Sacred Animals In Hindu Religion
Of the many queer customs and beliefs prevalent among the Hindus, this may be found interesting and worthy of deep consideration. A really good and pious Hindu would not dare to do certain actions forbidden by the sacred laws going by the name of Dharma Sastras of Manu whose duty it was to lay down rules for the different Hindu Communities to follow and which no Hindu could transgress.
Certain animals and plants, though causing trouble to people, are considered sacred in Hindu Religion. Among animals, the cow, the cat, the squirrel, the monkey, the brahmani-kite, etc., are considered sacred; and from among the vegetable kingdom, the asvatha tree (Ficus religiosa), the coconut tree, and the bael tree the tulasi plant (Ocymum sanctum), are considered holy and hence should not be destroyed. A pious Hindu would rather let an asvatha tree continue to grow on the wall of his house or in a crevice of the rampart round the well in his garden and then destroy it. He would not dare to cut down the coconut trees to clear the place for the purpose of house building.
The principle or sentiment underlying the custom is based on certain reasons that do not deserve to be brushed aside as superstitious. Accumulated experiences of ages have taught the people this principle or sentiment, by whatever name one may choose to call it, and hence we may have with advantage try to understand its rationale.
According to the Hindu Religion, Manu, has laid down that the life of a Brahmin (educative class caste) is many times more precious than the life of a kshatriya (warrior class caste), a vaisya (farmer class caste) or a sudra (lower caste) and the reason for the same is, that a really true Brahmin has really nothing personal and everything he has and every action he does are for the benefits for humanity at large. So it goes without saying that he should be preserved even at the cost of the sacrifice of many a selfish people, self-centred and living on the labours of others like so many parasites on other trees and plants. The same is the case in the animal and in the vegetable kingdoms also. There are plants that are veritable benefactors of men and animals. By their very existence, they purify the atmosphere and create healthy surroundings for the animals to live in good health. The destruction of one such trees and plants would mean the deprival of a portion of the benefit, which the animals were enjoying.
It has been said that a man exhausted by mental strain would recuperate his vitality and strength, if he would go to a coconut grove and remain there seated for a time, leaning against one of the trees. The same or different advantageous properties may be found in other trees and plants held sacred by the Hindu sages of old. The ban put on certain vegetables such as onions, may be due to hygienic and various other reasons.
To conclude, the pious Hindus consider the destruction of certain animals and plants sinful and this in consequence accounts for Indians considering certain animals and plants sacred.
Certain animals and plants, though causing trouble to people, are considered sacred in Hindu Religion. Among animals, the cow, the cat, the squirrel, the monkey, the brahmani-kite, etc., are considered sacred; and from among the vegetable kingdom, the asvatha tree (Ficus religiosa), the coconut tree, and the bael tree the tulasi plant (Ocymum sanctum), are considered holy and hence should not be destroyed. A pious Hindu would rather let an asvatha tree continue to grow on the wall of his house or in a crevice of the rampart round the well in his garden and then destroy it. He would not dare to cut down the coconut trees to clear the place for the purpose of house building.
The principle or sentiment underlying the custom is based on certain reasons that do not deserve to be brushed aside as superstitious. Accumulated experiences of ages have taught the people this principle or sentiment, by whatever name one may choose to call it, and hence we may have with advantage try to understand its rationale.
According to the Hindu Religion, Manu, has laid down that the life of a Brahmin (educative class caste) is many times more precious than the life of a kshatriya (warrior class caste), a vaisya (farmer class caste) or a sudra (lower caste) and the reason for the same is, that a really true Brahmin has really nothing personal and everything he has and every action he does are for the benefits for humanity at large. So it goes without saying that he should be preserved even at the cost of the sacrifice of many a selfish people, self-centred and living on the labours of others like so many parasites on other trees and plants. The same is the case in the animal and in the vegetable kingdoms also. There are plants that are veritable benefactors of men and animals. By their very existence, they purify the atmosphere and create healthy surroundings for the animals to live in good health. The destruction of one such trees and plants would mean the deprival of a portion of the benefit, which the animals were enjoying.
It has been said that a man exhausted by mental strain would recuperate his vitality and strength, if he would go to a coconut grove and remain there seated for a time, leaning against one of the trees. The same or different advantageous properties may be found in other trees and plants held sacred by the Hindu sages of old. The ban put on certain vegetables such as onions, may be due to hygienic and various other reasons.
To conclude, the pious Hindus consider the destruction of certain animals and plants sinful and this in consequence accounts for Indians considering certain animals and plants sacred.
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