:: March/April 2005 Volume 4/Number 2

SPECIAL SECTION:
The Effects of Disrespect
or or Dharma versus Adharma

An Ayurvedic Viewpoint

By Dr. Ramkumar

Why do I feel disturbed at this huge calamity? Am I supposed to take it in stride as just one of those things? Can we say that it was pre-ordained and there was really nothing much for us to do? Or is there something for all of us to learn from a disaster of this magnitude and is there something that we can do to avoid such disasters in the future?

These and many more questions led me on a journey in search of answers. I traveled to the texts of Caraka and Susruta and also the YajurVeda. And surely enough the answers were there.

You probably know by now how traditional science defines a tsunami, as a movement of earth plates and a displacement of water. However Ayurveda views a tsunami as the cumulative effect of years of neglect, of disrespect shown to nature. According to Caraka Samhita, a classical Ayurveda text, the cause of all environmental disturbance is widespread "adharma" or unrighteousness which arises from "asatkarma purvakrtam" or the wrong deeds perpetuated in the past; and without doubt the source of both is "prajnyaparadha" or intellectual anomaly or error.

Ayurveda believes that Mother Nature cares or revolts based on the treatment she receives from her children. She can be extremely gentle and also exasperatingly ferocious. The earthquake, the volcano, the tsunami are all her warning signs – telling us that we take her for granted or rather that we take ourselves for granted. She, Mother Nature, is indeed concerned and hence she is crying out aloud – her tears may engulf a few but also she is attempting to knock sense into millions all around the world. She implores us to walk the path of dharma or righteousness. She pleads with us to "think straight," avoid "prajnyaparadha" and be "eternally happy".

The texts go on to describe the cycle in which "dharma" or righteousness gives way to "adharma" or unrighteousness – where the leaders follow no social, ethical or moral codes; where the capitalists resort to any means to create wealth and promote destruction; where people do not think twice about exploiting their kith and kin let alone the environment; where the children brought up in this conflict learn the importance of values at school only to see the very same values given a cold shoulder at home. It is in this desecrated situation, where "dharma" is totally missing, that Mother Nature revolts.

The seasons become affected – it is hot when it is meant to be cold and vice versa. It rains when it is not supposed to rain. The winds do not blow properly, and bodies of water either dry up completely or overflow. The herbs and plants give up their natural properties and themselves become diseased. The stars, the planets, the moon, the sun, the air and fire all are affected, deranging the four primary factors namely air, water, place and time.

According to the ancient text of Ayurveda it gets worse: the land becomes excessively damp, is swamped with reptiles, mosquitoes, flies, rats, etc. The land has wildly growing plants and creepers, becomes less fertile producing only damaged crops; animals and birds are in a state of continuous fear and pain; the lakes and rivers become agitated and flood the land.

Many die instantly while many others are subject to the diseases let loose by this fury. Soon the waters will subside and the attention will die down. But the pain will remain with thousands who now need to deal with not merely the mental trauma and material losses but also with a reduced immunity that exposes them to various infections.

One may decide that we live in a cycle and hence it is pre-ordained. Caraka explicity states that one can overcome "karma" by one’s own actions in this birth. Strong "karma" in this birth can overcome the "karma" of the previous birth. He goes on to teach us how to deal with this situation. We have to individually and collectively renew our commitment to ourselves and to the world outside. We have to honor and respect Mother Nature on a daily basis.

The eighteenth chapter of the YajurVeda describes a prayer to Lord Varuna or the God of water, which specifically says: "O Lord Varuna, you are our guest! We respect you and we honor you with clothes, butter, ghee, milk and grains to the best of our capacity. Please do not take away our life from us." This is a small and beautiful prayer that we do daily not just to water but also to wind and fire, sun and moon, and to all the environmental forces that play a role in maintaining harmony and balance.

So now the question is: what kind of care do we choose to give to Mother Nature, ourselves, our families and our communities?

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