UNIQUE WORSHIP OF NATURE OF HINDUISM THE BEST GUIDE TO LIVE IN PEACE

UNIQUE WORSHIP OF NATURE OF HINDUISM THE BEST GUIDE TO LIVE IN PEACE

 Compilation for a discourse by N. R. Srinivasan from the Speeches of Modern Spiritual Leaders --DECEMBER 2019

A Hindu lady Standing before an  Aswattha Tree with palms together  or feeding a serpent living in an  anthill with milk  or drawing  Kolam on the  floor  in front of the house with rice flour to feed the birds and ants  later on  in an act of worship and thus  invoking the  Supreme through such acts of kindness demonstrates  the HHHindu way of worship which  can easily be dismissed as Pagan in the Western culture! The thought behind these is of course deeply spiritual venerating Nature in all forms  as a gift  from GOD propitiated as GOD  alone.

Most ancient Upanishadic Knowledge of Hinduism, emphasizes a model where humans have a harmonious and reverential attitude towards Nature. This model of thinking later made a comeback in Europe during the Enlightenment. The fear of a pagan revival is almost always writ large among those monotheist believers who regard with suspicion any allusions to a pre-monotheist, pagan past of many deities and natural religions.  This paranoia could perhaps be justified because of the innate appeal of the ancient spiritual religions, inspired by Sanatana Dharma or Vedas. “Slowly and steadily USA is turning to be a land of Yoga and Meditation” says Phil Goldberg of American Veda. His assessment is based on the observation that around 40% of church goers today have declared themselves as SBNR seeking the path of liberation from dharma based religions, fed up with stereo-typed doctrine of Christianity focused on proselytization.  The Mullahs and Rabbis are still able to cast their spell on their followers where interfaith marriages are few and far between. Mullahs and preachers constantly issue threats of the direst consequences including hellfire after death and excommunication or being killed for apostasy   while being alive. Among the abusive epithets used to describe pagans and polytheists include witchcraft, Satanism, Mushrik etc. The word pagan itself began as a term of derision as it originally meant “rural bumpkin”.

Thus, Abrahamic monotheism tries to achieve a sort of totalitarian mind control among its believers against getting involved with paganism. Ironically, the stressful modern urban lifestyle in most countries leads people away from tolerating such primitive ways of mind control and into seeking solace in some form of spirituality. True spirituality can only be found in the natural religions. This is the basis for the fear expressed by the Pope in his recent diatribes against pagans.

Though Christianity decries pagan customs as satanic, it has successfully   diverted the popularity of Pagan festivals to make  Christianity attractive to Pagan believers during the season making popular Yule tree as  Christmas tree   and projecting the popular winter Pagan festival season as Christmas Season.

It is reasonable to believe Xmas tree also joined the family of wish-fulfilling trees Kalpavriksha in Hinduism. The color green signifies everlasting light and life. Romans decorated their houses with evergreen branches during the New Year, and the fir tree symbolized life during the winter.  Mistletoe is a parasitic plant, meaning it lives on the tree that it is attached to and, without it, the mistletoe would die. The plant has long been a symbol of love, and some believe that the Druids used mistletoe as a cure-all or some stories claim that it could promote fertility.

The origins of Christmas trees and wreaths can be found in the 12-days pagan holidays of "Yule", which centered on the solstice. The festival was observed by the early Germanic peoples of Northern Europe, who gathered to celebrate the revival of the sun bringing brighter times ahead. Celtic Druids would mark the winter solstice with the cutting of mistletoe and lighting a "yule log", believed to banish darkness and evil spirits.

