Milk is central to the yogic Indian diet,
yet milk has been assailed in modern America due to its association
with the unjust treatment of the cow. Its nutritional value
is also questioned. You call milk the miracle food, even recommending
occasional milk fasts (consuming only milk for up to 40 days
at a time) for purifying the body and mind. What is your response
to those who denounce milk?
Harish
Johari :
First of all we are mammals. Our mothers have
milk to give us and our life thus depends upon milk from the
start. If modern society has polluted the cow's milk and caused
harm to the giver of the milk, then so much for city living
and "civilized life". This represents only 20% of
the population. The other 80% living in the Third World are
drinking milk without any difficulty. Because someone has
corrupted natural living, that does not mean we should throw
out milk. Milk has everything we require for healthy living.
According to the Vedic culture, the rishis who gave up everything,
all work, were living on milk alone as their perfect food.
Milk is a food that is readily converted into
semen, which produces new blood. Thus if milk is the sole
nourishment of the human organism for some time, it can rejuvenate
that organism. "Milk kalpa" or a milk fast is a
treatment employed by homeopathic doctors for patients who
have lost hope of living a healthy, happy life. Such a milk
fast can also cure premature aging. During the fast the body
reorganizes itself. Premature aging is often the result of
food material clinging to the intestinal walls. When the process
of assimilation malfunctions, various organs in the system
are unable to receive the proper supply of nutrients and thus
begin to age quickly. If these waste materials can be expelled,
all the organs will receive proper nutrition. Milk is known
to clean the digestive tract. It expels toxins and waste from
the stomach and intestines and supplies nutritious food material
readily digestible and convertible into blood. Being alkaline
in nature, milk is an aid to the stomach in its digestive
function.`
The main organs of digestion are the mouth,
stomach, and small intestine. Milk helps the entire digestive
process and if digestion is working properly, the circulatory
system works well. If the circulatory system is functioning
properly, then the nervous system will be healthy. These three
systems regulate the human body, and milk helps to regulate
them.
Milk is best straight from the cow while it
is still warm. Milk from a cow 21 days after she has delivered
a calf is especially powerful. It must be remembered that
in India cows are especially well taken care of, even revered.
They are brushed and washed regularly and they are not milked
when they are pregnant. In Vedic times, care of the cow was
considered sattvic. There was no need to pasteurize or tone
milk. With the appearance of anthrax, people in Europe became
alarmed and pasteurization began and saved many lives. Pasteurization
was an alternative to disease. But no one ever thought to
revert to cleaning and properly caring for the cow. Thus today
we have ultra-pasteurization and poorly cared-for cows who,
instead of being gently hand-milked by someone who cares about
them, are milked electronically without sensitivity.
In ayurveda cows are classified according to
color and place of residence. Milk from a black cow is highly
praised and recommended. Such milk is like nectar and it relieves
gases, mucus, bile, burning sensations, depression, heart
disease, stomach troubles, kidney disorders, jaundice and
more. Milk from a spotted cow, brown cow or red cow cures
problems of excess bile. But milk from a cow whose calf has
died creates mucus, bile and gas. Milk from a cow who has
stopped feeding her calf is strengthening but harder to digest.
So in this way, before modern society condemns milk, they
might do well to consult those who have the experience of
loving and knowing cows as we do in India. There is more to
be discussed than the fact that cows are mistreated. One must
learn how to treat the cow properly and that includes taking
her milk, which is her gift to humanity in return for her
being nicely taken care of.
