Title : Environment Conservation in Ancient Literature Dr. V. Vijay Kumar, Additional Director Dr. Arun Kumar Roy Mahato, Scientist Mr. Raushan Kumar Raman, - by GUIDE (Gujarat Institute of Desert Ecology )
Today we brawl against global warming, climate change and desertification and there are many scientific studies, debates and conferences organised on the above subjects nationally and internationally. Are they new subjects? Do our ancestors known about these issues? The answer lies in Vedas, Upanishads and ancient literatures. Real science consists of an objective pursuit of truth through observation and experimentation. Traditional Yoga and Vedanta also has its goal as the objective pursuit of truth. But it aims at the supreme truth – which is the eternal – that truth which never changes. Ancient treasures of vast knowledge reveal a full cognizance of the undesirable effects of environmental degradation, whether caused by natural factors or human activities. There are four major Vedas 'the Rig, Sama, Yajur and Atharva recognized the importance environment and maintenance of the seasons' cycles that are likely to get altered due to the climate change owing to inappropriate human actions. It is remarkable that the people in Vedic times regarded Nature and the environment in a holistic manner and revered each of its constituents and entities by carefully preserving them.
Rig Veda enumerated many environmental issues during 2500 and 1500BC. The author narrated the striking balance between the Sky, Earth and Space and its sustainable management. He mentioned that the Sky as father, Earth as mother and Space as son. The universe consisting of this three is like a family and any kind of damage done to any one of these three throws the universe out of balance. This Vedic prayer appeals to the protection of the environment.
Rig Veda also emphasised on the importance river bank stabilization and stated that “Don’t uproot nourishing trees along river course. Others would die consequently”.
Rig Veda draw attention to over utilization of natural resources and stressed that “One should take from rivers, mines, mountains and seas what is useful and according to one’s need and without injuring them, for if one fails to do so earth begins to tremble”.
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Rig Veda highlighted the importance of Plants and herbs and its conservation. It mentioned that “Plants and herbs destroy poisons”. “Some herbs purify air”. “The fragrance of Gugul purifies the air and cure diseases”.
Asvatha (Ficus religiosa, commonly called Peepal) is an abode of the deities because it always emits oxygen. The Botanical Survey of India has identified 150 species of trees and herbs including Peepal which are pollution fighters.
Yajur Veda says “No person should kill animals helpful to all – bullocks in agriculture, cow gives milk”. “Ocean is a treasure and it should be protected”. “Do not harm or cut tree”. “Do not poison the atmosphere”.
Ancient Indians even predicted about the global warming. “earth provides surface for vegetation which controls the heat build up. The herbs and plants having union with sun rays provides congenial atmosphere for the life to survive”. The reality is, green plant use carbon dioxide during photosynthesis, “natural sink” and reducing warming effect. Absorbs solar radiation, and give water vapour in the process of transpiration. The combined effect makes the environment cool and congenial for survival of all life.
Upanishads (1500-600BC), compared Tree with Human beings. It describes human hairs as leaves, skin as external bark, blood as sap, flesh as wood, strong bones as core of wood, soft bone as pith of wood. These enlighten that trees are treated as important as human beings.
Puranic Literature (4th Century AD) says that “One who plants a Peepal, One Neem, One Banyan, Two Pomogranates, Two Orange, Five Mango, and Ten Flowering Plants or Creepers shall never go to Hell”. This highlights the importance of horticulture development.
Rig Veda states the importance of conservation of water as “Apsu ataha amritang apsu bhesaj”. It means water contains all minerals and medicinal properties; therefore, it is essential to maintain the purity and cleanness of water.
Atharva Veda also highlights the importance of water “Varsena bhumi prithavi brita brita sano dadhatu bhadraya priye dhamini dhamini”. It meant that the livingness of the land and its greenness is maintained by water balance. Water has also main role in the maintenance for the livingness of the environment in which all the living beings survive with joy and prosperity.
Islam (Quran) highlights the brilliance of God’s creation and responsibilities of human beings to preserve what God has created. Responsibility is more than a legal obligation. Mankind only has a guardianship over God’s heaven and earth”.
Buddhism highlighted the importance of trees and water. “Tree is a peculiar organism of unlimited kindness and value and makes no demand for its sustenance”. “Water is the main object of the universe, life giver to all beings, purity must be never be profaned by any means water must never be misused”.
