Devi’s Vahana : Lion (Panthera leo)

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These Varana are the representation of the various energies ( animal

energies ) that exists in the universe as well as in human beings and

they need to be controlled and channel properly so as to transform

ourselves spiritually.

 

Generally Lions belongs to the Cats family or felids, but for more

specificially it is called Panthera Leo. Within the Lion family

itself there are various other types of lions: Panthera leo leo,

Panthera leo azandica , Panthera leo bleyenberghi , Panthera leo

hollisteri , Panthera leo krugeri , Panthera leo massaicus , Panthera

leo melanochaita, Panthera leo nubica , Panthera leo persica ,

Panthera leo roosevelti, Panthera leo senegalensis , Panthera leo

somaliensis , Panthera leo verneyi .

 

Of all the Felidae, the lion is the only animal that relies

extensively on group cooperation or in an organized social groups.

Lionesses tend to stay in the pride they are born in. This makes the

group a collection of sisters, aunts, cousins, mothers and

grandmothers who have grown together. Although lions do not have the

same concept s of 'kin' and genetic relations as humans do, it may

not be too presumptuous to assume these animals have the same sense

of family devotion. The females are the core of the pride, it is the

males that come and go. Females generally stay with the pride, and

the male cubs are kicked out after 3 years. Unlike other social

animals, there is no hierarchy among the females, and all females can

and do breed. When lions wake up from sleeping or regroup from

hunting expeditions, there is an elaborate greeting ceremony where

the lions butt heads and chuff at each other. The ceremony not only

reaffirms bonds but identifies intruders, since all lions look

basically the same it is hard for them to tell a pride member from an

intruder. This is where the importance comes in. The thing lions look

for in the greeting ceremony is confidence; any lion that lacks

confidence obviously is not a member of the pride and will be chased

off.

 

Lions communicate with each other in a variety of ways. They are a

social animal, so communication is more important to them than to

more asocial cats, and so is more developed. Their vocal

communication consists of grunts, snarls, hissing, moaning, mews, and

the famous roar. The roar has various meanings, depending on what

situation it is used in. Roaring is used for advertising territory,

calling to other pride members, intimidating rivals, and

strengthening the bond between pride members.

 

Lions are carnivores; their diet consists of a variety of meats

ranging from small insects to large herbivores such as giraffes. The

lionesses are the hunters in the pride, hunting either in the morning

or at night. Packs of lionesses form within a single pride. The

lionesses hide in small groups to ambush their prey.

 

Each of the major cultures that have influenced our current

civilization have had rich lion mythologies.

 

When people think of lions, the image of royalty immediately comes to

mind. In most cultures the lion has been used to symbolize both

rulers and the strength of the nation. Kings are depicted either with

or as lions in many cultures. Lions are also kept as pets in this

respect. It was recorded that the Egyptian pharaohs Ramasses II and

Tutankhamun kept lions as pets. Lions have always been linked to

humans in a magical way. We seem to share a mystical bond with them

in consciousness throughout time, even into the present.

 

Besides being pictured with rulers, lions have been characterized as

rulers themselves. They have been portrayed as the stereotyped 'king

of the beasts' in cartoons, comics, and satires. In C.S Lewis's

Chronicles of Narnia, The lion is portrayed not only as a king, but

as an almost supernatural being with power over time, life, and death.

Lions have been portrayed in this way for several reasons. One may be

their apparent strength and confidence. Very few animals are able to

challenge a lion. Even other predators such as cheetahs and leopards

will flee lions or give up their kills when challenged. Watching a

lion walk the savanna, it seems to have an air or confidence and

grace in it's almost undisputed place in the heirarchy of animals

around it. In fact, it is probably only elephants that are easily

able to deter a lion without a challenge. To many, it seems a lion

has absolute control over it's 'kingdom' through it's strength and

grace. This embodies the human ideals of strength and power. It is

therefore easy to see why it has been chosen by so many as a symbol

of the strength of a ruler or nation.