Chapter 8 - Findings and observations

1) Ancient Indian poets and writers were efficient not merely in literature but also in Botany and Zoology. In Sanskrit literature there are a lot of works which are related to the environment and ecology.

2) Zoological works, dealing with scientific matters are not many. Some of the pioneers of Indian Zoology are especially noted. They are: Shalihotra, Palakapya, Bhoja Parmara, Sunandaka, Cakra, Hamsadeva

3) Mrigapakshishastra contains scientific features and classifications of animals and birds. Varieties of fauna are discussed elaborately here. There are approximately 21 animal species with their varieties and 15 bird species with their varieties discussed in this book.

4) The origin and the genealogy of animals and birds as described in the Epics and the Puranas have some minor variations which can consider as errors.

5) In the Epics Ramayana and Mahabharata, we also come across various conversations between animals and birds. The authors of the epics have made keen and extensive observations before writing about the animals and birds mentioned there.

6) Practice of classifying and distinguishing living beings is very old in India.Hamsadeva’s finer distinction of the various Animals and birds has to be traced back such earlier classifications.

7) Hamsadeva has mentioned many more varieties of birds and animals than the epics. But many of these varieties have seemed to be become extinct. It was the thoughtless activities of man that may lead to the extinction of many animal and bird varieties. Man encroached upon their habitat and drove them out making it impossible for them to survive in the changed environment leading to their slow extinction.

8) It is to be noted that our ancestors depicted the different characteristics of animals and birds through their observation of mere physical features and behavioural patterns. Due to this, it is difficult for a modern scholar to differentiate the animals and birds following the attributed described in the ancient works like epics and Mrigapakshishastra.

9) Hitherto most of our scholars used this reference to the animals and birds for their description in the literary works but their classification and comparison with modern findings are not attempted.

10) Animals and birds are of different origin, have different qualities, like different types of food, indulge in various good or bad acts depending on the habitat and period of time. The surroundings like lakes, sea, big or small rivers, mountain regions, forest trees, earth, sun, wind and so on. As also difference in the ambience and daily activity affect the characteristics of animals and birds.

Taking these and such other factors into account experts should gradually learn of their own accord, through observation, their colors, food habits, gaits, appearance, voice and so on and assess them.

11) Epics address the people for attaining the animal welfare of the country which is achieved through the people and their cooperation.

12) Epic literature has a significant role in cultural studies. Indian epics contain extensive knowledge systems of different kinds and there are many moral stories in the epics related to animals and birds.

13) India is immensely blessed with rich biological diversity and has a glorious cultural heritage. The fauna and flora complimented with an equally rich and diverse cultural heritage and traditional knowledge system.