PROFILBARU.COM

Panchagavya or panchakavyam is a mixture used in traditional Hindu rituals that is prepared by mixing five ingredients. The three direct constituents are cow dung, cow urine, and milk; the two derived products are curd and ghee. These are mixed and then allowed to ferment. The Sanskrit word panchagavya means "five cow-derivatives". When used in Ayurvedic medicine, it is also called cowpathy.^[1]

Dangers

Proponents claim that cow urine therapy is capable of curing several diseases, including certain types of cancer, although these claims have no scientific backing.^[2]^[3] In fact, studies concerning ingesting individual components of panchagavya, such as cow urine, have shown no positive benefit, and significant side effects, including convulsion, depressed respiration, and death.^[4] Cow urine can also be a source of harmful bacteria and infectious diseases, including leptospirosis.^[5]

Non-medicinal applications

Panchgavya is used as a fertilizer and pesticide in agricultural operations.^[6]^[7] Proponents claim that it is a growth promoter in the poultry diet, that it is capable of increasing the growth of plankton for fish feed,^[8] and that it increases the production of milk in cows, increases the weight of pigs, and increases the egg laying capacity of poultry.^[9]^[10] It is sometimes used as a base in cosmetic products.^[11]

Religious Customs

It was reported by the Indian Antiquary in June 1895 (pages 168-169)^[12] that cow-dung had general use in Brahman purifications and was eaten by Hindus as an atonement for sin:

"Cow-dung and cow-urine, with milk, curds and butter, form the five cow-products, which are worshipped in South India. New earthen pots, are cleansed by pouring into them the five cow products - milk, curds, butter, dung and urine. The five pots are set on darba grass and worshipped. They are called the god Panchgavia, and the worshipper thinks on their merit and good qualities, lays flowers on them, and mentally presents them with a golden throne. Water is sprinkled and waved over them. They are crowned with coloured rice, and are mentally presented with jewels, rich dresses, and sandal wood. Flowers, incense, a burning lamp, plantains, and betel are offered, a low bow is made, and the following prayer repeated:
"Panchgaviâ, forgive our sins and the sins of all beings who sacrifice to you and who drink you. You have come from the body of the cow; therefore I pray you to forgive my sins and to cleanse my body. Cleanse me, who offer you worship, from my sins. Pardon and save me."
After a second bow and the meditation of Hari, the five products are mixed in one cup; the priest drinks a little, pours it into the hollow hands of the worshippers and they drink. Nothing is so cleansing as this mixture. All Indians often drink it. The five nectars - milk, curds, butter, sugar and honey - are good, but much less powerful."

^[13]

References

^ Ramachandran, R. (2 September 2016). "Of 'cowpathy' & its miracles". Frontline. Archived from the original on 24 December 2019. Retrieved 5 November 2024.
^ Nelson, Dean (11 February 2009). "India makes cola from cow urine". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 30 April 2010.
^ Buncombe, Andrew (21 July 2010). "A cure for cancer – or just a very political animal?". The Independent. Archived from the original on 22 July 2010. Retrieved 21 March 2011.
^ Oyebola, D. D.; Elegbe, R. A. (June 1975). "Cow's urine poisoning in Nigeria. Experimental observations in mice". Tropical and Geographical Medicine. 27 (2): 194–202. PMID 1179485. Results of the experiments show that both "cow's urine" and nicotine cause excitement in low doses and cause convulsion and/or death in higher doses. Both also depress respiration.
^ Sharma, S.; Vijayachari, P.; Sugunan, A. P.; Sehgal, S. C. (October 2003). "Leptospiral carrier state and seroprevalence among animal population – a cross-sectional sample survey in Andaman and Nicobar Islands". Epidemiology & Infection. 131 (2): 985–989. doi:10.1017/S095026880300880X. PMC 2870044. PMID 14596541.
^ Dhama, K.; Rathore, Rajesh; Chauhan, R. S.; Tomar, Simmi (2005). "Panchgavya (Cowpathy): An overview". International Journal of Cow Science. 1 (1): 1–15. ISSN 0973-2241. Retrieved 5 November 2024.
^ Yadav, Birendra Kumar; Lourduraj, A. Christopher (2005). "Use of Panchagavya as a Growth Stimulant and Biopesticide in Agriculture". In Kumar, Arvind (ed.). Environment & Agriculture. New Delhi: APH Publishing. pp. 65–70. ISBN 81-7648-921-2. Retrieved 25 March 2011.
^ "Modified Panchakavya to boost plant and animal productivity". The Hindu. 5 June 2003. Archived from the original on 26 March 2014. Retrieved 5 November 2024.
^ Prabu, M. J. (4 June 2009). "Panchagavya: low cost organic input for both crops and animals". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 1 March 2013. Retrieved 5 November 2024.
^ Ganesh Kumar, K.; Kumaravelu, N.; Sivakumar, T.; Gajendran, K. (June 2006). "Study on Panchakavya - An indigenous formulation and its effect on the growth promotion of crossbred pigs" (PDF). Indian Journal of Animal Research. 40 (2): 158–160. ISSN 0367-6722. Archived (PDF) from the original on 5 August 2024. Retrieved 5 November 2024.
^ Pandey, Pradeep; Malviya, Sagar (16 September 2011). "Kishore Biyani to launch Panchagavya cosmetics and health remedy products in Big Bazaar". The Economic Times. Retrieved 5 November 2024.
^ Indian Antiquary. Popular Prakashan. 1895.
^ Indian Antiquary. Popular Prakashan. 1895.