Shri Gururaja R Deshpande Memorial Foundation (R)

Banashankari - Badami - 587201

Badami Taluk, Bagalkote District, Karnataka, India

"Sarvaa Vishnumayaa Gaava: Taasaam Goptaa Hi Keshava:"

In the Vedas, scriptures and the puranas, "GOdaana" or the donation of a cow assumes great importance, be it general family celebratory occasions or ceremonial gatherings. Since a cow is blessed with the presence of all the tatvAbhimAni gods and the omnipotent Lord Shri Krishna himself, the donation of a cow is equivalent to donating the Universe itself. SrimadBhavata, the king all all puranas, documents that Vasudeva donated 10,000 cows on the occasion of Shri Krishna's birth.

Kamadhenu, the Indian cow, is believed to rid us of all our sins and bless us with all our desires. King Dileepa was blessed with children after doing the service of Nandini, Kamadhenu's daughter. Kaarthaveeryarjuna, subject to Kamadhenu's ire, faced defeat and was eventually killed by Lord Parashurama. In this way, cow service has always been significant.

Auspicious time for cow donation: Vishnuvratha, Yaaga/ritual, PrathistHa, Sankranti, Parvakaala, Eclipse, Birth of son, Manvadi, Ugadi, Shaanti karmas, Pilgrimage, House warming, Birthday, Chaturmasya, Dwaadhasi, Purnima, Vaidhrthi Vyatheepaatha yoga, ceremonies.

Mahabharata informs us that the one who feeds a cow (GoGraasa) will experience pleasure in heaven for a period equal to "1,000 times the number of hairs on the cow's body" years.

What is donation/daana? The item to be donated should be earned by us, should have been acquired by legal means, shouldn't have been acquired by troubling other. Donation must be given with utmost devotion to God, must never be given for the sake of name/fame.

In this direction, the institution of Sri Manoratha Pratishthana has started a GOShaala/school of cows at Sri Banashankari Kshetra in Badami Taluk and hereby humbly submits an appeal to all the devotees to kindly join hands on this noble venture.