MUSINGS

Insects in the Religions of India

RON CHERRY AND HARDEV SANDHU

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The greatness of a nation and its moral progress
can be judged by the way its animals are treated.
— Gandhi (1849-1948)

T
here are numerous publications on core beliefs. More than any other religious that entomological mythology common-
insect mythology on a wide range of perspective, Buddhism has had the great- ly employs transformations of beings
topics. These publications concern est impact on the evolution of Asian civ- between the insect and human form and
mainstream religions such as Judaism and ilization. Originating in India, Buddhism combinations thereof. According to the
Christianity in the Bible (Kritsky and Cher- spread throughout Asia through mission- teachings of Buddha, killing insects and
ry 2000) and Islam in the Koran (El-Mal- ary activity. Today, Buddhism thrives as other creatures has karmic consequences
lakh and El-Mallakh 1994). Insect mytholo- one of the world’s main religions, with and should be avoided whenever possible
gy has been reported from every continent 300 to 500 million followers worldwide (Landaw and Bodian 2003).
except Antarctica and even on obscure (McDowell and Brown 2009). The legend of Avalokiteshvara is espe-
topics such as witchcraft (Weiss 1930) and It is interesting to note that the origin of cially noteworthy for his compassion
shamanism (Cherry 2007). Insects are also Buddhism may be partially due to insects. towards all life, including insects. This
used symbolically throughout the world’s In his 1962 book The Masks of God: Ori- Bodhisattva was about to achieve com-
religions in a variety of roles (Hogue 2003). ental Mythology, the famed mythologist plete release from the vortex of rebirths
However, a glaring gap in our knowledge Joseph Campbell reports the following when he heard all creation lamenting. In
of insect mythology lies in the religions encounter of the young Prince Gautama: his selfless, boundless compassion, he
of India. India is home to some of the “He was riding his white steed, Kanthaka, renounced the release for which he had
world’s oldest religions and is an ancient across a field that was being plowed, when striven through innumerable lifetimes so
mythogenic center whose mythologies he saw its young grass not only torn and that he might stay in this world as a teach-
have spread to other cultures over time. scattered, but also covered with the eggs er and aid to all beings. He later appears
Both in the past and today, its religions are and young of insects, killed. Then filled among merchants as a merchant, among
a major influence on millions of believers. with a deep sorrow, as for his own kindred princes as prince, and even among insects
However, Hogue (1987) noted that besides slaughtered, he alighted from his horse, as an insect (Campbell 1982).
Judaism and Christianity, involvement of going over the ground slowly, pondering
insects in other major world religions has birth and destruction, musing, ‘Pitiable, Hinduism
been relatively unexplored by entomolo- indeed.’” This and later encounters helped This very old religion originated in prehis-
gists. This situation has not changed since the Prince later formulate the principles toric times, so the exact date of origin is
Hogue’s comment. This paper reports on of Buddhism. unknown. It is believed to have come from
insects found in the religions of India. The belief in karma and reincarnation the polytheistic religions of the now-extinct
extends even to insects. If one’s bad deeds Aryans. The Hindu view of God is polythe-
Buddhism surpass good deeds, one will be reborn as a istic with a monotheistic concept. Karma,
This religion was started in approximate- shudra (the lowest of the traditional social reincarnation, and the caste structure are
ly the sixth century B.C.E. by Siddhar- classes), a foreigner, an animal, a bird, or core beliefs. There are more than 830 mil-
tha Gautama (later called the Buddha, even a reptile or insect (Knappert 1995). lion practicing adherents, with most living
meaning “Enlightened One”). Its view of Thus, one may even speculate that in the in India (McDowell and Brown 2009).
God is primarily non-theistic, with poly- past, an insect was a more “advanced” Animals able to talk and who possess
theistic views in some sects. Karma, rein- animal—possibly a human being. This is magical powers are common to folk tales
carnation, and attainment of nirvana are consistent with Hogue’s (2003) observation of all countries, but they are nowhere as

