Published Paper Details:

The connection between humans and nature is inseparable. The environmental consciousness emerging today is a response to the ecological damage caused by technological developments. Still one can see that in ancient India people showed much respect for the environment in which they survived. Hinduism is a belief that has an ecologically rational theory. The Vedas, Upanishads, Puranas, Ramayana, and Mahabharata are age-old holy texts that include notes for maintaining an eco-friendly balance and the protection of environment. Man is guided to live in complete harmony with nature. Man is the creation of five components e.g. earth, water, fire, sky, and air. If all five elements are equally balanced the human body remains healthy. Any inequality creates a break down in the body. Despite this, man is influenced by other factors, for example, kind of his diet, water, and climate. Environment awareness is discovered in India right from the Vedic age. In different ancient texts, importance of environment and their conservation have been discussed. Indian saints have always considered the natural powers to be local deities. In 'Bhoomi Sukta' of Atharva Veda and in Yajur Veda it is asked to give respect to environment as gods and goddesses. Purity of water, natural elements mixture, awareness is discussed in Vedic texts. Respect towards trees is depicted in our great epics i.e., Ramayana and Mahabharata. In Puranas, cutting of trees has been described as a punishable offence. The earth has been regarded as the mother. This paper makes a peep into the environmental and ecological awareness in the Ramayana, Mahabharata and the Vedic Period of Ancient India.