Hinduism: Environmental Friendliness And Protecting Nature

Since time immemorial, there has been a deep connection between Hinduism and nature. Protecting nature and furthering environmentalism has always been among the most important tenets of Sanatana Dharma.

• The sacredness of nature: One of the core principles of Hinduism is to see divinity in the entire creation. This includes respect for the environment, as well. Various forms of nature such as animals, plants, rivers, and mountains are personified as deities and worshiped as manifestations of Paramatma.

• Earth as mother: The Goddess of Earth is a deity that is extensively worshiped in Hinduism, with the name of Bhumi Devi. This throws light on a key aspect of Hinduism – displaying the utmost reverence towards Earth and taking care of it like a mother.

• The circle of life: Reincarnation is a pivotal concept in Hinduism that stresses the fact that all life forms are interconnected. Here, humans are inseparable elements of nature. Thus, causing harm to the environment invariably endangers the well-being of humans, especially the interests of subsequent generations.

• Sustainable living: The medicinal system of ancient India, Ayurveda, asks people to adopt a lifestyle that conforms to the precepts of environmentalism. People have to use natural resources judiciously and try to lead a simple life. Likewise, Sanatana Dharma encourages vegetarianism, chiefly from the environmental perspective.

Environmental practices – Examples
Let us now take a look at some practices of Hinduism that emphasize the relevance that sanatana dharma gives to environmentalism.

• Sacred groves: In several zones of India, we see pockets of forest areas that are treated as sacred groves. These patches, which are protected for religious purposes, serve as sanctuaries for many endangered species of plants and animals.

• Worship of rivers: In India, many rivers such as Yamuna, Ganga, and Godavari are treated as holy. There are several festivals and rituals about these water bodies. The primary objective of all these special occasions and rites is to safeguard the cleanliness of the rivers.

• Protection of animals: In sanatana dharma, cows are treated with a lot of reverence; they are worshiped. Along with that, compassion for all other living beings is something that Hinduism encourages people to follow. A significant chunk of Hindus stick to a predominantly vegetarian diet. There are a few individuals who religiously adhere to non-violence (ahimsa) towards every living creature. These people are strict vegetarians.