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ECOLOGY  AND   VEDIC   CONCEPTBold text

Introduction Environment comprises all physical things and chemical elements of air, land and water, technically known as atmosphere, lithosphere and hydrosphere, respectively as reflected in the Vedas. There are sufficient materials available in the Vedas on environment. Directions are contained in many mantras of the Vedas to purify land, water, air, space and also to protect them from pollutions and consequent degradation. The Veda, especially the Rig-Veda, the Sama Veda and the Atharva Veda are the expressions of very ancient seers who were also good scientists: observers of nature, technicians, engineers and medical doctors. The seers/poets/scientists who formulated the hymns lived with nature that they studied and used. In this article, let us deal with the Vedic approach of ecology in detail as we proceed ahead. Participation of Vedic People in Nature The Vedic  people took very much part in the universal order. Man is inseparable from his cosmic environment. According to Veda, “man becomes immortal through his descendents and through his spirit that merges with the universal spirit on the death of the body.’’  The Vedic people believe that fire as energy is present in movable and immovable natural things; Agni, the original power of God is present everywhere at all times. According to Vedic people, “nature is to be understood as friend, revered as mother, obeyed as father, and nurtured as a beloved child.’’   Nature is sacred because man depends on it. Natural phenomena are manifestations of Gods, not Gods themselves. They are manifestations of Gods and express the principles that govern the world and cosmic order, Rta. The Vedic people believed or perceived fire and heat as the central force of life. We will discuss about this aspect in detail as we move forward.

2. Pollution and the purification of the environment The Vedas and Smritis mentioned the following causes of environmental pollution: Air pollution; Water pollution; Land pollution; and Pollutions caused by mechanical devices. The Atharva Veda mentions a few purifying agents of environment. They destroy or remove pollution. The following are the elements that purify the environment: mountain, plants and trees, fire and sun. They eliminate pollutions and purify the environment. Mountains are said to be of great importance, according to the Vedas. Mountains purify the environment with the help of their forests etc. They supply pure air and prevent disease. They eliminate pollutions. Trees and plants protect the riches-diamonds, rubies, minerals, petrol, coal, oil, etc. that are stored under the earth. Fire as the element of the purifier destroys impurities, pollutions and deadly bacteria. Therefore the Vedas praise fire as destroyer of impurities. The Vedas say that the rising sun destroys all visible and invisible pollutions like bacteria and viruses.

3. The Constituent Element of Ecology It has been laid down in the Atharva Veda that there are three constituent elements of the environment. These are water, air, and medicinal herbs. They envelop the land and contribute to the joys of the mankind. Each world is equipped with these elements for preservation of life. Just as existence of life is not possible without air, water, so also trees and vegetations are equally essential for it.

3.1 Air Air is the basic of human life. It is the vital force of life. Atharva Vedas says that pure air is a medicine in itself and directs that one should care for maintaining the purity of air. Atharva Veda regards air as the protector of the world because it is all pervasive in the space and destroy all diseases. Air has called universal remedy because it removes all human diseases and malfunctioning of the body. Air as wind can also become dangerous. A mantra of the Rg-Veda contains the directions that air has the treasure that is, oxygen. Do not destroy it. This means that we should not do anything that may decrease oxygen content of air.

3.2 Dyavaprithivi - the solar world The Vedas lay special stress on the preservation of dyavaprithivi (the solar world) to ensure the purity of the environment. Dyavaprithivi includes the classical bodies’ life the sun, the space and earth. These three are interrelated. The sun is the source of energy, the space that of rain and earth uses that energy and the rain provides plentiful of food grains for sustaining human life. When the balance between these forces is disturbed the process of destruction begins. The sky and earth are equated with father and mother. “ the earth is called a cow. As a good cow gives sweet milk, similarly farming provides honey ambrosia.’’ 3.3. Water: Seas and Rivers Much of emphasis is given in the Vedas on the utility and importance of water. It has been said that water is life, it is medicine, it cures diseases, and it prolongs life span. It is a sin to pollute water. It has been claimed that water cures all diseases. It is a remedy for heart-trouble as well. According to Vedas “seas and rivers are conducive to human happiness.’’ A mantra claims the water of rivers originating from the Himalayas to be especially beneficial. Rivers supply water as nutritious and sweet as purified butter. The Vedas call seas the repositories of riches like gems and pearls, the seas are the source of rain. They are the centre of electricity. The Yajur Veda forbids polluting water and insists man to maintain the purity of water, to increase its nutritional qualities. A mantra of Rig-Veda invokes God to supply water, herbs and forests quite free from the least pollutions. Pollution-free water alone is beneficial for health. A mantra of Rig-Veda lays down that the way to keep the water of rivers etc. free from pollutions is to perform yajna as its incense destroys the pollution of water. 3.4. Trees and Plants Accounts of the great importance of trees and plants are contained in the Vedas. The Atharva Veda says that powers of Gods are invested in trees and plants./ they provide life-force to man and also protect him. Trees protect the world and suckle it with oxygen. So they are the protectors of the whole of mankind. The Rig-Veda says that trees and plants are a source of strength for the entire mankind. Without them man’s  survival would be quite impossible. The Atharva Veda says that Gods dwell in trees. They destroy the demons of pollutions. In course of describing the benefits from trees the Yajur Veda says that trees yield sweet fruits to us. They attract the rain-laden clouds and make soil firm. They are extremely useful in ensuring good rain fall. The Rig- Veda enjoins tree- planting on us as well as their protection. Other mantras say: “ let the trees grow, flower  and bear fruits so that we may also flourish.’’    The Manu Smriti says that it is a sin to fell green trees for fuel. It is a sin to fell green trees and the culprit should be properly punished. 3.5. Fire The Vedas often mention fire as the great purifier of environment. The property ( characteristic ) of fire is to burn. It always destroys impurities, pollutions and deadly bacteria. Therefore the Vedas profusely praise fire as destroyer of impurities, fire is said to destroy all polluting agents which are demons, devils, fiends and monsters. Fire as light is necessary for the growth of plants and as warmth in birds and mammals; it is linked to life and movement. Fire has been called the purifier of the world. It cleanses the environment. Conclusion Religion is concerned with man’s attitude towards nature at large, with the establishing of man’s ideals for the individual and communal life and with relationship between man and sentient and insentient species inhabiting the universe. The Vedic approach to ecology is no exception to this. Modern science and technology have already caused enough ecological destruction. Ecological reconstruction is the need of the day. Vedic way of life can lead us on the path of ecological reconstruction.