INTRODUCTION:

Milk has been an integral part of the diet of Indian society since ancient times. Indian ancient scriptures have described cow milk as ‘AMRITA’.

“Amritam vaigvam khriramityah tridshadhip,

Tasmad dadatin yo dhenumamatrim sa praychhti”

(Mahabharatha Anu 65-46)

This shloka of Mahabharata means:

“Cow’s milk is AMRITA. This was said by Indra the king of gods.”

 Is milk stated to be AMRITA only on sentimental or religious grounds?

In our scriptures, various benefits of cow milk have been stated strongly such as cow milk if taken as a drink provides liveliness, gives inner strength to fight against disease and balanced nutrition which gives ‘subuddhi’ or morally good behaviour or character.

 What do the VEDAS say about cow milk?

There exist several mantras in all four VEDAS which explain the necessity of cow’s milk not only as a complete food but as a remedial drink too.

RIG VEDA in its ninth Mantra of the 73rd shukta in the 10th chapter (10-73-9) says that the cow provides in its milk the remedial effects and prophylactic effects of the medicinal herbs it eats. Thus cow’s milk was not only used to cure but also as a preventive for specific diseases.

ADHARWA VEDA- The following Mantra of the Atharva Veda states that

“Yuyam gavo medyatham krishm chiskhyreeram, chit krinutha, Bhadra griham krinuth, bhadravapo beihad vo vya uchachate, sabhasu.

This means cow’s milk transforms a weak and ill person into an energetic person.

The sadhus were also greeted with milk and milk products and a type of Bhat made with milk, rice, and ghee. Probably some other version of kheer. 

Detailed properties of milk described in “CHARAK SHASTRA”:

This is one of the oldest books written on Ayurveda and is the ancient medical science of India. It was written by Rishi Charak.

CHARAK has described milk as :

“Swada, shitam, mridu, snigdham, shalakshanpichhlam

 Guru, mand, prasanna cha gavyam dashaguna paya” (Charak sutradhan 27-214)

This means cow’s milk is tasteful, sweet, palatable, thick, and contains fat but is light and easily digestible and does not get spoiled easily. It gives us calmness and cheeriness.

The next shloka ‘Kheeryojaskara punsam’ states that milk increases energy or OJA in a man.

What has DHANVANTRI stated about cow’s milk?

Dhanvantri and ancient Indian physicians have stated that cow’s milk is the most preferred diet for almost every illness. Also if milk is consumed regularly it can protect the human body from VATA, PITTA, and HEART problems. Even modern science claims that cow’s milk helps in curing uric acid problems and acidity.

CONCLUSION:

Cow milk has been of great importance since ancient times, especially in the Hindu culture and the books which were written on it are strongly evident and relevant and have coined cow’s milk as ‘AMRITA’ by stating its key benefits and uses which is even proven in modern science!