Tradition or culture, call it by any other, these sort of practices make us look primitive and stand out in stark contrast to the rest of our "Vedic" beliefs.
I wonder why there is no culture where they marry snakes, lions or lizards... Maybe availability? Or perhaps these animals (dogs, pigs, donkeys, etc) have some mysterious powers that the acharyas - sankara, ramanuja & madhva - overlooked during their analysis of the scriptures?
Sri Auh
I usually look forward to reading your comments even if I may or may not agree !
Having said that let me also say that "
சும்மா மொட்ட தலைக்கும் மொழங்காலுக்கும் முடிச்சு போடக்கூடாது..." i
When one has genuine freedom of expression all kinds of ideas and rituals will surface in a society . All religions including many under Hinduism umbrella deal with strange beliefs. For the believer they may not seem strange.
But the teachings of Sri Sankara starts only after religious boundaries stop. I assume same may be true for other Acharyas.
There are many emotional slokas 'dripping with Bhakti' attributed to Sri Sankara. It does not matter if that attribution is true or not because those do not contradict any of his commentaries. He never described anything outlandish in his commentaries.
Knowledge parts of Vedic teaching is a total break-away and 180 degrees turn from all the ritualistic aspects of vedas (and for a very good reason - possibly a different topic). However some Hindu rituals are based on Mantras of the vedic vision expounded in the knowledge segments.
But today most people do not know or care to know the connection. Those in the profession of priests do not know as well and often make something up when asked for an explanation.
Snakes are worshipped in pits in certain parts of India. Live rats have a temple (
Karni Mata Temple - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)
Our system of beliefs do not make us look anymore primitive than the beliefs described in the biblical religions. Many of those beliefs tend to be harmful too.
In short I do not agree with your conclusions.
My take is "let us live and let live" provided someone's beliefs do not cause major harm to others.