According to the famous mythologist Devdutt Pattanaik who gives crude exponential explanation to the infamous subject of animals in Hinduism he says “Animals play a critical part in Hindu mythology. Some serve as symbols to communicate metaphysical ideas. Others, as in the story earlier, are animal forms of the divine. Most commonly they serve as `vahanas’ or vehicles of the gods.” This stands true for Elephant named Airavarta who is the ‘vahan’ of Indra. Airavarta; whose name means “the one who knits or binds the clouds” goes on well with the myth that Elephants are capable of producing clouds. The metaphysical idea is well translated in another dimension when one learns of Goddess Lakshmi is also associated with Elephants. Further to be associated with cardinal points of direction. And profuselfy interesting is their connection with ‘Nakshatra’ (astrology). This holds true to the legend of Bhairani; the male elephant is linked who in turn is linked with sexuality and sensuous nature indicating fertility. Another legend links Bharani with Ganesha. According to British Association for Vedic Astrology, “Elephants symbolism also shows Bharani being larger than life, respected by others, strong personality. Elephants usually work for others. They are strong beautiful animals …show more content…
The revering force makes Shiva to be an esteemed deity of the times with another strong evidence to support it, the prototype of Hindu God Shiva; the ‘Pashupati seal’, with him being regarded as the Lord of all animals, commanding over nature and surrounded with four animals; Rhino, Buffalo, Elephant and Deer. Choodamani, in her Arts and Crafts of Indus Civilization, writes, “The sculptural forms which blossomed then are considered to be the primary sources for studying the major streams of Indian