200 American Entomologist • Winter 2013

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Fig 1. Kali, the “Black One,” is a terrifying war- Fig. 2. Kama, the god of love, uses bees in his Fig. 3. Bhramari Devi is the goddess of black
rior goddess who wears a necklace of skulls or bow and arrows to inspire love. bees and one aspect of Devi, the Universal
severed heads. Her epithet is “The Bee.” Mother.

numerous or fantastic as those of Indi- 1, Stutley and Stutley (1977) note that the and reincarnation. A major focus is to do
an mythology (Stutley and Stutley 1977). spider sitting in the center of its web is a no harm to any living organism, and hence
These animals are especially evident in spinner of illusion and reminds Hindus of its followers are strictly vegetarian. Jainism
Hinduism, ranging from animal gods to maya, the supernatural force behind the is practiced by millions of Jains all over
minor roles. Typically, vertebrates assume creation of the transient world. the world, but especially in India, where
powerful roles, such as gods, while insects more than four million Jains are found
are numerous only in minor roles. The Jainism (McDowell and Brown 2009).
restriction of insects to minor, non-pow- This religion was started in the sixth cen- Of the six “great vows,” or Mahavra-
erful roles is consistent with Jobes’ (1962) tury B.C.E. The founder is thought to be tas, that are central to Jainist belief, per-
observation that insects are the lowest Vardhamana (later called Mahavira or haps the most important is the concept
stage of Hindu reincarnation. “Great Hero”), although some historians of ahimsa (“not harming”), which extends
Several examples of insects found in claim that its origins are unknown. The even to insects (Gibson 1998) because
Hinduism are shown in Table 1. Ants and religion has an unspecified belief in the killing insects may have karmic conse-
honey bees are common, which is typical divine, and core beliefs in nirvana, karma, quences. This has resulted in several
of the widespread occurrence of these two
groups in mythologies around the world.
In addition to Table 1, other reports of
Table 1. Arthropod references in Hinduism (Stutley and Stutley 1977).
arthropods in Hindu religion are as fol-
lows. Hogue (1987) notes that Hindu holy
Arthropod Sanskrit Role
writings teach that ants are divine, the first-
ant Gaja elephant figure made from ant-hill to intimidate
born of the world, and ritually the anthill enemies
represents the earth. Kali (Fig. 1) is the
ant Makha ants decapitate Visnu (god)
ferocious female world ruler who leaves
death and destruction in her wake and is ant Upajihirka ants have considerable ritual significance and are the
basis of numerous myths
sometimes described with the epithet “The
Bee” (Knappert 1995). Jobes (1962) notes honey bee Anna honey is metaphor for food in mystical sense
that Kama (Fig. 2), the god of love, carries honey bee Bhringa victim offered at an asvamedha (horse sacrifice)
a bow of sugarcane with a bowstring of honey bee Kariristi honey is food offering to induce rain
bees, and fires arrows tipped with flow-
honey bee Madhu honey widely used in rituals as remedy and for fertility
ers to inspire love. Knappert (1995) goes
honey bee Mahavrata honey part of fertility festival
farther and also puts bees on the flow-
er-tipped arrows. Bhramari Devi (Fig. 3) honey bee Susna Vedic demon turned into lump of honey by Indra (god)
is called the goddess of the black bees. beetle Bhringi a seer transforms to a beetle to complete worship
Bhramara means “relating to the bee,” and cochineal insect Indragopa associated with Indra (god) as rain giver
this goddess is one aspect of Devi, the Uni-
silkworm Raksa silk bound around wrist to avert Evil Eye
versal Mother (Turner and Coulter 2000).
spider Vasistha sweat from Vasistha becomes venomous spiders
Beside the spider example noted in Table

