Moksha from Communication: an Ecological Perspective of Bishnoi Religion from Western India Achyut Aryal* Kurukshetra University (KU), Haryana, India

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Moksha from Communication: an Ecological Perspective of Bishnoi Religion from Western India Achyut Aryal* Kurukshetra University (KU), Haryana, India un omm ica C tio s n s Aryal, J Mass Communicat Journalism 2016, 6:3 a & M J o f u DOI: 10.4172/2165-7912.1000303 o Journal of r l n a a n l r i s u m o J ISSN: 2165-7912 Mass Communication & Journalism Research Article Article OpenOpen Access Access Moksha from Communication: An Ecological Perspective of Bishnoi Religion from Western India Achyut Aryal* Kurukshetra University (KU), Haryana, India Abstract This research ‘Moksa from communication: An ecological perspective of Bishnoi religion from western India’ examines Bishnoi communication theory which is for perfect life, death and enlightenment. With textual analysis of 29 sutras and 120 sabdas by Guru Jhambheswara Ji, a founder of Bishnoi religion in western India, the result is: communication is an exchange of healthy, meaningful and perfect information/message; in between healthy, meaningful and perfect sender-receiver; with healthy, meaningful and perfect feedback; for healthy, meaningful and perfect way of living/life. Such way of communication connects personal life, society, ecology and worship to Supreme together. This leads towards a healthy, meaningful and perfect death. After such death there is unalienable salvation (Mukti/Moksha). Noise never comes in such communication. Further research with experimentation is most in future. Keywords: Bishnoi; Communication; Moksha; Ecology Enlightenment (Mukti/Moksha) Through Communica- tion Background “JIHI KE KHATIR GOTH NIROTAR VACHA, RAHIYA RUDRA This research seeks the model of communication in religious SAMANI” thought of Bishnoism [1-8]. This religion is the most practical, simple, eco-friendly and caring sect of Hindu Dharma founded by great “CHHANDE KAHA TO BAHUT BHAVE, KHARTAR KO visionary saint Guru Jambheshwar Ji in year 1485 AD (Vikram Sanwat PATIYAYO” 1542, Kartik month, Krishna 8th) on a sand dune called Samrathal “HIRDE MUKTA KAMAL SANOSHI, TEVA HI ATI TEVU” Dhora in Thar desert of Rajasthan, India. Saint Guru Jambheshwar “CHADHKAR BOHITA BHAV JAL PAR LANGHAVE, SO GURU Ji gave such a simple way which ensures, "JEEYAN NE JUKTI AUR KHEWAT KHEVA KEHU” MARIYAN NE MUKTI" means an art of living for this life and then “MORE SAHJE SUNDAR LOTAR BANI, AIO BHAYO MAN Moksha/heaven after this life. GYANI” Discussion and Analysis “TAYIA SANSU, TAIYA MANSU, RAKTU, RUHIYA, KHEERU NEERU, JAY KAR DEKHO, GYAN ANDESU, BHULA PRANI Bishnoism is basically based under 29 principles and 120 shabdas KAS SO KARNO” preached by Lion of Thar desert Guru Jhambheshwara Ji of 15th century AD, “JAKE BAD BIRAM BIRASO SANSO, TANE KAUN KAHSI founder of Bishnoi religion. Bishnoi principles and norms concerns mostly SAHILYA SADHO” on ecology and nature; here I try to analyze them from communication perspective, one by one to sketch out communication model from “JA KUCHH JA KUCHH, JA KACHHU NA JANI, NA KUCHH ecological notion with help from textual analysis research method. All the NA KUCHH, TA KUCHH JAANI”. text here analyzed belongs to 29 principles and 120 Shabdas. “GYANI SO TO GYANI ROWAT, PADIA ROVAT GAHE’’ Speech/Message Communication with God “BANI LIJO CHHAN” (Speak carefully, think before speak) “DWI KAL SANDHYA KARO” (pray two times a day) Speaker/Sender/Source “SANJH ARTI GUN GAO” means sing hymen of the praise to the God in the evening. “JHOOTH BARJIO” (Untruthfulness and cheating is prohibited) “HOM HOT CHIT PRET SU HOVE, TO BAS BEKUNTHE PAVE” We should not tell lies and cheat for our selfishness or to harm others. “BHAJAN VISHNU BATAYO JOY” Receiver “NINDA BARJIO” (criticism/backbiting is prohibited) *Corresponding author: Aryal A, JKIMT, Kurukshetra University (KU), Haryana, Feedback India, Tel: +977-9741060086; E-mail: [email protected] Received June 07, 2016; Accepted June 16, 2016; Published June 21, 2016 “BAAD (VAAD) NA KARNO KOY” (Never indulge in unnecessary Citation: Aryal A (2016) Moksha from Communication: An Ecological Perspective and excessive dispute/debate/arguments/controversy) of Bishnoi Religion from Western India. J Mass Communicat Journalism 6: 303. doi:10.4172/2165-7912.1000303 Healthy, Meaningful