:Thread:
So this tweet below reminded me of some thoughts I have been having regarding some aspects of interaction with animals that seem to occur more often in India than other places.
Interactions which the sanctimonious idiots of PETA etc cannot fathom even in their dreams.
I'll start with this heart-warming video of an Old Amma feeding a fellow devotee of Mahadev with all the devotion and love that can possibly exist. And he too graciously accepts the offering.
It is saved on my HDD with the title, 'Indyeah'!
At the other end of the spectrum of age is this little one that has made a colossal friend for herself!
The hymn being chanted in the background perfectly sums up what I seek to underline by the way of this thread
Of course, when our Gods themselves choose to incarnate in various non-human forms, this devotion and love is but expected, no?
Here's Traffic constable Sanjay Ghude, just doing his bit towards a fellow being that was having a tough day in the summers
Of course, Sewa Paramo Dharmah!
Apparently, this old lady used to feed him regularly.
When she fell ill, he decided to come over and see her!
Such a beautiful conversation without any words being spoken ..
Talking of unsaid words, here's another instance of two fellow beings sharing nourishment
Then there is this.
The folks of PETA etc will NEVER understand this.
Of course, then there are the Bishnois!
Going to my archives to pull out the tweet quoted above, I came across this reply. Yup, pictures do speak a 1000 words!
Hence this thread.
I'm also sure Shuchi Ji will be happy that I too am doing an entire thread now, though on a somewhat unrelated topic!
Here's a visual from the Gir Forest.
Co-existence in all its glory!
And yup, who doesn't like golgappas, right?
Especially, free golgappas!
But then there are some who prefer helmets instead!
That sad ARREEEYYY at the loss of helmet and a heartfelt plea to Ganesh Baba to return the helmet is in a league of its own!
🤣
Talking of elephants, not very long ago this one came over to bid final farewell to his Mahout.
Full of grace, compassion and empathy, he quietly payed his respects and moved back, leaving two legged companions of the departed to carry on with the rituals
They are much much more intelligent than what we might think. Here's an example - An injured langoor patiently waits at an hospital entrance to get treated in Dandeli, Karnataka. And when his turn comes, he calmly accepts treatment.
Of course, not everyone has the time to go to a clinic. Some require immediate resuscitation and CPR.
What is most striking about this vid is the distraught man trying to resuscitate not a monkey, but the very incarnation of Hanuman Ji by repeatedly calling him 'Anjaneya Swami'.
Here a young Bishnoi lad rescues a Chinkara that was attacked by stray dogs.
A rescued calf and a grateful elephant mother!
The herd patiently waited at a distance while the humans rescued their baby. Don't miss the repeated acknowledgements by the mother elephant from the 1:15 mark onwards.
Truly divine, I'd say!
On the lighter side .. friends in need are friends indeed!
1/2
When the legendary tigress from Pench Tiger Reserve, affectionately called Collarwali, died due to old age, she was seen off not only with dignity, but with full final rites due to any family member, including seeking blessings of the departed soul.
2/2
Some stills from the last rites of 'Collarwali'.
Then there was Gangaram, a revered 130 year old village elder in Bawamohatra, Chhattisgarh.
He never attacked by the villagers and ate whatever they gave him. The entire village grieved when he passed away in Jan 2019.
Meanwhile in Kolkata .. when you forget your umbrella and it starts pouring, just go to the nearest policeman!
This little one decided to give a quick hug to his rescuers before running away to rejoin his family!
Talking about hugs by little ones .. This particular moment has a special place in my all time favourites!
Banaras!!
A true devotee never returns empty handed!
Gomata's blessings are ALWAYS solicited!
Of course, kids need to await their turn for being carried by their mother!
And we park only in designated spaces .. especially since Challan amounts went through the roof last year!
An all night rescue, followed by a trek to reunite with family for this little one!
Like I said before, they are much much more intelligent as well as empathetic than we credit them for.
