Joining both palms together to greet

In Hindu culture, people greet each other by joining their palms - termed as “Namaskar.” The general
reason behind this tradition is that greeting by joining both the palms means respect. However,
scientifically speaking, joining both hands ensures joining the tips of all the fingers together; which are
denoted to the pressure points of eyes, ears, and mind. Pressing them together is said to activate the
pressure points which helps us remember that person for a long time. And, no germs since we don’t make
any physical contact!

Indian cuisine is famous for its spices and for being flavorful. Ayurveda
(ancient Indian Vedic system of healing) describes the ‘shadrasa’, or the six
different types of tastes necessary in our diet, which include sweet, sour,
salty, bitter, pungent (hot), and astringent. These rasa or tastes need to be
balanced through food intake, based on the type of nature (prakriti) or
personality one has.

Nature
Today, when people throughout the world are perturbed by the degradation of the
environment and the disastrous consequences of this, traditional ethics of nature
conservation could be looked upon as a source of inspiration and guidance for the future.
Perhaps no other culture can provide such a profound variety of cultural practices and
ecologically sound relationship with nature as the Indian. This chapter is an attempt to bring
together some of the information available on this aspect of Indian culture from various
sources.

For the people of India, environmental conservation is not a new concept.

Historically, the protection of nature and wildlife was an ardent article of faith,

reflected in the daily lives of people, enshrined in myths, folklore, religion, arts, and

culture. Some of the fundamental principles of ecology-the interrelationship and

interdependence of all life-were conceptualized in the Indian ethos and reflected in

the ancient scriptural text, the Isopanishad, over 2000 years ago. It says, 'This

universe is the creation of the Supreme Power meant for the benefit of all his

creation. Each individual life-form must, therefore, learn to enjoy its benefits by

forming a part of the system in close relation with other species. Let not anyone

species encroach upon the other's rights.'

Human faith, beliefs, traditions and superposition have played a significant role in biodiversity

conservation in India for centuries and will continue to have an impact on nature conservation for

some time to come. Common beliefs and superstitions regarding trees, herbs, flowers, fruits and

vegetables are prevalent among the people of both rural and urban India. Interestingly these

superstitions are not only confined to India but to several other parts of world particularly in Asia,

Africa and Australia. The concept of “sustainable development” which the modern

environmentalists are harping upon to use the natural resources more judiciously and equitably

for a more stable and balanced development and without impairing with the abilities of the future

generations to use those resources and without interfering into their living rights was perhaps

inspired by Indian mythology

The current deplorable environmental crisis demands a spiritual response. A fundamental

reorientation of human consciousness, accompanied by action that is born out of inner
commitment, is very much needed. One of the measures that could help a great deal to
fulfill this need is to regenerate and rejuvenate basic values of Hindu culture and
propagate them."

So long as this land,

Will have mountains, forests and pastures
That long will the Earth survive,
Sustaining you and the coming generations.

                 - Devistotra. A Hindu Shastra

Harmony with nature is an important aspect of Indian culture. The mountains, rivers,
trees, flowers and animals have a special significance in Indian life. There is no mountain
range in India from the Himalayas to Sahyadri which is not somehow integrated with
Indian life. The Himalaya is the devatatma and the mount Kailasa is the abode of Shiva.
The Vindhyas are also sacred; the Aravaliis with Mount Abu and Amba Devi are centers
of pilgrimage. When we come to the rivers, it is not only the Ganga and Yamuna that are
sacred, but Narmada, Godavari, Kaveri and others are also holy. To each locality its river
is sacred as Ganga. The Peepal, Banian, Neem trees, Tulasi etc., are also the useful part
of our life.

In fact the Hindu culture, like the Hindu temple, is permeated with reverence
for nature.  

It is the harmony of man and nature that is the basic concept of our life and culture. 
What is needed today is to remind ourselves that nature cannot be destroyed without
mankind ultimately being destroyed itself. Centuries of rapacious exploitation of the
environment has finally caught up with us, and a radically changed attitude towards
nature, is now not a question of spiritual merit or condescension, but of sheer survival.
This earth, so touchingly looked upon in the Hindu view as the Universal Mother, has
nurtured mankind up from the slime of the primeval ocean for billions of years. 

Let us recall the ancient Hindu dictum:

“The earth is our mother, we are all her children.” 

Mountains are mystical realms of Gods, heaven and spiritual masters. Trees and
termites, all of Nature has been venerated by ancient Hindus, Greeks, Native Americans
and other Pagan religions around the world. They worshipped Nature and to treat the
forces of Nature as heavenly superhuman powers. Zeus, Apollo the Sun god, has his own
attending ministers; Minerva, the Goddess of wisdom, a western Saraswati, for whom
learning springs from the head of love." 

"God sleeps in the rocks, proclaims the Hindu scriptures, "dreams in the plants,
stirs toward wakefulness in the animals, and in mankind is awake to his own
ego individuality. "

" Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam -- The Whole Universe is one Family. "

Yagya

There are two basic energy systems in the physical world: heat and sound. In performing Yagya, these two

energies, namely, the heat from Yagya’s fire and the sound of the chanting of the Gayatri and other Vedic

Mantras, are blended together to achieve the desired physical, psychological and spiritual benefits.

Purification of environment
Till recently it was accepted that research into science can furnish answer to all of man’s problems. Today
we find increasing number of diseases including malfunctioning of body organs due to increasing severity
of pollution in the atmosphere. Experimental studies show that the incidence of physical ailments, sickness
and disease are reduced in the houses, where the Yagya is regularly performed.
Four hundred yagyas are described in the Vedas, of which 21 are deemed compulsory. These compulsory

Yagyas are also called nityakarmas. The rest of the yagyas are optional and are performed for kamyakarma

(particular wishes and benefits). The Aupasana Yagya, though not a part of these 21, is still compulsory