INDIAN PHILOSOPHICAL PERSPECTIVES OF NATURE

Dr. J.S.R. Anjaneya PrasadUniversity of Hyderabad

Objectives

What is Nature? Mother Earth Vedic Ecology Religion and Nature Cognitive Senses in Plants Protection of Natural Resources Man Made Disasters Sustainable Development Summary

Objectives

What is Nature? Mother Earth Vedic Ecology Religion and Nature Cognitive Senses in Plants Protection of Natural Resources Man Made Disasters Sustainable Development Summary

What is Nature?

“The phenomena of the physical world collectively, including plants, animals, the landscape, and other features and products of the earth, as opposed to humans or human creations” – Oxford English Dictionary

Whether theistic or atheistic, all philosophical schools of India, prescribed the protection of natural resources, in respective scriptures.

Perception of Nature

Sanskrit literature emphasizes on the importance of environmental ethics. Because man has to live in harmony with the nature, in other words, it is called as 'loka-purusha-saamya.' Vedas ordain – 'When it is inevitable for you to cut a tree, then, do it by planting five new plants.'

Each and every component of nature is divine, besides, considering divinity, in Man. Both biotic and abiotic components are found to be composed of five gross elements. As we discussed in other lecture, man is said to be the essence of water, earth and herbs as described in Chandogya Upanishad.

Contd...

In some of the texts in Sanskrit literature, man's inherent relation with each and every element of nature was well established. In Pancatantra, Hitopadesa and some Puranas, such stories are replete with man befriending and talking to all kinds of animals, birds and even trees. Whether it may be an exaggeration or not, a clear message of environmental concern is apparently seen. Also, the Buddhist Jataka stories, endorse these views.

'Hindus regard everything around them as pervaded by a subtle divine presence, may it be rivers, mountains, lakes, animals, flora, the minerals world as well as the stars and plants. It is also because the divine reality is present as पपण/ शकक energy, power, in every electron, particle, atom, cell and in every manifestation of matter.' (www.hinduism.info/nature_worship.htm)

Mahatma on our Ancestors

“I bowed my head in reverence 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.” (M.K. Gandhi in 'My Experiments with Truth')

Mother Earth

iya p thivī sarve ā bhūtānā madhu ṃ ṛ ṣ ṃ ṃ

(This earth is the honey of all beings. It is the essence and milk of all beings. Br.Upa. 2.5)

mātā bhūmi putroha p thivyāḥ ṃ ṛ ḥ (prithvi sukta in Atharva Veda)

(Earth is my mother, and I am her son. Prithvisukta, Atharva Veda)

Contd...

In resonance to the above Vedic saying, Indeed, it is very interesting to note that the Chief of the then Siatel, wrote a letter to the President of America in 1854. It is worthy to quote thus:

“The earth is our mother. Whatever befalls the earth befalls the sons and daughters of the earth. All things are connected… The earth does not belong to us, we belong to the earth”

Vedic Ecology

All things that endow with all pervading, health, wealth and happiness and derive from Nature’s resources on earth and atmosphere above it, are results of efforts that are made selflessly, in charity and cooperation in all walks of life like performing Yajnas. And result in providing to all life desirable, like sweet honey. (A.V. 6.70.5)

Cumulo Nimbus effect of performing Yajna?

Contd...

Nature’s action to bless us with Rain is likened to actions of a father, and earth’s action in receiving the rains and provide for our welfare are likened to the actions of a mother. Nature thus like both the parents provides us with all that is required to sustain us – breath of life, food, energy, comfort and happiness, remove our miseries and discomfort . To ensure this it is required of us to follow in correct path and behavior. (A.V. 6.70.6)

Contd...

The system of food chain has collapsed. It went into a great imbalance. Types of interactions between species fall in danger due to man made grave errors. Now all three types of food consumers in the creation face severe hardships in acquiring food due to, lack of green pastures, felling trees, de-forestation, disturbing natural habitats of animals etc.

