The world is suffering because of climate change. Unprecedented changes are taking place in our climate throughout the world causing wild fires, hurricanes, draught, floods, air pollution, ground water pollution and heat waves. Sustainability of our eco system is in danger. The Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) study conducted from 1998 to 2018 has found that the groundwater level has declined by over a metre every year in 18 of the 22 districts of Punjab. Water table in Punjab has fallen below 30 meters in two decades due to over exploitation. More than half of Punjab’s districts have reported dangerous levels of uranium, arsenic, cadmium and lead in their groundwater causing cancer, gastrointestinal, water-related, eye, skin and bone diseases making it unfit for consumption. Short term effects of air pollution on humans include respiratory, cardiovascular diseases, neuropsychiatric complications, the eyes irritation and skin diseases. Long-term chronic diseases such as cancer with increasing rate of morbidity and mortality. Air pollution is considered as the major environmental risk factor in the incidence and progression of some diseases such as asthma, lung cancer, ventricular hypertrophy, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases, psychological complications, autism, retinopathy, foetal growth, and low birth weight.
Gurus considered and realized importance of environment and eco-system five centuries ago because they knew the greed of humans is going to affect it. Guru said the purpose of human life is to live a life of Sachiar (Truthfulness). That is only possible if humans live life in harmony with all creation of the Creator. Greed of humans is changing climate all over the world with haze over big cities; rivers, lakes, ground water is depleted and toxic affecting marine and human life. Guru Har Rai the seventh Guru developed Kiratpur Sahib a town of parks and gardens planting flowers and fruit trees attracting birds on the banks of Sutlej tributary. Following his footsteps EcoSikhs is also creating Guru Nanak Sacred Forests.
ਰਾਤੀ ਰੁਤੀ ਥਿਤੀ ਵਾਰ ॥ਪਵਣ ਪਾਣੀ ਅਗਨੀ ਪਾਤਾਲ ॥ ਤਿਸੁ ਵਿਚਿ ਧਰਤੀ ਥਾਪਿ ਰਖੀ ਧਰਮ ਸਾਲ ॥ AGGS 7
Rati Ruti Thiti Var || Pavan Pani Agni Patal || Tis Vich Dharti Thap Rakhi Dharam Sal ||
ਤਿਸੁ ਵਿਚਿ ਜੀਅ ਜੁਗਤਿ ਕੇ ਰੰਗ ॥ ਤਿਨ ਕੇ ਨਾਮ ਅਨੇਕ ਅਨੰਤ ॥
Tis Vich Jia Jugat Ke Rang || Tin Ke Naam Anek Anant ||
Creator God created nights, days, weeks, seasons; air, water, fire and the nether regions. In the midst of these, God established earth as a home for Dharma. In this sanctuary, coexist uncounted and endless species of different colours, creed and habits, who have very diversified methods and principles for their survival, living styles, desires and ambitions of life.
Guru Nanak is saying that earth, together with the environment (air, water, fire and the nether regions) is the home for Dharma (Dharmsal) where coexist uncounted and endless species of different colours, creed and habits with human as the head (Superior most) of all life forms. So it is the duty (Dharma), of human beings not to desecrate this temple of God by abusing the environment through their greed and overuse of resources and disturb the fine balance of our ecology.
ਸਾਚੇ ਤੇ ਪਵਨਾ ਭਇਆ ਪਵਨੈ ਤੇ ਜਲੁ ਹੋਇ ॥ ਜਲ ਤੇ ਤ੍ਰਿਭਵਣੁ ਸਾਜਿਆ ਘਟਿ ਘਟਿ ਜੋਤਿ ਸਮੋਇ ॥ AGGS 19
Sache Te Pavana Bhya Pavanai Te Jal Hoe || Jal Te Tribhavan Sajia Ghat Ghat Jot Samoe ||
From the God came the air, and from the air came water. From water God created the entire cosmos and abide in its each and every molecule.
ਪਹਿਲਾ ਪਾਣੀ ਜੀਉ ਹੈ ਜਿਤੁ ਹਰਿਆ ਸਭੁ ਕੋਇ ॥ AGGS 472
Pahila Pani Jio Hai Jit Haria Sabh Koe ||
The interpretation of this Shabd done so far is that first water is also alive from whom all living beings get life. The exact interpretation should be that first life appeared in the water and rest of the life evolved from that first life (Jit Haria Sabh Koe). Even from previous Shabd also Guru says God created the entire cosmos from water. Darwin’s theory of evolution also suggests that first unicellular organism appeared in water and more complex creatures evolved from that. Darwin said this in 1859 though Guru Nanak said it four centuries before him.
