The Gangetic dolphin is super-cute and super-rare. I may not be able to do the heroic work of scientists and conservationists trying to save it from extinction, but I can at least find a few hitherto unnoticed mentions in the Pali suttas.
Here’s a neat video.
Pali knows the word susumāra (literally, “childkiller”, sorry about that) which is normally understood to be a crocodile. And that is the meaning in at least two contexts:
at Cp 27:1.3 we meet the distressed monkey trying to cross a river, but harassed by a crocodile. This text uses both susumāra and kumbhīla (“gharial”).
In the city named susumāragira, the final element means “roar” (not “hill” as I have mistakenly assumed). The crocodile has an impressive mating bellow, so this is more likely named for that than the whistles, squeaks, and clicks of the dolphin.
The Sanskrit equivalent śiśumāra, as well as meaning crocodile, commonly means “dolphin”. And there are a few contexts where that makes better sense in Pali.
MN 129:21.3 says the susumāra is born in water, which fits the dolphin but not the crocodile, which is born from eggs on dry land.
SN 35.247 depicts six animals that correlate to the six senses. The susumāra correlates to the “ear”, which fits the Gangetic dolphin, as it has residual eyesight and primarily relies on echolocation. Also, the blowhole may be felt to resemble a prominent ear.
Thig 12.1:6.3 refers to the susumāra as a water-dweller, which could suit either, but fits the dolphin better.
I am enjoying your excitement for the dolphins Thanks for sharing the video. It’s nice to visualise them.
Looking at them, I feel like their most prominent feature is that seriously long nose, but it’s hard to think of an animal of a similar size with prominent ears. A rabbit/hare seems a more obvious choice.
I saw River Dolphins in Cambodia 20 years ago and was totally perplexed: Mekong River Irrawaddy Dolphin. They have flat noses and are of course in decline.
Thanks for sharing the video on the Gangetic Dolphin, Bhante!
But while they are cute (and I love cute), I still have my doubts if susumara refers to them in Pali, despite the Sanskrit dictionaries.
The very name “baby killer” seems more apt for a crocodile, and doesn’t seem to suit this gentle creature..I couldn’t find any records of them attacking humans..
One source mentions that Sisumara was classed as a ‘padin’ i.e. creature with feet.
“Śiśumāra (शिशुमार)—Sanskrit word for an animal “porpoise” (dolphin) or “crocodile” (Planista gangetica). This animal is from the group called Pādin (‘those which have feet’). Pādin itself is a sub-group of the group of animals known as Ānupa (those that frequent marshy places).”
(Also, some late traditional art depict the constellation ‘sisumara’ with legs though I don’t think its of any historical value.)
As for MN 129 reference to fish, turtles and ‘susumara’ being born in water (and that they live and die in it), I think ‘udaka/water’ is used loosely to include places around water bodies too. After all, turtles which are mentioned in that list are born on land..so why not susumara? (It may also stem from a lack of knowledge of where their eggs were laid)
Side note: Sometimes I do wonder about the absence of clear references to certain creatures in Sanskrit or Tamil (or Pali) literature. For example, despite thousands of references to bees, I can’t recollect a single reference to butterflies in all the poetry and mythological texts that I have read. There isn’t even an unambiguous name for them in early literature! Perhaps the same is the case of these cute dolphins…
Can you please provide a source for the usage of pada as fins of aquatic creatures? Can’t find it when I quickly scanned dictionaries nor do I recollect reading it. I will also double check, but thanks!
I’m afraid that I can’t at the moment. It’s one of those things that I learned at some point but can’t remember where. If it comes back to me I’ll let you know.
Thanks for sharing the video. It’s nice to visualise them.
I’ve read that dolphins are one of the most intelligent animals on the planet.