: Over the last few weeks, as the world called for action on climate change, I wondered what it was all about. Unlike happiness which belongs to the realm of abstraction, the depletion of the ozone layer is real, felling of trees is real, farmers’ suicides are real. Man’s unlimited desire and unchecked greed has devastated our planet to such an extent that by the time you finish reading this piece, at least 10 species of birds would be extinct.
How long can our planet can go on fulfilling our insane demands? We live as if nature is only needed to provide us with extra oil, coal, metal, paper, food. This was not the view of our ancestors. Vedic texts uphold the doctrine of Madhu Viddya: the interdependence of man and nature. For the Vedic man, Earth bestowed blessings and was the protector of life: O, purifying earth, I you invoke/ O, patient earth by sacred word/ Enhanced bearer of nourishment and strength of food and butter/ O, Earth we would approach you with due praise (Bhumi Sukta).
From the very beginning, Indian seers knew that planet Earth is a living entity that adjusts and regulates itself like any other, and that for billions of years, microbes, plants and animals have co-evolved with the environment as one globally integrated super-organism. Influenced by this holistic vision, the Indian way of life was integral — the well being of all creation. As creatures of planet Earth, we must not forget that Earth is not a geographical entity, it is not simply dust, but a reservoir of energy. It is us.
Anekantvada, the Jain concept that professes multiple views of reality, goes even deeper, and its verdict on unmindful endeavours of mankind are damning. The bacterial organism, as understood in modern science, can be compared with what is called nisodiya life in Jainism. And non-violence, which is fundamental to Jain philosophy, teaches one not to harm even the most basic forms of life. Jainism and other Indian systems of thought advocate that compassion must be the foundation for any truly civilised community.
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