Sambodhi 2014 Vol 37

Author(s): J B Shah
Publisher: L D Indology Ahmedabad

Page 78

70
Sunanda Y. Shastri
SAMBODHI
like the fire fed with fuel (Na jātu kāmaḥ kāmānām upabhogena śāmyati. Havisā krsnavartmeva bhūya eva abhivardhate). Mahābhārata says that, the mind only is the root cause of bondage and liberation of human beings ( eva manusyāņām kāranam bandha-moksayoh). Human tendency is to behave as one wish. Unless these tendencies are curtailed deliberately, they cannot be improved. Science of Yoga instructs about controlling the mind and wrong tendencies with full understanding of their nature. More we learn to control our desires, keep our necessities limited and consume only as we need, less will be the harm to the environment around us.
The thought of environmental protection seems as old as the Sanskrit is. There are some very clear rules regarding the protection of environment in the Smrti literature. They are as follows:
1.
If one cuts the tree which grow long and stout branches, or uproots a tree having sprouts or cuts trees which are means of livelihood, the fine begins with 20 Panas and could be double that amount. (Yajñavalkyasmrti, II.227)
In the case cutting trees in a sacrificial place, a cemetery, a boundary, a sacred place or a temple, or well known trees, the fine was double than prescribed in the earlier rule. (ibid-II.28) Well known trees means Pippala, Palāsha, Banyan etc.
If anyone causes injury to any part of gulma (short thick bushes), Guccha (short shrubs), Kshupa(straight plants), latā(long creepers), pratna (creepers without knots or upshots), osadhi (plants those grow fruit like paddy plant) and virudha (plants which can be grown with cuttings) (Mitaksarā of YS, II.229), the fine is 50% less than earlier rule (YS, II.229).
One must not urinate or defecate in the river, in the shade of tree, on the road, in the cattle shade and in the water (YS, 1.134). One must not spit in the water or throw blood, ordure, urine or semen in the water (YS, I.137) One is not allowed to sell water bodies like pond, lake, well etc. and garden (YS, III.237) One must not cut green trees for the sake of fuel. (YS. III.240) Atonement is prescribed for cutting trees, short thick creepers, and long
8.