About this episode

This episode explores the dual role of dogs in Hinduism as both divine messengers and symbols of ritual impurity.

A dog follows a dying king up the mountain to heaven's gate. The god of righteousness refuses to enter unless the dog comes too. That story, from the Mahabharata, is where any honest look at dogs in Hinduism has to start. We cover the full dual role: dogs as divine messengers and guardians of the afterlife, companions to Yama, Bhairava and Dattatreya, protectors of the holy city of Kashi — and, at the same time, animals marked as ritually impure and kept out of temples. Plus the living practices that still venerate them, from Nepal's Kukur Tihar to specialised Bhairava shrines. One throughline: in these texts, how you treat a dog is a test of your dharma. Read the full guide to dogs in Hinduism on Dog With Blog. Topics: dogs in Hinduism, Yama, Kaal Bhairav, Dattatreya, Kukur Tihar, Mahabharata, four Vedas, dharma, Kashi.

People in this episode

Host: Abhishek Joshi

Topics covered

• dogs in Hinduism
• divine messengers
• ritual impurity
• dharma
• afterlife
• Mahabharata

Keywords

• dogs
• Hinduism
• Yama
• Bhairava
• Dattatreya
• Kukur Tihar
• Mahabharata
• dharma
• Kashi

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: Mahabharata

Places: Kashi

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