Significance of Crocodile
Synonyms: Alligator, Reptile, Lizard, Gharial
In French: Crocodile; In Dutch: Krokodil; In German: Krokodil; In Swedish: Krokodil; In Finnish: Krokotiili; In Spanish: Cocodrilo; In Portugese: Crocodilo; In Italian: Coccodrillo; In Polish: Krokodyl; In Malay: Buaya
The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.
Buddhist concept of 'Crocodile'
In Buddhism, the Crocodile symbolizes destructive desires and serves as an antagonist in teachings. It personifies the consuming nature of these desires, which can lead to one's downfall and suffering if left unchecked.
From: Jataka tales [English], Volume 1-6
(1) The Crocodile lived in the Ganges and was persuaded by his mate to capture the Monkey so she could eat the monkey's heart.[1] (2) A creature living in the river that desired to eat the monkey's heart.[2] (3) An antagonist in the story, representing destructive desires that consume and ultimately destroy.[3]
Hindu concept of 'Crocodile'
In Hinduism, the Crocodile symbolizes formidable challenges and antagonism, notably in the struggle against Gajendra. It represents transformation and danger, serving as a metaphor for obstacles faced and overcome, highlighting the balance of prosperity and ruin.
From: Garga Samhita (English)
(1) This refers to the creature that is described as being powerful and acting in the given scenario within the text.[4] (2) The crocodile refers to a creature that underwent a transformation, having had its head severed.[5] (3) a type of creature present in the Deva-sarovara.[6] (4) graha; large aquatic reptiles, representing a transformation or a metaphorical concept in this context.[7] (5) A character in the struggle described in the text, which represents an antagonist to the regal elephant amidst the conflict.[8]
From: Chaitanya Bhagavata
(1) The crocodile is a creature that was defeated by someone, establishing a precedent of overcoming formidable opponents, which is relevant to the challenge presented.[9] (2) Numerous reptiles were present in the river during the rainy season, and their presence did not deter Nityananda from entering the water.[10] (3) A reptile that was defeated by Hanuman in their encounter.[11] (4) The animal that Nityananda tried to catch.[12]
From: Bhajana-Rahasya
(1) A creature that symbolizes the challenges and dangers one might face, as illustrated in the story of Gajendra's call for help to Shri Krishna.[13]
From: Tiruvaymoli (Thiruvaimozhi): English translation
(1) The predator in the struggle against Gajendra, representing formidable challenges.[14]
From: Ramayana of Valmiki (Shastri)
(1) An animal to which the great Sumantra is compared as he entered the apartment.[15]
From: Manusmriti with the Commentary of Medhatithi
(1) A type of oviparous animal that includes the Porpoise and similar species.[16]
From: Abhinaya-darpana (English)
(1) An example of a creature depicted through gesture in the Bharata Shastra, used symbolically in performance.[17]
From: Brihat Samhita
(1) A reptile, and if the elephant is dragged away by it, the king will face ruin, but if the elephant drags it to the bank, there will be prosperity.[18]
From: Charaka Samhita (English translation)
(1) The virilifying preparation of the cock’s flesh involves frying the cock’s flesh in the semen of the crocodile, which is said to cause continual erection of the phallus, showing the importance of the crocodile.[19]
From: Kathasaritsagara (the Ocean of Story)
(1) The great hostility to this animal is said to be the principal cause of respect paid to the ichneumon.[20]
From: Manasara (English translation)
(1) Crocodiles are images used to decorate the base, and this type of base should be decorated with images of elephants, horses, lions, and crocodiles.[21]
The concept of Crocodile in local and regional sources
Crocodile is central to various narratives, symbolizing danger and trickery. It appears as both a quest target for youth and a formidable antagonist to characters like the Prince, illustrating themes of cunning and survival in folklore.