Jainism - Philosophy by Lord Mahavira “The desire for happiness is the source of unhappiness, and rejection of all desires is the way to freedom from all sufferings”. It has a significant Environmental Overtones. “Desire” to achieve material happiness of luxuries in life – develop a culture of “over consumerism” in the human society and to satisfy his demands mankind is “over
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exploiting” the finite and scarce natural resources of earth leading to serious environmental degradation by way of deforestation, desertification, pollution, and waste generation.
Timely action to protect the environment is also highlighted. “If the hole in the keel of vessel sailing in the ocean is not closed in time, water would enter and drown the entire passenger. But if the hole is plugged timely the passengers would reach their destination safely”. The vessel is the “earth”, the passengers are the “human beings”, and the hole is the destructions made in the “sky”, on the earth and oceans. Sikhism says that “God created nature with plant, animal, air, water and land for human use. Man does not have the right to destroy what he cannot create”. Environmental concerns also reported among Rulers of India. Emperor Ashoka has carried out plantation of trees, declared certain areas for animals which are like today’s sanctuary and first Emperor to construct dams. This was followed by Tughlag, Baber, Sher Shah, Ahber, Jahangir and Shahjahan done lot for land and water conservations. Wildlife conservation and protection is not a new phenomenon. During ancient times the animals were kept as the vehicle or vÄhana of God and Goddesses which is often called the deity's mount.
Kodiyar Mathaji with Mugger crocodile, Durga with the lion, Ganesha with the mouse, Indra with the elephant, Kartikya with the peacock, Lakshmi with the owl, Saraswati with the swan or the peacock, Shakti with the bull, Shani with the crow, Shiva with the bull , Varuna with seven swans, Vayu - a thousand horses , Vishnu with the eagle and Adi Shesha with the serpent are some of the examples. Through religious way the animals and birds were protected.
Environmental problems are always interrelated. Man who was a part of nature has become apart from the nature and is exploiting nature with the help of potent technology at his command. Policy and planning have focussed more on solving a problem rather than creating a long-term opportunities. It is also important to note that often solution to one problem actually creates another problem, therefore, policy and planning should be on sound scientific footings.
7
Today we brawl against global warming, climate change and desertification and there are many scientific studies, debates and conferences organised on the above subjects nationally and internationally. Are they new subjects? Do our ancestors known about these issues? The answer lies in Vedas, Upanishads and ancient literatures. Real science consists of an objective pursuit of truth through observation and experimentation. Traditional Yoga and Vedanta also has its goal as the objective pursuit of truth. But it aims at the supreme truth – which is the eternal – that truth which never changes. Ancient treasures of vast knowledge reveal a full cognizance of the undesirable effects of environmental degradation, whether caused by natural factors or human activities. There are four major Vedas 'the Rig, Sama, Yajur and Atharva recognized the importance environment and maintenance of the seasons' cycles that are likely to get altered due to the climate change owing to inappropriate human actions. It is remarkable that the people in Vedic times regarded Nature and the environment in a holistic manner and revered each of its constituents and entities by carefully preserving them.
Rig Veda enumerated many environmental issues during 2500 and 1500BC. The author narrated the striking balance between the Sky, Earth and Space and its sustainable management. He mentioned that the Sky as father, Earth as mother and Space as son. The universe consisting of this three is like a family and any kind of damage done to any one of these three throws the universe out of balance. This Vedic prayer appeals to the protection of the environment.
Rig Veda also emphasised on the importance river bank stabilization and stated that “Don’t uproot nourishing trees along river course. Others would die consequently”.
Rig Veda draw attention to over utilization of natural resources and stressed that “One should take from rivers, mines, mountains and seas what is useful and according to one’s need and without injuring them, for if one fails to do so earth begins to tremble”.
5
Rig Veda highlighted the importance of Plants and herbs and its conservation. It mentioned that “Plants and herbs destroy poisons”. “Some herbs purify air”. “The fragrance of Gugul purifies the air and cure diseases”.
Asvatha (Ficus religiosa, commonly called Peepal) is an abode of the deities because it always emits oxygen. The Botanical Survey of India has identified 150 species of trees and herbs including Peepal which are pollution fighters.
