Today 5th June is World’s Environment Day, celebrated all over world. Every year 5th June United Nations celebrates World Environment Day. With this background let me share a few points about how our Hindu Mythologies have depicted our Mother Nature. Hinduism has always been an environmentally sensitive philosophy. 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. He is taught to live in harmony with nature and recognize that divinity prevails in all elements, including plants and animals. The rishis of the past have always had a great respect for nature. They perceived that all material manifestations are a shadow of the spiritual. The Bhagavad-Gita advises us not to try to change the environment, improve it, or wrestle with it. If it seems hostile at times tolerate it. Ecology is an inherent part of a spiritual world view in Hinduism. Here we should remember what Mahatma Gandhi Said: "I bow my head in respect to our ancestors for their sense of the beautiful in nature and for their foresight in investing beautiful manifestations of Nature with a religious significance." Hindus regard everything around as subtle divine presence, may it be rivers, mountains, lakes, animals, flora, the mineral world, as well as the stars and planets. It is so because the Divine reality is present as Prana/Shakti energy, power, in every electron, particle, atom, cell and in every manifestation of matter. Just as we greet each other saying "Namaste", which means: I recognize and salute the Divine within you. Throughout the long history of India, Hindus have shared a fascination with, and respect for, Nature and animals. The rhythm of life is dictated by water and Hindus hold rivers in great reverence. Rivers are one such gift which is considered highly sacred throughout the length and breadth of the country. This earth, our mother, has nurtured consciousness from the slime of the primeval ocean billions of years ago and has sustained the human race for countless centuries. Will we repay our debts to our mother by converting her into burnt out ashes circling the sun into eternity? Rock, soil, stone and dust with these Earth is held together and bound firm. My obeisance to gold-breasted Earth... Rising or sitting, standing or walking, May we, either with our right foot or our left, Never totter o the earth. - Atharva Veda 12.1.26, 28 The Hindu idea is that this whole world is a forest. To keep this world as it is we have to keep the world-forest intact. Hinduism describes everything in terms of divinity and in relation to the Ultimate Reality. The different aspects of this Ultimate Reality are all to be found in the various forms of the physical world. In the Bhagavad-Gita, Krishna compares the world to a single banyan tree with unlimited branches in which all the species of animals, humans and demigods wander. Indian consciousness is full of trees and forests. Hindus see divinity in all living creatures. Animal deities therefore, occupy an important place in Hindu dharma. Animals, for example, are very common as form of transport for various Gods and Goddesses. The entire clan of Shiva is replete with ecological symbolism. Shiva’s consort Parvati is considered the daughter of the mountain. She is the personification of Mother Earth. In Hindu stories, there is a close relationship between the various deities and their animal or bird mounts. Each divinity is associated with a particular animal or bird, and this lends a special dimension to the animal kingdom. Indians have been behind some of the greatest discoveries and ideas in the world. From mathematics, to astronomy to literature, the Indian mind has always been able to give form to abstract ideas and concepts. So long as this land will have mountains, forests and pastures that long will the Earth survive, sustaining you and the coming generations." Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam -- The Whole Universe is one Family”. With this oath come let us celebrate the World Environment Day.
At the cost of sounding like the perpetual pessimist, I have to say that the World Environment Day has been reduced to making some noises and slogans in favour of the environment with a bunch of school kids holding placards, but at the same time we are pouring out harmfull gasses into the atmosphere without letup, poisoning our water (even on the WE Day), poisoning our land with Chemicals, Poisoning our animals with medicines to enhance "productivity" and when they die, poisoning the vultures that eat the carcass, to the point of extinction of the Indian Vulture species. Mr. Venkata Ranga has mentioned so many good things that we as Hindu's are responsible for. He has written all what needed to have been done and how we must do something to preserve and protect. It is not to say that other religions are anti-environment or anything but India is majority hindu in composition. I am sure all have a stake in this movement.
Here comes the question then, Are we really Hindus? We have done nothing that is mentioned in the Vedas (in terms of the environment), we continue to do nothing and again at the cost of sounding pessimistic, will continue to do nothing in future.
The Hindu idea of the World is forest. Very noble thought indeed. Reality Check: hindus have decimated much of the forest cover of our country or at least allowed it to happen. Hindus see divinity in animals and creatures. Reality check: most of us don't even care about the loss of sparrows from our environment!
Wearing saffron clothes and opposing Valentines day, Aamir Khan and Fanaa, western clothes, western movies, Deepa Mehtas movies and such other concepts does not a hindu make. A hindu is what Mr. Venkata Ranga mentions is supposed to be, while quoting the Vedas. Not what we are today. Lets move a step beyond sloganeering and get down to the part of starting to improve ourselves by not littering, not discarding plastics that are non-reclyable, make re-cycling compulsory (like many deveoped countries), banning plastics altogether, improve solar technology and alternate energy sources, put a non bureacrat-non politician as Environment Minister (wow), mandatory planting of trees in new residential areas and empowering tree wardens to prevent illegal felling, there's no end to this list.
Yes, I accept what Capt. Anup mentioned. Two years back I took a oath. In a week atleast two days I will not use my two wheeler or four wheeler, Insted I will use Public transport or Nataraja Service (Walking) or even sometimes cycle.....I am not using any plastic covers from past two years. Whenever I want to purchase Items from shop, I am using cloth bag or paper bag. If I go to function, I will give them gift in the form plant insted of showcase items. I am doing my bit of work to protect our Mother Earth.
If we all do a small bit each day, like Mr. Venkata Ranga is doing, it will greatly help. I support his actions and I wish many others are doing the same. This planet is resilient but do we need to test the levels?
