A festive Diwali evening makes a steady progress towards midnight. Puja , Chants , Dinner & some interesting conversations, comes to an end. Farewell time & we see a surprise visitor sitting outside our home.
A Dog guarding our door ! He is one of the few stray dogs who belongs to our street. Another look at his soulful eyes & we see his very anxious expression , saying , " please let me stay , do not ask me to go ! "
How he has managed to slip past the night watchman is beyond us & find our corridor , as his safe haven , away from the frightening crackers.
Is he here because he is unnerved with the crackers bursting or is he here as our acclamatory omen? Or Both ? We shall just acknowledge him as a sign of a positive harbinger !
Did you know ,In the pre-Vedic era, dogs were regarded as auspicious. It was believed that deities assumed the form of dogs.
Dogs can be either wild or tame, thereby representing the qualities of fidelity, devotion & courage. They have a sharp auditory capability , a capacity of great love and compassion, which at most times is beyond the comprehension of us , mere mortals . Cultivating these qualities , according to the Vedic belief , helps human go beyond their physical and bodily limitations to realising the Absolute Truth!
As a few legends go :
*** A dog was always seen with Saibaba. The dog acts as his emissary.
*** In guise of a Dog , God of Dharma ,went to Heavens with Yudhisthira ( the eldest Pandava ).
*** There is also the four Dogs that accompany Lord Dattatreya ( a combination of the Holy Trinity , of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva ). Since He is a form of Shiva , the Adi Guru , Dogs symbolise the virtue of a perfect student , due to their power to Listen, being alert & orientation to the sound of Silence !
These 4 dogs represent :
The 4 Vedas: - Rig Veda, Sama Veda, Yayur Veda and Atharva Veda
The 4 Yugas: Krita Yuga, Treta Yuga, Dwapara Yuga and Kali Yuga.
The 4 States of Sound : Para (beyond), Pasyanti (perception); Madhyama (conception), Vaikhari (vocal)
And a Fact :
In Nepal & Assam, the 5 days of Tihar aka Diwali ,shows reverence to not just elders and gods, but also to animals namely crows, dogs, and cows , who have a strong connect with humans. Kukur Tihar is a day when the Dogs are worshipped & they are treated with full respect , honour & pampered !
A Dog is unique & the Human bond, special since forever !
"The Spiritual attitude of Man depends on his Attitude towards a Dog"!
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