People recognized that the Brahmins, who possessed the knowledge of Vedas and practiced virtues, brought great benefits to society without seeking personal gain. They acknowledged the abundant love, respect, and faith present in them. They observed that society flourished without any conflicts or diseases, and they attributed it to vedas and  the performance of Vedic rituals. It is everyone’s duty to preserve veda not to benefit any specific community but to benefit the entire humanity. – Kanchi Mahaswami

Many wonder why the Vedic and Vaishnava cultures especially stress protection of the cow. The philosophical reason is simple: The cow is considered one of our mothers, as she gives us her milk and thus nutures our health and well being. Just as no civilized person would injure or kill their mother, the Vedas teach that to take milk from the cow and then kill her is the same as killing one’s mother. Similarly, the bull is considered like the father because the bull traditionally helps in the tilling of the fields, and thus is to be respected. We believe protecting cows is a most important component of protecting the earth. According to the ancient Vedic texts the cow is the representative of Mother Earth. And, when the cow and the bull are mistreated, Mother Earth withdraws her bounty.

Ancient India conceptualized Hindu temples as an epitome of knowledge, art, architecture, dance and music. Each era had a distinctive construction and cultural practice unique in it’s ideology and development. Hindu temples have some of the most exquisite carvings, architecture and styles intrinsic to India. The unmatched architecture contribute to the rich Hindu cultural heritage. They were seen as not mere places of worship, but sacred buildings where religious elaborate practices flourished whose basis was grace and eternal happiness.

When we use the word compassion, it sounds a bit condescending. It is as though, the one who bestows compassion is at a higher level, and the one who receives it is on a lower one. When we start looking down on the person we help, that very act of charity becomes unclean. When we help others, we should develop simplicity, humility, and negation of ego. On the other hand, if we think we are obliging somebody by bestowing help on them, it leads to arrogance. Instead of elevating our soul, it will degrade the same. It is better to use the word love instead of compassion, because it is more of an equalizer. Love is something we instinctively show to those who are our own.  No arrogance is involved here, not as though we are showing kindness towards a stranger. – Jagadguru Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswathi Swamigal