Animals in Hinduism
Explore how Sanatana Dharma shapes our lives with animals through ancient texts, traditions, and practice
Foundations
Sanatana Dharma, often referred to as Hinduism, has a long history and preserves a rich treasury of texts. Sanatana Dharma nourishes the spiritual needs of a very diverse group of people, including our spiritual need to understand our relationship with animals.
Ahimsa (non-harm), a foundational moral principle, asks that we not harm animals. Rebirth across eons creates deep kinship and spiritual interconnection across forms of life so that living beings are bound together through kinship. Our core ethic of ahimsa, combined with sacred interconnections of rebirth, supports kindness and care for animals.
This philosophical foundation is further enriched by beloved animal narratives in the Ramayana, Mahabharata, Panchatantra, and the Puranas. These holy narratives show Earth’s many creatures to be much like humankind, with their own lives and their own ways, and as part of the sacred cosmic order. Animals can be powerful and sacred—associated with deities, appearing in divine forms in some narratives, and serving as vahanas. Sanatana Dharma texts, rich with sacred animal characters, remind us that all life ultimately stands inside a single sacred cosmic order.
Our lives are busy and complicated; sometimes we may neglect to honor the expectations of dharma in sadhana and we may not notice where or when we bring harm to animals. We may neglect to honor the divine presence in every living being. We may neglect to ask whether our food choices reflect ahimsa, whether the contemporary dairy industry is consistent with dharma— whether our purchases show respect for Kamadhenu, the sacred cow of abundance, or for motherhood. Fortunately, there are voices rooted in dharma that invite us to ponder how we treat animals and how we can live more faithfully in our practice of Sanatana Dharma.
In the many ways that our lives touch animals, how can we better honor our commitment to Sanatana Dharma?
Teachings
Sanatana Dharma teaches that how we treat animals is morally and spiritually important, that we live in an interconnected universe, and that all beings are divine. The divine dwells in every living being, establishing unity, equality, and the sacred nature of all life. Reincarnation creates kinship and caring across species.
Narratives
Sacred writings of Sanatana Dharma teach readers about the spiritual powers and importance of animals. Vishnu’s past incarnations include a powerful fish; in the Mahabharata and Ramayana, humankind works with animals to defeat evil. Sacred narratives show that humankind and animals can morph across species as can deities such as Hanuman.
Tension
In addition to buying animal products, some Hindus harm and destroy animals through ritual sacrifice. Hindu temples sometimes confine and keep animals such as elephants.
Living
Basic teachings of Sanatana Dharma, such as non-harm and respect for cows, invite us to choose a diet that consists entirely of plant foods.
Advocacy
God and sacred heroes such as Yudhishthira, who rejects eternal bliss rather than forsake a stray dog, exemplify animal activism. Mahatma Gandhi spoke up for animals, both modeling and inspiring Hindu animal advocates.
