Sri Guru Datta is accompanied by 4 dogs, in his figurative symbol. These 4 represent the 4 Vedas the 4 Yugas, and the 4 states of the Word. They also refer to the 4 states of Existence.
The 4 Vedas are : Rig Veda, Sama Veda, Yayur Veda and Atharva Veda.
The 4 Yugas are : Krita, Treta, Dwapara and Kali Yugas.
The 4 states of the Word are : Para (beyond), Pasyanti (perception; Madhyama (conception), Vaikhari (vocal).
The 4 states of Existence are : Existence, awareness, thought and speech or action.
Dog at Kanchi Mutt
From 1927 a dog was following Kanchi Paramacharya. It stayed near the camp wherever he pitched the camp. It wouldn’t touch anything impure. It was taking food that was given by the Mutt workers. It was guarding the property of the Mutt. Paramacharya used to ask every evening whether the dog was fed. Whenever Swamiji was travelling in the palanquin (Pallakku in Tamil) from one town to another town, it was walking under the palanquin. As soon as the palanquin stopped it would run away and stay at a distance like a humble servant. Sometimes it used to walk under the elephant of the Mutt. It never hurt any devotee but wagged its tail to show them its welcome or gratitude.
Who knows the secret behind its previous births?
Ramanashram
A dog used to sleep next to Bhagavan, and there were two sparrows living at his side in the Hall. Even when people tried to drive them away they would come back. Once he noticed that the dog had been chased away. He remarked: “Just because you are in the body of a human you think you are a human being, and because he is in the body of a dog you think him a dog. Why don’t you think of him as a Mahatma, and treat him as a great person. Why do you treat him like a dog?” The respect he showed to animals and birds was most striking. He really treated them as equals. They were served food first like some respected visitors, and if they happened to die in the Ashrama, they would be given a decent burial and a memorial stone. The tombs of the deer, the crow and the cow Lakshmi can still be seen in the Ashrama near the back gate.
Who knows in how many different forms – animal, human, and divine beings visited this embodiment of the Almighty! We, common and ignorant women knew only the bliss of his presence and could not tear ourselves away from the Beloved of all, so glorious he was. It has been sixty years, I think, since I came. The days I spent with Bhagavan are memorable days indeed. Somehow, in my old age, I am pulling on with Bhagavan in my heart and his name on my tongue.
Dogs in Heaven
A universal story from Hindu mythology about dharma.
There is a very beautiful story from the Hindu mythology’s Mahabharata that provides an insight to the meaning of our existence.
Five brothers who were kings and their wife, the queen (this happened through a misunderstanding of the concept of ‘sharing’ as expressed by their mother) after a long reign were embarking on their final journey – to heaven. To do so they had to trek up a mountain and along the way they were joined by a dog. The climb was so arduous they began to die off. Even the second oldest brother, the ‘Hercules’ of his era, fell.
However, the eldest, Yudhishthira and the dog made it to the top where they were greeted by Indra the king of the gods. He congratulated Yudhishthira and told him to get into his chariot to go to heaven, but the dog walked in first.
Indra was infuriated (he had this tendency): “I will not tolerate a dog in my chariot! Get him out and let’s go.”
Yudhishthira said, “Through my journey up the mountain, my queen and my brothers left me. Only this dog stayed with me – I cannot leave him now.”
Indra exclaimed, “What! Are you mad? Dogs do not belong in heaven! Do you want to give up your place for a dog?”
Yudhishthira replied, “The dog stayed faithfully by me, I will not desert him – even for heaven.”
Just then the dog transformed himself into Yama the god of the underworld and spoke: “You have chosen rightly, my son. In life all shall leave us, our passions, our acquaintances and even those we love dearest. Only our Dharma, like the dog, stays with us regardless. To this Dharma, we must be true.”
