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| == वायोः महत्त्वम् ॥ Importance of Air == | | == वायोः महत्त्वम् ॥ Importance of Air == |
− | In the Atharvaveda, mentioning the importance of air, it has been said that air helps in transporting water everywhere, which brings prosperity.<ref name=":1" /><blockquote>उत्समक्षितं व्यचन्ति ये सदा य आसिञ्चन्ति रसमोषधीषु । पुरो दधे मरुतः पृश्निमातॄंस्ते नो मुञ्चन्त्वंहसः ॥२॥<ref name=":0">Atharvaveda, Kanda 4, [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%AA/%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D_%E0%A5%A8%E0%A5%AD Sukta 27]</ref> utsamakṣitaṁ vyacanti ye sadā ya āsiñcanti rasamoṣadhīṣu । puro dadhe marutaḥ pr̥śnimātr̥̄ṁste no muñcantvaṁhasaḥ ॥2॥</blockquote>Meaning: Those who carry the water through the air here and there in many ways, who bring essence into medicines, I keep such Maruts (air deities), born off the mother in the form of antariksha, in my vicinity. Such air deities release one from all sufferings.<ref>Sripad Damodar Satavlekar (1985), Atharvaveda ka Subodh Bhashya ([https://vedicheritage.gov.in/flipbook/Atharvaveda_Subodh_Bhashya_Vol_II/#book/113 Volume 2]), Pardi: Svadhyay Mandal.</ref> | + | In the Atharvaveda, mentioning the importance of air, it has been said that air helps in transporting water everywhere, which brings prosperity.<ref name=":1" /><blockquote>उत्समक्षितं व्यचन्ति ये सदा य आसिञ्चन्ति रसमोषधीषु । पुरो दधे मरुतः पृश्निमातॄंस्ते नो मुञ्चन्त्वंहसः ॥२॥<ref name=":0">Atharvaveda, Kanda 4, [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%AA/%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D_%E0%A5%A8%E0%A5%AD Sukta 27]</ref> utsamakṣitaṁ vyacanti ye sadā ya āsiñcanti rasamoṣadhīṣu । puro dadhe marutaḥ pr̥śnimātr̥̄ṁste no muñcantvaṁhasaḥ ॥2॥</blockquote>Meaning: Those who carry the water through the air here and there in many ways, who bring essence into medicines, I keep such Maruts (air deities), born from mother antariksha, in my vicinity. Such air deities release one from all sufferings.<ref name=":2">Sripad Damodar Satavlekar (1985), Atharvaveda ka Subodh Bhashya ([https://vedicheritage.gov.in/flipbook/Atharvaveda_Subodh_Bhashya_Vol_II/#book/113 Volume 2]), Pardi: Svadhyay Mandal.</ref> The Vedas offer respect to the air deities, known as Marut Ganas, and pray that they protect everyone.<ref>Sripad Damodar Satavlekar (1985), Rigveda ka Subodh Bhashya ([https://vedicheritage.gov.in/flipbook/Rigveda_Subodh_Bhasya_Vol_IV/#book/549 Volume 4]), Pardi: Svadhyay Mandal.</ref><ref name=":1" /><blockquote>त्रायतां मरुतां गणः ।...॥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%A9%E0%A5%AD Sukta 137]</ref> trāyatāṁ marutāṁ gaṇaḥ ।...॥5॥</blockquote>The Rishi states that he contemplates on the Maruts for guidance and protection of food in the wake of an annadana. He compares the winds to fast moving horses who he calls out for his protection. And prays that these winds grant everyone freedom from all sorrows.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":1" /> <blockquote>मरुतां मन्वे अधि मे ब्रुवन्तु प्रेमं वाजं वाजसाते अवन्तु । आशून् इव सुयमान् अह्व ऊतये ते नो मुञ्चन्त्वंहसः ॥१॥<ref name=":0" /> marutāṁ manve adhi me bruvantu premaṁ vājaṁ vājasāte avantu । āśūn iva suyamān ahva ūtaye te no muñcantvaṁhasaḥ ॥1॥</blockquote>Infact, there is a prayer in the Vedas referring to the rage form of air i.e. the storm and the loss that could occur from it.<ref name=":1" /> The Rigvedic Rishi calls the Maruts as capable of making the bhuloka and dyuloka tremble. Endowed with the qualities of leadership, the Marut Ganas are described as capable of disrupting the enemy forces like the storm uproots trees.