Animal rights In Ancient India

The Vedic Laws of Ancient India prohibited cruelty towards animals and decreed that all life was sacred. The humane treatment of animals was and is an integral part of our glorious culture. The following well- known story from the annals of Indian history is one such example that upheld the rights of even animals.
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The young Chola prince sped through the royal streets in his new chariot pulled by the best thoroughbred horses. The people gathered along the streets to watch the young prince drive the chariot skillfully. They cheered and clapped as the prince handled the corners adeptly and never lost control of the chariot or the horses even when driving at a very high speed. As he turned a corner, a young calf suddenly sprinted across the street. The prince pulled at the reins and tried to bring the chariot to a complete stop but, alas, the calf was trampled by the horses and the chariot wheels ran over the baby calf which was crushed by the weight. All this happened in just a fraction of a second and in front of the watchful eyes of the mother cow which stood helplessly as it watched its child die!
 


The grieving cow ran towards the Bell of Justice and tugged at the bell-rope with its teeth. The bell rang loud and clear signalling the need for justice. The Chola King heard the call for justice and rushed towards the Bell of Justice. ‘Who is calling for justice,’ he wondered as he ran towards the Bell Tower followed by his ministers. He stopped dead in his track when he saw that a cow was ringing the bell. He proceeded towards the cow and stroked its back. ‘Are you seeking justice?’ he asked it and was saddened to see tears flowing from its eyes. The cow led the King to the place where its calf had been hit by the chariot. The King’s heart missed a beat when he saw the baby calf lying under the chariot wheels. ‘Who would do such a gruesome deed!’ he cried.



‘It was me, father,’ cried a meek voice.
The King was shocked to see his son standing next to the chariot. ‘I was driving this chariot when this baby calf suddenly rushed across the street. I tried very hard to stop the chariot but, …it was too late!’ cried the prince.



‘At what speed were you driving the chariot ?’ asked the King. ‘Didn’t you know that the streets are not meant for racing or that driving the chariot is a privilege not your right? You were granted permission to drive after an evaluation of your skills and after you had agreed to follow the rules. It was your duty to drive safely on the streets. Your reckless behaviour has resulted in the death of this calf. The mother cow has called for justice. When I was crowned as the king, I took an oath to protect all creatures and vowed to obey the Laws of Manu. The law is very clear on negligent manslaughter. I condemn you to death,’ cried the king.
 


The onlookers cried when they heard their king condemn his only child to death.
‘It is the king’s duty to uphold dharma. Sinners must be punished by the king according to the severity of the crime. If they are not adequately punished, then, the sinners are forced to endure many severe punishments in hell. You have taken a life. The shastras state that all jeevatmas are equal to one another and the differences we see is because of the bodies they have taken at birth. The body is like a dress worn by the jeevatma. Hence, whether it’s a cow, a dog or a human being, all are equal to one another and we must not discriminate based on their appearance. I thereby, condemn you to death and you too must feel the pain the baby calf felt when it was trampled by the horses and when the chariot wheels ran over its tiny body. I also am condemned to endure the pain felt by this mother cow. Your death will be my punishment. I myself will drive the chariot over you.’



Today in many countries capital sentence is banned and often violent offenders are released after just a few years in prison. This may seem like a humane law but, in reality by releasing such violent offenders back into the society the governments are endangering the lives of the innocent people. This is a classic case of hinsa in ahimsa – i.e injury to the innocent resulting from seemingly non-violent approach.
 


Legend has it that the moment the King drove the chariot over his only son, both the calf and the son came back to life. As the king hadn’t strayed from justice even when he was hearing the case against his son, he was proclaimed as “Manu Neethi Cholan.” The readers may find the justice practised by the Chola King hard to digest especially since in this day and age one cannot expect such fairness even among fellow human beings.

 The Cholas are descendants of the Solar Dynasty and were the upholders of Vedic Dharma in Southern India as noted by the above history in which the King strictly followed Manu Smriti. Manu Neethi Cholan was the Chola king Ellalan who ruled from 205 BCE to 161 BCE. He is proclaimed as a just and benevolent ruler a  statement which is acknowledged even by the Sinhalese. The Mahavamsa composed by the Sinhalese praises him for treating both friends and foes with fairness.