in intestine, mountains in the bones, Artha, Dharma, Kama and Moksha in the feet.
• Four Vedas in the Hoom… sound

Hindu Religion

Hindu Religion

Even the gods pray to the cow. She contains the divinity of all the Gods. A pious day starts with her worship. She has prominence in various religious festivals. Sankranti and Deepavali are specially cow related festivals. Cow products are essential in different religious rituals. Thus, cow is integral part of our life.

Cow in Vedas and Puranas

यः पौरुषेण क्रविषा समंक्ते यो अश्वेन पशुना यातुधानः ।

ये अघ्न्याये भरति क्षीरमग्ने तेषां शीर्षाणि हरसापि वृश्चः ॥

Oh fire god, with your flames burn the heads of those demons who eat the meat of humans, animals like horse and cow, and those who steal cows’ milk. (Rik Samhita 87 – 161)

प्रजापतिर्मह्यमेता रराणो विश्वैर्देवैः पितृभिः संविदानः ।

शिवाः सतीरुप नो गोष्ठमाकस्तासां वयं प्रजया संसदेम ॥

May the supreme Lord, complemented by all the Gods, create auspicious and spacious cowsheds for our happiness and populate them with cows and calves. Let us rejoice the cow-wealth and contend by serving those cows. (Rik Samhita 10 – 169 – 4)

सा विश्वाय़ूः सा विश्वकर्मा सा विश्वधायाः।

That cow would augment the life span of the sages involved in the sacrifices and the doer of the sacrifices. Cow coordinates all the rituals of the sacrifices. By providing offerings like milk, cow nourishes all the Gods of the sacrifices.  (Shulka Yajurveda 1-4)

आ गावो अग्मन्नुत भद्रकम्रन् सीदंतु गोष्मेरणयंत्वस्मे ।

प्रजावतीः पुरुरूपा इहस्स्युरिंद्राय पूर्वीरुष्सोदुहानाः ॥

यूयं गावो मे दयथा कृशं चिदश्रीरं चित्कृणुथा सुप्रतीकम् ।

भद्र गृहं कृणुथ भद्रवाचो बृहद्वो वय उच्यते सभासु ॥

Oh Cows! With your milk and ghee you make the physically weak strong, and nurture the sick to health. With your sacred utterances, you chastise our homes. Your glory is discussed in gatherings. (Atharvana Veda 4-21-11 and 6)

वशां देवा उपजीवंति वशां मनुष्या उप ।

वशेदं सर्वं भवतु यावतु सूर्यो विपश्यति ॥

The Gods and men live on cow products. Till the Sun shines, the universe will have Cows. The whole universe depends on the support of cow. (Atharvana Veda 10-10-34)

सा नो मंद्रेषमूर्जम् दुहाना ।

धेनुर्वा गस्मानुष सुष्टुतैतु ॥

She is Kamadhenu – the divine cow that fulfils all our desires. Her body is of cow and face is of a woman. She was born before the amrutha when the ocean was churned. Her hair exudes fragrance. From her udder she showers Dharma, Artha, Kama and Moksha. She is an abode to self-knowledge, shelters, Sun, Moon and Fire God. All the Gods and the living beings depend on her. She provides us with food and supreme knowledge even when we mildly pray. Let her be near us.

पीतोदका जग्धतृणा दुग्धदेहा निरिंद्रियाः ।

आनंदा नाम तेलोकस्तान् स गच्चति ता ददत् ॥

These cows have eaten grass and have taken water. They have been milked. They are past reproductive age. One who donates these old cows will go to place of darkness devoid of pleasures. Instead, donate me. (Kathopanishat – Nachiketa tells sage Vajashravas during Vishwajit Yaga)

गोकुलस्य तृषार्तस्य जलार्थे वसुधाधिपः ।

उत्पादयति यो विघ्नं तं विद्याद्ब्रह्मघातिनम् ॥

Obstructing provision of water to thirsty cows should be considered equal to the sin of killing Brahmins. (Mahabharata, Anushasana Parva 24-7)

