CULTURE AND
LANGUAGE DR. SHRINIWAS KASHALIKAR
Gomata (mother cow), Tulsi i.e. holi basil i.e. ocimum sanctum i.e. devi (godess Tulsi), Ganga Mata (mother Ganga), Bhoomata (mother earth), Varun devata (rain god), Vayudevata (wind god), Jaladevata (water god) are words from Sanskrit or derived from Sanskrit and in usage in most Indian languages. What do these words convey? They convey sense of adoring.
Love, respect and feeling of worship for these are reflected the language of the society. Compare these with the words for animals such as beef for cow, pork for hog or pig, and chicken for hen and cock. What do they convey? They convey only the craving of the utility of these animals for killing and eating! This craving is gets reflected in the language of the society in this way!