An introduction...
The stories, myths, and legends of India are full of important animal characters. As we have seen in the Ramayana, in the versions by both Narayan and Buck, the animal characters have very important roles in the story. My focus for this project is on specific animal stories of Indian mythology and religion. Animals are wonderful! I have always had an animal friend of some kind living with me...my whole life! Many ancient stories, myths, and legends that I am familiar with do not have animal characters quite like the Indian stories, myths, and legends.
In India animals are not just an important aspect of their stories, myths, and legends. Animals in India are revered and often worshiped as a part of their religious mysticism. Most of the world is familiar with India’s love of the cow. The cow is deeply respected for many reasons. The cow offers the people milk, labor, fuel (from collected dung), and most of all a believed connection to the great Krishna.
By focusing this project on some of the special animals of Indian mythology I have learned more about why animals are so revered in Indian culture today. The animals that have been mentioned in the Ramayana have stories of their own. For this project, I have dived a bit deeper into these wonderful stories.
It has been difficult, but I have waded through many wonderful animals and their stories and have picked the ones to further explore.
I have included a story about the cow. After all, as I have already pointed out, India loves the cow! The animal character for this chapter isKamadhenu. This is the cow of plenty. Kamadhenu is considered to be very sacred in Hindu mythology. She is said to have emerged from the ocean when it was churned. Kamadhenu is very important in Indian culture, even today. Every part of the cow is symbolic. The relationship between Kamadhenu and Krishna is also very important. I think that the story of Kamadhenu is meaningful and enriches this project greatly.
The narrator for this chapter is Kurma, the tortoise. Kurma is an avatar of Vishnu. During the churning of the ocean of milk, Kurma held the earth upon his shell.
The second animal from Indian mythology that has a chapter in my project is Airavata, the elephant. Airavata was Indra's vehicle. At one time, elephants had wings and could fly. One day an elephant disturbed a sage and was cursed to forever more be a land dweller. Airavata was one of the marvels that emerged from the churning of the ocean.
The narrator for this chapter is Indra's divine dog, Sarama. Indra's faithful companion stayed loyal to him even when tempted to stray. It was Sarama's duty to find missing cows that were stolen by asuras and hidden in the nether world of Patala.
The next chapter is devoted to the evil Mahishasura. Mahishasura was half man and half buffalo and was of the race of asuras. Mahishasura was granted a boon by God Agni that he could only be defeated by a female. The gods rallied and created a super goddess to defeat the terrifying Mahishasura. Devi battled against Mahishasura for ten thousand years before she defeated him.
The narrator of this chapter is Paravani, the beautiful peacock. Paravani is the vehicle for Kartikeya, Shiva's son.
Chapter four is about Garuda. Garuda was part eagle and part man. He was magnificent and despised all things evil. His mother was imprisoned in the nether world of Patala when she lost a bet. Garuda immediatly went to her rescue. The Nagas, the dwellers of Patala, ordered him to bring them a cup of amrita, a powerful nectar, and then they would release his mother to him. Garuda was successful and saved his mother. Garuda's hatred to snakes continued on, however.
The narrator of this chapter is Shesh Nag, or Naga. Naga is called the god of serpents and is a member of the Naga race. Naga is one of three kings of an underworld dwelling called Naga Loka. He is the son of Kashyapa, a celestial sage and Kadru, the mother of serpents. It is said that the world is supported by the hood of the great Shesh Nag. He has a very important role in Indian mythology. In fact, Rama’s loyal brother, Lakshmana, is said to be the reincarnation of Naga! There is a wonderful history to Naga that will be a lot of fun to retell.