<ref>Sripad Damodar Satavlekar (1985), Rigveda ka Subodh Bhashya ([https://vedicheritage.gov.in/flipbook/Rigveda_Subodh_Bhasya_Vol_I/#book/97 Volume 1]), Pardi: Svadhyay Mandal.</ref> <blockquote>... नरो दिवश्च ग्मश्च धूतयः । यत्सीमन्तं न धूनुथ ॥६॥<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%A9%E0%A5%AD Sukta 37]</ref> ... naro divaśca gmaśca dhūtayaḥ । yatsīmantaṁ na dhūnutha ॥6॥ </blockquote>The Rigvedic Rishi prays to the wind (vata) to protect us from the space.<ref name=":1" /> <blockquote>पातु वातो अन्तरिक्षात् ।...॥१॥<ref name=":3" /> pātu vāto antarikṣāt ।...॥1॥</blockquote>In the Atharvaveda, the Rishi describes air as a destroyer of wrongdoing and suffering. He says,<ref name=":1" /><blockquote>अपेतो वायो सविता च दुष्कृतमप रक्षांसि शिमिदां च सेधतम् । सं ह्यूर्जया सृजथः सं बलेन तौ नो मुञ्चतमंहसः ॥४॥<ref>Atharvaveda, Kanda 4, [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%AA/%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D_%E0%A5%A8%E0%A5%AB Sukta 25]</ref> apeto vāyo savitā ca duṣkr̥tamapa rakṣāṁsi śimidāṁ ca sedhatam । saṁ hyūrjayā sr̥jathaḥ saṁ balena tau no muñcatamaṁhasaḥ ॥4॥</blockquote>Meaning: O air and Sun, both of you together set aside those who are wrongful, dangerous and trouble others. Endow us with physical and spiritual strength and save us from wrong doings and thereby, free us from sufferings and sorrows.<ref name=":2" /> |
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− | The Vedas offer respect to the air deities, known as Marut Ganas, and pray that they protect everyone.<ref>Sripad Damodar Satavlekar (1985), Rigveda ka Subodh Bhashya ([https://vedicheritage.gov.in/flipbook/Rigveda_Subodh_Bhasya_Vol_IV/#book/549 Volume 4]), Pardi: Svadhyay Mandal.</ref><ref name=":1" /><blockquote>त्रायतां मरुतां गणः ।...॥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%A9%E0%A5%AD Sukta 137]</ref> trāyatāṁ marutāṁ gaṇaḥ ।...॥5॥</blockquote> | |
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| == संरक्षणस्य अवश्यकता ॥ Need for Conservation == | | == संरक्षणस्य अवश्यकता ॥ Need for Conservation == |
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| == AIR CONSERVATION IN THE VEDAS == | | == AIR CONSERVATION IN THE VEDAS == |
− | • To know the importance of air in Vedas; and
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| • To understand the basic spirit of air conservation in the Vedas. | | • To understand the basic spirit of air conservation in the Vedas. |
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| === IMPORTANCE AND CONSERVATION OF AIR IN VEDAS === | | === IMPORTANCE AND CONSERVATION OF AIR IN VEDAS === |
− | In the imbalances happening in nature, there is a prayer in the Vedas against the rage form of air i.e. the storm, the loss which occurs from the storm; that O Lord of the Gods, our prayer is that you should always be friendly with everyone.<blockquote>मरुतां मन्वे अधि मे ब्रुवन्तु प्रेमं वाजं वाजसाते अवन्तु । आशून् इव सुयमान् अह्व ऊतये ते नो मुञ्चन्त्वंहसः ॥१॥<ref name=":0" />
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− | marutāṁ manve adhi me bruvantu premaṁ vājaṁ vājasāte avantu । āśūn iva suyamān ahva ūtaye te no muñcantvaṁhasaḥ ॥1॥</blockquote>'''(Atharvaveda 4.27.1)'''
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− | That is, I will always remember in my mind the destructor of the air (wind). May that wind bless me and make everyone happy and capable to be able to give food. I have called beautiful winds like fast moving horses for my protection. May those winds grant us freedom from all sorrows.