and Perfect Sender-Receiver Copyright: © 2016 Aryal A. This is an open-access article distributed under the “SHEEL, SANTOSH, SHUCHI PIARO” (maintain good character, terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted be content and maintain purity) use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited. J Mass Communicat Journalism ISSN: 2165-7912 JMCJ, an open access journal Volume 6 • Issue 3 • 1000303 Citation: Aryal A (2016) Moksha from Communication: An Ecological Perspective of Bishnoi Religion from Western India. J Mass Communicat Journalism 6: 303. doi:10.4172/2165-7912.1000303 Page 2 of 3 “KANY JAPTJE TEPAN JAYA JIVU” Sender must be healthy “BHOOT PRAT KAY JAPIJE, YEH PAKHAND PARVANO” Sender must be meaningful “DHAVNA DHUJE PAHAN PUJE, BEFARMAI KHUDAI” Sender must be perfect Rejection of Previously Established Notion on Commu- nication Receiver must be healthy In this way through deductive reasoning this research rejects all Receiver must be meaningful previously established theories, models, notions and understanding of communication. Receiver must be perfect Theorizing Bishnoi communication theory and model through study on 29 rules and 120 Shabdas by Guru Jambheshwara Bhagawaan is an outstanding breakthrough for communication research and Channel must be healthy researchers. Channel must be meaningful It rejects the Aristotilian tradition which was strengthened by Channel must be perfect Lasswll, Shanon and Weaver, Berlo etc. after Second World War. A new tradition is now ready for understanding communication with perfection. Such great understanding of communication given by Feedback must be healthy Guru Jamheshwar Ji is unique as well as very useful for contemporary Feedback must be meaningful global situation. Following section proves the strong rejection of previously established Feedback must be perfect theories and models of communication: Before Now Healthy individual through healthy communication ……………. …………… Meaningful individual through meaningful communication ‘Communication’ – ‘Healthy, meaningful and perfect communication’ Perfect individual through perfect communication ‘Information’/’Message’ – ‘Healthy, meaningful and perfect information/message’ ‘Exchange’ – ‘Healthy, meaningful and perfect exchange’ Healthy society through healthy communication ‘Sender’ – ‘Healthy, meaningful and perfect sender’ Meaningful society through meaningful communication ‘Receiver’ – Healthy, meaningful and perfect receiver’ Perfect society through perfect communication ‘Channel’ – ‘Healthy, meaningful and perfect channel’ ‘Feedback’ – ‘Healthy, meaningful and perfect feedback’ Healthy ecology through healthy communication Bishnoi Communication Model (BCM) Components Meaningful ecology y through meaningful communication After textual analysis related to communication notion of 29 principles Perfect ecology through perfect communication and 120 Shabdas preached by Guru Jhambheshwra Ji, the communication components can be outlined like this in detail: Healthy worship through healthy communication Communication must be healthy Meaningful worship through meaningful communication Communication must be meaningful Perfect worship through perfect communication Communication must be perfect Healthy living through healthy communication Information/message must be healthy Meaningful living through meaningful communication Information/message must be meaningful Perfect living through perfect communication Information/message must be perfect Exchange must be healthy Healthy life through healthy communication Exchange must be meaningful Meaningful life through meaningful communication Exchange must be perfect Perfect life through perfect communication J Mass Communicat Journalism ISSN: 2165-7912 JMCJ, an open access journal Volume 6 • Issue 3 • 1000303 Citation: Aryal A (2016) Moksha from Communication: An Ecological Perspective of Bishnoi Religion from Western India. J Mass Communicat Journalism 6: 303. doi:10.4172/2165-7912.1000303 Page 3 of 3 Healthy death through healthy communication - Those 29 rules and 120 shabdas preached by Guru Jambheshwar ji makes healthy. Meaningful death through meaningful communication What is meaningful? What makes meaninfful? Perfect death through perfect communication - Those 29 rules and 120 shabdas preached by Guru Jambheshwar ji makes meaningful. What is perfect? What makes perfect? Healthy communication is