'Sat' means hundred. 'Gau' means cow. 'Daan' means donation. So, donating 100 cows and 1 bull is called as Gausat Daan.
Under this ritual, 100 cows and 1 bull is donated in a Goshala / Cow shelter in the state of Rajasthan, India. As per vedic traditions, doing such a big donation is highly meritorious and accrues Punya for the entire family.
From time immemorial, in India, the Vedic tradition has encouraged an Agrarian based civilization. Cows have always played a pivotal role in the Vedic Agrarian society. The Cow is revered as the most sacred animal to Hindus, a fact that is evidenced by the dedication of several hymns and rituals, reverentially addressing it as GOMATHA (divine mother cow) in all the sacred scriptures including Vedas and Puranas. Gomatha is a symbolic representation of 33 crore Gods who are said to hold positions in various parts of a cows body. As a representation of the divine, all auspicious ceremonies and rituals involve the Cow and its produce. Everything from, milk, butter, ghee, curd, cheese, even the cows dung and urine are considered very sacred in Hindu Vedic tradition.
From the Vedic period to this day, gifting or donating cows to deserving persons, was considered a very sacred act and a way to wash away all the sins , karmas and samskaras of the past births and present births.
The benefits of donating a cow are simply endless. There is no other donation comparable to donation of a cow in this world.
Benefits / Purpose of Cow donation:
1. Paap Dhenu Daan: to get rid off sins.
2. Karj Mukti Dhenu Daan: freedom from debts
3. Moksha Dhenu Daan: for Moksha (enlightenment)
4. Prayaschit Dhenu Daan: for seeking forgiveness
5. Vaitarni Dhenu Daan: Cow donation during the last days of a person's life for Moksha (enlightenment).
6. It helps in making a person pure and helps him in attaining the highest state of eternal bliss.
7. It is said that the Sun, Moon, Varuna, Agni, Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva salute the person who donates cow benevolently.
Special dates for Cow donation:
1. Bhul Chaturthi Vrat: Comes on Bhadrapad Krishna Chaturthi.
Date: 1-September-2015
2. Kapili Sashti: Bhadrapad Krishna Chatha (6th day of Bhadrapad). It comes once in 60 years. Kapila sashti happens only when all the below auspicious timings coincide on the same day:
Surya is in Singh Rashi, VyatiPata Yoga, Tuesday and Rohini Nakshatra.<br>Kapila Sashti Date: not coming in this year.
Else, it is called as Haldar Sashti
Date: 31-September-2015
3. Gau TriRatri Vrat: Bhadrapad Shukla for 3 days (from 13th till 15th day of Bhadrapad Shukla)
Dates: 26, 27, 28 September-2015
4. Gau Navratri: Kartik Shukla (for 9 days)
Dates: 12-November till 20-November-2015
5. Gopa Ashtami: It comes on the 8th day of Gau Navratri, it was the first day when Lord Krishna went to graze cows. Also, Kamdhenu cow originated from Samudra Manthan (churning of the ocean) on this day.
Date: 19-November-2015
6. Vaitarni Ekadashi: It comes in Magsar month on Shukla Ekadashi (11th day)
Date: 21-December-2015
7. Gau Vatsa Dwadashi: Kartika Krishna Dwadashi (12th day), it is one day before Dhanteras festival.
Date: 7-November-2015
We have extended our service to 90 Goshalas (protective shelters for cows) / needy people, in the state of Rajasthan.
As per the rituals, cows and bull along with rope, bucket, milk, food, shawl, gold & silver symbolic offerings, & clothes are donated. The photos will be sent to you through courier. Please mention your birth details (name, date, time, place) at checkout. This is a individual Puja (you may do puja on individual name or include your near and dear ones in the puja). You will be provided with the contact no. of the priest, to call during the Sankalpa/Puja. Know more about our exclusive Puja Services.
Please email us [email protected] and [email protected] expressing your interest.