There are various instances in Hindu mythology, which support the sacred belief that dogs are an integral part of our lives. Centuries-old wall carvings, statues, and imagery of Hindu gods have feature canines – some of the revered deities being Dattatreya, Kal Bhairav, and Indra. Other holy texts such as the Mahabharata also mention the presence of a dog.
Some devotees of Shirdi Sai Baba have shared accounts of Him appearing before them in the form of a black dog when they needed support during the darkest times of their lives.
Dogs even according to astrology are considered auspicious – people suffering from the negative effects of the planets Rahu and Shani might find some respite when they feed stray dogs.
In a country like India where religion, beliefs, tradition and cultures criss-cross, innocent animals like canines often get trapped in a warped imagery that is often incorrectly depicted. Many consider them dirty, inauspicious, or unwanted creatures. However, when we begin to explore ancient scriptures and holy texts we realise that our assumptions might be polluted. Every book on the divine or the saints teaches us that all creatures must be treated as equals – be it a human, dog, cow or wild animal. It is up to us to imbibe the best of these beliefs and practice tolerance, kindness, equality and respect for all living beings: https://vosd.in/hinduism-preaches-kindness-to-dogs/
VOSD is India’s largest non-profit organisation for dogs. Over 20,000 dogs have been rescued by us over a decade and we admit 300-400 dogs to the VOSD Sanctuary & Hospital annually. We provide the most sophisticated and expensive medical care & rehabilitation services at no cost to stray dogs and abandoned pet dogs. VOSD is a dog’s best friend. To know more about us and support our work, visit https://vosd.in