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Line 242: − + − In Vedic culture, there is a lot of emphasis on conservation of land. Infact, conservation of land in the Vedas is inherent in the protection of one's motherland. The Prthvi Sukta of the Atharvaveda is note worthy in this regard. It says,<ref name=":7" /> <blockquote>माता भूमिः पुत्रोऽहं पृथिव्याः ... ॥१२॥<ref name=":6" />mātā bhūmiḥ putro'haṁ pr̥thivyāḥ ... ॥12॥ </blockquote>Meaning: The earth is our mother and I am her son.<ref name=":8" />+ − Infact, the sukta further states that one should be ready for even self-sacrifice in order to protect the land.<ref name=":7" /><blockquote>वयं तुभ्यं बलिहृतः स्याम ॥६२॥<ref name=":6" />vayaṁ tubhyaṁ balihr̥taḥ syāma ॥62॥</blockquote>Such is the spirit of land conservation in the Vedas.<ref name=":7" />+ − In our ancient knowledge tradition, there was a lot of emphasis for the preservation of the earth. + − In the Aranyani Sukta of the Rigveda, the sage says that न वा अरण्यानिर्हन्त्यन्यश्चेन्नाभिगच्छति ।...॥५॥<ref>Rigveda, Mandala 10, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%8B%E0%A4%97%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%83_%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%82_%E0%A5%A7%E0%A5%A6.%E0%A5%A7%E0%A5%AA%E0%A5%AC Sukta 146]</ref> meaning that those who love and know the importance of forests never destroy the forests nor do any other violence towards such forest lovers. Here the sage of the Rigveda is saying that we should conserve our natural resources.+ − The Atharva sage in the Atharvaveda has set a unique example for the earth -+ − यत्ते भूमे विखनामि क्षिप्रं तदपि रोहतु । मा ते मर्म विमृग्वरि मा ते हृदयमर्पिपम् ॥३५॥<ref name=":6">Atharvaveda, Kanda 12, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%A5%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%B5%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%83/%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A1%E0%A4%82_%E0%A5%A7%E0%A5%A8/%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D_%E0%A5%A6%E0%A5%A7 Sukta 1]</ref>+ − '''( 12.1.35 )'''+ − − That is, O land! I wish whichever of your part I dig, that should fill itself again. O discoverable earth! I should never harm your heart nor make your heart sad. − − In Vedic culture, small components of the environment have been considered superior in specific condition. And it has been said that just as parents nurture their children, so do the land and solar system- − − द्यौष्पितः पृथिवि मातरध्रुगग्ने भ्रातर्वसवो मृळता नः ।...॥५॥ विश्व आदित्या अदिते सजोषा अस्मभ्यं शर्म बहुलं वि यन्त ॥५॥<ref>Rigveda, Mandala 6, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%8B%E0%A4%97%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%83_%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%82_%E0%A5%AC.%E0%A5%AB%E0%A5%A7 Sukta 51]</ref> − − '''(Rigveda 6.51.5)'''<ref name=":8">Vijnana - Level A ([https://nios.ac.in/media/documents/OBE_indian_knowledge_tradition/Level_A/Vijnana-A_Englishi_OBE/Science-A_E_Ch-3.pdf Chapter 3]), Noida: National Institute of Open Schooling (Open Basic Education Programme).</ref> − − the importance of conserving land in the Vedas; − − In Vedic culture there is a lot of emphasis on conservation of land. The Earth Sukta of the Atharvaveda is note worthy in this subject- − − यत्ते भूमे विखनामि क्षिप्रं तदपि रोहतु । मा ते मर्म विमृग्वरि मा ते हृदयमर्पिपम् ॥३५॥<ref name=":6" /> − − '''(Atharvaveda-12.1.35)''' − − That is, O land! If I dig any part of you, it should be filled immediately. O discoverable earth! I won't do anything that will either hurt your heart or harm you. − − This personal prayer towards the earth shows how sensitive the Vedic sage is to the earth. If we keep this kind of sensation in our minds, then the conservation of the land will be done by itself. − − According to the Vedas, the earth is our shelter. It nurtures us and takes care of us. Therefore it is our responsibility to protect it. In the Atharvaveda, the sage says, O land! As long as I see your various forms with the yam sun, till then my vision should not destroy the best and good action. − − यावत्तेऽभि विपश्यामि भूमे सूर्येण मेदिना । तावन् मे चक्षुर्मा मेष्टोत्तरामुत्तरां समाम् ॥