The monthly ‘Kalyan’ magazine in Hindi published by Gita Press is an esteemed publication on Sanatana Dharma. Their Annual Number this January is on Environment. It deals extensively with various aspects: references from Vedas, Puranas and other religious literature, analysis of how environment encompasses the Pancha mahabhutas- the five great basic elements- earth, water, fire, air and space, and living beings, role of sources of water, trees, forests and mountains, and means of protection of environment. Some of the important points are presented here.
Shanti mantras from Rigveda and Yajurveda pray for favourable state of all nature including air, hills and rivers. Prithvisukta (Rigveda 5.84) praises the earth for absorbing torrential rain water, thus increasing its strength and ability to produce crops and sustain trees. Jalasukta (Rigveda 10.9) says water cures all beings of diseases, makes them healthy and has even Agni. Agnisukta (Rigveda 1.1) says Agni nourishes our body, augments our fame and enables acquisition of wealth through courage. Krishisukta (Atharvaveda 3.17) prays for favourable seasons, rains and sunshine so that the ploughed earth could generate good foodgrains, fruits etc. Oshadhisukta (Rigveda 10.17) praises Oshadhis (herbs) as Devatas and prays for their bestowal of cure of diseases, good health and long life.
In Bhavishyapurana, Shri Krishna tells Yudhishthira the importance of planting of trees and says it is superior to having sons.
सदा स तीर्थी भवति सदा दानं प्रयच्छति ।
सदा यज्ञं स यजते यो रोपयति पादपम् ॥ “ 4.128.10 ॥
“One, who plants trees, resides in Tirthas always, gives Danam (ceremonial charity) always, and performs yajna always”. Similar citations from other Puranas have also been given. Shastras extol the efficacy of Bilva and Tulasi trees. In our tradition, Sthala Vrikshas (sacred trees in temple precincts) have been in existence for long. Specific trees for each of the Navagrahas and 27 stars are also laid down in our scriptures. Shastras define two types of public welfare schemes: Ishta dharma – conducting yajnas, Pujas etc. in public places; Poortha dharmaplan ting trees, digging wells, lakes, canals, laying roads, water supply fountains, construction of temples, choultries, apara kriya centres etc.
Matsya Purana: “दशकूपसमा वापी दशवापीसमो ह्रदः। दशह्रदसमो पुत्रो दशपुत्रसमो द्रुमः ||” “A pond is equivalent to ten wells; a lake is equivalent to ten ponds; a son is equivalent to ten lakes; a tree is equivalent to ten sons.” Shandilyasmriti says: “अ ु न ोभयेदैः पादेनोादये च ॥ नाचरेत् वन ड न ग ूषं जले पेत् । अ ोऽ ं न पेत् तोयं न देहमलमुृजेत् ॥ न कुयेद ुतीथम त् त न क तयेत् । “(2.22-24) – “Don’t agitate waters in Tirthas with your limbs; don’t throw up water by use of your feet; don’t engage in water sports; don’t spit; don’t engage in throwing of water on each other; don’t leave body dirt in the waters; don’t do anything which would pollute the waters.” Shastras specify that in order to nullify the sins caused by mixing of our body dirt like sweat into sacred waters, one should do Tarpana to Yakshma devata.
Bhavishya purana defines ‘Gocharmabhumi’: “गवां शतं वृषश्चैको यत्र तिष्ठत्ययंत्रितः । तद्गोचर्मेति विख्यातं दत्तं सर्वाघनाशनम् ॥“ (2.3.2.25) – “That grazing field where a hundred cows and a bull move about freely is calle ‘Gocharmabhumi’; giving such land in charity destroys all sins.” Matsyapurana says: “फलदाना ंत ुवृाणा ंछेदन े जयमृछतम् । गुमवलीलतानां च पुिपतानां च वीधाम् ॥“ (227.35) – “In case one happens to cut off fruit-bearing trees, thickets and creepers bearing flowers or expected to bear flowers, he should atone by chanting a hundred Richas.” He was also punished by the king.
Many Puranas describe Shiva as Ashtamurthy, the form of the five great elements – earth, water, fire, air and space, and Surya, Chandra and the individual worshipper. Shrimad Bhagavatham declares: “खं वायुमग्निं सलिलं महीं च ज्योतींषि सत्त्वानि दिशो द्रुमादीन् । सरित्समुद्रांश्च हरे: शरीरं यत् किंच भूतं प्रणमेदनन्य: ॥ ४१ ॥“ (12.12.41) – “Space, wind, fire, water, earth, all the celestial objects, all the living creatures, the directions, trees, plants and other immovable beings, as well as the rivers and the oceans form the body of Lord Hari. So, (with one-pointed devotion) prostrate before every being (regarding that to be Lord Hari).”
Hemadri cites Skanda Puranam to define ‘Panchavati’ – for performing austerities, one should have fig (peepul) tree in the east, Bilva in the north, banyan in the west, gooseberry (Amalaka) in the south and Ashoka in southeast (Agni corner). Such Panchavati brings massive religious merit and attainment in austerity. ‘Brihat Panchavati’ is defined as having – four Bilva trees on four sides at the centre around the sacrificial altar, four banyan trees on the four corners just outside, twentyfive Ashoka trees planted in a circle, four peepul trees on the four corners, and an amalaka (gooseberry) tree each in the eight directions. One who sets up such Brihat Panchavati attains splendour of Devendra, Mantrasiddhi and finally Moksha.
