The Bhagwan Adinath Animal Humanities Intiative partners with UNT's Oral History Program and the Texas Animal Humanities Project to explore the work of animal rescue and rehabilitation through the lens of Jain studies.

A classic Jain story tells of King Megharath, who is visited one day by a terrified pigeon seeking sanctuary in his court. The poor pigeon is being pursued by a hawk and asks the king for help. But, before King Megharath can respond, the hawk arrives—it also asks for the king's help. It is an obligate carnivore and will starve without the pigeon's flesh. Both animals appeal sincerely to the King for protection. How can he possibly decide?

A person's hand giving a hawk an insect