Gau Daan
"Gau" means cow and "Daan" means donation, gift or charity.
For over 10,000 years a measure of a person’s wealth was calculated by how many cows that they owned. In ancient times bartering of goods was done using cows, not coins or money — The cow was seen as a "store of wealth". Cows were donated by kings and other people to Brahmins and to others.
Gifting cows is considered as an important ancient ritual, which is practised even today.
As one prepares for the next phase of their spiritual journey beyond this world, gifting a cow is an important stage. It is believed that at least one cow must be donated in a man's lifetime.
Gau daan is to be done by a person during his lifetime itself, it is best not to leave it to his / her children, therefore, better to be done when one is young and able. If it is to be done by their sons, gau daan should be done within 1-year one year of death. Sons should take on this important responsibility especially if they’re departed family member did not own, sponsor, gift or donate a cow during their lifetime.
What does the scriptures about donating a cow (Godan)?
(Garuda Purana, Chapter II)
One must travel across Vaitaraṇî river (River of Hell). To cross the river easily, one must do a Gaudaan or Gift a Cow during his lifetime. Those doing so are believed to be taken across the river quickly, but those who do not do this are made to swim in the river of blood, pus, urine and filled with deadly animals and crocodiles.
Regardless of their karma — even those who are meant to go to the higher dimensions must face this obstacle. One must eventually cross this river to meet Lord Yamraj where the deeds of one’s past life are judged.
(Mahabharata, Anushasana Parva 78)
Bhishma on his deathbed, recounted a story from a much earlier ancient period when king Saudasa asked Rishi Vasishtha what in the 3 worlds was the most scared. There Rishi Vasishtha discoursed upon the mystery relating to cow:
“Donation of cows is superior to all others. Cows are supreme and sacred.”
“They who make gift of cow succeed in transcending all sins which they may have committed and all kinds of calamities into which they may fall.”
(Mahabharata, Anushasana Parva, Section 80 - 83)
“There is no gift in this world that is superior to the gift of cow.”
“Men of wisdom succeed in attaining to Heaven by making gifts of cow.”
“They who make gift of cow succeed in transcending all sins which they may have committed and all kinds of calamities into which they may fall.”
(Mahabharata, Anushasana Parva, Section 83)
Of all kinds of gifts, the gift of cow is applauded as the higher. Cows are the foremost of all things.”
It is said that the Sun, Moon, Varuna, Agni, Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva salutes the person who donates cow benevolently.
“They who make gift of cow succeed in transcending all sins which they may have committed and all kinds of calamities into which they may fall.”
What we will do
Gau Daan can be done during Pitra Paksh for your past ancestors, or for your recently departed family member. Conducting yagyas, performing gau daan and seva for pitras is a major कर्म कांड in our shastras.