CHINNA KATHA FROM BHAGAVAN’S DISCOURSE. No. 39.

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39 - Why man is considered the acme of creation

 

One day a clever fox began wondering, " Why man is considered the acme of

creation and in what way is he superior to animals? Both man and beast

have emotions and passions. Both have their own good and bad qualities.

Why then this superiority? Let me go to the king lion and seek his

advice. " Thinking thus, the fox hurried to the lion's den. " How nice to

see you after so many days! Come tell me what is it that you want? " said

the lion. The fox said in all humility, " Oh, King! Man is growing

all-powerful and is claiming sovereignty over the entire creation! I

cannot tolerate man's arrogance and his claim of superiority over all

animals. In what way are we inferior? Can we not establish our

superiority? We must do something about it. " The lion nodded its head

and said: " True dear, what shall we do? " The lion and the fox discussed

the problem for a long time and decided finally to call for a conference

of all animals in the forest. They would discuss thoroughly the relative

merits and demerits of man versus animals. The lion then said to the

fox: " Go and make all arrangements for the conference. Invite all

animals, big and small without any exception. But, who will preside over

the conference? " The fox replied: " There is a sage in our forest who has

been doing penance since a long time. He is a friend of both man and

animals. He will certainly have no preference or prejudices. Why not

request him to be the Chairman? " " Do so " , replied the lion.

 

In a week's time the fox executed the whole plan. A vast area in the

forest was cleared to hold the conference. On the appointed day the

animals began filling up towards the conference venue. Very soon, all

the animals were seated in their respective places. The sage arrived in

time and took his presidential seat. The lion and the elephant stood on

either side of the sage, while the fox stood in front of the gathering.

 

The fox being the Secretary of the conference welcomed the gathering and

said:

 

" I welcome you all and thank you all for attending this conference " .

Referring to the Agenda of the conference, the fox said: " I am pleased

to place before you four major points over which we have to deliberate.

You have to think well and come forth with your opinions as these points

have a vital bearing on our self-respect.

 

Men as well as the animals are born alike, of the womb of the mother.

Then why should animal is called 'janthu' and man as 'manava'? They

should be addressed alike.

 

There is a fantastic notion that man is wise and animals are foolish. We

cannot accept this humiliation and baseless stigma.

 

It is claimed that man has the most blessed faculty of speech. But what

is the reason for pride when man is only abusing this faculty? In what

way do we suffer for want of this faculty? Though we are dumb, we are

able to procure food, find shelter, rear our children and live happily.

So, man cannot be considered as superior to us only because of this rare

faculty of which he boasts.

 

Finally, they say that we are cruel and that man is kind and

compassionate. In fact, we are more kind and considerate than man. So,

we have to refute this allegation, as well " .

 

Having read out the agenda, the fox went and sat in its place. The lion

stepped forward and raising his head, said in a dignified manner: " I

totally approve of all the points of the agenda. I cannot consider man

superior to us in any way. Let us first of all take up the point of

valour and strength. Is there one among men who can excel me in strength

and valour? Even though I am the sole monarch of the forest, I do not

indulge in any act of injustice and corruption. I don't kill any animal

unless I am hungry. Such being the case, can man claim to be superior to

us? " " Never, never " , roared the whole assembly.

 

The lion then resumed its seat beside the sage. The elephant got up and

trumpeted its own glory. " In form, stature, and strength, I am far

superior to man. He is a pigmy beside me. As for intelligence, I am

reputed for my subtle intellect. Since time immemorial, for every

important and auspicious function in the temple or in the palace my

presence is considered auspicious. In fact pious men offer me fruits and

flowers with deep feelings of reverence. How can man call himself

superior to us? " The whole assembly roared: " He can't, he can't " . The

elephant went back to its seat by the side of the sage.

 

Then came forward the dog and saluting one and all in the assembly said

aloud: " I have sound reason to claim that the animals are certainly

superior to mankind. Take for example, the quality of love, faithfulness

and loyalty. Can any man boast of himself being superior to the dog in

these qualities? Man himself keeps us and treats us as a member of his

family because of these rare qualities. But, what about men? They have

no sense of gratitude even. They keep us on cheap food or on the left

over bits at their meal. Man, in his relation to his own master whom he

serves is ungrateful to the core. Sir, I am sure, we animals are far

superior in these characteristics to man. " Having spoken thus, it went

and sat in its place.

 

It was now the turn of the President to give out his decision on the

mater under dispute. The sage got up and said: " My dear friends, what

the dog has said is true. Man often says one thing and does another.

This inconsistency is not to be found in animals " . All the animals

clapped for long with joy. The sage continued: " In the matter of food,

sleep and allied habits of living, there is absolutely no difference

between man and animals. But, there is one fundamental difference. The

animals cannot transform themselves, while man can transform himself

through education, company and emulation. The animals cannot even change

their food habits " . The fox at once got up and questioned, " Oh Master!

What you have said is true. But do you think that all men transform

themselves? " The sage said: " Why, without doubt, such men who do not are

worse than animals. " At once all the animals clapped and cheered the

President. The sage continued: " Men have got another virtue,

discrimination " . The fox said: " It is true that they have

discrimination, but what is the use? They put even animals to shame in

their bad conduct. Oh, what a pity! Man spends all his time, talents,

strength and money to earn his bread, while we animals procure food

without any labour. " The sage could see that the fox was trying to

exceed the limits and make much of their instinctive nature. So, he

said: " Oh, dear animals! You must also be told about another important

distinction. Man can conquer illusion. He can realise the self or atma

and attain immortality. In fact the very word " man " indicates these

attributes:

 

M - means Maya;

 

A - means the Atmic vision and

 

N - means Nirvana.

 

By getting rid of illusion and attaining Atmic vision, man can become

God. Why don't you own and admit your limitations? " The animals asked

him: " Oh Wise one! Do you mean to say that all men make use of these

three attributes? " " No, not all of them, " replied the sage. " Then those

who do not attain nirvana by conquering illusion and having atmic vision

must be treated as our comrades " asserted the animals, in one voice.

" Oh, Dear ones! " replied the sage, " I have come to this forest only to

be your friend and prove myself a true Man " .