Anusasana Parva of Mahabharata speaks of the greatness of cows in detail. There is a popular story that also shows the significance of cows, said P.T. Seshadri in a discourse.
Brahma created a beautiful girl, whose beauty was flawless. Brahma gave her the name Ahalya.
When the time came for her to be married, there were many who came to claim her hand. Indra was one of them. But sage Narada said that Brahma should get her married only to someone who would appreciate her.
It was, therefore, decided that a contest would be held and the victor would get to marry her. The contestants had to circle the world and he who completed the task first would marry Ahalya.
The contestants, who included the Devas, set off to circle the world.
Narada, in the meantime, went to Sage Gautama and said to him: “There is a beautiful girl called Ahalya who should be your wife. You need a wife by your side for the completion of your yagas. Without a wife, how can you go near Agni?” Only a married man can do agnihotra and that is why Narada urged Gautama to marry.
But Gautama pointed out that the devas and others had already started going round the world and he couldn’t possibly compete with them.
Narada then pointed to the Sastras and said: “A man who goes round a cow is said to have circled sixteen worlds. And it is also said that if a man sees a cow giving birth, his sins will be wiped out. In your ashram, there is a cow that is about to give birth. Go round it and claim Ahalya.”
Sage Gautama did as Narada suggested and wed Ahalya.