for salvation (Moksha/Mukti) - Those 29 rules and 120 shabdas preached by Guru Jambheshwar ji makes perfect. Meaningful communication is for salvation (Moksha/Mukti). Conclusion Perfect communication is for salvation (Moksha/Mukti). Yes, Bishnoi communication is for perfect life, death and (Note: Noise never comes in healthy, meaningful and perfect enlightenment. Communication is an exchange of healthy, meaningful communication process.) and perfect information/message; in between healthy, meaningful and Healthy, Meaningful and Perfect perfect sender-receiver; with healthy, meaningful and perfect feedback; for healthy, meaningful and perfect way of living/life. Such way of As components healthy, meaningful and perfect notion is most in communication connects personal life, society, ecology and worship to all aspects of communication in Bishnoism. That’s why this is unique Supreme together. This leads towards a healthy, meaningful and perfect religion in contemporary world, that can handle each and every death.
Recommended publications
  • High Forest (Woodland) High Forest Is a Term for a Woodland Or Forest with A
    High forest (woodland) High forest is a term for a woodland or forest with a well-developed natural structure. It is used in both ecology and woodland management, particularly in contrast with even-aged woodland types such as coppice and planted woodland. In a high forest the trees range in age from young seedlings and saplings through to mature trees and veteran trees, and there are well-developed layers of canopy trees, shrubs and ground vegetation, as well as occasional clearings. High forest may occur as a result of the natural development of woodland without human interference, or it may be created and maintained through deliberate management. It usually has greater biodiversity than even-aged woodland, because it has a greater range of microhabitats within it (thus providing niches for more organisms), and because it is more similar to the natural woodland to which woodland organisms are adapted. Once fully established, high forest may require less regular woodland management than some other woodland types such as coppice, and for this reason (as well as the potential for increased biodiversity), it is sometimes chosen as a deliberate management aim for neglected woodland. In many climates, a lack of woodland management in plantation or coppice may eventually produce high forest, as trees fall and new ones grow. However, this natural process is likely to take many decades on its own, and so deliberate thinning and selective felling may be used to speed up development of high forest. Ecotone From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia An ecotone is a transition area between two adjacent but different plant communities, such as forest and grassland.
    [Show full text]
  • INTRODUCTION to Changdev Pasashti (1) Journey's
    INTRODUCTION to Changdev Pasashti (1) Journey's end - 65 minutes to moksha (65 verses to Liberation) .…. the disciples are old, the guru is young So it is said to have been with the legendary guru Dakshinamurti (4). And so it was with Changdev (3) and Jnaneshwar (2). A lot of people are quite religious, in the sense that they follow the dictates of their particular form of organized religion, but most average people are not interested in real spiritual seeking and Enlightenment or Liberation. But for those who are, their lot is not easy. The life of the seeker is a difficult one. Although Liberation is said to be our natural, original state, the average man has drifted away from it, and though he may be (therefore) said to be having a natural tendency to regaining it, there are many obstacles to this. They may be preliminary ones like material interests and pursuits. This is not to say that such things are to be decried and that everyone should be exhorted to give up material interests and pick up the spiritual pursuit. This is the premise of the common religious preacher, not of the true (Enlightened) spiritual guru. The true guru simply leaves such people alone, and waits for their spiritual maturation. Meanwhile, he may indulge in some of their simple minded demands, giving them, as Sai Baba of Shirdi (5) remarked, what they want in the hope that they may "begin to want what he wants to give them." Or he may not. Such deemed miracles and such other trivia are not the guru's true purpose or message.
