On the 22nd of April 2020, we all shall celebrate Earth Day. On this day, I take this opportunity to guide what Hinduism teaches us with regards to the importance of Earth, which well teaches us numerous references to the worship of the divine in nature in its Vedas, Upanishads, Puranas, Sutras and other sacred texts. Millions of Hindus recite Sanskrit mantras daily to revere their rivers, mountains, trees, animals and the earth. Our treatment of nature directly affects our karma.
Today we are facing the destruction of our mother earth due to global warming. On one side, there is no water, on another side, people are dying due to excessive water. The Amazon forest, which supplies 20% of the world’s oxygen requirement, burned continuously for several months. Many ecological systems consisting of the Himalaya Ranges are in danger due to our negligence, all these distractions caused by human activity, especially clearing land for farming and urbanisation. In the name of modernity, we have forgotten the values our Vedas and Puranas which teach us how to protect the nature earth which protects us for healthy and peaceful living.
The five elements are earth we all know that Water, Fire, Wind, Sky and Land:
Water is the symbol of life
Without water we cannot dream our life, If there is magic on this planet, it is contained in water. It is the driving force of all nature, there is nothing softer or more flexible than water, yet nothing can resist its power. We forget that the water cycle and life cycles are one.
Fire is the symbol of purity
Fire is a prominent feature of many rituals in Hinduism like marriages, performing many yagnas, pooja etc. The reason for this is because of four elements (earth, water, elements) fire is the only element that cannot be polluted. Agni is the symbol of piety and purity. As the expression of two kinds of energy i.e, light and heat, it is the symbol of life and activity. Agni, a Hindu god, is second only to Indra in Vedic mythology of our ancient India. He is equally the fire of the sun, of light, and of both the domestic and the sacrificial.
Wind/Air is the symbol of movement
Vayu or air initiates and directs the motion or movements. The air elements keep the body in constant motion. The tanmatra of air elements is Sparsha (touch). The sensory organ related to Air is skin. Skin is a subtle form. Any movement against the skin can be easily registered. Air is mobile, dry light cold and subtle in nature, its main action is any kind of movement.
Space is the symbol of freedom to move
Akash means having a cavity with freedom to move. The tanmatra of ether elements is Shabda (sound). Whenever there is a compactness of molecules, we get a dull sound on tapping but when there is a cavity or hollow space, the sound is light, subtle, and immeasurable. Ether elements are related to various actions like expansion, vibration, non-resistance. The sensory organ related to ether elements is ear as it is hollow and transmits the sound waves.
Land is the symbol of qualities
This is the last element. It is solid, dense and very hard. It is related to all solid and hard structures that show shape – e.g bones, muscles, teeth and nails. The earth element is responsible for giving structure, shape and strength to the body. The tanmatra for earth element is Gandha (smell). Small particles of earth are scattered all over the place which give a sense of smell. The sensory organ related to this element is the nose. The nose is harder to compare to other sensory organs. Qualities of earth elements are heavy, dull, and dense hard and gross.
Hinduism Teaching and Practicing Preserving Environment
Hinduism contains a number of references to the worship of the divine in nature in its Vedas, Puranas, Sutras and other sacred texts. Millions of Hindus recite Sanskrit mantras daily to revere their rivers, mountain, trees, animals and earth. Although the Chipko (tree-hugging) movement is the most widely known example of Hindus environmental leadership, there are examples of Hindu action for the environment that are centuries old.
Hinduism is a remarkably diverse religious and cultural phenomenon, with many local and regional manifestations, with this universe of belief, several important themes emerge. The diverse theologies of Hinduism suggest that:
- The earth can be a manifestation of the goddess, and must be treated with respect.
- The five elements – space- air- fire- water and earth are the foundation of on connected web life.
- Dharma – often translates as “duty” – can be interpreted to include our responsibility to care for the earth
- Simple living is a model for development of sustainable economics. Our treatment of nature directly affects our karma
- Gandhi exemplified many of these teachings, and his example continues to inspire
- Contemporary social, religious and environmental leaders in their efforts to protect the planet.
Protect Our Earth By following Ancient Indian Practices
The entire universe and planets consist the five elements also found in our Vedas, especially Ayurveda, the pancha mahabhuta, or “five great elements” of Hinduism are Bhumi (earth) Ap or Jala (water) Tejas or Agni (fire) Marut Vayu or Pavan (air or wind) and Vyom or shunya (space or Zero) or Akash (aether or Void).
The modern medical science says the entire human body has five vital organs that are essential for survival. These are the brain, heart, kidneys, liver and lungs. The brain is the body’s control center, receiving and sending signals to other organs through the nervous system and through secret hormones.
Air pollution is caused by the release of particulates, biological molecules or harmful gases into the atmosphere, which causes death to humans and damage to living organisms like food crops. Water pollution occurs by the contamination of water bodies like lakes, rivers,
Water bodies e.g. lake, river, ocean and groundwater get contaminated due to discharge of pollutants in the water bodies without any treatment to remove harmful compounds. Water pollution adversely affects not only aquatic plants and animals but it also affects human beings and ecosystems.
It’s very unfortunate there are many reasons our water gets contaminated due to sewage garbage’s mostly plastic waste and water discharged from household and the toxic poisonous factories water are discharge in the path of lakes and rivers which we can see even today in the major town and city where traditionally occupied industries like lather and chemical die factories, are situated which are the main reason it’s very pathetic routine scenario during the rainy season in our country, we are in a habit of dumping the waste and litters in roadside open ground that include electronic gadget plastic food waste, it’s very unfortunate even medical wastes are found in dumped in public places many reports appeared often by leading national newspaper, due to global warming, there is an increase in temperature resulting in death of aquatic plants and animals resulting destruction of water ecologic system etc all this directly affects the human health condition declining.
Time for a wakeup call
Time, as emerged by witnessing COVID -19 the world is paying for what it has done to nature.
Now time has come to realize every action has an equal reaction in Indian religion of Hinduism there are few concepts as important as karma. Karma not only justifies an individual act but also the entire community.
Example: If we do good for the Earth we live or will die. Today the Covid -19 situation is the finest example – we are witnessing the world leaders are in panic now puzzled with what to do.
Reduce your lavish lifestyle, by concentrating on needs not wants. Time for us to know about sustainable products, protect our nature by learning to plant a tree. We love the Nature