From: Village Folk-tales of Ceylon (Sri Lanka), vol. 1-3
(1) A reptile that resided in a river of a specific country, befriended a crab, and devised a plan to eat a jackal that would come to drink water, ultimately trying to trick the jackal.[22] (2) The youth is sent to get milk from the Crocodile, completing his series of quests.[23] (3) A creature residing in the pool where the lotus flower grows, which ultimately swallows the Prince.[24] (4) A reptile that becomes the central character in the tale, initially saved by a man, but later tries to eat him.[25] (5) A creature that the Prince battles in the river, overcoming it to help the old woman.[26]
From: Bhaktavijaya: Stories of Indian Saints
(1) The crocodile's act of seizing Gajendra serves as a catalyst for divine intervention, highlighting the importance of adversity in prompting divine assistance from the Dweller in Vaikunth.[27] (2) Crocodile-shaped earrings adorn the ears of the dark-blue-complexioned One, whose breast is wide and waist is thin, as described by Narahari.[28]
From: Folklore of the Santal Parganas
(1) The crocodile lived in a tank and asked the jackal to teach its five children, later discovering the jackal's treachery and taking revenge for its actions.[29]
From: The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda
(1) It is an animal that the lecturer jokingly refers to. He was sarcastically responding to the ignorant question of whether the people of India throw their children into their jaws.[30]
The concept of Crocodile in scientific sources
Crocodile, specifically Crocodylus niloticus, is linked to disease occurrences in Zimbabwe, indicating its relevance in regional public health discussions and wildlife management related to the potential transmission of diseases.
From: Onderstepoort Journal of Veterinary Research
(1) Crocodile, identified as Crocodylus niloticus, is mentioned in the context of disease occurrences and is associated with Zimbabwe.[31]
From: Religions Journal (MDPI)
(1) Devadatta is a crocodile who tries to gain the heart of a monkey, and that monkey is the Bodhisatta, and this occurs in three related stories.[32]
Classical concept of 'Crocodile'
From: Ancient Egypt the Light of the World
(1) Going down into Kheb, or lower Egypt, as rendered in the Ritual, is descending to the secret earth of Amenta, where the mother hid her infant in the marshes, when they were pursued by Sut, otherwise the crocodile.[33] (2) Under one type, Sebek was it, and under the other, a lamb.[34] (3) The devourer, the typical tyrant, the cruel, hard-hearted monster who bars the gate of exit.[35] (4) The crocodile is the Egyptian dragon, and the hippopotamus was their first water-horse as male, while as female it was the water-cow.[36] (5) Crocodile represents water in the fourfold figure of Apt, the Great Mother.[37]
From: Legends Of The Gods
(1) An animal associated with Typhon, and the form Typhon escaped from Horus.[38] (2) It is a creature that, due to either fear or veneration of a specific plant, does not harm those who travel in vessels made from that plant.[39] (3) Crocodiles in the Nile are mentioned as a false reason for why some might think the river is impure, as the Egyptians greatly venerate the Nile river.[40] (4) Crocodiles are among the creatures dwelling in the water that are commanded not to lift up their faces when Osiris journeys over them.[41] (5) These are deadly reptiles against which spells and incantations were used, especially in the Theban and Saïte Books of the Dead, reflecting the dangers they posed.[42]
From: The Literature of the Ancient Egyptians
(1) The crocodile is used as a metaphor to describe rapacious men and the lack of safety in the towns throughout the land.[43] (2) It refers to a reptile that is addressed with spells to make it powerless. It is associated with danger and spells.[44]
From: The Book of the Dead
(1) The crocodile dwells in terror, is a sacred creature, causes destruction, and is associated with homage paid in Sekhem.[45] (2) The crocodile is featured in Chapter XXXI, where the deceased is shown spearing a crocodile to repulse it from carrying away magical words.[46]
From: Popular Literature in Ancient Egypt
(1) A crocodile is created from wax by a nobleman skilled in magic, used to devour his wife's lover in a tale of infidelity and revenge.[47]
From: The Gods of the Egyptians Vol 1
(1) It is “Ab-sha-ȧm-Tuat,” who acts as guardian of the tomb of Osiris and of what is in it.[48]
From: The History of Herodotus
(1) A crocodile is a reptile that, if it kills someone, results in the people of the city where the body is found embalming the body and burying it in a sacred place.[49] (2) It is lured by the sound of a distressed pig, consumes the bait, and is then pulled to land, where its eyes are covered with mud to subdue it.[50] (3) Some Egyptians consider the crocodiles as sacred animals, while others treat them as enemies, and those near Thebes and Lake Moiris keep trained crocodiles adorned with ornaments.[51] (4) Crocodiles were seen in a great river running by the city found by the Nasamonians, suggesting a tropical or subtropical environment in the interior of Libya.[52]
From: Aesop's Fables (English translation)
(1) A "crocodile" lurks in the river, seizing the Manslayer as he attempts to escape and ultimately devouring him, marking the end of his flight.[53]