Story of Four harmonious brothers

The story of the Four Harmonious Friends is symbolizes interdependence despite the difference in size and strength of the animals. It depicts harmony, unity and integrity. It can be interpreted as the need of unity in the country despite having different races. People hang the painting of the four friends at home with a belief that there will be no separation, discord and partition within the family. It depicts the virtues of Buddhist morals. At a single glance one will know that four different species of animals are united in harmony.

Once in a forest in Varanasi, four animals, an elephant, a rabbit, a monkey and a bird (partridge) disputed about the ownership of a tree where all of them happened to come to feed on. The elephant claimed it was his because he saw it first. The monkey said that it was his because he had been feeding on the fruits of the tree. The rabbit claimed it was his because he had been feeding on the dew of the leaves on the tree when it was a small sapling. The partridge who had been watching the argument said that the tree belonged to it because the tree wouldn't have grown if it had not spit out the seed from the fruit it had eaten.

The elephant, monkey and rabbit all then bowed to the partridge and regarded it as their big brother. The four animals became friends and decided to share the tree together in peaceful harmony enjoying the beauty of the tree's fragrance, the nourishment of the tree's fruits, and the bounty of the tree's shade.

Other animals in the forest often saw them together with the partridge on top of the rabbit who was held up by the monkey who rode on top of the elephant. Henceforth, they were called the four harmonious friends. The four animals were looked upon as an example and peace regained in the forest.

There are about five different version of the story but they all had the same moral -- respect to elders, love and affection to live harmoniously.

Wherever a picture of the four brothers is displayed, the ten virtues will increase and the minds of all will become harmonious. The painting takes its place in most Bhutanese homes, monasteries and places where people gather in the form of a wall painting or a Thangka.