Plant-World in Hindu Consciousness

Susheel Kumar Sharma

Professor & Head, Department of English & Modern European Languages, University of Allahabad, Prayagraj – 211002 

Abstract:

The Vedic rishis (philosophers) hold that everything (irrespective of being living or non-living) is a manifestation of Brahma. This wisdom finds a manifestation in the Upanishadic verses like: sarvam khalvidam brahm (“All this is Brahma”, Chhandogya Upanishad 3.14.1), aham brahmasmi (“I am Divine”, Brihadaranyaka Upanishad 1.4.10), tat tvam asi (“That Thou Art”, Chhandogya Upanishad 6.8.7) and ayam atma brahma (“This Self (Atman) is Brahman”, Mandukya Upanishad 1.2). Hence, there is no „other‟ for a traditional Hindu – neither in the human world nor in the non-human world. The Hindu texts are full of examples where these philosophical ideas have been put into practice as a daily routine by the individuals. In the later period, several texts like Smritis and Puranas were created to enable a person evolve a code of conduct for all in which due respect was shown to other forms of life. Accordingly, a code of conduct for the individuals and the societies got evolved. This distinct life-style presents a sharp contrast to the way of life adopted by the practitioners of a non-Hindu way of life, like the ones adopted by the followers of Abrahamic religions. To understand the Hindu way of perceiving the surrounding environment, it is pertinent to dwell into the Hindu consciousness that informs the social, cultural and environmental responses in Bharat. The present article focuses only on the plant-world to indicate how a Hindu treats the so-called inanimate object like a plant/ tree respectfully by keeping a focus on the Vedantic ideas. A frequent reference is made to the philosophical texts, ritualistic texts and current social and individual practices to indicate the continuity of the Vedantic tradition and its manifestation in one‟s 
daily routine. 

Full Text:

Plant-World in Hindu Consciousness
 

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