The evergreen fir tree has traditionally been used to celebrate winter festivals (pagan and Christian) for thousands of years. Pagans used branches of it to decorate their homes during the winter solstice, as it made them think of the spring to come. The Romans used Fir Trees to decorate their temples at the festival of Saturnalia. Christians use it as everlasting life with God.  Fir trees are perennial and do not shed leaves in autumn like all trees and are ever-green. The Paradise Tree represented the Garden of Eden. In many countries, different trees are used as Christmas trees. In New Zealand a tree called the 'Pohutakawa' that has red flowers is sometimes used and in India, Banana or Mango trees are sometimes decorated by Christians inspired by Hindus who   erect  a pair of  banana plants  in front of  wedding canopy during wedding ceremonies to bring luck, ensuring everlasting love and use of mango branch cut-outs. 

The Bible itself tells us that December 25 is an unlikely date of the   birth of Jesus. Palestine is very cold in December. It was much too cold to ask everyone to travel to the city of their fathers to register for taxes.   Luke 2:8-12 says shepherds were in the fields. Shepherds can’t be in the fields in the winter time. They are in the fields early in March until early October. This would place Jesus' birth in the spring or early fall.  

 In A.D. 440 the church officially proclaimed December 25 as the birth of Christ. This was not based on any religious evidence but on a pagan feast Saturnalia.  December 25 was used as a celebration of the birthday of the sun god. It was observed near the winter solstice.  The apostles in the Bible had predicted that some Christians would adopt pagan beliefs to enable them to make their religion more palatable to the pagans around them. Therefore, some scholars think the church chose the date of this pagan celebration to interest them in Christianity. The pagans were already used to grand celebrations on this date.

Since ancient times, science and technology had flourished in civilizations such as India, Japan, China etc. that possess unique, indigenous cultures and philosophies. In the West, only wherever and whenever the dogmas of Abrahamic monotheism have been challenged, has scientific progress been made possible. At the same time, sadly, it has to be noted that the scientific and industrial progress seen in much of today’s modern world has also resulted in severe ecological damage and the splintering of society into atomized individuals.

One of the reasons for this is that the modern education system has largely ignored or contributed to damaging the ancient institutions of family and community. Also, the dharma, pagan and indigenous systems of thought have been largely left unharnessed. Alongside achieving development and progress, the modern world needs to revive and restore the family, the community, and the natural religions in order to overcome the social atomization and ecological devastation. 

It has been noted by Konrad EST and others, pockets of revival of paganism are showing up in many Western countries. Also, the voices of indigenous peoples from Latin America are finally being heard as they slowly overcome the legacy of centuries of colonialist domination. It can be reliably stated that the revitalization of the Hindu traditions of India will send a strong signal of encouragement to all indigenous, pagan peoples worldwide.

Islam  followers  are the worst critics of Hinduism hating it as Pagan religion. Islam means submission to the will of Allah. Please see how the have drawn liberally ethics to respect God's Gift of Nature and protect it while enjoying it.

According to the Holy Qur’an, environmental conservation is a religious duty as well as social obligation, and not an optional matter.  Everyone is the custodian of nature, and must live with harmony with other creatures. It is the duty of all Muslims to respect, nurture and care for the environment. Corruption of all kinds, including environmental corruption, which includes industrial pollution, environmental damage, and reckless exploitation and mismanagement of natural resources are disliked by Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala). 

The Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) recognized that natural resources should not be overexploited or abused. In order to protect land, forests and wildlife, the Prophet created inviolable zones, known as Haram and Hima, in which resources were to be left untouchedich resources were to be left untouched

  

Here I recall my discourse on Hastinapur, the City of Wisdom in Argentina, a temple complex situated amidst peaceful natural surroundings.  The gods who have their own temples include Ganesha, Krishna, Surya, Narayana and Siva. Since it is Hastinapur there is a temple for Pandavas too. Hastinapur is clearly a place fit for the gods ...who should be pleased with the cleanliness of the place, the serene surroundings and the green garden with Rosewood trees. The only noise comes from the hundreds of birds nesting in the trees. The Argentines learn philosophy, read in the library, practice yoga and meditation and sing Bhajans. On the other side of the fence, there are cows grazing and occasionally staring at the Indian gods. The cows are relaxed and free from fear because they know that they will not become food at the dining table in Hastinapur, which is a vegetarian place. The inmates cook vegetarian food and share it with the children from poor families in the neighborhood. All this comes from the world’s leading Beef-Eaters.

