Perspectives on Nature in Ancient India

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Ecology is beginning to define how we look at the world and how we look at ourselves. Each geographical region in the world constitutes a special ecosystem - an interrelated habitat for plants and animals shaped by climate and terrain. These ecological factors have a strong effect upon culture as well. According to Indian philosophy, the entire universe is created out of the conglomeration of the sub-atomic particles which influence the five gross elements-earth, water, fire, air and space. All living beings, animate or inanimate, come under this classification. So, life forms are created on the backdrop of the gross elements. The five gross elements do inherently carry a link with the five human cognitive organs. The nose carries an inherent relation with the earth, the tongue with the water, the eyes with the fire, the touch with the air and finally, the ear with the space. Hence, a symbiotic relation between macro and micro level environment is apparent in ancient Indian philosophical thought.

Dilip Diwakar is PhD in Public health from Jawaharlal Nehru University. Before he joined the institute, he worked with both national and international development organizations for 6 years. He has published articles in both national, international journals and contributed to chapters in books. His main areas of work are marginalization in government programmes, rights of urban poor, child labour. His research interests include intersection of caste, poverty and health.

Ecology is beginning to define how we look at the world and how we look at ourselves. Each geographical region in the world constitutes a special ecosystem an interrelated habitat for plants and animals shaped by climate and terrain. These ecological factors have a strong effect upon culture as well.

According to Indian philosophy, the entire universe is created out of the conglomeration of the sub-atomic particles which influence the five gross elements -earth, water, fire, air and space. All living beings, animate or inanimate, come under this classification. So, life forms are created on the backdrop of the gross elements. The five gross elements do inherently carry a link with the five human cognitive organs. The nose carries an inherent relation with the earth, the tongue with the water, the eyes with the fire, the touch with the air and finally, the ear with the space. Hence, a symbiotic relation between macro and micro level environment is apparent in ancient Indian philosophical thought.

"These Five Mahabhutas are cosmic elements which create, nurture and sustain all forms of life, and after death or decay they absorb what was created earlier; thus they play an important role in preserving and sustaining the environment" As part of nature ourselves, society arises out of an ecological basis that we cannot ignore. Most civilisations, both in their advance and decline, reflect how people manage the ecosystems in which they live along with their natural resources. Human culture derives largely from its first culture, which is agriculture, our ability to work the land. This depends largely on water, particularly fresh water that is found in rivers, and flat land that can be easily irrigated.

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