Here in Sathyamangalam, elephants brought down all banana trees, except for just this one.
Sarve Santu Niramayah ..
🙏
Together, we shall beat the heat!
The above photo reminded me of this one as well.
It was taken some time during the 26/11 Ops. Here we have an NSG Commando, amongst the best in the world, who takes out time in the midst of an operation to unwind with some winged friends - Truly a 'Black Cat' amongst the Pigeons!
Yog is indeed the essence of life!
And just in case there was any doubt, I'll re-emphasise that Lions have the right of way EACH AND EVERY TIME!
Har Har Mahadev!
Somewhere in Assam - The King comes to survey his lands!!
Mutual co-existence benefits all!
Talking about mutual co-existence, here are some four legged contributors to Prime Minister Modi's appeal for Open Defecation Free India!
(Not sure whether this vid is from India or Africa, though)
It takes an entire village to rescue an elephant!
Somewhere near the corridors of power in and around Raisina Hill!
Sometimes a gentle nudge is all that is required to get a friend back on their feet!
This one is from Bandipur Reserve Forest!
Nap Time .. Sheer Bliss!
This one was doing rounds on WA some days back.
It's called 'Identity Theft'!
He must have been a drill sergeant in previous life!
And this one must've been a traffic policeman!
He doesn't like people overtaking from the left!
NOPE.. He isn't enroute to participate in a Farmer Protest .. he is just travelling to his place of work!
Four legged friends have been our muses since millennia!
Do you see a bull or an elephant in this Optical Illusion Art?
Location: AiraVatesvara Temple
Vintage: Chola Dynasty
A silent prayer to the Almighty Bajrang Bali!
(Copyright: Chithramitra Ji)
Nandi Ji watches over the kids!
Om Shanti ..
🙏
Seeking the blessings of Nandi Ji ..
A fervent plea to the Bholenath, via the ears of Nandi Ji!
बनारस और सहजीविका!
Poetry in colour indeed!
Buddies!
Banaras - A little girl with THREE manifestations of Pavanputra watching over her!
When Nandi Ji decided to assume his watch in front of Mahadev!
Unperturbed .. faithfully so
Transcendental beauty indeed!
Tea Time!
No material, wordly possessions can beat this gift of companionship!
Har Har Mahadev!
Sacred conversations!
Together.
Devoted.
Companions!
Eternal bonds indeed .. spanning millennia after millennia!
They know. And they care that we care.
Eternally Devoted
Size does NOT matter in the matters of friendship!
Sharing is caring ..
Three little kids doing what kids do best - having a good time!
The PERFECT setting for a sound sleep!
Jai Bholenath!
Of course, they know to be wary of the silly traffic on Indian roads as well!
Thanks for your patience, folks.
Halting this thread for the time being. Will carry it forward tomorrow again 🙏
Ok folks, recommencing this thread with this lovely click here.
Minimalistic Living .. with MAXIMUM sharing indeed!
Om Mane Padme Hoom!
Such a heartwarming video from the COVID lockdown period.
Policemen on their lunch break decide to feed stray cattle instead, knowing that there is no one else who is permitted to move about and feed them.
Empathy at its natural best!
Hot Poories are best enjoyed when shared with friends!
Try it!
Somewhere in the Land of Five Rivers .. When this bovine passerby was battling between life and death due to electrocution, local shopkeepers decided to put their own lives at risk in order to save it.
Glad they succeeded!
We also make good cricketers out of our four-legged friends!
And they participate wholeheartedly in our celebrations as well!
😂
As I've said before, our association is millennia old!
Here's proof - 'Dog on a Leash', Cave painting from Bhimbetka, Madhya Pradesh.
Vintage: 7000 BC to 10,000 BC
Love and compassion can turn even purebred KILLERS into adorable babies!
This one is amongst my favourites.
It is titled - Rottweiler in a foreign country Vs. Rottweiler in India!
Of course, there are sign boards with instructions for four legged visitors as well, especially those whose two legged companions are idiots!!