The founders and directors of the Hastinapur Foundation do not seek publicity. They are humble but devoted people. They have their professions as company managers, engineers or professors. They volunteer their time and talents for the foundation.  Hastinapur respects all the religions and beliefs. Their ten temples include one for Buddha, one for Virgin Mary, one for the Greek god Demeter and another one called as the Temple of All Faiths following the wisdom of Ramakrishna Mission.  It simply helps people to seek, find and pursue their own path to wisdom. They give classes in yoga, meditation, philosophy, devotional singing and sacred drama. They organize workshops, seminars and retreats. They also provide community service. They celebrate festivals such as Ganesh Chathurthi and Baishaki.   

Hastinapur temples do not have priests or other middlemen between the gods and worshippers. There is no money collection, like in Tirupathi.  Worshippers pray, recite mantras and sing devotional songs individually or in groups.

Hastinapur has a post graduate course in yoga which takes three years to complete. The classes are held in the weekends only. There are 2500 students studying yoga and philosophy in the Hastinapur centers. The students are being taught by 100 teachers on philosophy and 120 teachers on yoga. Many Argentines go to Hastinapur as a retreat from the hectic city of Buenos Aires which is just fifty kilometers away. They practice   meditation in the quiet natural environment. They do yoga, read books from the library, discuss philosophy and join the singing of Bhajans.  Hastinapur is an authentic Ashram.

Hastinapur Foundation has published a number of books on Indian philosophy and translated Bhagwat Gita, Bhakti Sutras, Upanishads, Srimad Bhagwatam and Yoga Sutras. Their latest publication is Mahabharatha in Spanish. They have so far published three volumes and plan to do a total of twelve volumes in the coming years. Each volume is over 500 pages. The founder Alda Albrecht and other members of the Foundation have also written a number of books.

Hastinapura Foundation was established by Ada Albrecht in 1981. She introduced Indian philosophy and became a Guru for the Argentines seeking wisdom.  The architectural and sculpting work of the Hastinapur complex has been done entirely by Argentines. The architects and sculptors have studied Indian temples and have done their work professionally and aesthetically. Even now they are constructing some more buildings with Indian sculptures and statues. Hastinapura Foundation has sixteen centers in Buenos Aires and three more in the rest of Argentina. They have also established centers in Uruguay, Bolivia and Colombia.  Thus their main focus is on Hinduism and its spiritualty. They implement Gita philosophy in totality that says the world needs different religions, cults and deities to meet the vastly different needs of individuals leaving the choice to them to choose what is appealing to them!

The Hindu view of Nature is based upon the Vedas, Upanishads and Vedanta and their philosophical views, as well as Hindu devotional and ritualistic practices. According to Hindu thought, there is no separation between the Divine and the world of nature. They are the two aspects of the same reality. The cosmic reality is one like the ocean. Nature or the manifest world is like the waves on the surface of the sea. Brahman or the un-manifest Absolute is like the depths of the sea. But it is all water, all the same, and the single ocean. That is why Water is worshiped of Brahman and there is no ritual without water--apo vaa idam Brahma.  indu rHindu ritual without water

In Western religions there are many sacred places. However, these holy sites are defined mainly in human terms, even if they occur in a beautiful natural setting. A place is sacred in Western religions because some prophet, savior or saint visited there or communicated to God from that location. The place is not itself sacred according to its natural power alone. In Western religions one may visit or admire beautiful places in nature, honoring them as Gods’ creation, but one does not worship or honor the place itself as a manifestation of Divinity.  

In Hindu thought, there are also many sacred sites. But these are defined primarily in terms of nature, not human activity. Mt. Kailas is sacred as a mountain, for example, and as the abode of Shiva or the higher consciousness. Indeed all mountains are sacred because they afford us access to the higher realms of meditation. Hindus pay their obeisance to the peaks Brahma. Vishnu, Siva of Grand Canyon too when they visit!  