    [Show full text]
  • Annual Report 2016
    ANNUAL REPORT 2016 PUNJABI UNIVERSITY, PATIALA © Punjabi University, Patiala (Established under Punjab Act No. 35 of 1961) Editor Dr. Shivani Thakar Asst. Professor (English) Department of Distance Education, Punjabi University, Patiala Laser Type Setting : Kakkar Computer, N.K. Road, Patiala Published by Dr. Manjit Singh Nijjar, Registrar, Punjabi University, Patiala and Printed at Kakkar Computer, Patiala :{Bhtof;Nh X[Bh nk;k wjbk ñ Ò uT[gd/ Ò ftfdnk thukoh sK goT[gekoh Ò iK gzu ok;h sK shoE tk;h Ò ñ Ò x[zxo{ tki? i/ wB[ bkr? Ò sT[ iw[ ejk eo/ w' f;T[ nkr? Ò ñ Ò ojkT[.. nk; fBok;h sT[ ;zfBnk;h Ò iK is[ i'rh sK ekfJnk G'rh Ò ò Ò dfJnk fdrzpo[ d/j phukoh Ò nkfg wo? ntok Bj wkoh Ò ó Ò J/e[ s{ j'fo t/; pj[s/o/.. BkBe[ ikD? u'i B s/o/ Ò ô Ò òõ Ò (;qh r[o{ rqzE ;kfjp, gzBk óôù) English Translation of University Dhuni True learning induces in the mind service of mankind. One subduing the five passions has truly taken abode at holy bathing-spots (1) The mind attuned to the infinite is the true singing of ankle-bells in ritual dances. With this how dare Yama intimidate me in the hereafter ? (Pause 1) One renouncing desire is the true Sanayasi. From continence comes true joy of living in the body (2) One contemplating to subdue the flesh is the truly Compassionate Jain ascetic. Such a one subduing the self, forbears harming others. (3) Thou Lord, art one and Sole.
    [Show full text]
  • International Research Journal of Commerce, Arts and Science Issn 2319 – 9202
    INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH JOURNAL OF COMMERCE, ARTS AND SCIENCE ISSN 2319 – 9202 An Internationally Indexed Peer Reviewed & Refereed Journal Shri Param Hans Education & Research Foundation Trust WWW.CASIRJ.COM www.SPHERT.org Published by iSaRa Solutions CASIRJ Volume 5 Issue 12 [Year - 2014] ISSN 2319 – 9202 Eco-Consciousness in Bishnoi Sect Dr. Vikram Singh Associate Professor Vaish College, Bhiwani (Haryana), E-mail: [email protected] The present paper is an endeavor to analyze and elucidate the ‘Eco-Consciousness in Bishnoi Sect’ as Guru Jambheshwar laid twenty-nine principles to be followed by his followers in the region of Marwar. He was a great visionary and it was his scientific vision to protect our environment in the 15th century. A simple peasant, saint, and seer, Jambhuji1 (Guru Jambheshwar 1451-1536 A. D.) knew the importance of bio-diversity preservation and ill–effects of environmental pollution, deforestation, wildlife preservation and ecological balance, etc. He not only learnt it himself, but also had fruit of knowledge to influence the posterity to preserve the environment and ecology through religion. Undoubtedly, he was one of the greatest environmentalist and ecologist of the 15th and 16th century as well as the contemporary of Guru Nanak2 (1469 - 1539) who composed the shabad to lay the foundation for a sacred system for the environmental preservation: Pavan Guru Pani Pita, Mata Dharat Mahat. Pavan means air, which is our Guru, Pani means water, which is our Father, and Mata Dharat Mahat means earth, which is our the Great Mother. ’We honor our Guru’s wisdom by believing that all humans have an intrinsic sensitivity to the natural world, and that a sustainable, more 1 Jambhoji: Messiah of the Thar Desert - Page xiii 2 Burghart, Richard.
