An oblivious ally
Indian Hindu Mythology is a conspicuous web of myths, legends and epics and it plays a important role in framing the societal norms and beliefs. One such mythological legend in the epic Mahabharata, showcases the story of an Indian king, named Yudhisthira, who was accompanied along with his wife and four other brothers to travel India and the Himalayas, after renouncing all their earthly claims. On their way, a dog had followed their trail and was his only companion until he reached his destination, while the rest succumbed to their weaknesses one after the other. Yudhisthira continued his journey undeterred by the loss of near and dear ones. And all this while the dog kept him company.
Just when he was about to reach heaven, the Lord Indra, asked Yudhisthira to leave the dog behind and proceed to heaven in his chariot. But, he refused to comply and considered it against his Dharma to leave a friend who was with him all throughout his journey. Later on, he found out that the dog was in fact the Lord of Dharma himself, disguised in the form of a dog. Yudhishthira was just being himself, but had unknowingly weaved the most glorious morals in the epic.
This series of photos showcases my point of view of what makes Varanasi and its people to live in harmony with the dogs all around the streets, not at all bothered by their presence nearby and carrying out their daily activities. This relationship of harmonious existence of humans with the dogs, might have been influenced by the story of Yudhishthira and therein has framed the societal pattern of the city of Varanasi. The presence of the living beings under one frame in peaceful coexistence is what we are lacking in this world.
uma sankar das bhuyan, India, guwahati
