Mother Earth
The Vedas are a collection of the world’s most ancient sacred texts and two of the themes of the Vedas are love of ecology and love of Mother Earth. In the Atharva Veda, this ecological theme is so very clear: “Mother Bhumi (Mother Earth), may whatever I dig from you grow back again quickly, and may we not injure you by our labor.”
Mother Earth
There are hymns to Mother Earth–Bhumi Sukuta: “Earth, in which the seas, the rivers and many waters lie, from which arise foods and fields of grain, abode to all that breathes and moves, may She confer on us Her finest yield.” (Atharva Veda XII 1:3)
Respect for Mother Earth is deep within our consciousness. We can’t deny our love of plants, flowers, gardens, trees and wildlife. We need to address why we are so in love with nature and yet have not given our Mother what She deserves in our care for Creation.
Respect for Mother Earth is deep within our consciousness. We can’t deny our love of plants, flowers, gardens, trees and wildlife. We need to address why we are so in love with nature and yet have not given our mother what She deserves in our care for Creation.
The Vedas are thousands of years old. Consider how far-sighted the Vedic sages–rishis and rishikas (female sages)–were in their activism towards Mother Earth (Bhumi Devi). Their words read like modern ecological textbooks and newspapers –
- “Do not cut trees because they remove pollution.” (Rig Veda 6:48:17)
- “Do not disturb the sky and do not pollute the atmosphere. (Yajur Veda 5:43)
- “Don’t destroy forests with tigers and don’t make forests devoid of tigers. Forests can’t be saved without tigers and tigers can’t live without forests because forests protect tigers and tigers protect forests.” (Virat Parrva 5:45-46).
- “One should protect the habitation.” (Rig Veda Samhita VI:71:3)
Rituals were developed to honor and protect Mother Earth. Parts of pujas honored earth items (air, earth, ether, water and fire). Certain plants and trees were sacred and groves of trees were preserved. In the Bhumi puja the priest asked permission from Bhumi to build in a certain place at an auspicious time. This was necessary to accomplish any endeavor towards Mother Earth in this particular location.
The highest good was connected with the cosmic and natural order. This is found in various passages of the Vedas. There is a unity in creation where we all are connected and interdependent.
Ayurvedic Medicine is an ancient and modern healing system which shows the connectedness of all creation. The philosophy behind this kind of medicine is found in the Vedas. Eating right and using natural herbs and plants prevent many diseases and promote good health.