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Vedic Heritage for Environmental Stewardship - Coggle Diagram
Vedic Heritage for Environmental Stewardship
Section II: The Vedic Heritage for Eco-Care
Vedic seers attracted to relationship between humans and nature
Contemplated all of the Creations
Asked questions about life, death, and human soul
Came to the conclusion of the Five Great Elements
Akash/Space
Not material or physical
Foundation of the universe
All beings derived from space
The souls of beings go back to Akash after death
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Vayu/Air
Bond that keeps the universe together
Prana: life sustaining breath
Transforms the universe and everything within it, without Prana nothing can survive
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Prithivi/Earth
Known as the Divinity: mother or upholder of all things
Compared to Goddess Aditi
Mother of cosmic law, divine ship, and full of life sustaining harvest
Provide eco care to the universe
Determines relationship between earth and humans
In Genesis 1, God Collected all water and let land appear (Earth).
In Genesis 2, God created man out of the ground (Earth), which emphasized the importance of the Earth
In Genesis 2, God created animals also created animals out of the ground.
In Genesis 1 and 2, God created plants and trees within the Earth and allowed animals and human to inhabit and properly use the Earth
Play an important role in conserving, protecting and sustaining the universe
The five elements nurture and sustain all forms of life whether they are human or not
Tejah/Agni (Light/Fire)
Considered the spring of our lives because it assists in creating life
Later known as sun and light
Both existent and nonexistent (first cause and effect of creation
In Genesis 1, God created Light and separated it from the darkness.
Apah - Water
First element
Reservoir of curative medicines/nectar
Foundation of everything that encompasses the universe
In Genesis 1, God collected and separated water from land
In Genesis 2, Lord God caused it to rain to help things like herb and shrub grow and survive
In Genesis 2, God created a river that separated into four different rivers, which also brought forth usefulness and nourishment for not only humans, but also plants and other animals
Pervasive and omnipresent elements
Section III: The Pirthivi Sukta
Artharva Veda: Respect to Earth has be propounded
63 verses dedicated to Mother Earth
Mother Earth is abode of large and extended family consisted of all beings
Every entity/organism is connected
Every being is presided over by Mother Earth (Eternal)
Supports, nourishes, provides for us with the environment and the universe's riches
Punished us when we abuse her givings
Environmental destruction include human tendencies, inter-religious and inter-cultural conflicts, and wars
Prithivi Sukta: promotes secularism, multiculturalism, and multilingualism
We should not insult, exploit, and/or violate the environment
Hindu religion has provided guidelines for environmental preservation and conservation
Considered unjust and sacrilegious
Ancient spiritual text from India that motivates all human beings to protect, preserve, and care for the environment
Points out the relevance of environment sustainability and biodiversity to humans
Water, soil, and air are extremely useful
Attributes of the Earth are for everyone and every living thing
No one entity has authority
Mother Earth bestows same prosperity in all living beings
Welfare for all and hatred towards none
We should always remain respectable to Mother Earth and all other living things
Those defend and protect the environment are rewarded with blessings
Mother Earth blessed us with nourishment and serenity - live in peace and harmony
It is up to humans to live in peace and harmony with all
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Preservation of original Earth for future generations
Earth dependent on sun because it is main source of energy for all living beings
No damage should be done to Earth
We can use environment for agricultural reasons as long as it does not harm the Earth
Natural resources and vegetation should be conserved
Urban centers should allow for land to remain a place worth living for all