Sambodhi 2001 Vol 24

SR No.: 520774
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Jitendra B Shah, K M Patel
Publisher: L D Indology Ahmedabad
Publication Year: 2001
Total Pages: 162
Language: English, Sanskrit, Prakrit, Gujarati
Classification: Magazine, India_Sambodhi, & India
File Size: 4 MB

Page 142

REVIEW
Vannucci, M.: Human Ecology in the Vedas, D.K. Printworld (P) Ltd., New Delhi, 1999, pp. xiv + 344, Rs. 425/-.
The Authoress of this book, Dr. Marta Vannucci is a Brazilian citizen, with a versatile mind as a Senior Expert (marine Sciences) and Sirector of its regional office in Delhi. She has been, since 1970, Vice-President of the International Society for Mangrove Ecosystems, Japan, and a member of the Academy of Sciences of Brazil, andothers. She is honoured with the Grand Cross of the 'Order of Merit in Science, of Brazil.
It was recently brough to her attention that speaking in biological terms, Dharma and karma may to a certain extent be understood respectively as the genotype and the phenotype of man as a biological species. Dharma corresponds to the hereditary endowment, the genome, the DNA which is unique of each individual, while karma regulates the behaviour and action of each one of us. Behaviour and actions - the phenotype as well as the physical aspect are the result of the forces of the world around us and within us: the outer and the inner worlds. All and every individual action and each person's individual behaviouar bear consequences that act on each person's individual karma.
Athe authoress of the book has divided it in two parts.
Part I gives the general frame of mind, and the evolution of the thinking of Vedic man over several centuries, while man was migrating and living in a variety of different environments, prior to and much earlier than the written text, revised and enlarged. THe general conclusion is that the formulation of dharma is based on fundamental ethical laws of nature towhich all living beings as well as man ae subject. Further, because of this intrinsic nature and his position in the ommunity, nobody an escape his dharma, though ecological constraints influence his behavious and karma. Any deviation from one's dharma is an aberration that carries with it dire consequences for the offender.
Part II gives some details of the wisdom acquired in relation to societal health of the community and of the individual.It further gives some details on theobservation of the seasons, of the respect due to Nature and its preservation, an in general to some of the norms tha should be followed for the well-being of