AFVOA Newletters of Year 2004

Page 128 of 153 beneficial Sun and cows. Habitation 24. The Vedas recommend that one should protect the habitation. The habitation should be fair and spacious and needs to be protected. Water is a friend of man and affords protection to Man. Afforestation 26. The Vedas stress the need for protection and development of forests. Vedas assert that the plants and trees are the treasures which human beings have to safeguard. Dr Kannan quoted extensively from the Vedas to amplify the above. Non-Pollution 26. The Vedas give a clarion call for non-pollution of the environment. They condemn in unequivocal terms those who pollute and defile the environment. Animal life 27. The Vedas contain reference to a wide variety of animals and urge humanity to safeguard their well-being. Protection of animals is considered important for maintaining proper balance in Nature. Three-fold divisions of animals are seen in the Vedas in terms of those of the air (vayavya), those of the jungle (aranya) and those of village (gramya). Plant life 27. The Vedas call upon the human beings to safeguard and nourish plants and trees. The Vedas mention about plants and trees. The Vedas hail the vegetation, its maintenance and protection. It is important to note that herbs have remedial powers Pancha bhuta 29. The Vedas specify the cosmic Pancha bhutas (five elements). These are akasah (space), vayuh (air), Agnih (fire), apah (water) and Prithivi (earth). He brought out that each of the bhutas had qualities of its own. Qualities ranged from one to five. These are – Akash – sound; vayuh – touch and sound; Agnih – form, touch and sound; Apah – taste, form, touch and sound; and lastly Prithvi – smell, taste, form, touch and sound. There is a distinct link between the pancha bhutas and Man. Space 30. Space is that which accommodates. Akasa is the body of the Brahman. Air 31. The Vedas declare that air is sweet and pleasant and has healing powers. Fire 32. The Vedas eulogise Agni (fire) in the form of an important cosmic force. Fire is considered to be the bestower of wealth. It is only through fire that all the oblations to the deities and forefathers are offered. Agni is the Brahman. Water 33. The Vedas declare that all that is seen is water and that they are the nectar conferring happiness to all. With a social objective, they emphasise that the waters are common resources to be used by all. Water is the essence of food.