Please find below a detailed report on sacred mountains and their inter-connection as given by the Rumanian Tourist Agency focused on Rumanian mountain ranges.

The Bucegi Plateau is mostly known for one of the most impressive natural monuments in Romania, the Sphinx. The name was chosen because of its shape that resembles the human face, the shape resulting from erosion produced by wind over a long period of time.

However, scientific evidence is contradicted by some theories that claim that the monument is proof of a much more advanced civilization that would have created the Sphinx, or that it was built by the Dacians as a tribute to Zalmoxis, a deity present in their culture. Regardless which theory is true, the Sphinx indeed has certain peculiarities that differentiate it from any other rock formation of this type.

There are 4 primary tunnels and further sub tunnels under the mountains in the world that lead to deeper and bigger places which you would have heard of but with different names.

• In these tunnels you will find rooms, huge rooms, with huge tables and stone chairs for people much, much taller than us.
• The projection room contains all our history and can be replayed visually.
• A table where you can perform holographic experiments with DNA, mix and match anything you wish and see what the results would be.
• These rooms were created 50,000 years ago and each is connected to each other, protected by an energy source which actives all as one is activated.
• The locations are: Near the Sphinx in Egypt, Baghdad, Mount Kailash in Tibet and the Bucegi Mountains in Romania. The inner tunnels lead to a secret World under the Gobi Plateau in Mongolia and to Antarctica.
• This connects to WWII and the German Tibet expedition, Romania being fast-tracked into NATO, hollow earth, the eye above the pyramid and more.

 

The origin of the Sphinx’s  name is due to its resemblance to a human head, more precisely to the Egyptian Sphinx, and is located in the Bucegi Mountains at an altitude of 2,216 m). Formed from a large block of stone, which has taken the shape we know today, the Bucegi Sphinx measures 8 meters in height and 12 meters in width.

Due to the similarity between the Sphinx of Bucegi and the Great Sphinx of Egypt, some historians assume that the one in Egypt was inspired by the monument in Romania. To support this theory, they use the information that the Egyptians would have gone through the Carpathians until they settled in the present territory, and on their way they could have seen the rock formations that are today on the Romanian territory. At the same time, the connection between Romania and Egypt seems to be far from what was initially imagined. There are voices that say there is a tunnel of time between the Sphinx in Bucegi and Egypt, but no one has been able to demonstrate that fact so far.

The tunnels would have been known by a very small number of people during the Dacian era, when they either played a strategic role or were used to hide treasures. Those who took measurements say there are galleries that communicate through the mountains with Retezat and Rarau, from the Ceahlau massif. On these peaks would have been, as well as on the Omu Peak, sanctuaries that together formed the “Golden Triangle” of Dacia because of the impressively great energies that would appear in the three points.

The idea behind the contradiction of scientific data on the origin of the Sphinx belonged to the architect and historian Daniel Ruzo. Ruzo claimed that the Sphinx is evidence of the existence of an alien civilization that would have left behind several constructions, including the one from the Bucegi Plateau. From the first statements about the connection between the Romanian Sphinx and extraterrestrial civilizations, there have been many speculations about how it was formed, when it was formed, and especially why it was built. So far, there has been insufficient evidence to support this theory, but there are researchers who are still struggling to solve the enigma.

Place of worship for the Dacians

The legends that surround the Sphinx   go back in time, to when the Dacians inhabited Romania’s territory. It is said that the Sphinx would have a sacred meaning, and it was formed during the Dacian era. The Bucegi Plateau was the meeting place of those who wanted to bring Zalmoxis an offer, and it all started from Decebal’s sacrifice. It is said that the Dacian ruler sacrificed his own son to send him as messenger to the gods.  Along with Babele (The Old Ladies), it represents a place of pilgrimage each year at the end of November, on the 28th, when the effect of the “energetic pyramid” occurs. Due to the sun’s rays, a so-called pyramid is formed above the Sphinx, which is believed to emit positive energy.