#Indyeah!
Free Bhangra lessons too are reserved for cute little pets, especially in the Land of Five Rivers!
This is Sarathkumar Palanisamy, an anti poaching watcher who carried on his shoulders, an Elephant calf that fell in a ditch on his shoulders, sometime in 2017.
The calf was later united with its herd.
Photoshopped tributes too aren't all that rare, I tells you!
1/2
This calf was stuck at the edge of a deep valley for three days or so, somewhere in Ambernath, Maharashtra.
2/2
It would have died out there if not for this group of young men who risked their own safety to pull it out.
Hats off indeed!
Btw, who HASN'T had a cat climb up on the roof of their house and get stuck there, hainji?
😂
In elephant country, it is the trains that give way to pachyderms!
Good company is a blessing indeed!
On the lighter side - When you are riding a horse but someone plays the national anthem!
Helmets are absolutely compulsory!
Not many may be aware of the critical help rendered by our bovine brethren to the Indian Space Programme!
I kid you not!
And they also faithfully stand-in in lieu of essential equipment when playing sports!
You all must have jived to 'Lungi Dance', right?
Let's see how many can do the 'Lungi Rescue' like this one here!
Then there are occasions when a Mahout has to apply Emergency Brakes!
Yup, the four legged ones also play a major role in ensuring smooth traffic flow whenever required!
Selfies with Nagraj aren't too rare either!
When tail lights are faulty, we use .. err .. tails instead!
Then there are idiots that are taught painful lessons that they deserve, right on the spot
The Indian Army is a great institution indeed .. so much so that humans are not the only species that seek to get recruited!
This Traffic Policeman repeatedly signals the dog to wait before he gives it a police escort to cross the road!
The original cock and bull story!
#Indyeah!
Meanwhile in Kerala, with 100% literacy, now going beyond targets!
Alipurduar, WB: Farewell to 'Raja', the aptly named King of the Jungle who reigned there for 25 years. Raja passed away earlier today.
Video: ANI
(HT @krish_firefly)
Dhappa!
(Thankfully, both survived this encounter!)
A personal message for the Mother, through her trusted servant!
CONFIDENCE, that the Lord himself has my back!!
Sacred offerings to the Gods!
(This one is from a temple in Nepal)
Quanzhou, China: An elephant worships Lord Mahadev!
Seek .. And Ye Shall Find!
No devotee is too small for the Protector!
(Photo credit: Rumit Darji)
As I said above, NO devotee is too small for the Lord!
Enroute to higher ground!
(Photo Credit: )
Bhakt!
Sacred conversations indeed!
Jai Bajrang Bali!
Okay, folks. Looks like the thread has gone on for much longer than I anticipated.
Will take a break again and try and resume tomorrow!
Thanks again for your patience 🙏
Recommencing the thread.
This time with an interaction of my own, when Bajrang Bali himself came to partake on the offerings on the occasion of Vijay Dashami approx three years ago!
Then there was this one, clicked in Rishikesh some months back!
Mess inspection indeed!
Yet another video that warms the very depths of one's heart!
I call it: दोस्ती में नोक-झोंक!
Old School Parenting!
Traffic Jam, thanks to the National Bird!
This is the most Indian photo bomb. EVER!
😂
Nandi Ji ki Football Academy!!
🤣
God Loving folks abound!!
#Indyeah!
Bhakti - One of the most beautiful things you can ever witness!
Fellow Devotees!
Blessed be the Lords' servants!
Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam!
Pigeon messaging service of Lord Garuda!
The MILLENNIA old Indian version of Trick or Treaters!
Jai Mata Di!
Cosmic Energy Transfer!
A shrine is the hope of those who care!
A connection that goes back many yugas.
Their acquaintance goes waaaaay back!!
Like I said some tweets above, four legged companions have been our muses since long.
This is a sculpture of an elephant made of 9 women figures on the temple tower (Gopuram) in the 1300 yr old Thirukurungudi Temple, Tamil Nadu!
