India's Sacred Cow by Marvin Harris Explicates Term Paper

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India's sacred cow" by Marvin Harris explicates the religious, social, and even practical uses of the cow, strengthening Indians' belief in the sanctity of the domesticated animal. Harris' thesis argues that "[t]he sacredness of the human cow is not just an ignorant belief that stands in the way of progress. Like all concepts of the sacred and profane, this one affects the physical world; it defines the relationships that are important for the maintenance of Indian society." From this main point, this summary and analysis paper looks into the religious ritual of considering the cow as a sacred symbol of Hinduism.

The article first elucidates on the practical uses of the cow, an imperative step towards developing Harris' arguments later, explaining why the sacredness of the cow became an important religious ritual in India. Drawing from the activities, processes, and nature of agricultural farming history in the country, Harris establishes how ancient methods of farming reflect the importance of cow, whose ability to produce oxen enables farmers to accomplish farm plowing and other strenuous farm activities that human labor alone cannot finish immediately and easily.

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Apart from its reproductive capabilities to produce oxen, cows are also essential in producing milk and other forms of dairy products. Even cow dung becomes an important energy source. The cow's usability goes beyond its usefulness; maintaining cows require minimum economic expenditure, since they thrive on unconsumed vegetables and foods that humans no longer need.

These practical uses of the cow in India has become an integral part of the society and hence, this is strengthened by imposing in Hinduism that cows are considered sacred symbols of health and life, preventing Hindus from killing….....

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