ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS IN THE EPICS: RAMAYANA AND MAHABHARATA

Abstract

Environmental science has recently become popular as an European discipline but in terms of fundamental concepts it is not entirely new to Europe, Asia. Similar to ancient and medieval Europe, Asia also has various thoughts and research about the environment. Ramayana's Kishkindha Kanda mentions some provisions for the conservation of the forest-dwelling biosphere. Besides Atimrigaya is severely criticized in both the epics Ramayana and Mahabharata. The opening chapter of Mahabharata mentions some mandatory rules on hunting. There are extensive descriptions of forests in Shantiparva. Both the epics Ramayana and Mahabharata mention nature and man as partners on the same stage. No line of demarcation is drawn between natural society and human society. According to historians, these two epics are one of the most important books of ancient Indian environmental philosophy. The symbolic expression of this environmental philosophy has been expressed through several story episodes.