The importance of air, water and earth to life is well emphasized when Guru Nanak says
ਪਵਨ ਅਰੰਭੁ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਮਤਿ ਵੇਲਾ ॥ ਸਬਦੁ ਗੁਰੂ ਸੁਰਤਿ ਧੁਨਿ ਚੇਲਾ ॥ AGGS 943
Pavan Aranbh Satgur Mat Vela || Sabad Guru Surat Dhun Chela ||
Air is the start of life and this life is to get spiritual knowledge and wisdom from the True Guru. The source of my spiritual life and belief is Creator’s Virtues. The source of enlightenment (Guru) is the Shabd (Giyan) and my conscious mind (Mann) is follower, disciple and adherent of instructions in the Shabd (Giyan).
ਸਲੋਕੁ ॥ ਪਵਣੁ ਗੁਰੂ ਪਾਣੀ ਪਿਤਾ ਮਾਤਾ ਧਰਤਿ ਮਹਤੁ ॥ ਦਿਵਸੁ ਰਾਤਿ ਦੁਇ ਦਾਈ ਦਾਇਆ ਖੇਲੈ ਸਗਲ ਜਗਤੁ॥ AGGS 8
Pavan Guru Pani Pita Mata Dharat Mehat || Divas Raat Doe Dai Daya Khelai Sagal Jagat ||
ਚੰਗਿਆਈਆ ਬੁਰਿਆਈਆ ਵਾਚੈ ਧਰਮੁ ਹਦੂਰਿ ॥ ਕਰਮੀ ਆਪੋ ਆਪਣੀ ਕੇ ਨੇੜੈ ਕੇ ਦੂਰਿ ॥
Changiaia Buriaia Vachai Dharam Hadur || Karami Apo Apani Ke Nerrai Ke Dur ||
ਜਿਨੀ ਨਾਮੁ ਧਿਆਇਆ ਗਏ ਮਸਕਤਿ ਘਾਲਿ ॥ ਨਾਨਕ ਤੇ ਮੁਖ ਉਜਲੇ ਕੇਤੀ ਛੁਟੀ ਨਾਲਿ ॥੧॥
Jini Naam Dhiaya Gae Masakat Ghal || Nanak Te Mukh Ojale Keti Chuti Nal ||1||
As air, water and earth is necessary for the birth and procreation of life, in the same way air (Pavan Guru: Giyan), water (Father: Contentment Santokh) and earth (Great Mother: Wisdom Mat) is necessary for the birth and procreation of spiritual life of mind (Mann). Happiness in the form of good deeds (Day Divas) and miseries in the form of worldly temptations (Night Raat) are the two nurses, in whose lap all the world is at play. Our good deeds and bad deeds are measured every moment on the measurement scale of righteousness (Dharam). According to our own actions we sometimes feel God closer and at times far away. Those who obtained spiritual knowledge and wisdom from the Guru and worked hard to assimilate them get the benefit of living a peaceful truthful life even in the world ocean of temptations (Maya) and never die spiritually.
The earth is referred to as great mother and as such requires our respect. Great care needs to be taken to ensure that no damage occurs to all these three.
ਪਉਣ ਪਾਣੀ ਧਰਤੀ ਆਕਾਸੁ ਘਰ ਮੰਦਰ ਹਰਿ ਬਨੀ ॥ ਵਿਚਿ ਵਰਤੈ ਨਾਨਕ ਆਪਿ ਝੂਠੁ ਕਹੁ ਕਿਆ ਗਨੀ ॥੨॥੧॥ AGGS 723
Poun Pani Dharati Akas Ghar Mandar Har Banee || Vich Varatai Nanak Aap Jhuth Kahu Kia Gani ||2||1||
God has made air, water, earth and sky Its home and temple. Nanak says It Itself is pervading everywhere. Tell me what can be counted as false? As air, water earth and sky are God’s home and temple, it is our duty to protect and look after them.
