Go Suktam
Go Suktam is a sacred hymn found in the Vedic scriptures, primarily dedicated to cows (Go in Sanskrit). It is a powerful and devotional hymn that glorifies cows, emphasizing their divine significance, role in sustaining life, and connection with dharma (righteousness). This Suktam is often chanted for the welfare of cattle, prosperity, and spiritual well-being.
Etymology and Meaning
- Go (गो) means “cow” in Sanskrit.
- Suktam (सूक्तम्) refers to a well-composed Vedic hymn or praise.
Thus, Go Suktam is a hymn dedicated to the praise and glorification of cows.
Source and Composition
Go Suktam is found in the Rigveda and Atharvaveda. It consists of multiple verses that describe cows as the embodiment of divinity, prosperity, nourishment, and auspiciousness. The hymn is traditionally recited by sages, priests, and devotees, particularly during rituals and cow-worship ceremonies (Go Puja).
Benefits of Reciting Go Suktam
- Brings peace, prosperity, and harmony in life.
- Helps in agricultural and financial well-being.
- Ensures the protection and welfare of cows.
- Enhances spiritual growth and devotion to Lord Krishna and other deities associated with cows.
- Eliminates negative karma and promotes dharma.
Go Suktam In English
(ṛ.6.28.1)
ā gāvō̍ agmannu̠ta bha̠drama̍kra̠ntsīda̍ntu gō̠ṣṭhē ra̠ṇaya̍ntva̠smē ।
pra̠jāva̍tīḥ puru̠rupā̍ i̠ha syu̠rindrā̍ya pū̠rvīru̠ṣasō̠ duhā̍nāḥ ॥ 1
indrō̠ yajva̍nē pṛṇa̠tē cha̍ śikṣa̠tyupēdda̍dāti̠ na sva-mmā̍ṣuyati ।
bhūyō̍bhūyō ra̠yimida̍sya va̠rdhaya̠nnabhi̍nnē khi̠lyē ni da̍dhāti dēva̠yum ॥ 2
na tā na̍śanti̠ na da̍bhāti̠ taska̍rō̠ nāsā̍māmi̠trō vyathi̠rā da̍dharṣati ।
dē̠vāṃścha̠ yābhi̠ryaja̍tē̠ dadā̍ti cha̠ jyōgittābhi̍-ssachatē̠ gōpa̍ti-ssa̠ha ॥ 3
na tā arvā̍ rē̠ṇuka̍kāṭō aśnutē̠ na sa̍ṃskṛta̠tramupa̍ yanti̠ tā a̠bhi ।
u̠ru̠gā̠yamabha̍ya̠-ntasya̠ tā anu̠ gāvō̠ marta̍sya̠ vi cha̍ranti̠ yajva̍naḥ ॥ 4
gāvō̠ bhagō̠ gāva̠ indrō̍ ma achChā̠-ngāva̠-ssōma̍sya pratha̠masya̍ bha̠kṣaḥ ।
i̠mā yā gāva̠-ssa ja̍nāsa̠ indra̍ i̠chChāmīddhṛ̠dā mana̍sā chi̠dindra̍m ॥ 5
yū̠ya-ṅgā̍vō mēdayathā kṛ̠śa-ñchi̍daśrī̠ra-ñchi̍tkṛṇuthā su̠pratī̍kam ।
bha̠dra-ṅgṛ̠ha-ṅkṛ̍ṇutha bhadravāchō bṛ̠hadvō̠ vaya̍ uchyatē sa̠bhāsu̍ ॥ 6
pra̠jāva̍tī-ssū̠yava̍saṃ ri̠śantī̍-śśu̠ddhā a̠pa-ssu̍prapā̠ṇē piba̍ntīḥ ।
mā va̍-sstē̠na ī̍śata̠ māghaśa̍ṃsa̠ḥ pari̍ vō hē̠ti ru̠drasya̍ vṛjyāḥ ॥ 7
upē̠damu̍pa̠parcha̍namā̠su gōṣūpa̍ pṛchyatām ।
upa̍ ṛṣa̠bhasya̠ rēta̠syupē̍ndra̠ tava̍ vī̠ryē̍ ॥ 8
ōṃ śānti̠-śśānti̠-śśānti̍ḥ ॥
Go Suktam is a highly revered hymn in the Vedic tradition, celebrating the sacredness and importance of cows. It reflects the deep-rooted respect for cows in Hinduism, emphasizing their role in sustaining life and promoting spiritual well-being. Chanting this hymn with devotion is believed to bring divine blessings, prosperity, and peace to both individuals and society.
