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Air conservation (Samskrit: वायुसंरक्षणम्) elaborates on the importance and conservation of air as seen in the [[Vedas (वेदाः)|Vedas]].<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-8.pdf Chapter 8]), Noida: National Institute of Open Schooling (Open Basic Education Programme).</ref>
  
Air is also one of the five great elements.
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== परिचयः ॥ Introduction ==
 +
Air is one of the five great elements or [[Panchamahabhutas (पञ्चमहाभूतानि)|Panchamahabhutas]]. Atmospherically, air is a mixture of several gases, dust, smoke and water content. Out of which, about 21 percent of its total volume is oxygen. This oxygen is known as Prana Vayu. And without this, life cannot exist.<ref>Vijnana - Level A ([https://nios.ac.in/media/documents/OBE_indian_knowledge_tradition/Level_A/Vijnana-A_Englishi_OBE/Science-A_E_Ch-7.pdf Chapter 7]), Noida: National Institute of Open Schooling (Open Basic Education Programme).</ref>
  
Air is a mixture of several gases, dust, smoke and water content. About 21 percent of the total volume of air is of oxygen. Oxygen is also called Prana-Vayu. Without this, we cannot live.<ref>Vijnana - Level A ([https://nios.ac.in/media/documents/OBE_indian_knowledge_tradition/Level_A/Vijnana-A_Englishi_OBE/Science-A_E_Ch-7.pdf Chapter 7]), Noida: National Institute of Open Schooling (Open Basic Education Programme).</ref>
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== वायोः महत्त्वम् ॥ Importance of Air ==
 +
In the [[Atharvaveda (अथर्ववेदः)|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 [[Marut Ganas (मरुद्गणः)|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 may 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 (अन्नदानम्)|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 therefore, prays to the wind (vata) to protect us from the space.<ref name=":1" /> <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>In the Atharvaveda, air is also described as a destroyer of wrongdoing and suffering. The Rishi 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 [[Surya (सूर्यः)|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" />  
  
== AIR CONSERVATION IN THE VEDAS ==
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== वायुसंरक्षणस्य अवश्यकता ॥ Need for Air Conservation ==
the importance of air in the Vedas and conservation of air.
+
As mentioned, it is said that oxygen is called Pranavayu in the Vedas and there has been emphasis on conserving air or keeping the air in pure form. This is the basic spirit of air conservation in the Vedas. It is not possible for living beings to survive without breathing in pure air. Therefore, it is important to concentrate on conservation of air.
  
It is not possible for us to survive without breathing in pure air, so it is very important to concentrate on conservation of air.
+
Stating the importance of air, it is said that air provides purity to all other things. It purifies the water. Therefore, the Vedas instruct us not to do any act which makes the air impure. Infact, air pollution is an unforgivable crime. In short, it can be said that, [[Vaidika Vangmaya (वैदिकवाङ्मयम्)|Vedic literature]] has placed a lot of emphasis on maintaining the purity of air.<ref name=":1" />
 
 
• To know the importance of air in Vedas; and
 
 
 
• To understand the basic spirit of air conservation in the Vedas.
 
 
 
=== IMPORTANCE AND CONSERVATION OF AIR IN VEDAS ===
 
In the Atharvaveda, mentioning the importance of air, it has been said that air helps in transporting the sky water everywhere, which brings prosperity in the Annadi.<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>'''(Atharvaveda 4.27.2)'''
 
 
 
That is, those who carry the water through the air here and there in many ways, who take it to annadi medicines, I keep them in touch with the air deities that touch the matter and the sky. Such air deities release us from all sufferings.
 
 
 
In the Vedas, giving respect to air, it has been said that the air protects us.<blockquote>त्रायन्तामिह देवास्त्रायतां मरुतां गणः । त्रायन्तां विश्वा भूतानि यथायमरपा असत् ॥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>
 
 
 
trāyantāmiha devāstrāyatāṁ marutāṁ gaṇaḥ । trāyantāṁ viśvā bhūtāni yathāyamarapā asat ॥5॥</blockquote>'''(Rigveda 10.137.5)'''
 
 
 
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" />
 
 
 
marutāṁ manve adhi me bruvantu premaṁ vājaṁ vājasāte avantu । āśūn iva suyamān ahva ūtaye te no muñcantvaṁhasaḥ ॥1॥</blockquote>'''(Atharvaveda 4.27.1)'''
 
 
 
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.
 
 
 
Here the sage is requesting air (wind) to remain good.
 
 
 
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)'''
 
 
 
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>
 
 
 
sūryo no divaspātu vāto antarikṣāt । agnirnaḥ pārthivebhyaḥ ॥1॥</blockquote>'''(Rigveda 10.158.1)'''
 
 
 
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>
 
 
 
apeto vāyo savitā ca duṣkr̥tamapa rakṣāṁsi śimidāṁ ca sedhatam । saṁ hyūrjayā sr̥jathaḥ saṁ balena tau no muñcatamaṁhasaḥ ॥4॥</blockquote>'''(Atharvaveda 4.25.2)'''
 
 
 
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.
 
 
 
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.
 
 
 
Stating the importance of air, it is said that air provides purity to all other things. It purifies the water. Therefore, the Vedas instruct us not to do any act which makes the air impure. We should keep our daily routine in such a way that we conserve air and we should not let even the least amount of air pollution happen.
 