ਸਭੈ ਘਟ ਰਾਮੁ ਬੋਲੈ ਰਾਮਾ ਬੋਲੈ ॥ ਰਾਮ ਬਿਨਾ ਕੋ ਬੋਲੈ ਰੇ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ AGGS 988
Sabhai Ghat Ram Bolai Rama Bolay Ram Bina Ko Bolay Re ||1|| Rehao ||
ਏਕਲ ਮਾਟੀ ਕੁੰਜਰ ਚੀਟੀ ਭਾਜਨ ਹੈਂ ਬਹੁ ਨਾਨਾ ਰੇ ॥ ਅਸਥਾਵਰ ਜੰਗਮ ਕੀਟ ਪਤੰਗਮ ਘਟਿ ਘਟਿ ਰਾਮੁ ਸਮਾਨਾ ਰੇ ॥੧॥
Ekal Mati Kunjar Chiti Bhajan Hai Bahu Nana Re || Asthawar Jangam Keet Patangam Ghat Ghat Ram Samana Re ||1||
ਏਕਲ ਚਿੰਤਾ ਰਾਖੁ ਅਨੰਤਾ ਅਉਰ ਤਜਹੁ ਸਭ ਆਸਾ ਰੇ ॥ ਪ੍ਰਣਵੈ ਨਾਮਾ ਭਏ ਨਿਹਕਾਮਾ ਕੋ ਠਾਕੁਰੁ ਕੋ ਦਾਸਾ ਰੇ ॥੨॥
Ekal Chinta Rakh Ananta Aur Tajhu Sabh Asa Re || Pranve Nama Bhae Nihkama Ko Thakur Ko Dasa Re ||2||
Bhagat Namdev says Creator God created this world and manifests in each and every molecule and every creature from ant to elephant in this world. To love Creator is to love Its creation. The Creator sustains everything. So we must look after everything in this world which includes environment and creatures etc. Merging and being in harmony with God implies that humans should live in harmony with all of God’s creation.
ਗਗਨ ਮੈ ਥਾਲੁ ਰਵਿ ਚੰਦੁ ਦੀਪਕ ਬਨੇ ਤਾਰਿਕਾ ਮੰਡਲ ਜਨਕ ਮੋਤੀ ॥ AGGS 663
Gagan Mai Thal Rav Chand Deepak Banae Tarika Mandal Janak Moti ||
ਧੂਪੁ ਮਲਆਨਲੋ ਪਵਣੁ ਚਵਰੋ ਕਰੇ ਸਗਲਬਨਰਾਇ ਫੂਲੰਤ ਜੋਤੀ ॥੧॥
Dhup Malanalo Pavan Chavaro Karae Sagal Banrae Foolant Joti ||1||
ਕੈਸੀ ਆਰਤੀ ਹੋਇ ਭਵ ਖੰਡਨਾ ਤੇਰੀ ਆਰਤੀ ॥ ਅਨਹਤਾ ਸਬਦ ਵਾਜੰਤ ਭੇਰੀ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
Kaisei Aarti Hoe Bhav Khandana Teri Aarti || Anehata Sabad Vajant Bheri ||1|| Rehao ||
ਸਹਸ ਤਵ ਨੈਨ ਨਨ ਨੈਨ ਹੈ ਤੋਹਿ ਕਉ ਸਹਸ ਮੂਰਤਿ ਨਨਾ ਏਕ ਤੋਹੀ ॥
Sehas Tav Nain Nan Nain Hai Tohi Kao Sehas Moorat Nanaa Ek Tohi ||
ਸਹਸ ਪਦ ਬਿਮਲ ਨਨ ਏਕ ਪਦ ਗੰਧ ਬਿਨੁ ਸਹਸ ਤਵ ਗੰਧ ਇਵ ਚਲਤ ਮੋਹੀ ॥੨॥
Sehas Pad Bimal Nan Ek Pad Gandh Bin Sehas Tav Gandh Ev Chalat Mohi ||2||
ਸਭ ਮਹਿ ਜੋਤਿ ਜੋਤਿ ਹੈ ਸੋਇ ॥ ਤਿਸ ਕੈ ਚਾਨਣਿ ਸਭ ਮਹਿ ਚਾਨਣੁ ਹੋਇ ॥
Sabh Mehi Jot Jot Hai Soe || Tis Kai Chanan Sabh Mehi Chanan Hoe ||
ਗੁਰ ਸਾਖੀ ਜੋਤਿ ਪਰਗਟੁ ਹੋਇ ॥ਜੋ ਤਿਸੁ ਭਾਵੈ ਸੁ ਆਰਤੀ ਹੋਇ ॥੩॥
Gur Sakhi Jot Pargat Hoe || Jo Tis Bhavai S Arati Hoe ||3||
ਹਰਿ ਚਰਣ ਕਮਲ ਮਕਰੰਦ ਲੋਭਿਤ ਮਨੋ ਅਨਦਿਨੋ ਮੋਹਿ ਆਹੀ ਪਿਆਸਾ ॥
Har Charan Kamal Makarand Lobhit Mano Andino Mohi Ahee Piasa ||
ਕ੍ਰਿਪਾ ਜਲੁ ਦੇਹਿ ਨਾਨਕ ਸਾਰਿੰਗ ਕਉ ਹੋਇ ਜਾ ਤੇ ਤੇਰੈ ਨਾਮਿ ਵਾਸਾ ॥੪॥੧॥੭॥੯॥
Kirpa Jal Dehi Nanak Saring Ko Hoe Ja Te Terai Naam Vasa ||4||1||7||9||
Guru Nanak gave version of Aarti to the One Creator God, with a powerful ecological message. He said Aarti for You, O Luminous God is taking place all the time in the universe with sky as the platter, the sun and moon are the lamps; the stars in the constellations are the pearls. The fragrance of sandalwood is the incense, the wind is the whisk, and all the vegetation is flowers in offering. What an Aarti is being done by nature for You O Destroyer of fear. Resonance of my mind (Mann) in Your Command (Hukam) is like kettle-drum playing for Your Aarti. Being permeated in every creature You have thousands eyes, and yet You have no eyes. Thousands are Your forms, and yet You have not even one form. Thousands are Your lotus feet, and yet You have no feet. Without a nose, thousands