In the Romanian mountains there are other formations of the same genus, the megalithic type, which, due to the wind erosion in accordance with the passage of time, have taken on the aspect of sphinxes, including the Sphinx from Stanisoara, the Sfinx from Toplet, the Sphinx from Piatra Arsa, and the Sphinx from Solomon’s Stones, but also the one named Brotocei. However, none of these megalithic formations have succeeded in reaching the value of the Sphinx from the Bucegi Plateau. Since ancient times, humans have simply been fascinated by this wonder of nature. thye above Western narration opines that  Hindus alone need not be blamed for myths, beliefs and Pagan worships!

The Ganga is sacred as a river. Indeed all rivers are sacred because they nourish and purify not only the body and mind but the inner being. The sacred nature of such places does not depend upon human activity, though it can be enhanced by human activity as ritual, mantra and meditation. Recall the customary Kalasa mantra narmdaa-sindhu-kaveri jalesmin sannidhim kuru!

Similarly, Hindu thought defines the Divine not just in human terms but also in terms of Nature. The Divine is not only the father, mother, brother, sister, lord and friend, but also takes form as the sacred animals, plants, rocks, planets and stars. Hindu temples contain not only human representations but also deities with animal heads and animal bodies. They contain sacred plants, flowers, rocks, fire and water as well.

This sense of the Divine in all of Nature is the reason why Hindus find sacred places everywhere--(yo maam pasyati sarvatra  sarvancha mayi pasyati  ... sa cha me na pransyati meaning  he is not lost to me who sees me everywhere and sees everything in ME--Gita).   The Hindus have sacred mountains and hills, sacred rivers and lakes, sacred trees and groves, sacred flowers and grasses. They can honor the Divine not only in the human form but in all the forms of nature. This Hindu devotional attitude is not mere primitive idolatry (Mushrik) as the Abrahamic religions would like to project. It is not a worship of nature externally. It is a recognition of the Divine reality within all things.

For the Hindus the Earth is sacred as the very manifestation of the Divine Mother. She is Bhumi Devi, the Earth Goddess. One of the reasons that Hindus honor cows is that the cow represents the energies and qualities of the Earth, selfless caring, sharing and the providing of nourishment to all. Hindu prayers are done at the rising of the Sun, at noon and at sunset, honoring the Divine light that comes to us through the Sun. Nature is always included in the Hindu approach. Even the great Hindu Yogis retire into nature to pursue their practices, taking refuge in the Himalayas and other mountains and wilderness areas where there is a more direct contact with the Divine.

  
Hindu ritual worship works with the forces of nature to bring a higher consciousness and energy into the world. Hindu rituals are part of a comprehensive spiritual science designed to connect us to higher planes of consciousness and creativity.   Hindu pujas do this with special prayers and mantras, and offerings of subtle sensory essences like flowers, incense, ghee flames, special water or food and fragrant oils. This is designed to allow the Prana or the Spirit of the Deity to enter into the form for worship, whether it is a statue or a natural object, so that the powers of the higher planes and worlds can have a place to bless us here on Earth.

Hindu yajnas or fire rituals offer special substances into a specially consecrated sacred fire like special wood, resins, ghee, grains and seeds for the fire to transform into higher vibrations for the benefit of all. Hindu scriptures explain these rituals in great detail including special methods of performance and special times and places to do them. No one with an open mind can experience these rituals and not feel elevated.

Hindu rituals are designed to harmonize the human being with the world of nature and the higher levels of the universe.  The Vedas, the most ancient Hindu scriptures, pray for peace from the Earth, Atmosphere, Heaven, Mountains, Rivers, Sun, Moon and Stars, from the entire universe. They see peace as a universal reality, not the result of human activity, not just a truce between warring armies. They show us how to access that universal peace that transcends all boundaries and limited identities.

