Tale of Raja Shibi: An ultimate epitome of sacrifice, protecting food chain and sustaining biodiversity (C20_Indic Wisdom Series_Sustainable Lifestyle)
The story shows how for the Hindus a good king also means a good protector. And, balancing both the sides who are deprived and offering equal justice is also an essential part of dharma. Also, the event highlights how birds and animals are given equal respect alongside human beings in Hinduism. The ancients understood long before that it is vital to balance both mankind and nature and sustain biodiversity. The narration of the entire event by Lomash Muni also kept on resonating in Yudhisthira’s mind. His heart filled with immense pride on realizing to be born into such a line of righteous rulers. What an epic scene of sacrifice indeed! Its truth continuously floated clearly in front of his eyes for a long time. After prolonged suffering, now all the Pandavas were charged up enough to spread their wings for the upcoming future.
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Serving Water and Sustainable Biodiversity (C20_Indic Wisdom Series_Sustainable Lifestyle)
Water is the foundation of our existence. Every advanced and ancient civilization developed along waterways. Besides human survival and developing a healthy ecosystem, it provided both economic and political strength to the societies. Above all, being at the core of sustainable development, water lay at the heart of adaptation to climate change in the ancient days, serving as an important connection between climate system, environment and society. The Hindus were ahead of their time in making proper plans for water conservation and were well aware of how to keep water bodies stay clean. The following section of the grand Shiva Purana specifically prescribes and promotes water management, keeping in mind the serving of water to the needy, agricultural management, digging tanks, overall land use planning and forest resource utilization.
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The glory of charity and Sustainable Food Initiative (C20_Indic Wisdom Series_Sustainable Lifestyle)
From the very first, it was a part of the ancient Indian’s philosophy that they appreciated the importance of generating finest possible food products besides helping people to grow also. Moreover, apart from sustainably intensifying food production, they also believed in contributing in the best ways possible, leaving no issue of landfills and thus supporting communities and saving all the resources utilized to produce that food from going to waste. This is because, in the Hindu mindset, providing access to healthy and sustainable food for others was a part of their Karma and Dharma. Thus, they paved the way to protect and feed people and animals and sustain the Mother Earth. Keeping the above benefits in mind, let us see in the following content what the Shiva Purana talks about the glory of feeding people and other forms of charities.
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Profiles in Gharvapasi: Beawar and Korku
To paraphrase French philosopher Ernest Renan, Muslims and Christians are the first victims of Islam and Christianity. To liberate the Muslim and Christian from his religion is the best service one can render him. Seen in that light, gharvapasi is a humane and constructive activity. Its success depends not so much upon the attitude of Muslims and Christians as upon the ability of the Hindus to digest them. It is time for Hindus to shed delusion and show heroism.
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Values of Cow and Bull in Sustainable Livestock Development (C20_Indic Wisdom Series_Sustainable Lifestyle)
Currently, the need for sustainable resource management has become increasingly urgent with the rapid rise in demand for commodities as the world’s population is increasing. Here, sustainable livestock sector works as one of the pillars of the global food system and a contributor to poverty reduction, food security and agricultural development. However, long before the ancient Hindus realized its deep connections with economy, society and biodiversity and their scriptures make it clear how this sector can work as a contributor to poverty reduction, food security and agricultural development. From the very first, India possessed a huge livestock population reared under diverse production systems and agroclimatic conditions. And, it reflects in their texts how they started sustainable livestock development through cattle rearing, especially bull and cows, balancing wide array of demands and resolving various environmental challenges. No doubt, it is well understood from the scriptures like Padma Purana, how and why at the extreme end, these domestic creatures were given a divine status and always given special respect in the Hindu society. Here, some selected portion of the Padma Purana is chosen to highglight the importance given to bull and cow farming.
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Learn Values and Benefits of Tree Plantation from Padma Purana (C20_Indic Wisdom Series_Sustainable Lifestyle)
By planting and utilizing trees carefully and economically, we can sustain one of the greatest resources on earth. We must not forget that we have inherited this country with its many resources, from our ancestors. The ancient Hindus made their advancements, proving themselves to be a highly responsible community by protecting the Mother Earth’s fragile ecosystem, so that we, the future generations can have a place that we can safely call home. Let us look at what they have recorded in their scriptures or in other words, what our ancient texts demonstrate to realize the importance of tree plantation and then contribute to it. For this, the following piece highlights some specific parts of the grand Padma Purana.
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Signifcance of Installing Wells and Lakes for Sustainable Development of Society (C20_Indic Wisdom Series_Sustainable Lifestyle)
The following piece is taken from the Padma Purana that teaches us how by providing both aesthetic value and environmental sustainability, installation of wells and tanks can also enhance our home and community's worth and appeal. This small but eco-friendly initiative brings lots of personal, financial and environmental benefits. The ancient Hindus understood this well and made proper use of this wise investment. And, as a result, they enjoyed the rewards of Mother Nature for a prolonged time reducing the dependency on main water source and in this way contributed to India’s water future.
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The Importance of Tulasī and Dhatri (C20_Indic Wisdom Series_Sustainable Lifestyle)
The article highlights how worshipping certain plants are given special emphasis and mention in the sacred texts of Hinduism. Here, we have considered the case of tulasi and dhatri (popularly known as amalaki) and their glory as found in the demonstration of Padma Purana. Both the plants have made their place in centre of household religious devotion of Hindus from ancient times and their needs, warmth and attention are still felt till today in every home all over India. In this way from the beginning of their civilization the Hindus have preserved and promoted the country’s ecological balance with immense care as prescribed in their holy texts.
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Invoking Mother Goddess this Navaratri (Part 2)
The appeal of the Mother Goddess had gained an additional dimension in the days of the national struggle for freedom when patriot-poets like Bankim and Bharati saw in Mother India the same Goddess of Sakti and sang the new mantras of 'Vande Mataram' and 'Om Sakti om'. May this triple Goddess bless this country that she might grow into Power, Plenty and Wisdom!
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Invoking Mother Goddess this Navaratri (Part 1)
The conception of divinity as parents, father and mother, which is the most natural and primary mode of worship, is fully seen in the dual deity of Heaven and earth, Dyava-Prthivi, who save from sin, remain by one's side, gratify and protect one and with wisdom give one moral guidance... The mystic potency, being the wonderful mother who projects this variegated picture of the universe, is not only Illusion (Avidya) that beguiles one, but also, ultimately, Vidya or Spiritual Wisdom, as it is by Her grace that we get over Her and see the truth of Brahman.
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