Why the people torture the Bulls by engaging them in ploughing the fields?
A male devotee (Name hidden) asked like this:
“Hare Krishna. One question prabhujee that is castrate of bull to become Bullock to plough in field. Here my question is everyone has reproductive right. human being also. One become lifelong brahmacharya it is his personal choice but nobody force him. Similarly artificially castrate bull for cultivation is it justified. 2nd thing castrate is not pleasurable it is painful. Krishna counciousness says jive daya. Is it applicable in this case? Even govardhan eco village iskcon also use Bullock for ploughing the field in this time also. Please reply I am waiting for your opinion”
REPLY:
Oh, genuine but unnecessary thought.
You are so so merciful.
But, using the bulls in ploughing the field is allowed and we can use them.
Yes… We can use the bulls in ploughing the fields and for cart.
(Will loving animals give animal birth next time? READ HERE!)
Similarly, there is criticism also for using cow’s milk as if we are using the milk meant for the calves. Cows produce excess milk beyond the needs of their calves. So, we are using that extra milk for our good health. If we don’t draw milk from cows, they will suffer with many issues like udder edema or mastitis. So, drawing milk from cows after sparing for their calves is not using the cows for our selfish needs.
Similarly using the Bulls for agriculture needs is also engaging the bulls and keeping them active and in good health. They help us. Reciprocation we keep them with good facilities of food and shelter.
But, we should engage them only upto their bearable level by giving healthy food and sufficient rest.
The bulls are capable of travelling for a certain distance pulling the carts.
It is like an exercise for them.
If the bulls are not engaged in physical activities frequently, they will lose their stamina.
So, engaging the bulls in cart pulling or other physical activies is justified.
But, we should not be selfish to use them more than their capacity.
They should be given sufficient rest and food. Thats all.
By Ploughing the field, the bulls get strengthened.
The owners of those bulls usually give them rich foods and take care of them like their children with emotional bond.
Bulls and cows are very loyal to their masters.
We had a bullock cart in our village in Thanjavur district. My father took good care of that bull by feeding well and showing love. Because that bull carries him for many kilometers everyday in a bullock cart.
Do the Scriptures permit animal sports like Bull Chasing, Cockfight, etc? READ HERE!
Scooters, bikes and cars were less those days. Bullock carts were the major mode of travel.
One day, my father started to sleep while driving the bullock cart.
The cart reached an unmanned Railway level crossing. My father was in sleep without instructing the bull.
When the cart reached the unmanned railway level crossing, the bull found that the train is coming very close to the unmanned level crossing. Had he crossed the railway level crossing , at that time, he would have died getting collided by the train.
He was saved by that bull that wisely stopped the cart seeing the train crossing the level crossing and seeing my father sleeping sitting in the cart.
When my father later woke up hearing the sound of the train crossing the level crossing, he was stunned.
He thought how loyal this bull was, to save his life.
Thus, bulls too have feelings, gratitude, etc.
If they feel tortured by their owners, how do they still help their owners?
That means, the bulls happily pull the cart or plough the field.
Our duty is to give limited and bearable services for them. Thats all.
Bulls race also are conducted in many places in India.
These bull races give a boost to these bulls as they are energized when thousands of people witness them and appreciate.
All those are happening now were happening even when Krishna was on earth.
So, don’t worry for those bulls who are engaged in ploughing the fields. Worry only if their owners give them excessive works.
(Karma in selling aged cows, Calf & other animals! Full Details! READ HERE!)