 
 
The Vedas have been prayed to protect the Earth from ultraviolet and other poisonous gases coming into space.
 
 
 
In short it is said that, Vedic literature has placed a lot of emphasis on maintaining the purity of air.
 
 
 
• Importance of air in Vedas
 
 
 
• the main way of conserving air in Vedas<ref>Vijnana - Level A ([https://nios.ac.in/media/documents/OBE_indian_knowledge_tradition/Level_A/Vijnana-A_Englishi_OBE/Science-A_E_Ch-8.pdf Chapter 8]), Noida: National Institute of Open Schooling (Open Basic Education Programme).</ref>
 
  
 
== References ==
 
== References ==
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<references />
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[[Category:Vedas]]
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[[Category:Darshanas]]
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[[Category:Shastras]]
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[[Category:Rigveda]]
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[[Category:Devatas]]

Latest revision as of 14:50, 15 July 2022

Air conservation (Samskrit: वायुसंरक्षणम्) elaborates on the importance and conservation of air as seen in the Vedas.[1]

परिचयः ॥ Introduction

Air is one of the five great elements or Panchamahabhutas. Atmospherically, air is a mixture of several gases, dust, smoke and water content. Out of which, about 21 percent of its total volume is oxygen. This oxygen is known as Prana Vayu. And without this, life cannot exist.[2]

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.[1]

उत्समक्षितं व्यचन्ति ये सदा य आसिञ्चन्ति रसमोषधीषु । पुरो दधे मरुतः पृश्निमातॄंस्ते नो मुञ्चन्त्वंहसः ॥२॥[3] utsamakṣitaṁ vyacanti ye sadā ya āsiñcanti rasamoṣadhīṣu । puro dadhe marutaḥ pr̥śnimātr̥̄ṁste no muñcantvaṁhasaḥ ॥2॥

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.[4] The Vedas offer respect to the air deities, known as Marut Ganas, and pray that may they protect everyone.[5][1]

त्रायतां मरुतां गणः ।...॥५॥[6] trāyatāṁ marutāṁ gaṇaḥ ।...॥5॥

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.[4][1]

मरुतां मन्वे अधि मे ब्रुवन्तु प्रेमं वाजं वाजसाते अवन्तु । आशून् इव सुयमान् अह्व ऊतये ते नो मुञ्चन्त्वंहसः ॥१॥[3] marutāṁ manve adhi me bruvantu premaṁ vājaṁ vājasāte avantu । āśūn iva suyamān ahva ūtaye te no muñcantvaṁhasaḥ ॥1॥

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.[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.[7]

... नरो दिवश्च ग्मश्च धूतयः । यत्सीमन्तं न धूनुथ ॥६॥[8] ... naro divaśca gmaśca dhūtayaḥ । yatsīmantaṁ na dhūnutha ॥6॥

The Rigvedic Rishi therefore, prays to the wind (vata) to protect us from the space.[1]

पातु वातो अन्तरिक्षात् ।...॥१॥[9] pātu vāto antarikṣāt ।...॥1॥

In the Atharvaveda, air is also described as a destroyer of wrongdoing and suffering. The Rishi says,[1]

अपेतो वायो सविता च दुष्कृतमप रक्षांसि शिमिदां च सेधतम् । सं ह्यूर्जया सृजथः सं बलेन तौ नो मुञ्चतमंहसः ॥४॥[10] apeto vāyo savitā ca duṣkr̥tamapa rakṣāṁsi śimidāṁ ca sedhatam । saṁ hyūrjayā sr̥jathaḥ saṁ balena tau no muñcatamaṁhasaḥ ॥4॥

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.[4]

वायुसंरक्षणस्य अवश्यकता ॥ Need for Air Conservation

As mentioned, it is said that oxygen is called Pranavayu in the Vedas and there has been emphasis on conserving air or keeping the air in pure form. This is the basic spirit of air conservation in the Vedas. It is not possible for living beings to survive without breathing in pure air. Therefore, it is important to concentrate on conservation of air.

Stating the importance of air, it is said that air provides purity to all other things. It purifies the water. Therefore, the Vedas instruct us not to do any act which makes the air impure. Infact, air pollution is an unforgivable crime. In short, it can be said that, Vedic literature has placed a lot of emphasis on maintaining the purity of air.[1]

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 Vijnana - Level A (Chapter 8), Noida: National Institute of Open Schooling (Open Basic Education Programme).
  2. Vijnana - Level A (Chapter 7), Noida: National Institute of Open Schooling (Open Basic Education Programme).
  3. 3.0 3.1 Atharvaveda, Kanda 4, Sukta 27
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 Sripad Damodar Satavlekar (1985), Atharvaveda ka Subodh Bhashya (Volume 2), Pardi: Svadhyay Mandal.
  5. Sripad Damodar Satavlekar (1985), Rigveda ka Subodh Bhashya (Volume 4), Pardi: Svadhyay Mandal.
  6. Rigveda, Mandala 10, Sukta 137
  7. Sripad Damodar Satavlekar (1985), Rigveda ka Subodh Bhashya (Volume 1), Pardi: Svadhyay Mandal.
  8. Rigveda, Mandala 1, Sukta 37
  9. Rigveda, Mandala 10, Sukta 158
  10. Atharvaveda, Kanda 4, Sukta 25