It is important that we bring Hindu rituals and mantras to all countries, particularly to their sites of natural beauty in order to bring the Divine powers back into the world. These rituals are part of a universal science that is helpful for everyone and is particularly crucial in this ecological era, where we are damaging the very fabric of life destroying the pristine beauty of nature. We must purify and reenergize the sacred sites in nature, through rituals, mantra and meditation.

Many indigenous cultures and the old pagan traditions of Europe have a similar understanding of all nature as sacred, and recognize the special sacred places in their environment. This is the basis of ancient sacred sites like Stonehenge and the rituals that went at such places. These traditions also need to be honored and their practices revived. Many modern Hindus have forgotten their traditional sacred approach to nature. This is particularly obvious in India where nature is often degraded and polluted. Under the compulsions caused by overpopulation, lack of education and the need to develop the economy, nature in India everywhere is suffering. Even Hindu temples are not being kept up with proper dignity and respect. In India, the government has taken over many temples and uses them to make money, giving little back to beautify the temple or even keep them clean.

Outside of India, many Hindus have lost their ecological vision as well. They are used to the urban life and often don’t move beyond the cities. It is important that Hindus reclaim the ecological vision inherent in their religion. This means bringing nature back into their lives, not only through rituals, mantras and meditation but pilgrimage to the sacred sites in Nature like Kailas, Gangotri, Vaishnodevi and many others, not only in India but all over the world like Grand Canyon, Niagara and Stonehenge etc.

It is also important that Western thinkers examine the Hindu view of the world and its profound philosophy of Vedanta which sees the unity of all beings in the Self. Vedanta can provide a spiritual and philosophical vision for a deeper ecological approach that we so desperately need to save our Nature  and replenish the pristine beauty while  enjoying the bounties if Nature that good Lord has provided us!--Adapted from Speeches of David Frawley.

 Dyauh Saantih antariksham saantih prithvee saantih aapah saantih oshadhyah saantih vanaspatayah saantih viswedevaah saantih brhma  saantih sarvam saantih saantireva saantih saa maa   saantiredhi || (Veda)

There is peace in the heavenly region; there is peace in the atmosphere; peace reigns on the earth; there is coolness in the water; the medicinal herbs are healing; the plants give tranquility; there is harmony in the celestial objects and perfection in eternal knowledge; everything in the universe is peaceful; peace pervades everywhere; May that knowledge of peace come to me!

yābhirādityastapati raśmibhistābhiḥ parjanyo varṣati parjanyena auṣadhi-vanaspatayaḥ prajāyanta oṣadhivanaspatibhirannaṁ………prāṇairmano manasaśca vijñānaṁ vijñānādānando brahma yoniḥ || 

Those rays by which the sun gives heat, the same rays transform water into rain-cloud which showers the rain. By the rain-cloud herbs and trees come into existence From-herbs and trees food is produced by grains. (The grain carries the atman which is transferred to the fetus that nourishes on food. The child is born from the fetus that carries the atman that is contained in us).  The  vital breaths and the senses of creatures are from food.  From   vital breath and the senses through spiritual practice unbroken direct realization Vijnaana) comes. Vijnaanena atmanam vedayati-- One realizes Self with unbroken direct realization. Bliss comes from unbroken direct realization of Self or Atman. That is why Hindus worship food and food sources like herbs, plants and trees (Nature) as Brahman himself.  Thus having attained bliss one becomes the Supreme which is the source of the Universe--Mahanarayana Upanishad. 

But How can we cocieve atman in grain. We know Ahalya's soul lived in the stone for many years.

Upanishads say even those who have gone to Svarga   after exhausting their meritorious deeds (punya karma) have to return to earth. In the Gita Krishna briefly describes this process:

te tam bhuktva svarga lokam vishalamkshine punye martya-lokam vishanti

“After enjoying in the heavenly abode (svarga-loka), when their pious results are exhausted, they again enter the abode of death”.