गवां मूत्रपुरीषस्य नोद्विजेत कथंचन ।

न चासां मांसमश्नीयाद्गवां पुष्टिं तथाप्नुयात् ॥

Do not hesitate to consume cow urine and cow dung – they are sacred. But one should never eat the cow meat. A person becomes stronger by consuming Panchagavya.  (Mahabharata, Anushasana Parva 78-17)

गावो ममाग्रतो नित्यं गावः पृष्ठत एव च ।

गावो मे सर्वतश्चैव गवां मध्ये वसाह्यहम् ॥

Let there be cows in front of me, behind me and all around me. I live with the cows. (Mahabharata, Anushasana Parva 80-3)

दानानामपि सर्वेषां गवां दानं प्रशस्यते ।

गावः श्रेष्ठाः पवित्राश्च पावनं ह्येतदुत्तमम् ॥

Donation of cows is superior to all others. Cows are supreme and sacred. (Mahabharata, Anushasana Parva 83-3)

सर्वोपनिषदो गावो दोग्धा गोपालनंदनः ।

पार्थो वत्सः सुधीर्भोक्तादुग्धं गीतामृतः महत् ॥

Bhagavad-Gita is the essence of Upanishads. It is like a cow whom Srikrishna milks. Arjuna is like a calf. The learned devotees are drinking the ambrosial milk of Bhagavad-Gita.

गौर्मे माता वृषभः पिता मे दिवं शर्म जगते मे प्रतिष्ठा ।

Cow is my mother and ox my father. Let the pair bless me with happiness in this world and bliss in heaven. I depend on cow for my life – thus stating one should surrender to cow.

गावो बंधुर्मनुष्याणां मनुष्याबांधवा गवाम् ।

गौः यस्मिन् गृहेनास्ति तद्बंधुरहितं गृहम् ॥

Cows are the abode of the Goddess of wealth. Sins don’t touch them. There exists a fine relationship between man and cow. A home without a cow is like one without dear ones. (Padmapurana)

वागिंद्रियस्वरूपायै नमः ।

वाचावृत्तिप्रद्दयिन्यै नमः ॥

अकारादिक्षकारांतवैखरीवक्स्वरूपिण्य़ै नमः ॥

By the service of the cow and consuming cow products, awareness and spirit, both enhance. (Atri Samhita 310)

यन्न वेद्ध्वनिध्यांतं न च गोभिरलंकृतम् ।

यन्नबालैः परिवृतं श्मशानमिव तद्गृहम् ॥

The house where Vedas are not chanted, where cows are not seen where children are not around it is like a graveyard. (Vishnusmriti)

गोमूत्रगोमयं सर्पि क्षीरं दधि च रोचना ।

षदंगमेतत् परमं मांगल्यं सर्वदा गवाम् ॥

Cow’s urine, dung, milk, ghee, curd and gorochana – these six are the most auspicious products.

Medicinal values of Cow urine

Medicinal values of Cow urine

• Urea : Product of protein metabolism. Strong antimicrobial agent.
• Uric Acid : Anti microbail activity helps to control cancer.
• Nitrogen : Diuretic, stimulates kidney
• Sulphur : Purifies blood, increases intestinal peristalsis
• Copper : Controls fat deposition
• Iron : Production of RBC in blood
• Sodium : Purifies blood, checks hyperacidity
• Potassium : Appetizer, eliminates muscles fatigue
• Other salts : Antibacterial, prevents comma and ketoacids
• Carbolic Acid : Antibacterial, prevents gas gangrenes
• Ammonia : Integrity of body tissue and blood
• Sugar-Lactose : Heart, thirst, giddiness
• Vitamin A,B.C,D, E : Prevent excessive thirst, infuse vigour, increase potency
• Creatinine : Antibacterial
• Swarna Kshar : Antibacterial, improves immunity (aurum hydroxide) acts as antidote
• Enzyme-urokinase : Dissolve blood clot, improves heart disease, blood circulation
• Colony stimulating factor : Effective for cell division and multiplication
• Erythropoietin stimulating factor : Production of RBCs
• Gonadotropin : Promotes menstrual cycle, sperm production
• Kallikrein : Releases Kallidin which expands peripheral veins and reduces blood pressure.
• Allantoin : Heals wounds and tumors
• Anticancer substances : Prevents multiplication of carcinogenic cells
• Phenols : Bactericidal, antifungal