The Myth of the Holy Cow

The book gave a picture of how the beef eating ( not only that, old age people in Rig vedic time has eaten horse, elephant, boar, beer, etc). The rituals/guest welcoming had beef/horse meat for sure. It also explains how Brahmins were the beef lover/eaters at that time. The subsequent arrival of Jainism/Buddhism and the impact on Brahminism and how they turned cow as a holy object and how untouchables were formed. Very insightful book to understand the politics at that time and now based on eating cow.

This is an excellent, highly researched and referenced book on the Myth of Holiness of the Cow. The author is a former Professor of History at University of Delhi and former General President of Indian History Congress.In the preface of this 'Navayana' edition, D N Jha expresses the necessity of this book both from an academic perspective and the hijacking of political arena by "communalists and their fundamentalist organisations". The author also says that he was getting intimidations and threats from unknown callers. However, he has gathered a lot of evidences, even from the libraries of Rome and Japan.The book presents the evidence of cow slaughter in ancient India, both for the purpose of ritualistic sacrifice as well as beef consumption. Lucid description with extensive references from Vedas, Upanishads, Brahmanas, Manusmriti and even Ramayana and Mahabharata. Throughout the Hindu Scriptures, this book shows that meat consumption was very common till the late Gupta period and beef was the best and most preferred meat. The book also deals with the secular literature and treatises by Kalidasa, Charaka, Sushruta and Vagbhata, which show that beef consumption was just as common as vegetables and fruits. Only after the late Gupta era did vegetarianism began to spread due to the influence from Buddhism and Jainism. Beef in Buddhism and Jainism are also covered. The Appendix at the end is an essay by Dr. B R Ambedkar which further shows that vegetarianism and cow worship was a political tactic used by Brahmins to overcome the Buddhists, regain the patronage of rulers and finally to control the administration and revenues. It is common tactic used by 'rightists' to overcome the 'leftists'.This is an unbiased and scholarly book for anyone, whether an intellectual or a layman, who really wants to know about the Holy Cow in ancient India and how it influenced the society, politics, economy, religion and culture in India, before the invasions of Arabs and Turks.

If you have the intellectual capacity to digest the truth then it is for you,the book is stunning and Tells the originating of beef eating from ancient period of time,The author tells us this in A very comprehensive way!

This book should be mandatory reading in high schools & colleges.

While many will call this book a biased work, i will have to put forward my views on this work done. This is an exceptional work done by DN jha, his bold attempt on being a critic of religious fanaticism, left me awestruck. This work, have debunked the myth of the holiness of cow. An eyeopener, and for those who have not read the book and have criticized the work. My question remains how are those people not biased ? I would recommend everyone to read this tremendously beautiful and well researched work done.

Author provided useful and resourceful information with resources and references. Laymen does not know what is there in the mythological scripts and that is not available to the laymen. This book is an eye opener for those who kill men in the name of blind belief and unknown truths. This exposes the true lies! Worth reading..

A Truly scholarly work giving detailed explanations about Meat and Bref eating practices and laws in authentic Hindu scriptures and how Brahmins changed to vegetarian diet after Ashoka converted to Budhism and Brahmins had no option but to compete with Budhist Bikhshus to gain some moral ground. Presciption and Manner in which cow sacrifice is performed as per Hindu ritual sacrifices is also given. The work also includes some chapters at the end by Dr Ambedkar highlighting the origins of Untouchablity in Hinduism and its relation to beef eating.The nutshell is that cow worship and vegetarianism in Hindu religion are myths created by Brahmins in Post Mauryan period in order to show Budhists down who were gaining upper hand in administration after Ashokas conversion. Every lawmaker in Hinduism including Manu emphasised Non-Vegetarian diet of which Beef was particularly favorite amongst the Brahmis

Beautifully written and all references are given. Just destroying the myth

This is a meticulously researched and well-written book. The subject that it deals with is sensitive, and arouses passionate reactions from the Hindutva crowd. Do read it if you have an interest in the subject.

This was recommended by my friend who himself is a Brahmin & I found it very useful as it cleared my doubts.

This book debunks the myth of "sacredness" of the cow that is very strong in today's Modern Hinduism. The author shows solid evidences that in Ancient India, or in the "Vedic Era", the consumption of beef was common and sometimes even encouraged by some scriptures. He shows in an example that the "Satapatha Brahmana" ( which is a commentary of one of the four Vedas) states that " meat is the best kind of food"... Besides many other examples based on the holy Hindu scriptures, "Smirti"and "Shruti". This is a must read for all people who really want to know the true about this topic!

Factually rebuts the notion of the "holy cow" being a salient part of Hindu religion. Quotes religious texts by verse and page to make the case. A perfect gift for your favorite indoctrinated friend or family member.

Slow delivery but good product