Changes

Energy Conservation (तेजसः संरक्षणम्) elaborates on the importance and conservation of energy in the form of fire and the Sun ie. Solar energy as described in the Vedas.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1">Vijnana - Level A ([https://nios.ac.in/media/documents/OBE_indian_knowledge_tradition/Level_A/Vijnana-A_Englishi_OBE/Science-A_E_Ch-10.pdf Chapter 10]), Noida: National Institute of Open Schooling (Open Basic Education Programme).</ref>

Energy Conservation (तेजसः संरक्षणम्) elaborates on the importance and conservation of energy in the form of [[Agni (अग्निः)|fire]] and [[Surya (सूर्यः)|the Sun]] ie. Solar energy as described in the [[Vedas (वेदाः)|Vedas]].<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1">Vijnana - Level A ([https://nios.ac.in/media/documents/OBE_indian_knowledge_tradition/Level_A/Vijnana-A_Englishi_OBE/Science-A_E_Ch-10.pdf Chapter 10]), Noida: National Institute of Open Schooling (Open Basic Education Programme).</ref>

== परिचयः ॥ Introduction ==

== परिचयः ॥ Introduction ==

Fire is one of the five great elements or Panchamahabhutas.<ref name=":0" /> In the Vedas, fire has been considered fundamental in the creation of the environment.<ref name=":1" /> The heat of fire is present in the form of energy in the entire universe.<ref name=":0">Vijnana - Level A ([https://nios.ac.in/media/documents/OBE_indian_knowledge_tradition/Level_A/Vijnana-A_Englishi_OBE/Science-A_E_Ch-9.pdf Chapter 9]), Noida: National Institute of Open Schooling (Open Basic Education Programme).</ref>  

Fire is one of the five great elements or [[Panchamahabhutas (पञ्चमहाभूतानि)|Panchamahabhutas]].<ref name=":0" /> In the Vedas, fire has been considered fundamental in the creation of the environment.<ref name=":1" /> The heat of fire is present in the form of energy in the entire universe.<ref name=":0">Vijnana - Level A ([https://nios.ac.in/media/documents/OBE_indian_knowledge_tradition/Level_A/Vijnana-A_Englishi_OBE/Science-A_E_Ch-9.pdf Chapter 9]), Noida: National Institute of Open Schooling (Open Basic Education Programme).</ref>  

== वेदेषु अग्निः ॥ Agni in the Vedas ==

== वेदेषु अग्निः ॥ Agni in the Vedas ==

In Vedic discussion, Fire has been referred to as Vaishvanara. It means the power that keeps the world engaged in work. This fire has been considered as the main factor in the creation of the universe.<ref name=":1" /> Viewing Agni as the benefactor of all, Rishi Madhucchanda Vaishvamitra, in the very first verse of the Rigveda, says,<ref name=":2">Sripad Damodar Satavlekar (1985), Rigveda ka Subodh Bhashya ([https://vedicheritage.gov.in/flipbook/Rigveda_Subodh_Bhasya_Vol_I/#book/9 Volume 1]), Pardi: Svadhyay Mandal.</ref><blockquote>अग्निमीळे पुरोहितं ... ॥१॥<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 Sukta 1]</ref> agnimīle purohitaṁ ... ॥1॥</blockquote>Meaning: I praise Agni.<ref name=":2" /> Worshiping him and propounding the importance of fire, Rishi Kashyapa, in the Rigveda says,<blockquote>अग्निर्जागार तमृचः कामयन्तेऽग्निर्जागार तमु सामानि यन्ति । अग्निर्जागार तमयं सोम आह तवाहमस्मि सख्ये न्योकाः ॥१५॥<ref>Rigveda, Mandala 5, [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%AB.%E0%A5%AA%E0%A5%AA Sukta 44]</ref>

In Vedic discussion, Fire has been referred to as Vaishvanara. It means the power that keeps the world engaged in work. This fire has been considered as the main factor in the [[Creation of the Universe (सृष्ट्युत्पत्तिः)|creation of the universe]].<ref name=":1" /> Viewing Agni as the benefactor of all, Rishi Madhucchanda Vaishvamitra, in the very first verse of the [[Rigveda (ऋग्वेदः)|Rigveda]], says,<ref name=":2">Sripad Damodar Satavlekar (1985), Rigveda ka Subodh Bhashya ([https://vedicheritage.gov.in/flipbook/Rigveda_Subodh_Bhasya_Vol_I/#book/9 Volume 1]), Pardi: Svadhyay Mandal.</ref><blockquote>अग्निमीळे पुरोहितं ... ॥१॥<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 Sukta 1]</ref> agnimīle purohitaṁ ... ॥1॥</blockquote>Meaning: I praise Agni.<ref name=":2" /> Worshiping him and propounding the importance of fire, Rishi Kashyapa, in the Rigveda says,<blockquote>अग्निर्जागार तमृचः कामयन्तेऽग्निर्जागार तमु सामानि यन्ति । अग्निर्जागार तमयं सोम आह तवाहमस्मि सख्ये न्योकाः ॥१५॥<ref>Rigveda, Mandala 5, [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%AB.%E0%A5%AA%E0%A5%AA Sukta 44]</ref>

agnirjāgāra tamr̥caḥ kāmayante'gnirjāgāra tamu sāmāni yanti । agnirjāgāra tamayaṁ soma āha tavāhamasmi sakhye nyokāḥ ॥15॥</blockquote>Meaning: Agni is always awake. Hence, the rchas always wish for him, the Samas yield to him and Soma finds his dwelling in him.<ref name=":3">Sripad Damodar Satavlekar (1985), Rigveda ka Subodh Bhashya ([https://vedicheritage.gov.in/flipbook/Rigveda_Subodh_Bhasya_Vol_II/#book/574 Volume 2]), Pardi: Svadhyay Mandal.</ref>

