Ecology and Atharva Veda
Priya Prabhat Research Scholar, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India
Ecology and Atharva Ved
The purpose of the paper is to study the sustainability and globality of consciousness approach which is there in Atharva Veda that proves a possible way to curb environmental crisis of today’s time. The world in which we live stands at a precipice. Ecological disasters now threaten the very existence of human civilization. Anthropomorphism proves a way to overcome from this problem. No doubt, our Indian culture is full of this conception. Atharva Veda upholds the knowledge or storehouse of atharvanas, the procedures to conduct activities of everyday’s life. It questions our way of living in terms of ‘why’ and ‘how’. There is several anthropomorphism elements used in Atharva Veda. Earth is imagined as the mother and all of us her children. She never discriminates between us while giving her precious offerings. Therefore we should not discriminate between all parts of environment as ‘the other’. Here a universal bond is established between all parts of environment. And respect for all of them is invoked. Prithvisukta of Atharva Veda provides important insights in this respect. Earth is described as Vasudha for containing all wealth, Hiranyavaksha for having gold bosom and Jagato Niveshani for being abode of whole world. Earth is called Visambhara because she is representative of the universe. The mantras in the sukta narrate, explain, philosophize, personify and splendorize the earth as Mother personified and note reverence of the different species living on this planet.
Therefore, first we, humans, have to bring change in our thoughts in this respect which will automatically shape our actions towards a better, sustainable, peaceful and harmonious living. Prithvisukta does not belong to any particular country people or culture, it has a universal appeal. Earth belongs to everyone and everyone has the responsibility to protect it.
Key words- Anthropomorphism, Ecology, Globality of Consciousness, Sustainability