INDIAN KNOWLEDGE SYSTEM IN THE CONTEXT OF ZOOLOGY: A TRADITIONALAND SCIENTIFIC PERSPECTIVE

A plethora of zoological knowledge is interwoven with philosophy, medicine, ecology, and spirituality in the Indian Knowledge System (IKS). This study explores the diverse perspectives on animal existence as documented in ancient Indian texts such as the Vedas, Manusmriti, Charaka Samhita, Sushruta Samhita, Brihat Samhita, Panchatantra, and Jataka Tales. In traditional Indian systems, animals were categorized based on their edibility, habitat, way of birth, behavior, and usage in ceremonies and medicine. This method took into account both actual observation and ethical considerations. Ayurvedic literature places a strong emphasis on using animal products in medicine and nourishment in accordance with each person's constitution and ecological surroundings. Current studies of animal behavior are consistent with many of the behavioral patterns, interspecies interactions, and environmental cues that were highlighted in historical ethological discoveries found in literature. The veneration for animals in spiritual and cultural traditions has fostered conservation principles, as seen by the protection of sacred creatures and the preservation of biodiversity through religious rites. By offering a thorough framework that strikes a balance between scientic research and ethical and environmental considerations, this study exemplies the continued relevance of IKS in promoting modern zoology, veterinary medicine, and ecological sustainabilit