    [Show full text]
  • The Guru Next Door the Truly Health-Obsessed Don’T Just Want to Eat Right and Get Some Exercise
    BE WELL BE STYLE The Guru Next Door The truly health-obsessed don’t just want to eat right and get some exercise. They want to live in a new kind of “wellness community.” by Sandra Ballentine. Illustrations by Andria Mongia FACED WITH EVER more transient Despite the moniker, it doesn’t mean green space, farmers’ markets, clean wellness trends (diets, detoxes, work- monster mansions overlooking the ninth food and air, spaces for socializing and outs, healers, supplements, superfoods, hole or marble-clad condos with “luxury coworking, and myriad indoor and out- spas, and sleep apps—oh my!), it’s easy spa amenities,” although sports and spas door fitness options. “If the culture of to experience wellness fatigue, or to feel definitely factor in. Instead, buildings and a place is healthier, you will be health- like you’re being wellness-washed. But as communities are being purpose-built or ier, period,” says Katherine Johnston, growing populations around the world renovated expressly with human health a senior research fellow at the Global compete for resources and struggle with and happiness in mind. Wellness Institute in Miami, who, along DEPARTURES real issues like sickness and soaring med- Recent studies indicate that genet- with fellow researcher Ophelia Yeung, ical costs, there’s one health-related trend ics may account for just 10 to 15 per- just completed a five-year study of the that might stick around—and it literally cent of our health outcomes, while nascent phenomenon. hits you where you live. lifestyle and environmental factors can Community is the linchpin of the “Wellness-lifestyle real estate” may not account for the rest.
    [Show full text]
  • Sacred Groves of India : an Annotated Bibliography
    SACRED GROVES OF INDIA : AN ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY Kailash C. Malhotra Yogesh Gokhale Ketaki Das [ LOGO OF INSA & DA] INDIAN NATIONAL SCIENCE ACADEMY AND DEVELOPMENT ALLIANCE Sacred Groves of India: An Annotated Bibliography Cover image: A sacred grove from Kerala. Photo: Dr. N. V. Nair © Development Alliance, New Delhi. M-170, Lower Ground Floor, Greater Kailash II, New Delhi – 110 048. Tel – 091-11-6235377 Fax – 091-11-6282373 Website: www.dev-alliance.com FOREWORD In recent years, the significance of sacred groves, patches of near natural vegetation dedicated to ancestral spirits/deities and preserved on the basis of religious beliefs, has assumed immense anthropological and ecological importance. The authors have done a commendable job in putting together 146 published works on sacred groves of India in the form of an annotated bibliography. This work, it is hoped, will be of use to policy makers, anthropologists, ecologists, Forest Departments and NGOs. This publication has been prepared on behalf of the National Committee for Scientific Committee on Problems of Environment (SCOPE). On behalf of the SCOPE National Committee, and the authors of this work, I express my sincere gratitude to the Indian National Science Academy, New Delhi and Development Alliance, New Delhi for publishing this bibliography on sacred groves. August, 2001 Kailash C. Malhotra, FASc, FNA Chairman, SCOPE National Committee PREFACE In recent years, the significance of sacred groves, patches of near natural vegetation dedicated to ancestral spirits/deities and preserved on the basis of religious beliefs, has assumed immense importance from the point of view of anthropological and ecological considerations. During the last three decades a number of studies have been conducted in different parts of the country and among diverse communities covering various dimensions, in particular cultural and ecological, of the sacred groves.
    [Show full text]
  • Jat Agitation: an Overview
    www.ijcrt.org © 2018 IJCRT | Volume 6, Issue 2 May 2018 | ISSN: 2320-2882 JAT AGITATION: AN OVERVIEW Narinder Pal Bharat Ganrajya (India) is the land of saints, scholars, warriors, agriculturalists, politicians etc. having different set of tradition, cultures, social and religious identities and norms. It consists of 29 states and 07 union territories mainly made on lingual basis. Haryana is one of them in northern region also called as Haritanka, Bahu Dhana (land of riches), Bahudhanak (land of th plentiful grains) etc. Haryana consists of 44,212 km/sq. area and its population is 18 largest according to census report of 2011. Haryana is an agriculturalist state and recently in news for the Jat agitation going on for reservation under OBC quota. Jats are mainly in north India from Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Haryana, Punjab and Delhi. In Haryana, Jats consists of nearly 29% of total population. So, we can say that jats have largest population in Haryana. They are basically pastoralists in ancient time, then with time they became as agriculturalists and later during British period they also served in army also, now jats are there in almost every office of Haryana. IJCRT1133633 International Journal of Creative Research Thoughts (IJCRT) www.ijcrt.org 201 www.ijcrt.org © 2018 IJCRT | Volume 6, Issue 2 May 2018 | ISSN: 2320-2882 Composition of Population in Haryana castes Population in percentage Jat’s 29 Jat Sikh 4 Ahirs 10 Gujjars 2.8 Rajput’s 3 Saini’s 2.5 Ror’s 1 Aggarwal’s 5 Brahmin’s 7 Khatri/Arora 8 Chamar 10 Valmiki 4 Dhanak 2 Meo 2 Bishnoi 7 IJCRT1133633 International Journal of Creative Research Thoughts (IJCRT) www.ijcrt.org 202 www.ijcrt.org © 2018 IJCRT | Volume 6, Issue 2 May 2018 | ISSN: 2320-2882 Causes of Agitation • Firstly, we can say that jats are mainly the peasant class and now days the condition of agriculture is worst.
