Friends, do you know that Ancient Indians worshipped Mother Nature through all her pristine aspects : the planets and stars, flora and fauna, animals and birds ? While most of the world conquered and exploited Nature, Indians worshipped Her. What you worship, you never hurt or destroy and thus ancient India was one of the most eco-friendly races of the world. Even today the sun, moon and planets are worshipped as Navagraha, flowers are respected as they are used in pooja, many plants like the tulasi and trees like the bilva and ashwatha are revered and divinity is seen in almost every part of Nature.
Animals are loved in our culture and many of them are worshipped as vehicles of the gods like
the beautiful Peacock
of Lord Muruga
the tiny mouse Mushika
that carries the portly Lord Ganesha
the powerful Garuda on
whom Lord Vishnu speeds to His devotees’ rescue
the majestic tiger on
which is seated Lord Ayappa and
the stately lion,
seated on which Mother Durga has vanquished many a demon.
Can you think of more divine vehicles? Try. It’s fun. But more importantly, remember the value we carry from this : that all beings in the creation are divine and that we should love and protect them.
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