Plague In India -- Rat Worship Is Not An Integral Aspect Of Hindu Religion

As a Hindu monk living in the U.S., I was shocked to read the extremely misleading article you printed under the heading "Rats worshipped as plague rages" on Sept. 30. The Associated Press reporter, Mr. Dilip Ganguly, has created the false impression that rat worship is an integral and vital part of Hinduism.

Hinduism encourages the practice of non-violence to all forms of life, because, like many other major religions of the world, Hinduism also believes in the omnipresence of God. It believes that God is equally present in everything and every being, although not equally manifest everywhere. That's why some Hindus may hesitate to unnecessarily kill any creature, even a rodent.

But when there is an outbreak of plague, most Hindus will not hesitate to exterminate rats, as is being done now in Bombay, Calcutta and other cities.

A picture of a young boy feeding rats was also shown alongside the article as though to prove that Hindus worship rats. Hundreds of children in the U.S. keep mice as pets and feed them regularly. Should we suppose that they also worship mice? I think the entire presentation is ridiculous and motivated by cheap sensationalism.

I would also like to point out that the Karni Mata Temple is not one of India's "most famous shrines." This is the first time I have heard the name of this temple. I don't know of any other temple in India (and India has thousands of temples) where rats are worshipped. Mr. Ganguly is apparently a Hindu. Does he worship rats? I don't think so. Nor do the vast majority of Hindus, including myself. Swami Bhaskarananda Seattle