Swami Prabhupada has the following explanation of the above sloka:

Such a heavenly being observes his previous realm, and sees his previous consort continuing to enjoy with other men. At this time, due to the intense pain in his heart, he begins to cry, and his soul leaves his body through his eyes within a tear drop. The tear drop falls to earth and mixes with the rain clouds. When the rain falls, the soul of the heavenly being lands on the earth and enters into a seed of grain. The grain grows and is latter eaten by a human. The soul of the heavenly being (along with his subtle covering) thus enters into the semen of a human and is latter born within the earthly abode.

ISLAM RELIGIOUS VIEWS ON ENVIRONMENTALISM

The earliest known treatises dealing with environmentalism and environmental science, especially pollution, were Arabic medical treatises written by al-Kindi, Qusta ibn Luqa, al-Razi, Ibn Al-Jazzar, al-Tamimi, al-Masihi, Avicenna, Ali ibn Ridwan, Ibn Jumay, Isaac Israeli ben Solomon, Abd-el-latif, Ibn al-Quff, and Ibn al-Nafis. Their works covered a number of subjects related to pollution such as air pollution, water pollution, soil contamination, municipal solid waste mishandling, and environmental impact assessments of certain localities. Cordoba, Al-Andalus also had the first waste containers and waste disposal facilities for litter collection.  

"In order to preserve the natural environment by not polluting, plant trees; support environmentally-friendly goods and products. Muslims must rectify themselves through simplicity, contentment, resisting endless desires, and then remembering God as well as following His commands”

NATURE'S UNIQUE WAY OF TEACHING US A LESSON  

To  me present pandemic Corona Virus threat is just to remind us how we have forgotten understanding  the plan of nature and Laws of Nature. Lord created meek lamb at the same time ferocious tiger too.  They have learnt how to live in harmony if you study their  lives. I will not deal with the subject here. Perhaps this is the opportunity to find a suitable vaccine as we did in the past for small-pox quickly to avoid future threats. Perhaps Corona virus existed in His creation which we did not know,

We have learnt the hard way that the smallpox vaccine protects people from smallpox by helping their bodies develop immunity to smallpox. The vaccine is made from a virus called vaccinia, which is a pox virus similar to smallpox, but less harmful.Good Lord created such a virus for our benefit. By our own carelessness we multiplied them beyond control creating Epidemic. We learnt it hard way but soon forgot. We should know how to live with Nature He provided.  Every Hindu ritual speaks of deha suddhi, sthala suddhi (clean environment) and atma-sauddhi (for mental tranquility). It is therefore necessary that in living with Nature with harmony we should understand Nature, live friendly with Nature and strive to keep Eco-balance while enjoying her bounties  living happy and healthy.

The novel SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus that emerged in the city of Wuhan, China, last year  where animals are freely traded for food with no caution exercised to surroundings and has since caused a large scale COVID-19 epidemic and spread to more than 70 other countries is the product of natural evolution.

Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that can cause illnesses ranging widely in severity. The first known severe illness caused by a coronavirus emerged with the 2003 Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) epidemic in China. A second outbreak of severe illness began in 2012 in Saudi Arabia with the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS).

Chinese authorities rapidly detected the epidemic and that the number of COVID-19 cases have been increasing because of human to human transmission after a single introduction into the human population.   

If the SARS-CoV-2 entered humans in its current pathogenic form from an animal source, it raises the probability of future outbreaks, as the illness-causing strain of the virus could still be circulating in the animal population and might once again jump into humans. There are tens of thousands [of viruses] waiting to be discovered. The chance of more [spillovers into humans] happening is higher because we are degrading these landscapes. Destroying habitats is the cause, so restoring habitats is a solution.  The ultimate lesson is that damage to the planet can also damage people more quickly and severely than the generational, gradual shifts of climate change. We should know how to raise animals, live with animals, how to trade with animals for human consumption, how to handle with meat if can’t avoid and how to deal with  pets!