The Story of Gauri: The Shining Light of Tapovanam
- Raja Rajeswari Rachakonda
- Aug 25
- 4 min read
The Arrival of Lakshmi and Her Calf
In October 2023, an elderly man of 82 years, Sri Rama Raju of Jayapuram village, came to Tapovanam with a heavy heart. He approached Guruji with a request—to take in his very old cow, Lakshmi, over 20 years of age, along with her tiny six-month-old calf. Yet, the calf looked much younger, barely four months old, weak and lean, for Lakshmi had no milk left to nourish her.
Rama Raju admitted it was a miracle that the cow had conceived at such an age. With no teeth left, Lakshmi survived only on soft grass. Unable to care for her, and worried about her inevitable passing, Rama Raju sought Guruji’s grace, hoping the cow could spend her last days grazing freely in Tapovanam.
Many villagers warned Guruji not to accept the offering. The watchman, Subbayya, argued that the old man merely wanted to escape the burden of the cow’s death. “It will bring sin,” some said. But Guruji’s heart did not waver. He knew—this was not a burden, but a divine destiny unfolding. He welcomed both mother and calf into Tapovanam.
On 5th October 2023, during Guruji’s Indra Yajna Diksha, Lakshmi and her calf stepped into the fields of Tapovanam. Guruji named the mother Lakshmi and the calf Gauri.
The Collapse of Lakshmi
From the very beginning, Lalita and Govinda, the guardians of Tapovanam, welcomed Lakshmi and Gauri with astonishing warmth. They led them around the fields, and little Gauri, despite her weakness, followed Lalita with surprising speed.
But destiny soon revealed its course. On 10th October 2023, Lalita approached Guruji, moving her head in gestures as if calling him. Guruji and Subbayya followed her to the southwest corner of Tapovanam, where they found Lakshmi collapsed, unable to rise.
The veterinary doctor confirmed Lakshmi’s age to be over 24 years and declared that she could not survive. Guruji, Subbayya, and the villagers tried everything—medicines, care, prayers—but Lakshmi remained down.
From that moment, something divine happened. Lalita and Govinda stopped returning to the gosala. They remained in the fields, staying beside Lakshmi day and night. Even as Lakshmi’s body weakened, her spirit was uplifted by the constant presence of her companions.
The Heart-Breaking Bond
Young Gauri, still tender, would approach Lakshmi seeking milk. Each time, the sight pierced hearts, for Lakshmi had none to give. Guruji took responsibility—buying milk and bottle-feeding Gauri three times a day. The sight of the calf sucking from the bottle was both sorrowful and heartwarming.
As Lakshmi’s health deteriorated, wounds appeared on her body. Subbayya tended to her with care, and with villagers’ help, they shifted her beneath the shade of mango trees. Guruji spent hours at her side, chanting Gayatri, Mrityunjaya, Go Suktam, and Lalita Sahasranama Stotram, sanctifying her final days.
One day, Rama Raju returned, overcome with guilt. He confessed that he had erred in burdening Guruji with an old cow at the end of her life. But Guruji reassured him, saying:
“It is not burden, but destiny. It was written that Lakshmi must spend her last days here, in the fields of Tapovanam, surrounded by love.”
On 13th November 2023, Lakshmi left her body. Guruji buried her at the very spot where she had first collapsed. Govinda, overcome with emotion, began digging at the grave with his horns. For nights afterward, Lalita, Govinda, and little Gauri slept there, guarding Lakshmi’s resting place.
The Nature of Gauri
From then on, Gauri became Tapovanam’s tender jewel. In the Rigveda, “Gauri” means shining effulgence, the supreme power of Word (Shabda Shakti)—and indeed, Gauri carried that aura. Though weak and lean at first, under Guruji’s care her body began to glow with radiance.
Being raised with love, Gauri never knew the fear of beating. Even if someone raised a stick, she stood innocently, gazing into their eyes, her presence disarming anger with purity. Villagers who saw her often asked Guruji to give her away, worried about the effort of bottle-feeding her. But Guruji refused, saying Gauri was destined for Tapovanam.
Her face, posture, and shining coat made her strikingly beautiful. After a bath, her body literally shimmered, embodying the meaning of her name. Anyone who saw her felt the irresistible urge to embrace and kiss her.
Gauri’s Naughty and Loving Spirit
Gauri also revealed a mischievous side. When Guruji rubbed Lalita’s chin lovingly, Gauri would push herself in between, demanding attention. Lalita, protective and possessive of Guruji, often chased Gauri away. Yet, the calf never gave up. It always returned, nudging Guruji until she, too, was rubbed under the chin.
Thus, in Tapovanam, a gentle rivalry blossomed—Lalita and Gauri competing for Guruji’s affection.
By March 2024, when Lalita gave birth to Nandi, Gauri found a companion of her own. The two calves became playmates, leaping and running joyfully across the fields, filling Tapovanam with youthful energy.
Yet, Gauri never lost her deep attachment to Lalita. Perhaps because she lost her own mother so young, she followed Lalita everywhere, sometimes even attempting to drink milk from her.
Gauri at the Yajna
Just like Lalita, Gauri too grew close to the yajna fires. As if learning from Lalita, she began attending yajnas, standing quietly near the altar. Guruji observed that all cows and bulls of Tapovanam, without fail, came at least once during yajna—rarely missing the purnahuti.
Gauri, though young, seemed to be drawn to the chants and the fire, her innocent eyes reflecting the sacred flames.
The Future of Gauri
Guruji often says that Gauri’s presence is symbolic—a reminder of how compassion, yajna, and destiny intertwine. She came to Tapovanam as a fragile calf, carrying the grief of losing her mother, but blossomed into a symbol of innocence, resilience, and divine light.
One day, Gauri too will begin her own lineage in Tapovanam. And with every birth, every calf, the sacred bond between cow and yajna will continue to strengthen.
Guruji prays that Gauri’s descendants shall graze these fields, attend yajnas, and inspire future generations to recognize the sanctity of the cow—not just as an animal, but as the living embodiment of Sanatan Dharma.
Thus, the story of Gauri is not just about a calf—it is about love that heals sorrow, innocence that demands affection, and a destiny that ties her forever to the yajna fires of Tapovanam.
“The story of Gauri is truly heartwarming. Lakshmi’s final days remind us of the power of destiny—guiding her to spend her last moments surrounded by love, care, and sanctity. A beautiful testament to compassion and divine grace.”