As I write this, it happens to be the auspicious day of JanmAshtami-the birthday of Lord Krishna. It is well-known that Bhagavad Gita taught by Lord Krishna to Arjuna is an important book of authority in Hinduism. Krishna grew up in Gokulam in a community of cowherds. Krishna is also known as Gopala meaning Cow-protector.

Why protect cows? Go- meaning Cow in Sanskrit – is held in greatest reverence in Hinduism. A cow is such a generous creature that it gives a lot more to human beings than she takes from them. The cow produces milk-a product that is converted to various other forms like curd,butter, ghee and cheese – all of them used as food for humans. Even the cow’s dung is used as fuel not to speak of it’s skin converted into leather products. The fact that the cow is held in an exalted position is unique in Hinduism.

In Hinduism, alongwith cows, learned brahmins were also considered important as they perform the sacrificial rites with mantras from the Vedas. The ancient Hindu society placed these two at the top of the animal world and human world respectively for their purity and holiness. What the ancient Hindus really meant is that starting from the cows and Brahmins every creature and every human must be happy and prosperous. So, there is a nice verse in Sanskrit that prays for the rulers and the people with a special reference to cows and brahmins.T

ॐ स्वस्ति प्रजाभ्यः परिपालयन्ताम्
न्यायेन मार्गेण महीं महीशाः ।
गोब्राह्मणेभ्यश्शुभमस्तु नित्यम्
लोकास्समस्तास्सुखिनो भवन्तु ।।

Om svasti prajābhyaḥ paripālayantām ।
nyāyena mārgeṇa mahīṃ mahīśāḥ ।
go-brāhmaṇebhyaś śubham astu nityam ।
lokās samastā sukhino bhavantu ।।

Meaning:
May the rulers of the earth protect the well-being of the people,
With justice, by means of the right path.
May there always be good fortune for cows, Brahmins and all living beings,
May the inhabitants of all the worlds be full of happiness.

There is another eloquent four-line Sanskrit verse that too prays for the welfare of all.

ॐ सर्वे भवन्तु सुखिनः
सर्वे सन्तु निरामयाः ।
सर्वे भद्राणि पश्यन्तु
मा कश्चिद्दुःखभाग्भवेत् ।
ॐ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः ॥

Om, Sarve bhavantu sukhinaḥ
Sarve santu nirāmayāḥ ।
Sarve bhadrāṇi paśyantu
Mā kashchit duḥkha bhāgbhavet ।
Oṁ Shāntiḥ, Shāntiḥ, Shāntiḥ ॥

Meaning:
1: Om, May All be Happy,
2: May All be Free from Illness.
3: May All See what is Auspicious,
4: May no one Suffer.
5: Om Peace, Peace, Peace.

Please note that both these verses pray for the welfare of the entire world – not just Hindus alone but for people of all religions from all walks of life! Seeking the welfare of all without prejudice is unique in Hinduism.