Yajur Veda says “No person should kill animals helpful to all – bullocks in agriculture, cow gives milk”. “Ocean is a treasure and it should be protected”. “Do not harm or cut tree”. “Do not poison the atmosphere”.
Ancient Indians even predicted about the global warming. “earth provides surface for vegetation which controls the heat build up. The herbs and plants having union with sun rays provides congenial atmosphere for the life to survive”. The reality is, green plant use carbon dioxide during photosynthesis, “natural sink” and reducing warming effect. Absorbs solar radiation, and give water vapour in the process of transpiration. The combined effect makes the environment cool and congenial for survival of all life.
Upanishads (1500-600BC), compared Tree with Human beings. It describes human hairs as leaves, skin as external bark, blood as sap, flesh as wood, strong bones as core of wood, soft bone as pith of wood. These enlighten that trees are treated as important as human beings.
Puranic Literature (4th Century AD) says that “One who plants a Peepal, One Neem, One Banyan, Two Pomogranates, Two Orange, Five Mango, and Ten Flowering Plants or Creepers shall never go to Hell”. This highlights the importance of horticulture development.
Rig Veda states the importance of conservation of water as “Apsu ataha amritang apsu bhesaj”. It means water contains all minerals and medicinal properties; therefore, it is essential to maintain the purity and cleanness of water.
Atharva Veda also highlights the importance of water “Varsena bhumi prithavi brita brita sano dadhatu bhadraya priye dhamini dhamini”. It meant that the livingness of the land and its greenness is maintained by water balance. Water has also main role in the maintenance for the livingness of the environment in which all the living beings survive with joy and prosperity.
Islam (Quran) highlights the brilliance of God’s creation and responsibilities of human beings to preserve what God has created. Responsibility is more than a legal obligation. Mankind only has a guardianship over God’s heaven and earth”.
Buddhism highlighted the importance of trees and water. “Tree is a peculiar organism of unlimited kindness and value and makes no demand for its sustenance”. “Water is the main object of the universe, life giver to all beings, purity must be never be profaned by any means water must never be misused”.
Jainism - Philosophy by Lord Mahavira “The desire for happiness is the source of unhappiness, and rejection of all desires is the way to freedom from all sufferings”. It has a significant Environmental Overtones. “Desire” to achieve material happiness of luxuries in life – develop a culture of “over consumerism” in the human society and to satisfy his demands mankind is “over
6
exploiting” the finite and scarce natural resources of earth leading to serious environmental degradation by way of deforestation, desertification, pollution, and waste generation.
Timely action to protect the environment is also highlighted. “If the hole in the keel of vessel sailing in the ocean is not closed in time, water would enter and drown the entire passenger. But if the hole is plugged timely the passengers would reach their destination safely”. The vessel is the “earth”, the passengers are the “human beings”, and the hole is the destructions made in the “sky”, on the earth and oceans. Sikhism says that “God created nature with plant, animal, air, water and land for human use. Man does not have the right to destroy what he cannot create”. Environmental concerns also reported among Rulers of India. Emperor Ashoka has carried out plantation of trees, declared certain areas for animals which are like today’s sanctuary and first Emperor to construct dams. This was followed by Tughlag, Baber, Sher Shah, Ahber, Jahangir and Shahjahan done lot for land and water conservations. Wildlife conservation and protection is not a new phenomenon. During ancient times the animals were kept as the vehicle or vÄhana of God and Goddesses which is often called the deity's mount.
Kodiyar Mathaji with Mugger crocodile, Durga with the lion, Ganesha with the mouse, Indra with the elephant, Kartikya with the peacock, Lakshmi with the owl, Saraswati with the swan or the peacock, Shakti with the bull, Shani with the crow, Shiva with the bull , Varuna with seven swans, Vayu - a thousand horses , Vishnu with the eagle and Adi Shesha with the serpent are some of the examples. Through religious way the animals and birds were protected.
Environmental problems are always interrelated. Man who was a part of nature has become apart from the nature and is exploiting nature with the help of potent technology at his command. Policy and planning have focussed more on solving a problem rather than creating a long-term opportunities. It is also important to note that often solution to one problem actually creates another problem, therefore, policy and planning should be on sound scientific footings.
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