THE ANCIENT VEDIC ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

VEDIC ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

The ancient Vedas have several references in them on environmental protection ecological balance, weather cycles, rainfall phenomena, hydrologic cycle, and related subjects that directly indicate the high level of awareness of the seers and people of that time Ancient treasures of vast knowledge reveal a full cognizance of the undesirable effects of.environmental degradation, whether caused by natural factors or human activities.

The protection of the environment was understood to be closely related to the protection of the dyaus or heavens and prithvi or earth Between these two lies the atmosphere and the environment that we refer to as the paryavaran Many of the Rig Vedic hymns therefore vividly describe the Dyava Prithvi that is, they describe Heaven and Earth together The Rig Veda venerates deities like Mitra, Varuna, Indra, Maruts and Aditya, that are responsible for maintaining the requisite balance in the.functioning of all entities of Nature whether the mountains, lakes, heaven and earth, the forests or the waters.

Seers recognised that changes caused due to indiscreet human activities could result in imbalances in seasons, rainfall patterns, crops and atmosphere and degrade the quality of water, air, and earth resources
There are many hymns seeking the blessings of the five basic gross elements or the pancha mahabhoota of
Nature: akashor firmament, vayu or air, agni, tejas or fire, apah or water, and prithvi or earth People were careful to refrain from activities that could cause harm to Nature's.bounties.

It was understood that the well-being of Mother Earth depended on the preservation and sustenance of the environment For any inadvertent action leading to earth's excessive exploitation the seers prayed for forgiveness, "Whatever I dig from thee, O Earth, may that have quick recovery again O purifier, may we not injure thy vitals or thy heart" The seers of Rig Veda speak on behalf of earth for its principle of replenishment "You give me and I give you" They look at every entity of Nature with.the eyes of a friend and sympathiser: "Mitrasyaaham chakshushaa sarvaani bhootaani sameekshe. The Rig Veda makes a clear reference to the presence of a protective layer ‘which we know now to be the ozone layer’ that filters the harmful rays of the sun and protects the earth and praises the radiation that enters the atmosphere that is responsible for the health of the environment In a hymn of the Rig Veda the seer prays to the Ashvins for their indulgence for protection against any excessive solar flares that also affect earth's temperature All four major Vedas
‘the Rig,.Sama, Yajur and Atharva Vedas’ recognise the importance of 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 "Do not harm the environment; do not harm the water and the flora; earth is my mother, I am her son; may the waters remain fresh, do not harm the waters Tranquillity be to the atmosphere, to the earth, to the waters, to the crops and vegetation" This Vedic prayer invokes divine intervention to bless and protect.the environment.

SACRED TREES & PLANTS

For the Hindu, everything in the universe is sacred and whatever grows is more so. In Hinduism animistic beliefs find a place side by side with the highest philosophical and religious speculation and are often expressed mystically and esoterically. The tree deity has been found in the stamp seals of the Indus Valley civilization.

Sacred groves homes of mother goddesses abound and some types of trees have attained great importance in Hinduism. Plants such as the tulsi, a type of basil, are equally important. The spirits that inhabit trees are the yakshas feminine deities; male figures never appear in such a connection. Veneration of the tree is a form of Shaktism, the cult of the Great Mother.

A yaksha is propitiated with offerings such as food, bits of cloth tied to the branches and red-smeared stones put at the base of the tree. Some trees like the tulsi are worshipped daily, some every month, while some others are worshipped only during specific festivals.

Some of the important trees and plants are described below.

Pipal (Ficus religiosa) is one of the leading trees in Hinduism and Buddhism. It is also known as the bodhi tree because Gautama Buddha attained enlightenment under it. The tree is the object of universal worship throughout India. It is sacred to Vishnu. It is a very large tree with high raised roots which descend to the ground from the branches like additional trunks.

Other important trees sacred to Vishnu are: the Banyan or Indian Fig tree (Ficus indica), Chandra-mallika (chrysanthemum indicum), Naga Keshara (Mesuaferrea), etc.

Trees sacred to Shiva are the famous Ashoka (Saraca indica) with pointed leaves, Kesara (Mimusops Elengi), Champaka (Michela champaca), and Vata amongst others.

Lakshini has Kamala (Nelumbiuu speciosum) while Parvati has Sri-phala (Aegle Marmelos) as their representatives.

The Kaila or plantain is sacred to one of the forms of Kali. It is commonly used in marriages and during festivals a decorative doorway is made out of it, leading to the temple or the room where the prayers are to be held.

Tulsi (Ocynum sanctum) is a sacred plant of the basil family. Tulsi was one of Vishnu’s p amours. Out of jealousy his wife Lakshmi turned her into a plan, and the god became the salagrama stone to keep her company. In some versions of the story, Tulsi and Lakshmi are the same. The plant is about three fret in height. Everyday the ground near it is covered with a layer of cowdung and at night a lamp is lit near it. It is a common custom to place a sprig of tulsi near the head of a dying person. The aromatic leaves are taken as a digestive after meals.

In addition to the above, the Kusha Grass (Poa cynosuroides) and Durva Grass (Agrostis linearis) are also considered very sacred.

The kusha has the quality of warding oil evils. In all rituals, kusha is a must in sonic form or other. Durva is supposed to be very auspicious and is offered to Ganesha.