Pasture for Cows in Vedas

RV10.169 Cow Pasture, Protection
4 शबरो कक्षीवतो । गाव: । त्रिष्टुप् ।
Rishi the seer of this sookt represents a person dedicated to constant hard work to create शबरो –strength and wealth- through कक्षीवत Industriousness using innovative technologies with involvement of Cows& Agriculture . This is the literal meaning of the name given to the seer – composer -of this verse in RigVeda.
Title of this verse –Sookt is “COW”.
The Vedic compositions were set to musical tone, so that people could sing them. This verse Rig Veda 10.169 is set in ‘Trishtup’ composition, and responds to be sung in classical music form given in the table below.
छन्द मूर्च्छना थाट राग के वादी-संवादी स्वर स्वर(भातखण्डे)
अनुष्टुप् उत्तरमन्द्रा(सा) काफी पसा सा रे ग॒ म प ध नि॒
गायत्री रजनी(रे) भैरवी मसा सा रे॒ ग॒ म प ध नि
त्रिष्टुप् उत्तरायता(ग) कल्याण गध सा रे ग म। प ध नि
बृहती शुद्ध षड्जा(म) खमाज गनी सा रे ग म प ध नि॒
पंक्ति मत्सरीकृता(प) आसावरी धग सा रे ग॒ म प ध॒ नि॒
उष्णिक् अश्वक्रान्ता(ध) ---- सा रे॒ ग॒ म म। ध॒ नि॒
जगती अभिरुद्गता(नि) बिलावल धग सा रे ग म प ध नि



1.मयोभूर्वातो अभि वातूस्रा ऊर्जस्वतीरोषधीरा रिशन्ताम् ।
पीवस्वतीर्जीवधन्या: पिबन्त्ववसाय पद्वते रुद्र मृळ ।। 10.169.1
Let the cows enjoy the salubrious pastures where pleasant breeze is flowing and peacocks are dancing. In such pastures let the cows choose to feed themselves on rations that provide energy to their body and medicinal quality to the cow products – such as milk-.
Create enterprise of drinking water, that ensures supply of such good quality drinking water for cows that even humans would gratefully consume that water. The soil under their -cow’s- feet should be clean free from disease giving polluting germs.

2.या: सरूपा विरूपा एकरूपा यासामग्निरिष्टया नामानि वेद ।
या अङ्गिरसस्तपसेह चक्रुस्ताभ्य: पर्जन्य महि शर्म यच्छ ।। 10.169.2
Cow belonging to one race , having single or multi colours and looks, are well recognised for their important all round contributions to human life through ghrit for offering in to sacred fires, and bringing forth rainfall of prosperity.


3. या देवेषु तन्व1मैरयन्त यासां सोमो विश्वा रूपाणि वेद ।
ता अस्मभ्यं पयसा पिन्वमाना: प्रजावतीरिन्द्र गोष्ठे रिरीहि ।। 10.169.3
Those cows that provide milk for giving boost to brain power for intellects, provide wisdom and knowledge as motivating force for the world. Such cows should always be around to sustain the population by making milk available for everybody to drink. It becomes the duty of the King to ensure good health, continuous growth of progeny , upkeep and protection of the cows, in their shelters.


4. प्रजापतिर्महयमेता रराणो विश्वैर्देवै: पितृभि: संविदानो ।
शिवा: सतीरुप नो गोष्ठमाकस्तासां वयं प्रजया सं सदेम ।। 10.169.4
May the Almighty while providing us with Cows, also bless the entire
community consisting of wise men and persons engaged in cow care that
these cows are provided with due and proper institutionalised care to ensure
continuous welfare of the people.