३३॥<ref name=":6" /> − − '''(Atharvaveda 12.01.33)''' − − The sage here wishes for the preservation of the various forms of the earth. − − Atharva, the sage of the Rigveda says that we should protect the earth because this earth nourishes us, protects our wealth, has a firm foundation, has gold in itself, is always moving, provides happiness to all, is nurturing fire; such land which considers Indra as prime, will protect us amidst the power of money - − − विश्वंभरा वसुधानी प्रतिष्ठा हिरण्यवक्षा जगतो निवेशनी । वैश्वानरं बिभ्रती भूमिरग्निमिन्द्रऋषभा द्रविणे नो दधातु ॥६॥<ref name=":6" /> − − '''(Atharvaveda 12.01.6)''' − − The sage of the Atharvaveda expresses his concern for the preservation of the Earth and says that O Earth! May we be healthy in your lap. Keep ourselves prepared for sacrifice while sustaining the life of our metals. Here the sage talks about sacrificing our lives for the protection of the Earth. − − उपस्थास्ते अनमीवा अयक्ष्मा अस्मभ्यं सन्तु पृथिवि प्रसूताः । दीर्घं न आयुः प्रतिबुध्यमाना वयं तुभ्यं बलिहृतः स्याम ॥६२॥<ref name=":6" /> − − '''(Atharvaveda 12.1.62)''' − − The sage of the Arthavaveda warns that if the earth is not preserved in time, then the human species should be prepared to suffer the vicious cycle because just as the horse shakes off the dust particles, in the same way earth, the planet, the protector of the world, the receptive earth of flora and medicines, has always shaken those humans who do not conserve it and harm it − − अश्व इव रजो दुधुवे वि तान् जनान् य आक्षियन् पृथिवीं यादजायत । मन्द्राग्रेत्वरी भुवनस्य गोपा वनस्पतीनां गृभिरोषधीनाम् ॥५७॥<ref name=":6" /> − − '''(Atharvaveda 12.1.57)''' − − In the Vrihdarnpakopanisd , Yajnavalkya explains to the sage Maitreyi that this earth is the soul of all the bhut (core elements) and all bhut are in the middle of this earth. − − इयं पृथिवी सर्वेषां भूतानां मधु । अस्यै पृथिव्यै सर्वाणि भूतानि मधु ।... ॥ २,५.१ ॥<ref>Brhadaranyakopanishad, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AC%E0%A5%83%E0%A4%B9%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%A3%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%95_%E0%A4%89%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B7%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D_2p Adhyaya 2]</ref> यश्चायमस्यां पृथिव्यां तेजोमयोऽमृतमयः पुरुषो यस्चायमध्यात्मं शारीरस्तेजोमयोऽमृतमयः पुरुषोऽयमेव स योऽयमात्मा । इदममृतमिदं ब्रह्मेदं सर्वम् ॥ २,५.१ ॥ − − '''(Vrihadaranyakopanishad 2.5)''' − − When the Vedic sages are so conscious about the preservation of the earth, then we should not over-exploit nature, but rather emphasize the preservation of the earth. − − − − We should be conscious of the environment around us, exploitation of land and conserve the earth as much as possible. − − Conservation of the Earth in Vedas − − Importance of Conservation of earth<ref name=":7">Vijnana - Level A ([https://nios.ac.in/media/documents/OBE_indian_knowledge_tradition/Level_A/Vijnana-A_Englishi_OBE/Science-A_E_Ch-4.pdf Chapter 4]), Noida: National Institute of Open Schooling (Open Basic Education Programme).</ref>
→भूसंरक्षणम् ॥ Preservation of the Earth: Editing and adding references and transliterations
<blockquote>एवं सर्वं कृत्रिमं च बाह्याभ्यन्तरमेव च ॥ १४ ॥ तद्विनाशे विनाशश्च सर्वेषामेव नारद । जलबुद्बुदवत्सर्वं विश्वसंघमनित्यकम् ॥ १५ ॥<ref>Devi Bhagavata Purana, Skandha 9, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%B5%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%AD%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A7%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%A6%E0%A5%AF/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%A6%E0%A5%A9 Adhyaya 3]</ref> evaṁ sarvaṁ kr̥trimaṁ ca bāhyābhyantarameva ca ॥ 14 ॥ tadvināśe vināśaśca sarveṣāmeva nārada । jalabudbudavatsarvaṁ viśvasaṁghamanityakam ॥ 15 ॥</blockquote>