agnirjāgāra tamr̥caḥ kāmayante'gnirjāgāra tamu sāmāni yanti । agnirjāgāra tamayaṁ soma āha tavāhamasmi sakhye nyokāḥ ॥15॥</blockquote>Meaning: Agni is always awake. Hence, the rchas always wish for him, the Samas yield to him and [[Soma (सोमः)|Soma]] finds his dwelling in him.<ref name=":3">Sripad Damodar Satavlekar (1985), Rigveda ka Subodh Bhashya ([https://vedicheritage.gov.in/flipbook/Rigveda_Subodh_Bhasya_Vol_II/#book/574 Volume 2]), Pardi: Svadhyay Mandal.</ref>

In this verse, awake refers to being constant and continuous. Indirectly, it points towards the use and protection of fire energy.<ref name=":1" /> While, metaphorically, the Rishi is emphasizing that knowledge yields only to those who are always engaged in efforts. It is such people that Sama approaches and in them, Soma in the form of great intellect dwells.<ref name=":3" />

In this verse, awake refers to being constant and continuous. Indirectly, it points towards the use and protection of fire energy.<ref name=":1" /> While, metaphorically, the Rishi is emphasizing that knowledge yields only to those who are always engaged in efforts. It is such people that Sama approaches and in them, Soma in the form of great intellect dwells.<ref name=":3" />

In Vedic contemplation, Fire has been described in three forms.

In Vedic contemplation, Fire has been described in three forms.

# Earthly fire ie. fire on the earth.

# Earthly fire ie. fire on the [[Prthvi (पृथ्वी)|earth]].

# Space fire

# Space fire

# Dyusthani Fire ie. the solar fire.

# Dyusthani Fire ie. the solar fire.

== सौरोर्जायाः महत्त्वम् ॥ Importance of Solar Energy ==

== सौरोर्जायाः महत्त्वम् ॥ Importance of Solar Energy ==

Importance of solar energy, that is the focus of today's world, was pointed out in Vedic thought itself. It is said in the Rigveda that Soma makes the Sun strong.<ref name=":1" />  <blockquote>सोमेनादित्या बलिनः ...॥२॥<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%AE%E0%A5%AB Sukta 85]</ref> somenādityā balinaḥ ...॥2॥</blockquote>In this context, Soma means the moon. And the rcha refers to the moon transmitting energy from the Sun. While the Yajurveda states that the element of water is established in the sun.<ref name=":1" /><blockquote>अपाꣳ रसम् उद्वयसꣳ सूर्ये सन्तꣳ समाहितम् । अपाꣳ रसस्य यो रसस्...॥३॥<ref>Yajurveda (Shukla), [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B6%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B2%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%9C%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%83/%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%AF Adhyaya 9] </ref>  

Importance of solar energy, that is the focus of today's world, was pointed out in Vedic thought itself. It is said in the Rigveda that Soma makes the Sun strong.<ref name=":1" />  <blockquote>सोमेनादित्या बलिनः ...॥२॥<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%AE%E0%A5%AB Sukta 85]</ref> somenādityā balinaḥ ...॥2॥</blockquote>In this context, Soma means the moon. And the rcha refers to the moon transmitting energy from the Sun. While the [[Yajurveda (यजुर्वेदः)|Yajurveda]] states that the element of [[Jala (जलम्)|water]] is established in the sun.<ref name=":1" /><blockquote>अपाꣳ रसम् उद्वयसꣳ सूर्ये सन्तꣳ समाहितम् । अपाꣳ रसस्य यो रसस्...॥३॥<ref>Yajurveda (Shukla), [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B6%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B2%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%9C%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%83/%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%AF Adhyaya 9] </ref> apāꣳ rasam udvayasaꣳ sūrye santaꣳ samāhitam । apāꣳ rasasya yo rasas...॥3॥</blockquote>And according to the [[Atharvaveda (अथर्ववेदः)|Atharvaveda]], both Agni and Soma elements uphold the water that is auspicious and increases one's lustre.<ref name=":1" /> <blockquote>...अग्नीषोमौ बिभ्रत्याप इत्ताः ।...॥५॥<ref>Atharvaveda, Kanda 3, [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%A9/%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D_%E0%A5%A7%E0%A5%A9 Sukta 13]</ref> ...agnīṣomau bibhratyāpa ittāḥ ।...॥5॥</blockquote>Energy of the Sun (solar energy) is very important. Today, efforts are being made to generate electricity from solar energy. The Vedas mention the utility of solar energy and we should use the energy we get from the Sun. At the same time, we need to pay attention to the conservation of energy as well.<ref name=":1" />  

 

apāꣳ rasam udvayasaꣳ sūrye santaꣳ samāhitam । apāꣳ rasasya yo rasas...॥3॥</blockquote>And according to the Atharvaveda, both Agni and Soma elements uphold the water that is auspicious and increases one's lustre.<ref name=":1" /> <blockquote>...अग्नीषोमौ बिभ्रत्याप इत्ताः ।...॥५॥<ref>Atharvaveda, Kanda 3, [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%A9/%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D_%E0%A5%A7%E0%A5%A9 Sukta 13]</ref> ...agnīṣomau bibhratyāpa ittāḥ ।...॥5॥</blockquote>Energy of the Sun (solar energy) is very important. Today, efforts are being made to generate electricity from solar energy. The Vedas mention the utility of solar energy and we should use the energy we get from the Sun. At the same time, we need to pay attention to the conservation of energy as well.<ref name=":1" />  

== References ==

== References ==