Article Written By EIH Researcher And Writer
Aaloy Gangopadhyay
The eternal civilization of Bharatvarsha brought habitual coexistence of Peacock, our national bird. It is one of the major animals which witnessed not only changes in socio-political upheavals, but also changes in royal families which brought eulogization of peacock symbolizing pomp, grandeur, elegance, aristocracy, etc. The reason for giving importance to peacock was Hindu mysticism, where masses believed that their feathers will bring luck and prosperity to their families and friends. The usefulness of peacock feathers was meant for various purposes. From hand fan to pen, it carried layers of emotions, love and beautification of any object, be it living or non living. People still keep hordes of peacock feathers in and around their homes in belief that they will repel pesky insects and flies.
It is dramatic and interesting that the peacock has survived over the time span of 4,000 years; for, peacocks have adapted to climate change, pollution, predatory animals and human destruction. However, peacocks have lived in proximity to humans for thousands of years. Kings in ancient India kept them in their garden; for, the peacocks would dance and open their feathers for a beautiful display.
Valmiki in his Ramayana wrote that while in exile for fourteen years, Ram and Sita always watched the peacock’s graceful dances together. Many years later, when Sita was abandoned by Ram after his coronation, all the trees, the flowers and deer wept, and the peacock ceased to dance. Kalidasa (5th century CE), in his Ritu Samhara, described the bird through six seasons and its joy when the rains arrive.
Mahabharata traces back to Yaduvamsha where Lord Krishna adorns his crown with a peacock feather attached to it. He symbolized the entire range of colours in humans and that each one of us are a part of almighty. The story goes that in Govardhana Hill at Braj, once when Lord Krishna was playing his flute, peacocks started dancing in joy and excitement upon listening to the sweet melody. After the dance, they spread their feathers on the ground and the chief peacock offered them to Lord Krishna with humility. The Lord accepted the gift and promised to always adorn himself with it.
Peacock was also a symbol of trade which brought wealth and economic prosperity. The Old Testament of the Bible (arguably) says that King Solomon (of Israel), who reigned around 950 BCE, received an import of peacocks from Muziris, an ancient port in Kerala. Even the Hebrew word for peacock, ‘tavas’, is believed to be derived from the Tamil word ‘togai’.
This animal actually created insanity among invaders of Bharatvarsha who were just awestruck and amazed by the charming beauty of its feathers and colours. Macedonian Emperor Alexander invaded India in 326 BCE; he was transfixed by a flock of wild peacocks in flight on the banks of the Ravi River. He was so enchanted by their beauty that he warned his army that anyone who harmed these birds would be punished. According to some accounts, Alexander took two hundred peacocks with him when he left India and they became an item of wonder in foreign lands. Apparently, people would pay hefty sums just to come and see them.
In Bharatvarsha, peacocks have been sacred to many dynasties. The great ‘Mauryan’ dynasty, founded by Chandragupta Maurya in 322 BCE, is named after the peacock. The bird finds prominent mention in the rock edicts of his grandson, the third Mauryan Emperor Ashoka. The seal of the 2nd century Kushan emperor Kanishka was a peacock, while the Gupta rulers, who presided over the ‘classical age in Indian history’, issued gold and silver coins depicting this glamorous bird.
Also, the 2,000-year-old neighbourhood of Mylapore in Chennai derives its name from Mayilarparikumoor, meaning ‘land of the peacock scream’. Pallava ruler Nandivarman III (c. 850 CE) was known as ‘Mylai Kavalan’ or the ‘Protector of the City of Peacocks’. In medieval times, the Tughlaq rulers (1320-1414 CE) adopted the peacock’s feather as their state symbol and incorporated it into the headgear of their soldiers.
Mughal ruler Shah Jahan (1592-1666), builder of the Taj Mahal, commissioned the Peacock Throne, made of gems and jewels that was the envy of the medieval world. The top of the throne had two peacocks facing each other, like the peacock guardians of the Islamic gates of paradise and recreating the Persian belief those two peacocks facing each other symbolizes the duality of nature.
Royal families were known for commissioning art and architecture where symbolism of peacock was given a permanent presence while describing events, moments or showcasing aristocratic authority. Rulers used this for legitimization of rule through popular culture. Laxmi Narayan Temple in Orchha depicts a belief in Hinduism where if someone worships Lord Krishna with the feathers on his crown, he/she is blessed with auspiciousness, wealth, good health and transcendent knowledge. It is also believed that the feathers protect one from evil eyes and destroys all negativity, like anger, greed, and jealousy and remove poison.
Hoysala Temple of Sira, Karnataka gives a high pedestal to peacock in a sculpture. Peacock is depicted as the vehicle of Lord Kartikeya, also known as Skanda in Hinduism, the commander-in-chief of Gods. When he was assigned to kill Tarakasura, the well-known gods assembled before him offering their powers and armies. Garuda presented him his own son, the first growing peacock. There are numerous temples spread all over India dated from the Gupta Period showing Kartikeya with peacock.
Peacock or Peafowl is protected under Indian Wildlife Act 1972. It is our duty to protect them from poachers as they are hunted for feathers, fat and meat. The duty lies not only protecting peacock, but the history, culture, art and architecture associated with peacock must be preserved as it carries the power and prestige of Indian beauty which paved the way for royal families to gather or rather keep peacocks for luxury, royalty and authority.
Bibliography
“Peacock’s Crown” by Aarushi Awasthi
“Where the Peacocks Sing” by Alison Singh Gee
“The Peacock Throne” by Waldemar Hansen
“Kartikeya and Paravani the Peacock” by Shubha Vilas
Web references
https://www.peepultree.world/livehistoryindia/story/art-history/peacock-a-constant-in-indian-culture
https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/the-peacock-a-symbol-of-royalty-65241
https://www.globalgiving.org/projects/conservation-of-national-bird-of-india/#:~:text=Peafowl%2C the Indian National bird, under Indian Wildlife Act 1972.
