In the Rigveda, the importance of the Cow was immense. While the number of words related to the word “Go” in the Rigveda is 176, the number of agricultural words is only 21. In Rigveda, the synonym of ‘Go-Sampada‘ is ‘Royi’, which means wealth. In the Rigveda, the king was called ‘Gopati‘, meaning the owner of cattle wealth. Maghavan meant a wealthy person, who was rich in Gomana or cattle wealth.
Some words related to cows and their meanings
- Gotra: In the Rigveda, it means where the cattle wealth is kept. Later, it became a subdivision of the caste.
- Duhita: Although it means a daughter, its initial meaning was that an woman who collected milk.
- Gavishti: Literally means the desire to get cattle wealth. The real meaning was the search for cows.
- Gomana: Rich in cattle.
- Gavyaduta: Unit of distance.
- Aghana: One who cannot be killed.
- Shoghna: Relative