Our ancient sages discovered the beneficial properties of Agnihotra and other yagas, specially in respect of purifying the environment and helping humanity with protection from diseases. Even the ashes from the yajna have medicinal value. Similarly the salutary effects of music have been recorded in our scriptures. Group chanting of Stotras and Namasankirtanam are recommended as efficient tools to reduce the effects of pollution.
When Adharma prevailed on earth, misery mounted. Devi Bhagavatham narrates the story of an Asura named Durgama who wrought havoc in all the worlds by taking hold of Gayatri and Vedic mantras and depriving brahmanas of them. All yajnas stopped; no rains ensued. The earth became famine-ridden. Devi Shakambhari appeared in response to the prayers of Devas, Rishis and brahmanas and shed tears from her hundreds of eyes (Shatakshi). She had on her form vegetables, fruits and food crops, which she gave out to the seekers. This way the environmental balance was restored by her compassion and normalcy returned.
Padma Purana (Uttarakhanda 216:41-82) recounts the story of the king of Kalinga. He was so cruel with the citizens that they started to leave the kingdom. When Maharishi Durvasa came, the king and his courtiers disgraced the sage; the angry sage reduced the courtiers to ashes and cursed the king to become a wild buffalo. The buffalo, which was in the river Yamuna in Badarikashram, once saw Kapilamuni and conveyed to him in human language his story. When sage Kapila asked him as to how he remembered his previous birth and how he spoke in human language, he said; “Many wells and ponds were constructed by me; many mango and other trees were planted on roadsides. I did not have to go to Naraka because of these good deeds and I came here to this sacred Tirtha. Contact with this Tirtha made me remember my previous life.” Sage Kapila asked him to bathe again in the Tirtha; he became a Deva instantly.
Shri Krishna says in Bhagavadgita that he is the holy fig (Aswatha) among trees, Himalaya among mountains, Ganga among rivers, Kamadhenu among cows and spring among seasons. Present day science also tells us that fig (peepul-aswatha) tree has capacity to absorb CO2 to the extent of 100%; neem, banyan, tamarind and Kapittha trees, 80%; gooseberry (Amalaka), 74% and mango, 70%. Shri Krishna showed us the way to protect and improve our environment. He served cows and was called Govinda. He protected Yamuna waters from the poison of Kaliya serpent. He worshipped Govardhana Hill and established the importance of respectful care of nature. He increased the wealth of Gokul and Brindavan.
Environment is the foundation of life. Environment is of three types: Physical, Biotic and Psycho-social. The dangers to environment in the present day are many: global warming and cooling; chemical pollution; aerosol loading (dust in air); reduction in biotic species variety; noise pollution; land use (uncontrolled development of cities); excessive use of water well beyond replacement level; Nitrogen-phosphorus cycle; ozone depletion; acidity in ocean.
Shastras stress that human lifestyle should be in accord with environment. Nowadays people go on long holiday tours to holy places. These tours should imbibe the spirit of Tirthayatra – imbued with faith and devotion; humility and simplicity; mutual help; sattvic food; traditional dress. For tissue paper, we are told that six lakh trees are cut every year in the world. Ten points are emphasised in this context: regulated, controlled lifestyle; bar on unnecessary needs; use of the five great elements with proper restraint – restricted use of electricity, machines, vehicles etc.; rearing and service of cows; cow-based agriculture and consumption of healthy natural food; extensive planting of trees and augmentation of water sources; stoppage of use of plastics, polythene etc.; bar on unrestricted use of vehicles; encouragement of rural civilisation and culture; living life with higher purpose.
Protection and improvement of environment is the call of the yuga and fighting on emergency basis is essential for every human being. In this difficult hour, the nation and people of all classes should consider Nature as Devi and Environment as Yugadevata. ‘Review, Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle – this five point programme should be the mantra.
Interestingly, the January edition of the English monthly ‘the Vedanta Kesari’ published by Shri Ramakrishna Math, Chennai has an article titled ‘Businesses cannot grow faster than forests’. The woman leader of a village tribal group making several healthcare products with herbs from the forest, including pain relief oil, bathing powder and cosmetics was told by a government officer to increase their production and earn more money. She remained politely silent, but commented later, “How can we grow the business faster than the forest? After all, our raw material is from the forest. If we destroy it for our profit today, what will be left for future generations?” It is a pity that our industrialists and politicians are bent upon exploiting natural resources as if there is no tomorrow or future generation. This has to stop.
Shri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham has published a book on greatness of tree planting, authored by Shri Sundararama Vajapayee, covering various citations from Smritis and Puranas. The book in Tamil covers several topics including Vriksha Ayurveda, care in rearing the trees, the manure, the Sthalavrikshas in temples etc. The book, translated into English, is available in www.kamakoti.org