American Entomologist • Volume 59, Number 4 201

 equality of all human beings, and karma Campbell, J. 1982. Myths to live by. Bantam
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and reincarnation. Sikhism is practiced by
Cherry, R. 2007. Shamanism. Am. Entomol.
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Granth Sahib Ji. Everyone goes through the Gibson, C. 1998. Sacred symbols. Barnes and
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Kohli, S. S. 1993. The Sikh and Sikhism. At-
God, who created the world and is present lantic Publishers and Distributers, New
Jainist behaviors to avoid killing insects in everything from people to insects, and Delhi, India.
when possible (Fig. 4). Water may not be God’s jot (spiritual light) is also present Kritsky, G. and R. Cherry. 2000. Insect my-
drunk at night for fear of swallowing some in inanimate objects (Barrow 2010). Sikhs thology. Writer’s Club Pres.. Lincoln, NE.
unseen insect, and masks may be worn believe that God takes care of the whole Landlaw, J. and S. Bodian. 2003. Buddism for
to avoid inhaling insects (Campbell 1982). creation, including insects and worms, and dummies. Wiley Publ. Inc., Hoboken, N.J.
Jain adherents may walk with a broom to this is mentioned in their holy book: “O McDowell, M. and N. Brown. 2009. World re-
sweep clear the ground before they tread Lord, you are kind and compassionate; you ligions at your fingertips. Penguin Group.
New York.
on it. This is done to avoid treading on give your gifts to even worms and insects
Stutley, M. and J. Stutley. 1977. Harper’s dic-
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sweep insects from their path (Wilkin- to important. These roles are commonly Weiss, H. 1930. Insects and witchcraft. J. New
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limiting the number of steps taken every er, the core beliefs in karma and reincar- Wilkinson, P. 1999. Illustrated dictionary of
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day, since every step endangers the lives nation found in Indian religions result in
of insects, worms, and similar creatures a unique viewpoint towards insects not
Ron Cherry is with the University of Flor-
(Campbell 1982). The Jainist vow of non- seen in other religions. The unnecessary ida (IFAS) at the Everglades Research and
violence against living things (including killing of insects as well as other animals Education Center, 3200 E. Palm Beach Road,
insects) even limits them from pursuing is stressed because this may have kar- Belle Glade, FL 33430. His research interests
many professions, such as agriculture. For mic consequences. Moreover, in no other are insect pests of rice, sugarcane, and turf.
this reason, Jainism grew into an urban religion may an insect be thought of as He also has a passion for mythology and has
religion (McDowell and Brown 2009). a potential candidate for bettering itself published several papers on insect mythology.
In 2000, he and Gene Kritsky published Insect
Because its extreme reverence for animal through future reincarnations, possibly Mythology, the first book dedicated specifically
life in general, Cherry (2011) has called even attaining the ultimate bliss of nirvana. to showing the important roles insects have
Jainism the most “insect-friendly” religion. This latter concept may seem strange to played in mythology (see References Cited).
one unfamiliar with Indian religions, but as
Sikhism Shakespeare noted in Hamlet, “There are Hardev Sandhu is working as a Post-Doctoral
Despite the fact that Sikhism is the world’s more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Research Associate at the Everglades Research
fifth largest religion, many people in the than are dreamt of in your philosophy.” and Education Center, 3200 E. Palm Beach
Road, Bell Glade, FL 33430. His research
West are unaware of its existence. Howev-
interests are agronomic studies and insect
er, Sikhism stands alone as the youngest References Cited pest management in sugarcane and energy
of the world’s major religions. It originat- Barrow, J. 2010. Sikhism (World Religions). cane. He is originally from India and he has
ed 1496 C.E. as founded by Guru Nanak Whitecap Books Limited, Toronto, Canada. knowledge about Sikh and Hindu religions,
Dev Ji as a monotheistic religion. Its core Campbell, J. 1962. The masks of God: Orien- and passion to learn about other religions
beliefs are the existence of only one god, tal mythology. Penguin Books. New York. of the world.

202 American Entomologist • Winter 2013