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Significance of Calf

The term Calf in Hinduism embodies various meanings across different contexts. It represents the young of the Agnihotra cow, significant in sacrificial rituals. In South Asia, it refers to a buffalo calf relevant to familial narratives. The Arthashastra prohibits its slaughter, while in the Purana, the calf symbolizes maternal bonds and nourishment sources. Dharmashastra emphasizes its purity as it relates to milk production. Overall, the calf holds a diverse and symbolic place in cultural and religious practices.1
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Synonyms: Young cow, Bull calf, Youngster, Suckling

In Finnish: Vasikka; In Dutch: Kalf; In Spanish: Becerro; In German: Kalb

The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.

Hindu concept of 'Calf'

Hinduism Books

In Hinduism, "Calf" represents purity through milk production, symbolizes ritualistic significance, prohibits slaughter alongside cows, embodies maternal emotional bonds, and reflects nourishment sources from the earth, illustrating its multifaceted importance.

Significance in Arthashastra (politics and welfare):
Arthashastra Books

From: Kautilya Arthashastra

(1) A young bovine animal, which along with bulls and milch cows, is prohibited from slaughtering.[1]

Arthashastra literature concerns itself with the teachings (shastra) of economic prosperity (artha) statecraft, politics and military tactics. The term arthashastra refers to both the name of these scientific teachings, as well as the name of a Sanskrit work included in such literature. This book was written (3rd century BCE) by by Kautilya, who flourished in the 4th century BCE.

Significance in Dharmashastra (religious law):
Dharmashastra Books

From: Manusmriti with the Commentary of Medhatithi

(1) Refers to the young of a cow, which is considered pure when it makes milk flow.[2]

Dharmashastra contains the instructions (shastra) regarding religious conduct of livelihood (dharma), ceremonies, jurisprudence (study of law) and more. It is categorized as smriti, an important and authoritative selection of books dealing with the Hindu lifestyle.

Significance in Hinduism (general):

From: Satapatha-brahmana

(1) The young offspring of the Agnihotra cow, serving as a symbolic element within the sacrificial and ritualistic framework.[3]

Significance in Purana and Itihasa (epic history):
Purana Books

From: Ramayana of Valmiki (Shastri)

(1) Used metaphorically to describe the emotional bond between a mother and her child, illustrating Queen Kaushalya's distress.[4]

The Purana refers to Sanskrit literature preserving ancient India’s vast cultural history, including historical legends, religious ceremonies, various arts and sciences. The eighteen mahapuranas total over 400,000 shlokas (metrical couplets) and date to at least several centuries BCE.

The concept of Calf in local and regional sources

History Books

The keyphrase "Calf" refers to an animal used in a narrative for diversion and also denotes the offspring of a buffalo cow that the man intended to raise, highlighting its dual significance in the story.

Significance in South Asia:
South Asia Books

From: Village Folk-tales of Ceylon (Sri Lanka), vol. 1-3

(1) The offspring of the buffalo cow, which the man aimed to rear.[5] (2) An animal brought from the woman's village, used in the narrative to create a diversion and facilitate the man's actions.[6]