<blockquote>एवं सर्वं कृत्रिमं च बाह्याभ्यन्तरमेव च ॥ १४ ॥ तद्विनाशे विनाशश्च सर्वेषामेव नारद । जलबुद्बुदवत्सर्वं विश्वसंघमनित्यकम् ॥ १५ ॥<ref>Devi Bhagavata Purana, Skandha 9, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%B5%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%AD%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A7%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%A6%E0%A5%AF/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%A6%E0%A5%A9 Adhyaya 3]</ref> evaṁ sarvaṁ kr̥trimaṁ ca bāhyābhyantarameva ca ॥ 14 ॥ tadvināśe vināśaśca sarveṣāmeva nārada । jalabudbudavatsarvaṁ viśvasaṁghamanityakam ॥ 15 ॥</blockquote>
== भूसंरक्षणम् ॥ Preservation of the Earth ==
== भूसंरक्षणम् ॥ Preservation of the Earth ==
Earth is known for having nourished and protected biodiversity. The Vedas thus, accord the status of a mother to the earth. It is said in the Rigveda,<ref name=":7" /> <blockquote>द्यौर्मे पिता जनिता नाभिरत्र बन्धुर्मे माता पृथिवी महीयम् ।...॥३३॥<ref>Rigveda, Mandala 1, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%8B%E0%A4%97%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%83_%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%82_%E0%A5%A7.%E0%A5%A7%E0%A5%AC%E0%A5%AA Sukta 164]</ref> dyaurme pitā janitā nābhiratra bandhurme mātā pr̥thivī mahīyam ।...॥33॥</blockquote>Meaning: Sky is my father, brother and my centre. And this vast earth is my mother who is the greatest.<ref>Sripad Damodar Satavlekar (1985), Rigveda ka Subodh Bhashya ([https://vedicheritage.gov.in/flipbook/Rigveda_Subodh_Bhasya_Vol_I/#book/449 Volume 1]), Pardi: Svadhyay Mandal.</ref>
Earth is known for having nourished and protected biodiversity. The Vedas thus, accord the status of a mother to the earth. It is said in the Rigveda,<ref name=":7" /> <blockquote>द्यौर्मे पिता जनिता नाभिरत्र बन्धुर्मे माता पृथिवी महीयम् ।...॥३३॥<ref>Rigveda, Mandala 1, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%8B%E0%A4%97%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%83_%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%82_%E0%A5%A7.%E0%A5%A7%E0%A5%AC%E0%A5%AA Sukta 164]</ref> dyaurme pitā janitā nābhiratra bandhurme mātā pr̥thivī mahīyam ।...॥33॥</blockquote>Meaning: Sky is my father, brother and my centre. And this vast earth is my mother who is the greatest.<ref>Sripad Damodar Satavlekar (1985), Rigveda ka Subodh Bhashya ([https://vedicheritage.gov.in/flipbook/Rigveda_Subodh_Bhasya_Vol_I/#book/449 Volume 1]), Pardi: Svadhyay Mandal.</ref>A similar feeling is conveyed in the Atharvaveda as well. It says,<ref name=":7" /> <blockquote>माता भूमिः पुत्रोऽहं पृथिव्याः ... ॥१२॥<ref name=":6">Atharvaveda, Kanda 12, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%A5%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%B5%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%83/%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A1%E0%A4%82_%E0%A5%A7%E0%A5%A8/%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D_%E0%A5%A6%E0%A5%A7 Sukta 1]</ref>mātā bhūmiḥ putro'haṁ pr̥thivyāḥ ... ॥12॥ </blockquote>Meaning: The earth is our mother and I am her son.<ref name=":8">Vijnana - Level A ([https://nios.ac.in/media/documents/OBE_indian_knowledge_tradition/Level_A/Vijnana-A_Englishi_OBE/Science-A_E_Ch-3.pdf Chapter 3]), Noida: National Institute of Open Schooling (Open Basic Education Programme).</ref>
The Atharvaveda also states that the earth nourishes us, protects our wealth, is the foundation of everything, has gold in itself, is the resort of all moving and non-moving objects, provides happiness to all, nurtures fire within and such a land will endow us with prosperity. Thereby, indirectly emphasizing on the importance of conserving land in the Vedas.<ref name=":7" /> <blockquote>विश्वंभरा वसुधानी प्रतिष्ठा हिरण्यवक्षा जगतो निवेशनी । वैश्वानरं बिभ्रती भूमिरग्निमिन्द्रऋषभा द्रविणे नो दधातु ॥६॥<ref name=":6" />
viśvaṁbharā vasudhānī pratiṣṭhā hiraṇyavakṣā jagato niveśanī । vaiśvānaraṁ bibhratī bhūmiragnimindrar̥ṣabhā draviṇe no dadhātu ॥6॥ </blockquote>According to the Vedas, the earth is our shelter. It nurtures us and takes care of us. Therefore, it is our responsibility to protect it. In Vedic culture, there is a lot of emphasis on conservation of land. The Prthvi Sukta of the Atharvaveda is note worthy in this regard.<ref name=":7" />It says, <blockquote>यत्ते भूमे विखनामि क्षिप्रं तदपि रोहतु । मा ते मर्म विमृग्वरि मा ते हृदयमर्पिपम् ॥३५॥<ref name=":6" />
