News of missing tigers, enslaved elephants, dying dolphins and disappearing Olive-Ridley turtles have become much too common for comfort. Why are we — most of us, anyway — cruel to animals? Urgent collective and individual reflection is called for to examine the way we relate to other life forms, particularly since as we are going against the time-honoured tradition of res-pecting all of God's Creation.
Don't animals, birds and other life forms have the right to coexist on Planet Earth with human beings? According to Hindu texts, there are 84 lakh species — yoni — and humans are only one of them. All species exist in the eternal, unchanging, spiritual essence that is called Brahmn , and this truth is the very basis of the concept of the Oneness Principle. All have an equal right to survive experience and enjoy the produce of Mother Nature together. Human beings have not been arrogated any special right as such to dominate or cause hurt to other creatures. In fact, the scriptures advise us to relate to all species and fellow human beings with love and compassion. Animals were loved, nurtured and even worshipped, so much so that they were exalted as divine creatures, as is evident from the way they are depicted on frescoes and sculptures in ancient temples and texts. Interestingly, animals are given due importance as avatars of Lord Vishnu.
In the Dashavatara , the Lord appears as Matsya or fish, followed by Kurma the turtle, Varaha the boar, and Narasimha the half-lion, half-man. Stories from the Panchatantra revolve around animals and birds through whom profound truths are expressed, and so the work appeals to children. It helps inculcate in them a sense of caring and bonding for their fellow creatures. Similarly, Aesop's Fables and the Buddhist Jataka tales have animals as their main characters.
In the war against Ravana, Lord Rama took the help of monkeys and bears, reiterating the need to respect and cooperate with animals. Lord Krishna's favourite animal was the cow. The idea of peaceful coexistence is represented by showing animals as vahans or carriers of Hindu gods and goddesses. Airavata, the white elephant with multiple tusks is the vehicle of the powerful king of the devas , Indra. The water buffalo is the vehicle of Yama, God of death. Shani rides on the crow while Ganesha prefers the humble mouse. Nandi the Bull is Shiva and Parvati's conveyance. Similarly, the garuda or eagle is associated with Vishnu and the peacock with Kartikeya, the brother of Ganesha. Today's beleaguered tiger helped Goddess Durga overcome demons.
The churning of the ocean in Hindu mythology, the manthan carried out by the Suras and Asuras , was not without the valuable assistance of animals. Vasuki the snake was used as the rope and a mountain was the churner. The fulcrum of support was provided by Vishnu in the form of a giant turtle that supported the mountain. Kamadhenu the Divine Cow emerged from this operation, besides the pot of nectar, amrit , and the pot of poison, vish . It was a cross-species effort. In Greek mythology, Aphrodite, the Goddess of love, desire and beauty had the sparrow, dove and swan as her favourites. Artemis, Goddess of animals and twin sister of Apollo had dogs, deer and goose as her sacred animals while Apollo, the son of Zeus, was associated with the dolphin and crow. Zeus's favourite was the eagle.
Don't animals, birds and other life forms have the right to coexist on Planet Earth with human beings? According to Hindu texts, there are 84 lakh species — yoni — and humans are only one of them. All species exist in the eternal, unchanging, spiritual essence that is called Brahmn , and this truth is the very basis of the concept of the Oneness Principle. All have an equal right to survive experience and enjoy the produce of Mother Nature together. Human beings have not been arrogated any special right as such to dominate or cause hurt to other creatures. In fact, the scriptures advise us to relate to all species and fellow human beings with love and compassion. Animals were loved, nurtured and even worshipped, so much so that they were exalted as divine creatures, as is evident from the way they are depicted on frescoes and sculptures in ancient temples and texts. Interestingly, animals are given due importance as avatars of Lord Vishnu.
In the Dashavatara , the Lord appears as Matsya or fish, followed by Kurma the turtle, Varaha the boar, and Narasimha the half-lion, half-man. Stories from the Panchatantra revolve around animals and birds through whom profound truths are expressed, and so the work appeals to children. It helps inculcate in them a sense of caring and bonding for their fellow creatures. Similarly, Aesop's Fables and the Buddhist Jataka tales have animals as their main characters.
In the war against Ravana, Lord Rama took the help of monkeys and bears, reiterating the need to respect and cooperate with animals. Lord Krishna's favourite animal was the cow. The idea of peaceful coexistence is represented by showing animals as vahans or carriers of Hindu gods and goddesses. Airavata, the white elephant with multiple tusks is the vehicle of the powerful king of the devas , Indra. The water buffalo is the vehicle of Yama, God of death. Shani rides on the crow while Ganesha prefers the humble mouse. Nandi the Bull is Shiva and Parvati's conveyance. Similarly, the garuda or eagle is associated with Vishnu and the peacock with Kartikeya, the brother of Ganesha. Today's beleaguered tiger helped Goddess Durga overcome demons.
The churning of the ocean in Hindu mythology, the manthan carried out by the Suras and Asuras , was not without the valuable assistance of animals. Vasuki the snake was used as the rope and a mountain was the churner. The fulcrum of support was provided by Vishnu in the form of a giant turtle that supported the mountain. Kamadhenu the Divine Cow emerged from this operation, besides the pot of nectar, amrit , and the pot of poison, vish . It was a cross-species effort. In Greek mythology, Aphrodite, the Goddess of love, desire and beauty had the sparrow, dove and swan as her favourites. Artemis, Goddess of animals and twin sister of Apollo had dogs, deer and goose as her sacred animals while Apollo, the son of Zeus, was associated with the dolphin and crow. Zeus's favourite was the eagle.
By reviving national and international traditions that uphold the human-animal symbiotic relationship, we can recast the way we perceive life forms other than our own. Mythology can help revive and rejuvenate a relationship gone awry.
Written by Prof Akhil Chandra
Institute of Logistics and Aviation management
Written by Prof Akhil Chandra
Institute of Logistics and Aviation management
