From morning to evening, we see countless animals, birds, insects and micro-organisms around us. If we observe them closely, we notice that they are constantly searching for food to satisfy their hunger. However, do we ever find an animal who looks around to check if anyone else is hungry nearby and thinks of feeding a fellow animal first before eating its own food? No, that does not happen. Only a human being is blessed with such a powerful mind that he can try alleviating someone’s suffering before he enjoys his own joys and comforts.
Parasdham Girnar, a new spiritual institution, was under construction on the blessed land of Girnar. One morning, Param Gurudev arrived at the construction site to examine it. At that time, he noticed that several stray cows had arrived on the nearby empty plot very early in the morning. Those cows were so hungry that they would eat the empty waste cardboard boxes which were discarded from the construction site. Amongst those cows, Param Gurudev noticed a young male calf and said, “Just look at him… he is so small. His hunger must be so intense that he is ready to eat pieces of cardboard too!”
Arrangements had already been made to provide such stray cows with green grass daily. However, the trucks of grass would arrive all the way at 9.00 am. When Param Gurudev learned of this, he expressed his concern for the cows and said, “It is not right that the cows who come in search of food at 7.00 am receive their food only after 9.00 am. Animals must also be given appropriate food at appropriate times!”
Hence, Param Gurudev provided guidance and said, “Behind this area, the plot is empty. Let us create a suitable place to feed cows and place various food items there. Vendors dealing in animal feed will have many different foods, such as corn husks, lentil husks, green gram husks, cottonseed hulls, wheat bran, etc. Let us arrange for these different foods in large containers so that the cows who arrive so early in the morning won’t have to eat cardboard pieces. Also, let’s place a water tank so that all the cows can stay cool during this scorching summer heat.”
The gurubhakts in seva made all the arrangements by evening as per Param Gurudev’s guidance. The next morning, one gurubhakt came and told Param Gurudev, “Gurudev, we have made all the arrangements for the cows as per your guidance. This morning, several cows had even arrived at that plot. Gurudev! What was surprising is that even though there was fresh green grass, the cows did not choose to eat the grass. Instead, they preferred eating these new food items we kept for them. It was more inviting for them!” A smile filled with satisfaction spread across Param Gurudev’s face, and he said, “Of course! Just as humans don’t enjoy eating the same food every day, we must treat animals similarly and give them the food they like.” In a short span of time, that plot became a feeding zone for 70-80 stray cows daily.”
When the cattle feed vendor arrived for Param Gurudev’s darshan, Param Gurudev asked him, “What is suitable for cows in this season? The weather is so hot, so which foods will produce more heat in their bodies and which foods will cool them down? What can they easily digest during this season?” There was care and concern in Param Gurudev’s heart for the health of voiceless stray animals too. After understanding the entire animal food diet system from the vendor, Param Gurudev asked a sevak present there to acquire training from that vendor to manage the feeding site properly and hygienically going forward. Param Gurudev also guided them that food should not be stocked for more than 2 days at a time, so that the cows get to eat fresh food daily.
When an infant is born in the family, that infant is looked after carefully, ensuring that he gets the right nutrition at the right time so that his body becomes healthy. The family considers every aspect of his health, even introducing certain foods in certain seasons that may be beneficial for his growth and strength. But how often do we see the same care and concern for voiceless stray animals?
When we care for our friends, family and loved ones, we have a certain sense of attachment because we feel that ‘they are mine’. But there was no feeling of attachment in Param Gurudev’s heart when he displayed such concern for those poor stray animals, but only pure and unconditional compassion. He had just one thought – ‘How can we alleviate their suffering and bring them some comfort?’ May we all develop such empathy and compassion, which helps us understand the pain and suffering of those around us, and may we too make efforts to alleviate them.
