In the Western world, people are living more with their pets than family members as loneliness is on rise.
In 2012, 62 percent of American households included at least one pet. Americans spent more than $50 billion on their beloved cats, dogs, and other animal companions!
Indians have this habit of aping Americans. That is why, India doesn't want to be lagged behind in this matter. India has a ratio of one dog per 15 people in the city areas. Many don't even take care of their parents yet they have many dogs! Where has 'Matru/pitru devo bhava' value gone ? Today, it is 'Pet ru devo bhava' !
However, ancient India never had this 'doggish' culture in past as dogs were considered as untouchables. Scriptures advice us to take a bath if we knowingly or unknowingly touch a dog.
Further, our Shrimad Bhagwatam also talks of Maharaja Bharat who renounced his kingdom spread all over earth and went to forest for performing austerities and fell in love with none other than a deer!
He had so much attachment for the deer that he used to eat, sleep, drink with his pet deer! His deity worship suffered and he mentally became like a deer. In his next life, King Bharat became a deer. 'Ante Ya Matihi Sa Gatihi', means, "Whatever mental state we have at the time of death that state we attain in our next life without any doubt." If we are Krishna Conscious, we attain Krishna Loka. What will happen to us if we are 'dog/cat/what not' conscious ?
Prof Richard Wiseman, of the University of Hertfordshire, asked almost 2,500 people to complete online questionnaires about their characters and those of their pets.
He found that many dog lovers, cat owners and even reptile keepers said they shared many of the same traits — such as happiness, intelligence, independence and sense of humour — as their pets!
Imagine what will happen to 62% people of Americans!
Comments
Nice Hari Hari!
Too Good !! Hari Bol !!