Religion and Nature

A Jains' aphorism says: paraspara-upagraho jIvanam – 'Life is nothing but to comfort each other.' This comfort is dependent on preserving and consciously using natural resources.

'One who neglects or disregards the existence of earth, air, fire, water and vegetation disregards his own existence which is entwined with them.' - Lord Mahavira

Consciousness in Plants

These (plants) which are surrounded by multiform Darkness, the result of their acts (in former existences), possess internal consciousness and experience pleasure and pain.” (Manusmriti)

They are susceptible of pleasure and pain, and grow when cut or lopped off. From these circumstances I (Bharadwaja) see that trees have life (Mahabharata).

Ancient Indians held that plants have life and they respond to external stimuli. This is achieved through five cognitive senses, like the humans do. Indisputably, this concept must have rendered a strong impression on great scientists like Sri J.C. Bose in conducting experiments. Reference to this is available in the Santiparvan of Mahabharata.

- Let's see some classical examples in this direction.

Cognitive Senses in Plants

Miniature Biosphere

“Without doubt, though possessed of density, trees have space (AkAsa) within them. The putting forth of flowers and fruits is always taking place in them.” (- Dialog between sage Bharadwaja and sage Bhrgu in the Santiparvan of Mahabharata)

Cognitive Senses - Vision

वलल्ली ववेष्टयतवे ववृकक्षानन् सवरतश्चचैव गच्छतत ।न ह्यदृष्टवेश्च मक्षागर्गोऽससत तसमक्षात्पश्यसनत पक्षादपक्षापाः ।।१३।।

A creeper winds round a tree and goes about all its sides. A blind thing cannot find its way. For this reason it is evident that trees have vision.

Example- 'Helianthus annuus'

Cognitive Senses - Taste

पक्षादचैपाः सललिलिपक्षानक्षाच्च व्यक्षाधल्लीनक्षामतप दररनमन् ।व्यक्षालधप्रतततक्रियत्वक्षाच्च तवद्यतवे रसनन दृमवे ।।१५।।

They drink water by their roots. They catch diseases of diverse kinds. Those diseases again are cured by different operations. From this it is evident that trees have perceptions of taste.

Example- ''Mangifera indica

To prove the existence of this cognitive sense - taste, ChakrapANi had considered a typical example - 'A solution with the fish fat is used for the better yield of plants,' as widely discussed in Vrikshayurveda. When this solution is used to water the 'Magnifera indica', it offers abundant yield of fruits!

Contd...

Cognitive Senses - Smell

पपुण्यक्षापपुण्यचैसतथक्षा गनधचैधररपचैश्च तवतवधचैरतप ।अररोगक्षापाः पपुसषपतक्षापाः ससनत तसमक्षासजज्जिघ्रसनत पक्षादपक्षापाः ।।१४।।

”Then again trees recover vigor and put forth flowers in consequence of odours, good and bad, of the sacred perfume of diverse kinds of dhupas. It is plain that trees have scent.“

(ChakrapANi did not offer an example though, one can imagine the processes of fumigation.)

Cognitive Senses - Sound

वक्षाय्वतग्नि अरतनतनषपवेषचैपाः फलिपपुषपक्षानन् तवरल्लीयरतवे ।शरोतवेण गवृह्यतवे रब्दसतसमक्षाच्छवृ ण्वसनत पक्षादपक्षापाः ।।१२।।

”Through sound of wind and fire and thunder, their fruits and flowers drop down. Sound is perceived through the ear. Trees have, therefore, ears and do hear”.

Example- 'Phyllanthus acidus'

What Chakrapani says is that the 'Phyllanthus acidus'' bears fruits due to the thunder sounds!

Cognitive Senses - Touch

ऊषमतवे ग्लिक्षानपणक्षारनन् त्वक्फलिन पपुषपमवेव च ।म्लिक्षायतवे चचैव रल्लीतवेन सपररसतवेनक्षात तवद्यतवे ।।

”They have heat within them in consequence of which leaf, bark, fruit, and flower, are seen to droop. They sicken and dry up. That shows they have perception of touch.”