yatte bhūme vikhanāmi kṣipraṁ tadapi rohatu । mā te marma vimr̥gvari mā te hr̥dayamarpipam ॥35॥</blockquote>Meaning: O land ! If I dig any part of you, it should be filled immediately. O discoverable earth ! I won't do anything that will either hurt your heart or harm you.<ref name=":8" />
This personal prayer towards the earth shows how sensitive the Vedic Rishi is towards the earth. If a feeling of this kind is fostered in the minds then land conservation will happen of its own accord. Infact, conservation of land in the Vedas is inherent in the protection of one's motherland. Expressing concern for the preservation of the Earth, the Rishi further states, in the Prthvi Sukta, that one must be ready for even self-sacrifice for the protection of the Earth.<ref name=":7" /><blockquote>उपस्थास्ते अनमीवा अयक्ष्मा अस्मभ्यं सन्तु पृथिवि प्रसूताः । दीर्घं न आयुः प्रतिबुध्यमाना वयं तुभ्यं बलिहृतः स्याम ॥६२॥<ref name=":6" />
upasthāste anamīvā ayakṣmā asmabhyaṁ santu pr̥thivi prasūtāḥ । dīrghaṁ na āyuḥ pratibudhyamānā vayaṁ tubhyaṁ balihr̥taḥ syāma ॥62॥</blockquote>Meaning: O Earth ! All of us who have gained birth from you, may we all be healthy and longlived in your lap. And may we ever remain ready to sacrifice self-benefit for the sake of motherland and remain ever-ready in your service.<ref>Sripad Damodar Satavlekar (1985), Atharvaveda ka Subodh Bhashya ([https://vedicheritage.gov.in/flipbook/Atharvaveda_Subodh_Bhashya_Vol_IV/#book/170 Volume 4]), Pardi: Svadhyay Mandal.</ref>
Such is the spirit of land conservation in the Vedas.<ref name=":7" /> The Rigveda also speaks on conservation of natural resources. The Aranyani sukta of the Rigveda states that those who love and know the importance of forests never destroy the forests nor do any other violence towards such forest lovers.<ref name=":8" /> <blockquote>न वा अरण्यानिर्हन्त्यन्यश्चेन्नाभिगच्छति ।...॥५॥<ref>Rigveda, Mandala 10, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%8B%E0%A4%97%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%83_%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%82_%E0%A5%A7%E0%A5%A6.%E0%A5%A7%E0%A5%AA%E0%A5%AC Sukta 146]</ref> na vā araṇyānirhantyanyaścennābhigacchati ।...॥5॥</blockquote>Thus, the Rishis wish for the preservation of the Earth in various forms<ref name=":7" /> and there was a lot of emphasis for the preservation of the earth in our ancient knowledge tradition.<ref name=":8" /> Infact, in the Brhadaranyakopanishad, Maharshi Yajnavalkya explains to Maitreyi that this earth is the essence of all the bhutas (core elements) and all the bhutas are in the middle of this earth.<ref name=":7" /><blockquote>इयं पृथिवी सर्वेषां भूतानां मधु । अस्यै पृथिव्यै सर्वाणि भूतानि मधु ।... ॥ २,५.१ ॥<ref>Brhadaranyakopanishad, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AC%E0%A5%83%E0%A4%B9%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%A3%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%95_%E0%A4%89%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B7%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D_2p Adhyaya 2]</ref>
iyaṁ pr̥thivī sarveṣāṁ bhūtānāṁ madhu । asyai pr̥thivyai sarvāṇi bhūtāni madhu ।... ॥ 2,5.1 ॥</blockquote>A famoue quote by Mahatma Gandhi states that the nature is capable of fulfilling our needs but not in fulfilling anyone's greed. So, if nature is used with conservation, then all the needs of human species can be fulfilled. Thus, we should be conscious of the environment around us, avoid exploitation of land and conserve the earth as emphasized by the Vedic Rishis.<ref name=":7">Vijnana - Level A ([https://nios.ac.in/media/documents/OBE_indian_knowledge_tradition/Level_A/Vijnana-A_Englishi_OBE/Science-A_E_Ch-4.pdf Chapter 4]), Noida: National Institute of Open Schooling (Open Basic Education Programme).</ref>
Mahatma Gandhi also said that the nature is capable of fulfilling our needs but not in fulfilling anyone's greed. Here, Gandhi ji gives more indication to stop the over exploitation of nature and says that if the nature is used by inclusive conservation, then all the needs of human species can be fulfilled.
== References ==
== References ==
[[Category:Puranas]]
[[Category:Puranas]]
[[Category:Devatas]]
[[Category:Devatas]]