    [Show full text]
  • Sikh Outreach Program
    SIMPLE FACTS ABOUT THE SIKH FAITH 1. Sikhism is one of the youngest religions of the world—originating only 540 years ago. 2. World wide Sikh has over 25 million followers making it the 5th largest religion of the world. Sikh have made North America their home since 1880 and presently 1 million to 2 million Sikhs happen to reside in North America. 3. It was founded by Guru Nanak in the 15th century in Northwest India. 4. The principal belief of Sikhism is faith in one Universal God—‘WaheGuru’—and oneness of mankind and so for all practical purposes prostylization is not practiced in Sikhism. 5. Guru Nanak also emphasized the following as a means to attain salvation—the spiritual union OUTREACH with God through the following principles: PROGRAM • NaamJapna—Meditation on God’s name About through the heart, soul and spirit. SIKH • Kirat Karna—To balance one’s work (and f amily life) thr u r ighte ous liv ing . AWARENESS • Vand Chakna—Concept of sharing thru charity. Langar—distribution of free food is integral part of Sikhism. 6. The Turban in the Sikh religion is not a sign of orthodoxy, fanaticism or priesthood but is an NISHKAM SEVA GURDWARA SAHIB & DR. JASBIR SINGH SAINI integral part of the religion. 99% of the guys SIKH COMMUNITY CENTER with a turban that you see walking down the 4950 W Tonopah Drive, Glendale, AZ 85308 street in your town are just ordinary Sikhs. (NE corner of 51st Ave and 101) Outreach Program Liaison: Mrs. Rangi, 623-412-4942 THE SIKH GURUS GURU GRANTH SAHIB MOOL MANTRA—THE SIKH PREAMBLE Guru Nanak was followed by nine Gurus.
    [Show full text]
  • Reportable in the Supreme Court of India Civil
    1 REPORTABLE IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA CIVIL ORIGINAL JURISDICTION WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) NO. 274 OF 2014 RAM SINGH & ORS. ...PETITIONER (S) VERSUS UNION OF INDIA ...RESPONDENT (S) WITH W.P. (C) No. 261 of 2014, W.P. (C) No.278 of 2014, W.P. (C) No.297 of 2014, W.P. (C) No.298 of 2014, W.P. (C) No.305 of 2014, W.P. (C) No. 357 of 2014 & W.P. (C) No.955 of 2014 J U D G M E N T RANJAN GOGOI, J. 1. The challenge in the present group of writ petitions is to a Notification published in the Gazette of India dated 04.03.2014 by which the Jat Community has been included in the Central List of Backward Classes for the States of Bihar, 2 Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, NCT of Delhi, Bharatpur and Dholpur districts of Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand. The said Notification was issued pursuant to the decision taken by the Union Cabinet on 02.03.2014 to reject the advice tendered by the National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC) to the contrary on the ground that the said advice “did not adequately take into account the ground realities”. RESUME OF THE CORE FACTS : 2. Pursuant to several requests received from individuals, organisations and associations for inclusion of Jats in the Central List of Backward Classes for the States of Haryana, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh, the National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC) studied their claims and submitted a report on 28.11.1997.
