Reading Notes A: Sacred Cow

I was looking through the options over Indian Legends when I saw two words that caught my eye: Sacred and Cow.  I know/knew about how cows are sacred within Hinduism but I have never really heard any story relating to how that came about, so I was very intrigued.  I decided to read Sabala, The Sacred Cow and I am delighted with my choice.  There is something about the narrator’s voice that makes it an easy and entertaining read.

The first character to be introduced it “the Elephant among Kings” who is Visvamitra.  It says he’s of great height – probably physically and spiritually since he descended from the Gods – but also of great haughtiness.  Since it looks like it’s trying to list his positive attributes, I am assuming being haughty is a good thing.

The narrator speaks easily, really connecting with the reader.  They even use second-person at some points to really include the reader.

Visvamitra is really well-loved by all those around him – which shouldn’t be a problem, but it is for the King.  He is really itching for a fight.  He doesn’t like staying in one place, eating the same food over and over, or the dullness of ordinary life.

Then, during his army’s march through India, they come across the grove of Vasishtha.  Vasishtha is a saintly hermit and considered very wise.  Other hermits come from all around to listen to his wisdom.  They also come to praise Sabala, the white-skinned cow or Pearl among Ruminant Creatures.

Since Visvamitra doesn’t like to stay long in one place, he is reluctant to take Vasishtha’s offer to stay a while.  Then Vasishtha shows off his cows prowess by charming her.  Visvamitra is unsettled, thinking he should take possession of the cow.

Sabala is NOT PLEASED, because she loves Vasishtha as her master. So she summons up an army even more impressive that defeats Visvamitra. Visvamitra is so bitter that he becomes a hermit in order to win the favor of the gods and be granted celestial weapons to defeat Vasishtha with.  He is really upset that the other won’t respect the Divine Right of Kings.

From the story