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Protecting sub-human beings such as cattle, dogs, ants, birds, medicinal plants and trees has been an integral system of Sanatana Dharma. The householder on whose shoulders rest the responsibility and well-being of all animate and inanimate, is thus entrusted to care for these speechless beings with due dignity towards them. Food, milk and grains are all provided by this bountiful nature and man owes gratitude to plants and trees with reverence. Thus, in the spiritual evolution of man he learns humility and compassion by providing for and protecting them. Garuda Purana details the importance of Cow not only for providing the material things required for sustenance in this world but greatly stresses the absolute requirement of a Cow, which helps cross the Vaitarini river (a river which is very difficult to cross on the way to Yamaloka), when the soul is transiting from the material world to the spiritual world<ref>[http://www.swami-krishnananda.org/practice/Process.of.Spiritual.Practice.pdf The Process of Spiritual Practice] (Chap 4) By Swami Krishnananda</ref>.   

Protecting sub-human beings such as cattle, dogs, ants, birds, medicinal plants and trees has been an integral system of Sanatana Dharma. The householder on whose shoulders rest the responsibility and well-being of all animate and inanimate, is thus entrusted to care for these speechless beings with due dignity towards them. Food, milk and grains are all provided by this bountiful nature and man owes gratitude to plants and trees with reverence. Thus, in the spiritual evolution of man he learns humility and compassion by providing for and protecting them. Garuda Purana details the importance of Cow not only for providing the material things required for sustenance in this world but greatly stresses the absolute requirement of a Cow, which helps cross the Vaitarini river (a river which is very difficult to cross on the way to Yamaloka), when the soul is transiting from the material world to the spiritual world<ref>[http://www.swami-krishnananda.org/practice/Process.of.Spiritual.Practice.pdf The Process of Spiritual Practice] (Chap 4) By Swami Krishnananda</ref>.   

Therefore, he owes a fivefold debt to Nature - to his parents and ancestors (for the physical body and lineage), the rishis (for the knowledge of the Vedas), devas (for their blessings), nature (including the animate ie. plants and animals and inanimate ie. the panchabhutas) and fellow human beings (for their support in society). He must pay back his debt by performing these five sacrifices daily. Further, numerous insects are killed by him unconsciously during walking, sweeping, grinding, cooking, etc. This sin is removed by performance of these five sacrifices.<ref>Mani, V. (1975). ''[https://archive.org/details/puranicencyclopa00maniuoft Puranic encyclopaedia : A comprehensive dictionary with special reference to the epic and Puranic literature.]'' Delhi:Motilal Banasidass.</ref>

Therefore, he owes a fivefold debt to Nature -  

* to his parents and ancestors (for the physical body and lineage),  

* the rishis (for the knowledge of the Vedas),  

* devas (for their blessings),  

* nature (including the animate ie. plants and animals and inanimate ie. the panchabhutas) and  

* fellow human beings (for their support in society).

He must pay back his debt by performing these five sacrifices daily. Further, numerous insects are killed by him unconsciously during walking, sweeping, grinding, cooking, etc. This sin is removed by performance of these five sacrifices.<ref>Mani, V. (1975). ''[https://archive.org/details/puranicencyclopa00maniuoft Puranic encyclopaedia : A comprehensive dictionary with special reference to the epic and Puranic literature.]'' Delhi:Motilal Banasidass.</ref>

In addition to these daily rites, the householder has also to perform certain monthly ceremonies such as offering oblations to the ancestors on the new-moon day and the observance of the vow of Ekadasi (fast on the eleventh day of every lunar fortnight).  

In addition to these daily rites, the householder has also to perform certain monthly ceremonies such as offering oblations to the ancestors on the new-moon day and the observance of the vow of Ekadasi (fast on the eleventh day of every lunar fortnight).