Indian Culture has been founded on empathy and sympathy. The originators and upholders of these twin values have been our Rishis, who have shone the light of their boundless love and compassion on humans, animals, reptiles, insects and plants alike.
In today’s materialistic age though, many of us have unfortunately lost sight of these Rishi ideals, upon which our very civilization and culture have been founded. We have forgotten that we are the land of the most compassionate Buddha and Mahavira, and have become immensely cruel towards mute animals.
So how can we get back on track? What is the compassionate view point to develop? A light in this direction has been cast by Mother Mirra and Sri Aurobindo, whose empathetic Rishi perspective towards animals, reptiles and even insects, has been documented in 2 books: Our Light & Delight and Words of the Mother – III (Volume 15).
– Mother Mirra
Mother Mirra’s Compassion for Snakes, Ants & Bees
Mother related an experience of hers during one of the outings she made daily in the late afternoon. She said: “I was walking rather absorbed. Suddenly I saw a snake sliding past just in front of my feet. One step more and I would have trodden upon its body. It never struck me that I might be bitten. The only thought I had was: ‘I would hurt the snake by stepping on it.'”
Source: Our Light and Delight.
Once a disciple wrote to the Mother about a problem. “There are a lot of ants in the walls of the bakery. They come onto the table and get into the baking tins.”
Mother replied: “You must find out where they are coming from, which hole they are coming out of, and put a little pile of sugar near the hole. They will keep themselves busy carrying it away and will not bother you any more.
Source: Words of the Mother – III.
Another disciple asked her: “Mother, today I found a honey-comb on the Patience tree. We work in the shade of this tree. The honey-comb will get bigger and the tree is not very high. What could be done?”
Mother answered: “I don’t think that the bees will sting you if you do not disturb them. But if you are afraid…”
Source: Words of the Mother – III.
“In every man and in every animal, however weak or wicked, great or small, resides the same omnipresent, omniscient soul. The difference is not in the soul, but in the manifestation. Between me and the smallest animal, the difference is only in manifestation, but as a principle he is the same as I am, he is my brother, he has the same soul as I have. This is the greatest principle that India has preached.”
– Swami Vivekananda
Part 3: “I Came to Take Your Dog’s Soul” – When Amal Kiran’s dog died, his wife saw a faint form approach with outstretched arms and take the dog’s soul.
Part 1: Animals Are “Persons” With Rights – How Great Sages View Animals – In Mother & Sri Aurobindo’s Ashram cats had the right (just like a person) to sit on any chair they pleased. No one could shoo them away.