Example- 'Saraca Asoca'

Taxonomy of Herbs

As per Ayurveda, plants can be identified based on:

- special associations like – bodhi druma (Fiscus religiosa) etc.- special properties like – arsoghna (Amorphophallus

campanulatus), putranjiva (putranjiva roxburghia), asmantaka, gudamaara, triphala etc.

- morphological structures like – asvaparnaka (Shorea robusta) etc.

local association like – magadhi (jasmine), vaidehi (pepper) etc.

other peculiarities like – vranari (enemy of boils) etc.

(Source: Ancient Indian Botany and Taxonomy – Lalit Tiwari http://www.infinityfoundation.com/mandala/t_es/t_es_tiwar_botany_fr ameset.htm)

Plants Help Avoiding Disasters

Brihatsamhita, a celebrated Indian astronomical text has hints to the disastrous Tsunami. This is explained in a chapter called 'udakArgalAdhyAya.'

Forty days before the tsunami effect, the related geographical area emits smoke/vapors in packets. The same will be reflected in the ecological conditions over there, subsequently, the plants change their color of leaves, they may even whither away. So, the warnings are reflected through the morphological changes in plants. One has to be keen about these warnings or face nature's wrath.

Contd...

Lord Buddha got enlightened under a Peepal tree. This tree is one amongst the five important group of trees which is otherwise known as 'pancavati.'

Concept of Sacred groves – pancavati

Sanjeevani Herb

The greatest epic 'Ramayana' states about the importance of protecting the plant diversity. During the war between Rama and Ravana, the Lakshmana becomes unconscious and faints due to the impact of weapons and about to die before sun rise. By the advice of SusheNa, mighty Hanuman brings a herb from 'Sanjeevani' mountain to bring back Lakshmana to conscious state.

Contd...

Himalayan mountain range was/is well known for the life saving medicinal herbs from where Hanuman has got the Sanjeevani.

Though, it is a puranic story, it has a great message. Without maintaining an ecological balance, by not protecting the plant biodiversity and natural resources, we will loose the invaluable plant wealth for ever.

Protection of Natural Resources Bishnois – Protect animals and trees Bhils – Building 'tree' temples, water harvesting

sites Swadhyaya – perform rituals in the sacred groves They are not lavish in lifestyle – but highly simple

in living Creating waste and pollution are acts of violence –

One has to embrace the lifestyle of the Jain community

Animals and Birds in Divine Form

The supreme god head incarnates in the form of all animals birds besides humans and plants.

“This form is the source and indestructible seed of multifarious incarnations within the universe, and from the particle and portion of this form, different living entities, like demigods, animals, human beings and others, are created.” (- Srimad Bhagavatam – quoted by Dr. L.M. Singhvi)

Dashavatara - Ecology

Concept of DasAvatAra in various animal/human forms – fish, tortoise, boar, man-lion, a conquerer – Rama (army of monkeys), Krishna (cow herd) – and their significance towards protecting ecology.

Further, the Hindu belief in the cycle of birth and rebirth where a person may come back as an animal or a bird gives these species not only respect, but also reverence. This provides a solid foundation for the doctrine of ahimsa - non-violence against animals and human beings alike. It is the highest virtue of human being as said in Ayurveda.

Clever Warnings in Scriptures

“The wicked person who kills animals which are protected has to live in hell-fire for the days equal to the number of hairs on the body of that animal.” – Yajnavalkya Smriti

Man Made Disasters

Man's actions and their effect on water cycle in nature is consequent upon:

1. Industrial pollution

2. Excessive use of river water and ground water

3. Artificial and excessive storage of water flows

4. De-forestation and thus tampering with seepage of water into the ground and surface run-off

Contd...

