Hindu scriptures describe hunting as an acceptable occupation, as well as a sport of the kingly. Even figures considered godly are described to have engaged in hunting. One of the names of the god Shiva is Mrigavyadha, which translates as "the deer hunter" (mriga means deer; vyadha means hunter). The word Mriga, in many Indian languages including Malayalam, not only stands for deer, but for all animals and animal instincts (Mriga Thrishna). Shiva, as Mrigavyadha, is the one who destroys the animal instincts in human beings. In the epic Ramayana, Dasharatha, the father of Rama, is said to have the ability to hunt in the dark. During one of his hunting expeditions, he accidentally killed Shravana, mistaking him for game. During Rama's exile in the forest, Ravana kidnapped his wife, Sita, from their hut, while Rama was asked by Sita to capture a golden deer, and his brother Lakshman went after him. According to the Mahabharat, Pandu, the father of the Pandavas, accidentally killed the sage Kindama and his wife with an arrow, mistaking them for a deer. Krishna is said to have died after being accidentally wounded by an arrow of a hunter. COUNT 10
QSN1 What kind of occupation do Hindu scriptures describe hunting as being? ANS1 acceptable QSN2 What is one of the names of the god Shiva? ANS2 Mrigavyadha QSN3 What is the translation of Mrigavyadha? ANS3 "the deer hunter" QSN4 What does Shiva destroy in human beings? ANS4 animal instincts QSN5 What talent does Dasharatha have? ANS5 hunt in the dark QSN6 What scriptures describe hunting as and acceptable occupation? ANS6 Hindu QSN7 Godly figures have engaged in what activity? ANS7 hunting QSN8 Mrigavyadha means what? ANS8 deer hunter QSN9 Mrigavyadha destroys animal instinct in who? ANS9 human beings QSN10 What happened after Krishna was accidentally wounded by an arrow of a hunter? ANS10 died