are Your noses. I am enchanted with Your wonders. Your Divine Light is within everyone and everyone gets that perception from You. By the Guru’s Teachings, this Divine Light is revealed. To do Your Aarti is to live in harmony with Your Will (Hukam). My soul yearns all the time for Your blessing in the form of spiritual knowledge. Bless Nanak’s mind (The thirsty song-bird), with the water of Your Mercy (Spiritual knowledge) so that I may always live life in harmony with Your Will (Hukam). That shows that Creator God permeates in every molecule of the universe and whole universe is performing lamp lit worship (Aarti) of Creator God all the time. It becomes imperative for humans to look after the universe so that this lamp lit worship (Aarti) of Creator God continues. We don’t destroy this universe with our greed.
Gurbani refers to various species of trees emphasizing that it is not the girth, size, or beautiful flowers that determine the significance of a tree but its usefulness that makes it important. Gurbani refers trees like Amb (Mangifera indica), Ber (Zizyphus jujube), Bohr (Ficus bengalensis), Garna (Capparis horrida), Imli (Tamarind), Jand (Prosopis spicigera), Karir (Capparis aaphylla), Kalp (Mitragina parvifolia), Luhura (Cordia latifolia), Neem (margassa), Pipli (Ficus religiosa), Phalahi (Acacia modeta), Reru (Mimasa leucophloea), Ritha (Sapindus mukorosa) and Tahli (Shisham).
Conclusion: According to Gurmat we should live life in complete harmony with the creation and the Creator. All the species, air, water and earth are the givers and sustainers of life. The environment is the teacher, the earth great mother and water the father, who look after us. It is our duty to serve and look after all of them and not to disturb the ecology which developed over millions of years. As air, water and earth is necessary for the birth and procreation of life, it is necessary to take care of them, our environment for procreation and continuance of life on this planet.This should be the main concern of all individuals and nations.
Environmental problem in broader sense is because of greed of developed nations and exploitation of natural resources including deforestation due to poverty by developing nations. Langar denotes sharing of the resources. If this concept is accepted by all nations there will not be exploitation of resources by poor nations and greed of getting richer by rich nations. The byproduct will be protected and better environment for all. Entire world is a big family. Decision of one member (country) affects others (countries) in the family (world). To keep harmony in the family (world) no member (country) should be coerced, manipulated and exploited. There should be respect and cooperation between members (countries) of the family (world). Members (country) should not pollute and deplete the resources available to the family (world) but share them for sustenance of all.
Author: Dr. Kala Singh