Disaster Remedy

De-forestation No seepage of water

into ground

CHIPCO Sacred groves

Sustainable Development

Some Solutions to Sustainable Development in Vedas:

Integrated Pest Management:

Along with the innumerable crops being cultivated by the farmers for feeding the nation, the guests and dependents, innumerable enemies in the form of weeds, pests, etc also get in to the land. The Adhwaryus should work on war footing to provide sustainable herbal/organic remedies to help the growth of healthy agriculture crops to ensure health and prosperity to the people. Y.V. 2.14.7 [ex: lantana, horse show weed]

Contd...

Waste Water Management:

It is for the technically knowledgeable community and the establishment to decide and implement, the handling of sewage, pollution and foul smell creating situations, by using solar photo remediation, natural vegetative filtration and the winning of the desirable components out of the system by the strategy of using wetlands and lagoons, for making the waste disposal a pleasant, acceptable and sustainable activity. Y.V. 2.14.9

Contd...

Purifying Polluted Water: The grey water is fist led in to wet lands with plenty of marine life

to digest the organic pollutants. Next, this water is led in to lagoons in which reed family of plants

purify this water by photo remediation subsequently this water is led through lagoons with ‘energy crops’. These are special plant species that harvest specific variety of

heavy metal pollutants like ‘Lead’, ‘Cadmium’ , mercury and Magnesium etc.

This happens to be the most recent modern strategy to treat sewage and polluted waters

Contd...

The Polluted water is run in to ponds with frogs, fish like marine life, and then this marine life treated water is run in to streams.

On the beds of these streams plants of cane & reed family are grown.

The final run off water is clean water. (Y.V. 17.6)

→ Considering a few of the above ideas, it is up to us to decide whether to go with shallow ecology or adopt techniques of deep ecology.

Water is Sacred!!

Water is considered by Hindus as a powerful medium of purification and also as a source of energy. Sometimes, just by the sprinkling of pure water in religious ceremonies, it is believed purity is achieved. That is why, in Rgveda, prayer is offered to the deity of water: 'The waters in the' sky, the waters of rivers, and water in the well whose source is the ocean, may all these sacred waters protect me' (Rgveda 7.49.2).

Contd...

The healing property and medicinal value of water has been universally accepted, provided it is pure and free from all pollution. Persons engaging in unsocial activities and in acts polluting the environment were cursed:

'A person, who is engaged in killing creatures, polluting wells, and ponds and tanks, and destroying gardens, certainly goes to hell'- Padma Purana (O.P. Dwivedi 1993)

Buddhist Declaration

In The Buddhist Declaration on Nature, The Venerable Lungrig Namgyal Rinpoche, Abbot of Gyuto Tantrik University, quotes Lord Buddha thus:

'Because the cause was there, the consequences followed; because the cause is there, effects will follow.' He concludes that these few words show that happiness and suffering do not simply come about by chance. (L.M. Singhvi in the Light of Indian Intellect)

This has a direct bearing on our indiscriminate use of natural resources.

Let us Ponder Over...

All vegetarian food is dependent upon plant products

All non-vegetarian food is also dependent upon plant produce – but how?

Majority of the animals live on plant products. Hence, unequivocally, plants sustain the life for all human beings.

Omnivorus vs Herbivorus & Carnivorus

Let us be contended with what god has given to all of us

Let us get rid of the greed, ignorance and disregard in exploiting the natural resources

Let us preserve the environmental or rather ecological balance for our future generations

Let us worship our nature rather than merely consuming and destroying it

Summing Up

In this lecture, we have discussed the perception of Nature.

Also, it is seen that How mother earth and other natural resources have been regarded in Vedic Ecology.

We contemplated upon religion giving special status to Nature like in the case of cognitive senses of plants.

We have discussed how some communities protect the natural resources as per ancient indigenous thinking.

Finally, we discussed upon scriptural remedies for man made disasters in the name of sustainable development.

References

Vrikshayurveda Upavana vinoda Mahabharata Manu Smriti Artha Shastra Caraka Samhita Sushruta Samhita

Acknowledgements

Sri Subodh kumar, New Delhi for al personal email communications with the speaker

E-QUAL Project, University of Hyderabad

THANK YOU!!