    [Show full text]
  • Conserving Water & Biodiversity: Traditions of Sacred Groves in India
    European Journal of Sustainable Development (2016), 5, 4, 129-140 ISSN: 2239-5938 Doi: 10.14207/ejsd.2016.v5n4p129 Conserving Water & Biodiversity: Traditions of Sacred Groves in India Mala Agarwal1 Abstract Sacred groves, a wide spread phenomenon in cultures across the world, are often associated with religion & culture, are instrumental in preserving biodiversity and nature without being questioned. Scattered all over India e.g. scrub forests in the Thar Desert of Rajasthan maintained by the Bishnois, Hariyali in Uttarakhand, Shinpin in Himachal Pradesh and associated with religion they are often sacrosanct. The sacred groves are self sustained ecosystem and conserve the endemic, endangered & threatened species, medicinal plants and wide variety of cultivars. Water and soil conservation is the most well documented ecological service provided by the sacred groves that helps prevent flash floods and ensures supply of water in lean season in the desert of Rajasthan. Encountering threats like fragmentation, urbanization, and overexploitation now they need governmental support to exist e.g. Introduction of the ‘Protected Area Category Community Reserves’ under the Wild Life (Protection) Amendment Act, 2002. Key words-Water conservation, eco-system, bio diversity, sacred groves. 1. Introduction Sacred Groves are considered as “Sacred Natural Sites” (IUCN) [1].These are the relic forest patches preserved in the name of religion & culture. They extend from Asia, Africa, and Europe to America mostly in Africa and Asia [2]. In India, Groves are present from North-east Himalayan region, Western & Eastern Ghats, Coastal region, Central Indian Plateau and Western desert [3]. Indian sacred groves have pre-Vedic origin. They are associated with indigenous / tribal communities who believe in divinity of nature and natural resources.
    [Show full text]
  • 1 Religion: Hinduism Judaism Buddhism Christianity Islam
    1 Religion: Hinduism Judaism Buddhism Christianity Islam Sikhism 2 Name of Follower Hindus Jews Buddhists Christians Muslims Sikhs Religious Leaders/ 3 leaders of whorship Brahman Rabbi, Abraham Siddhartha Gautama Pastor, Preist, Jesus Mohammed Guru Nanak No one God/ Nature Trimurti, Shiva, Brahma Adonai, Yaweh, God (based on Buddah) one unnamed God 4 Name of God (polytheistic) (monotheistic) polytheistic God (monotheistic) Allah (monotheistic) (monotheistic) 5 Place of Worship Temple Synagogue Temples Church, Cathedral Mosques Gradura/ Gurdwara 6 Name of Holy Book Bhagavad-Gita Torah Tipitaka The Bible Qu'ran/ Koran Guru Granth Sahib based on beliefs of the prophet Mohammed is first Guru Nanak, kosher food, Sabbath, 10 key figure, Five Pilars of meditation, value of all Karma,Reincarnation, Commandments, only rencarnation, Nirvana, Jesus Christ died for sins Islam, only one god life, only one, unknown 7 Key Beliefs Nirvana one God Eight Fold Path and rose from the dead (Allah) God 8 Holiday Diwali Yom Kippur Vesak Easter Ramadan Viasikhi North and South America, Europe, Russia, The Middle East, Sub-Saharan Africa , Southwest Asia, Island Australia and New Southeast Asia, and 9 Main Area of Practice India US/ Israel India and SE Asia Zealand North Africa Punjab province of India stem from Judaism- Founded in what is Founded in India, based Founded by Jesus Christ today Saudi Arabia by Middle East. Moses is on teachings from the and spread by His 12 Mohammed in the 600's 10 Origins Pakistan 3000 BC main prophet, founder Buddha (Gautama) apostles AD Pakistan 1500 BC.
    [Show full text]
  • Exploring Relationships Between Humans and Nonhumans in the Bishnoi Community
    Sacred Trees, Sacred Deer, Sacred Duty to Protect: Exploring Relationships between Humans and Nonhumans in the Bishnoi Community Alexis Reichert A thesis submitted to the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the MA degree in Religious Studies Department of Classics and Religious Studies Faculty of Arts University of Ottawa © Alexis Reichert, Ottawa, Canada 2015 ii Table of Contents List of Figures ................................................................................................................................ iv Abstract ........................................................................................................................................... v Acknowledgements ........................................................................................................................ vi Introduction: Green Dharma ........................................................................................................... 1 0.1 Methodology: Beyond the Human ...................................................................................... 3 0.2 Theoretical Framework: Beyond the Nature/ Culture Dichotomy ..................................... 7 1. Themes of Kinship, Karma, and Monism: Review of the Literature ....................................... 12 1.1 Hinduism and Ecology: The Interconnectedness of Beings ............................................. 13 1.2 The Bishnoi: A Gap in the Literature ..............................................................................
    [Show full text]