In the Mahabhàrata, one of the two great Hindoo poems, and of unknown antiquity, there is a recognition of the obligation of man to a dependent creature not surpassed in pathos in all literature.
We copy only such portions of the legend as bear upon this point.
The hero, Yudhistthira, leaves his home to go to Mount Meru, among the Himalayas, to find Indra's heaven and the rest he so much desired; and with him,
"The five brothers set forth, and Draupadi, and the seventh was a dog that followed them."
On the way the Princess Draupadi perished, and, after her, one brother after another, until all had died, and the hero reached his journey's end accompanied only by his dog.
Lo! suddenly, with a sound which rang through heaven and earth, Indra came riding on his chariot, and he cried to the king, "Ascend!" _Then_, indeed, did the lord of justice look back to his fallen brothers, And thus unto Indra he spoke, with a sorrowful heart: "Let my brothers, who yonder lie fallen, go with me; Not even unto thy heaven would I enter, if they were not there. And yon fair-faced daughter of a king, Draupadi the all-deserving, Let _her_ too enter with us! O Indra, approve my prayer!"
In heaven thou shalt find thy brothers,--they are already there before thee; There are they all, with Draupadi; weep not, then, O son of Bharata! Thither have they entered, prince, having thrown away their mortal weeds; But thou alone shalt enter still wearing thy body of flesh.
O Indra, and what of this dog? It hath faithfully followed me through; Let it go with me into heaven, for my soul is full of compassion.
Immortality and fellowship with me, and the height of joy and felicity, All these hast thou reached to-day; leave, then, the dog behind thee.
The good may oft act an evil part, but never a part like this; Away, then, with that felicity whose price is to abandon the faithful!
My heaven hath no place for dogs; they steal away our offerings on earth: Leave, then, thy dog behind thee, nor think in thy heart that it is cruel.
To abandon the faithful and devoted is an endless crime, like the murder of a Brahmin; Never, therefore, come weal or woe, will I abandon yon faithful dog. _Yon poor creature, in fear and distress, hath trusted in my power to save it: Not, therefore, for e'en life itself will I break my plighted word._