PANCHMAHABHOOT IN BHARATIYA THOUGHT

FRAMING INDIAN NARRATIVE OF ENVIRONMENT

SUMANGALAM (सम ु ंगलम ्) is an initiative of some like-minded organisations of

the country. This initiative aims to present profound and pragmatic solutions
based on the Bharatiya thought (भारतीय दर्शन) with respect to the present
existential crisis that has emerged due to rapidly changing climate.
Today's life has encountered an unprecedented challenge of sustainability and
survival. The evolving threat is an outcome of the western approach of
conquering and exploiting nature to meet the comforts and greed of human
beings. This has woefully disrupted the ecological order, which in turn has
affected the basic elements of nature in a severe manner.
The Bharatiya thought process treats humans as an integral part of the nature -
linked spiritually, emotionally, intellectually, and physically with the elements
of nature around them. The science of the day, struggling to mitigate this
catastrophic problem, has also reached a conclusion that the only way out of
this intimidating situation is to harmonise human life with nature. This
conclusion highlights the significance and relevance of the Indian thought, and,
precisely indicates the urgency of presenting Bharatiya world view in the
contemporary context, at the global level.
The main objective of ‘SuMangalam’ is to present the unique Bharatiya concept
of, firstly, securing purity of the five basic elements of the nature, i.e.,
PanchMahabhoot (पंचमहाभत ू ) – the earth, the water, the fire, the air, and the
space; and secondly, attaining the order, balance, or rather harmony, between
them, for the survival and sustainability of life on Earth.
This is planned to be achieved by organizing five separate conferences and
exhibitions for each of the elements at five different places across the country.
Religious leaders, scientists, thinkers, social activists and others engaged in
seeking and implementing solutions based on indigenous thinking, from India
and abroad, are expected to participate for exchanging ideas. Exhibitions are
being conceived to display and disseminate the practical aspects of solutions to
the people in general. These events will be held in between the Deepawali of
2022 and January, 2023.
The culminating conference in series, the 6th one, combining all five elements
will be organised at Delhi in March 2023. THE INDIA DECLARATION ON
ENVIRONMENT, as a charter of solutions, based on the deliberations of all the
five conferences, will be presented to the world in this program.
The ministries of the Government of India, related to each of the basic elements,
have come forward to join hands with the voluntary social organisations to
organise the conferences and exhibitions.
Reclaiming the Bharatiya thought for the well-being of mankind is in true sense
a celebration of Indian identity. Therefore, ‘Sumangalam’ will be organised as a
part of the AAZADI KA AMRIT MAHOTSAV. It is designed to successfully spread
the brilliance of Indian thought across the globe vis-à-vis PanchMahabhoot.

The initiative on the water element of these has been titled SuJalam. SuJalam is
dedicated to creating a discourse on the sacrality of water and juxtaposing it
with the scientific thoughts. This is planned to be achieved through organising a
countrywide movement through seminars and exhibitions over the next few
months. A series of national conferences is planned in different parts of the
country. Besides, an international conference will also be held on 27-29
December 2022 in Ujjain (Madhya Pradesh). There will also be an exhibition and
a series of documentaries to delve into the subject from purely Bharatiya
perspective.
The Deendayal Research Institute, founded by (Bharat Ratna) Nanaji
Deshmukh in 1968, has been entrusted with the responsibility of organizing the
conferences and other events on SuJalam. The Ministry of Jal Shakti has also
joined hands in organizing these events. Some state governments will also be a
part of this initiative, so will be many of the universities across India.