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First Tigers and Lions, then Humans??
One of the modern challenges confronted by humanity is that of our preserving our endangered environment. Indeed, deforestation stands at around 17 million hectares a year, there are problems with the Ozone Layer and thanks to global warming, the last few years have been the hottest in recorded history, coastal and low-lying regions will be flooded by rising sea levels, driving millions inland; higher global temperatures will lead to changing crop yields, increasing famine and disease; more heat-waves and stronger storms will lead to more deaths; and changing ecosystems mean countless animal and plant species will become extinct.
In the US, the world's largest polluter, businesses and states are piling pressure on the federal government to place mandatory, nationwide caps on emissions.
Man’s unlimited desire and unchecked greed has devastated our planet to such an extent that by the time you finish reading this piece; at least 10 species of birds would be extinct.
How long can our planet go on fulfilling our insane demands? We live as if nature is only needed to provide us with extra oil, coal, metal, paper, food. This was not the view of our ancestors. Vedic texts uphold the doctrine of Madhu Vidya:the interdependence of man and nature. For the vedic man, Earth bestowed blessings and was the protector of life, they advocated Sustainable Development by deification of nature as seen in the hymns of the Rig Veda dedicated to Surya, Indra, Agni and others( Sustainable development involves leading quality life and assuring that succeeding generations will be able to do the same. This implies conservation of natural resources and prevention of environment degradation)
From the very beginning, Indian seers knew that planet Earth is a living entity that adjusts and regulates itself like any other, and that for billions of years, microbes, plants and animals have co-evolved with the environment as one globally integrated super-organism. Influenced by the holistic vision, the Indian way of life was integral—the well being of all creation.
That which was perceived as pagan & superstitious through the worship of mountains, rivers, trees, animate and inanimate, the earth, the universe, and the marriage between animals and between trees is now acknowledged as a scientific, logical and eco-friendly way of life by scholars, scientists and philosophers all over the world.
The Atharva Veda has Hymn to the Earth (Bhumi-Sukta) .“We are birds of the same nest. Wearing different skins, speaking different languages, believing in different dharma (religions/sect), and belonging to different cultures – yet we share the same home, our earth. Born on the same planet, covered by the same skies, gazing at the same stars, breathing the same air, we must learn to progress happily together or miserably perish together. For humans can live individually but can survive only collectively.” Indeed, the Hindu texts seem to suggest that we all owe a responsibility to the environment not only for ourselves but also for the sake of those around us.
The Mahabharata, Ramayana, Vedas, Upanishads, Bhagavad-Gita, Puranas and Smriti contain the earliest messages for preservation of environment and ecological balance. Nature, or Earth, has never been considered a hostile element to be conquered or dominated. In fact, man is forbidden from exploiting nature. The rishis of the past have always had a great respect for nature. Theirs was not a superstitious primitive theology. They perceived that all manifestations are sacred because they are parts of God, and should be treated with respect and compassion.
The very common prayer, “Shanti Paath” (Prayer for Peace) is essentially a prayer for peace to nature and everything around us.
The doctrine of Dharma emphasizes a need to act “for the sake of the good of the world.” A second doctrinal source for treatment of all life and nature is found in the Rig Veda. God is in all things, even in the transient and all things are in God.
It’s different from the western worldview which is anthropocentric: the earth is here to serve man; man is here to serve God.
Ayurveda, the science of life, which is a complete health and medicine system based on nature and its regenerating forces. Then we have Vastu Shastra. Vastu, teaches us how to place and build dwellings, according to the environment it is situated in. It is done in such a way that the surroundings are not damaged by the building's presence, and so that all the natural energies(air,light etc.,) are flowing uninterrupted and freely, providing comfort, peace and prosperity for the dwellers.
It should also be noted that one of the main forms of Hindu worship, Yajna (sacrificial fire), performed to purify the mind and spirit also serves to purify the air and the surroundings through the use of different materials and fragrant’s spread by the use of fire. This is a natural way of air purification in contrast to the use of toxic germicides or CFC containing air fresheners.
To the Vedic seer, the Earth was an object of worship, not of exploitation. We must remember that we are the Earth. As creatures of planet Earth, we must not forget that Earth is not a geographical entity; it is not simply dust, but a reservoir of energy. It is us.
Although human beings are seen as the most intelligent life form on the earth, they are responsible for almost all the damage which has been done to the planet.
Humans did not spring fully formed to dominate lesser life, but evolved out of these forms and is integrally linked with them. Reverence for life is an essential principle, as is ahimsa. Nature cannot be destroyed without humanity destroying itself.
The unpleasant truth is that there is a pattern to the extinction of species. This pattern is directly linked to the kind of progress humans seek. The principle: Animals must make way for humans. We are caught in this fatal pattern.
Progress must go on progressing. A point will therefore be reached when less progressed humans will have to give way to more progressed humans. Isn’t that the underlying principle behind America dropping the atom bomb on Japan rather than on Germany; behind England trying to get rid of as many Indians as it can, no matter how skilled they are?
Will the principle that the more advanced must wipe out the less advanced be stretched- is it already being stretched- for followers of a so called “advance” religion to turn against followers of a “moribund” one? For speakers of one language to seek to eliminate speakers’ of another?
And then what?
Pledge to Protect our Planet
