Oriental Approach to Environmental Protection and Perspective of Media

Abstract

Environment is all persistent. It is the region of our existence. It envelops us. Since, we know that Nature, mother of human beings, has blessed us with a beautiful environment and as per environmental determinism, environment decides human lifestyle. There is a reciprocal relationship between the mankind and the environment. Environment fulfills our all needs but due to our greed, we harm it in many ways. In the name of so called development human has indulged himself in various activities like deforestation, air pollution, soil pollution, water pollution, global warming etc. which is leading towards environmental weakening. If we want to save ourselves, we must be sensitive towards environment. We can find various ways to respect our environment in Sanskrit literature. The Rigveda venerates deities like Mitra, Varuna, Indra, Maruts and Aditya, that are responsible for maintaining the requisite balance in the functioning of all entities of nature whether the mountains, lakes, heaven and earth, the forests or the waters. Yajurveda, which is one of the most valuable literature of sanskrit has been seen as great advocate of environmental protection. The meaning of Yajurveda describes a dynamic thing which travels in sky. Yajurveda advocates a great respect towards every component of environment.‘Om dayoh shanti rantriksham shantih, prithvi shanti raapah shantiroshdhayah shantih. Vanaspatayah shantirvishwe devah shanti brahm shantih, sarvam shantih shantirev shantih sa ma shantiredhi. Om shantih shantih shantih.’¹ means “May peace radiate there in the whole sky as well as in the vast ethereal space everywhere. May peace reign all over this earth, in water and in all herbs, trees and creepers. May peace flow over the whole universe. May peace bein the supreme being brahman. And may there always exist in all peace and peace alone. Aum peace, peace, and peace to us and all begins. The sages of the Atharva Veda chanted ‘what of thee I dig out, let that quickly grow over, let me not hit thy vital, or thy heart.’ This means that one can take from the earth and atmosphere only so much as one puts back to them. In present days, this is considered one of the most important principles of sustainable development. The purity and quality of water has been highlighted in the Atharva Veda. It is mentioned that pure water cures many ailments and it acts as preventer of the diseases which are not yet contracted. Atharva Veda also speaks about the protection of wildlife and domestic cattle. The cattle were meant to adorn the ceremony but not for sacrifice.”²When we take bath we worship river and respect this source of water as "Gange cha Yamune chaiva,Saraswathi, Godhaavari, "Taambraparni "Narmathe,Zindhu,Kaveri Jalesmin Zannithim Kuru." In our Vedas every component of environment has been described as valuable and precious things for our existence. It also draws our attention on the philosophy of sustainable development.