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− | Here the sage is requesting air (wind) to remain good.
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− | Pointing to the concern of environmental security, the sage says that air (wind).! Do not harm the fields with trees (Annadi), tree-<blockquote>यत्सीमन्तं न धूनुथ ॥६॥<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%A9%E0%A5%AD Sukta 37]</ref> yatsīmantaṁ na dhūnutha ॥6॥</blockquote>'''(Rigveda 1.37.6)'''
| + | In the imbalances happening in nature, there is a prayer in the Vedas against the rage form of air i.e. the storm, the loss which occurs from the storm; that O Lord of the Gods, our prayer is that you should always be friendly with everyone. |
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− | Air protects us from many types of disorders occurring in space. That is why the sage of the Rigveda prays that O Pavan protect us from the disturbances in Space<blockquote>सूर्यो नो दिवस्पातु वातो अन्तरिक्षात् । अग्निर्नः पार्थिवेभ्यः ॥१॥<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%AB%E0%A5%AE Sukta 158]</ref>
| + | Here the sage is requesting air (wind) to remain good. |
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− | sūryo no divaspātu vāto antarikṣāt । agnirnaḥ pārthivebhyaḥ ॥1॥</blockquote>'''(Rigveda 10.158.1)'''
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− | In the Atharvaveda, air has been described as a destroyer of filth and suffering.<blockquote>अपेतो वायो सविता च दुष्कृतमप रक्षांसि शिमिदां च सेधतम् । सं ह्यूर्जया सृजथः सं बलेन तौ नो मुञ्चतमंहसः ॥४॥<ref>Atharvaveda, Kanda 4, [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%AA/%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D_%E0%A5%A8%E0%A5%AB Sukta 25]</ref>
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− | apeto vāyo savitā ca duṣkr̥tamapa rakṣāṁsi śimidāṁ ca sedhatam । saṁ hyūrjayā sr̥jathaḥ saṁ balena tau no muñcatamaṁhasaḥ ॥4॥</blockquote>'''(Atharvaveda 4.25.2)'''
| + | Pointing to the concern of environmental security, the sage says that air (wind).! Do not harm the fields with trees (Annadi), tree- |
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− | That is, O air and Sun God, both of you together remove the filthiness here. Cure the diseases and remove the sufferings because both of you mix with spiritual satisfaction and with physical force. Therefore, give us freedom from sufferings and sorrows. | + | Air protects us from many types of disorders occurring in space. That is why the sage of the Rigveda prays that O Pavan protect us from the disturbances in Space<blockquote>पातु वातो अन्तरिक्षात् ।...॥१॥<ref name=":3">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%AB%E0%A5%AE Sukta 158]</ref> pātu vāto antarikṣāt ।...॥1॥</blockquote>'''(Rigveda 10.158.1)''' |
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| In this way, we see that oxygen has been called the pranavayu (deathbed) in the Vedas and it has been ordered that we should keep trying to conserve air i.e. to keep the air in pure form. We should not pollute the air and whoever pollutes such air, its crime is unforgivable. | | In this way, we see that oxygen has been called the pranavayu (deathbed) in the Vedas and it has been ordered that we should keep trying to conserve air i.e. to keep the air in pure form. We should not pollute the air and whoever pollutes such air, its crime is unforgivable. |