(Pic: V Gopalan)
A most fortunate man - flanked by the most powerful friends!
(Pic seems to be from Nepal, though I'm not entirely sure)
The Lord's abode is the SAFEST place!
No devotee is too small to get an audience with the Lord, or too large for that matter!
We have ALL contributed towards the victory of Dharma over Adharma!
A favourite pillow works wonders for a tired soul, no?
🙃
A short, unscheduled break to rest a lazy bum!
Three generations of a family!
A fervent appeal to the Mahadev, via a silent whisper to Nandi Ji!
A proud mother!
Bathing a happy baby is a divine experience by itself!
Nandi Ji seems hooked to the divine music!
That's all for the time being, folks!
Will continue tomorrow!
🙏
Moving on, let me share this video of Gajraj Ji visiting what appears to be the cookhouse of some army unit for an impromptu 'inspection'!
Don't miss the 'Poora Kha Ke Jayega Ye' comment at the 13sec mark!
Party crashers!
Looks like the teenager that joined in later was a bit more .. err .. curious!
प्रतिदिन प्रातः का दृश्य ..
Yup .. they DO understand, a lot more than what we give them credit for
A proud herdsman in the making!
They are cherished companions indeed!
Blessed be the childhood that has the Lord विघ्नहर्ता Himself as a best friend!
... A cricket set ... oh oh! And that bicycle, please!!
Ok.
Thank you!
(Received via DM)
Revered, because they are the most loyal of all servants of the Lord Himself!
Just to lighten up this thread a bit, I present Ghoomar!
Bounded by common threads of a glorious history!
ALL lives matter!
Period.
The story of Mansi and Bashir hasn't been told as many times as it deserves to be. The story of a handler who got so enraged at the death of his canine companion that he rushed forward in a suicidal charge against the terrorists who had killed her.
Do read
With this, folks, I think I have reached an end to whatever material I had on my HDD!
Will stop the thread here.
Any relevant material that I come across in the future will be added as and when available.
🙏
Adding this tweet here as well ..
Sharing food with animal friends is second nature indeed.
The smallest helper of the Lord does deserve some pampering!
(Pic Courtesy: @NrependraD)
The Lord offers shelter to all .. especially on a rainy day!!
Har Har Mahadev!
(Click from Chitrakoot, courtesy @ksrs_18)
The Lord manifests in various forms.
We serve them all!
(Credits in video itself. HT @rahuldeodhar)
Of course, co-existence benefits all mutually!
From the TL of @arvindneela: Ganesa worshiping culture produced some of the earliest, most detailed medical treatise for elephants
And then there are the playful pachyderms that just refuse to give their Mahouts permission to go home without a couple of kisses!
(HT @chir_pn)
Animals are given their due respect, both culturally as well as through official diktats!
(HT @different_take)
We are all fellow devotees to the Supreme One!
(HT @Imnotpseudosecu)
Adding a few more snapshots to this thread that I have received from a few good folks.
Immeasurable love!
Don't miss the holy tikka on both kids .. Or is it the HOLI tikka instead?
🙃
The caretaker and his Mahout!
Onwards to higher grounds .. kids and stray pups included!
Childhood friends .. searching for .. well .. whatever!
It's a different world, the one that you see from tinted glasses!
Sachchi!
At home, in the service of Bhole Baba!
Har Har Mahadev!
Haven't we all written an essay on cow at some point in our childhoods?
😂
Needs a few more lessons on how to pout correctly!
The ultimate zoom!
They grew up together.
This sums up their story!
^^ Credit for above photograph is mentioned at the bottom of the photo, for those interested.
An eco-friendly, twin-engine ride, with TWO pairs of lovingly painted horns being flaunted for all that care to notice!
Playing with Bhole Baba in reckless abandon that is the hallmark of a much loved child!
This is it for the time being, folks.
Will add more if I come across any more such media.
🙏
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