Importance of Kamadhenu

Kamadhenu is described in Hindu scriptures as the mother of all cows. She is a miraculous “cow of plenty” who provides her owner whatever he desires and is often portrayed as the mother of other cattle.

Cows are considered holy in India, because they are the earthly embodiment of the Kamadhenu. She is an integral part of the Hindu culture and grants wishes and desires, fulfilling all that the human heart could possibly want.

Birth of Kamadhenu

Different texts provide diverse versions of the story of Kamadhenu’s birth. One of them says that this divine cow, which lives in swargalok (heaven), emerged from the ocean of milk (kshira-sagar) at the time of samudra-manthan (the great churning of the ocean by the gods (suras) and demons (asuras)).

The devas and the asuras managed to work together, churning the oceans to obtain the nectar of immortality (Amrutham).
All sorts of elements appeared from churning the Kshira sagar, not only the nectar, but also different Goddesses, trees, magical objects, poisons and Kamadhenu- the cow. In the end, the Gods kept the nectar for themselves.

Khamadhenu was presented to the saptharishis (seven sages) by the Gods, so she can suppply milk and ghee for sacred Yagnas and rituals. In course of time she came into the possession of Sage Vasishta.