A CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF AN “ENVIRONMENTAL ETHICS OF ANCIENT INDIA”

Abstract

In ancient India, environment was a part of ethics of mankind and environment is equated with nature. Vedas preached that protection and worship of nature is drama of every individual. According to Rig Veda, there are five elements in the Universe, such as Prudhvi, Jala, Voya, Agni and Akash. Voya, Agni and Bhumi are the representative sample of nature, geographical and atmospheric system. If anyone wants to disturb the nature without any proper reason, not only the nature will be disturbed but also amount of damages will be irreparable. There are different types of component in the nature. It is necessary to take the lesson how to behave with nature. There are some ethics which will guide us about the behavior with environment. In ancient India, people used to perform Yajnas. In Vedic societies, the performance of Yajnas was to keep the environment clean and healthy. Rig Veda and Manu Smriti have expressed the opinion regarding purity and medical value of water. Trees and Plants have been used like God and Goddess. Destruction of flora have been declared as wrongful act. For destruction of trees and plants, Manu has described the term of punishment against the wrongdoer. Killing birds and animals was strictly prohibited. It has been advised to Hindus to treat the species like own children. The Buddhist emperor, Ashoka the Great announced the term of punishment for committing the wrongful act against the animals and trees. During the medieval period, agriculture was the main basis of the economy. Reclamation of waste land and cleaning of forest was a regular part of the people. The establishment of British rule organized the forest management to plunder the natural resources. Indian Court has accepted the principles of ethics relating to protection of environment.