1. ANT

When an ant spots a lump of sugar, it does not hide the fact and seek to consume it all alone. Instead it moves round to collect its friends and kinsmen, for it loves to share with others the feast it has come upon. (SSS Vol.13, p. 92)

1. CROW

The crow, a bird that is despised and often out-cast, when it discovers a little heap of food, caws repeatedly until its kith and kin gather at the place. (SSS Vol.13, p. 92)

1. BEE

The Bee gathers sweet honey from every flower and stores it for man. The mosquito sucks blood from man and communicates diseases. Try to see good and gather from everything. (Saiclopedia, p. 11)

1. COW

The cow eats grass and drinks gruel, but out of these it creates sweet sustaining milk; so too, let the experiences which are gathered by your senses help in the production of the sweetness of kindness, the purity of devotion and the sustenance of Shanti. (SSS Vol.1, p. 67) The milk is not only drunk by its calf but also by all children. Similarly, we must use the knowledge gathered by our senses for the good of all. (Saiclopedia, p. 19)

1. ELEPHANT

An Elephant is an intelligent animal. It will not take a step forward without properly looking ahead. When it moves, it moves steadily and boldly overcoming all obstacles. (We must look before we leap). (Saiclopedia, p. 27)

1. INFANT-MONKEY

An infant-monkey clings to its mother and so is guided by her superior strength and wisdom. Likewise, we must attach ourselves to our elders and God so that we may be safe.

1. KOEL

Why does a Koel (cuckoo) attract us? Why does a crow repel us? It is the sweet song of the Koel, is it not? So learn to talk sweetly.

1. LION

The Lion is noted for its fearlessness. When it wakes up from the sleep, it roars. Then all the small animals that have been playing about run away. Likewise if we chant the Pranava Mantra (AUM) all the bestial qualities in us will be driven away. (Saiclopedia, p. 29)

Be like the lions in the spiritual field, rule over the forest of the senses and roam fearlessly with full faith in victory.(Ashta Pushpanjali p 22)

1. LOTUS

We must be like a lotus unfolding its petals when the Sun rises in the sky, unaffected by the slush where it is born or the water, which sustains it. (Saiclopedia, p. 8)

1. OYSTER

The Oyster awaits patiently to receive just one drop of rainfall. It closes itself immediately. That water drop is transformed into a pearl. So too we must anxiously be waiting to receive the Grace of God. (Saiclopedia, p. 16)

And, the pearl is, in Hindu mythology, produced out of the rain drop, from the first, pure, unsullied showers that is swallowed by the oyster that has been waiting long for the precious gift from the heavens. It indicates the transforming effect of yearning and the natural thirst for the pure and the true which irks the human heart. (SSS Vol.5, p. 16)

1. SPIDER

The Spider is known for its perseverance. It goes on building its web again and again when, its threads get broken several times. The spider succeeds at last. Similarly we must cultivate perseverance. (Saiclopedia, p. 13)

1. SWAN

The Swan alone has the capacity to separate water from milk. Likewise we must develop the quality of discrimination. (Saiclopedia, p. 38)

1. TORTOISE

A Tortoise can withdraw its limbs whenever it wants into its shell. Likewise try to withdraw your senses and keep them under control. (Saiclopedia, p. 21)