Earth and humanity: An eternal spiritual symbiosis
The Earth and the soil-the infinite symbiosim of Spiritually and the Human kind that we often equate it to the most sacred relation of “Mother”. Recalling the begining of my academic journey from my village Gurudwara in early 50s, the morning prayers ending with Japji Sahib’s Hymn (Shalok) - “Pawan Guru Pani Pita, Mata Dharat Mahat “(earth is like mother to us) still resonate in my memory neurons. The earth commands special reverence in all faiths. In Hinduism, the Earth is not merely a planet or a resource but is revered as a sacred living entity often personified as the Goddess - Bhumi Devi or Bhumi Mata (Mother Earth). It is further corraborated in Atharva Veda, the “Prithavi Sukta (Hymn) portrays it as a sacred nurturing mother to the humanity, (Mata bhumih putroham prithivyah). In chapter 3 of Holy Gita, Lord Krishana says that the Universe originated from the earth; further in chapter 15, HE goes on that the “earth is- My incarnation.
Similarly, the relation of earth and soil to the humanity has been widely acknowledged in Islam. It believes that it is not an object to be exploited but to be treated as a sacred trust bestowed upon humanity by the God. It further states “Turbah (soil) is an essential requisite to purify Salah (daily Namaaz)”. Similarly, the Earth, in Christianity, is viewed as a Theatre of HIS glory, stewardship and a place to be redeemed and renewed.
Call it our National Vox Populi that we Indians address our country as our motherland and are espoused to sacrifice everything to defend its honour. As elucidated in Gurubani” Soora so pehchaniye jo ladey deen ke het, purza purza kat marey kabuh na chhade khet” (warrior is the one who while defending his land would never leave the battlefield even shredded into pieces). Again, going back to Gita, Lord Krishana in Chapter 2 says that “Veer bhogya vasundhara” means that only the braves rule the land.
Further, highlighting blessedness of soil, the Fifth Guru Sh Guru Arjun Dev Ji sermoned; “Pehla maran qabool, jiwan ki chhad aas, hohu sabna ki renuka tau ao hamare pas” (If you want to be with Me [The God], first accept death, give up attachments and become the dust of humankind’s feet). Bhai Sahib Bhai Nand Lal Ji, a devout desciple of Sh Guru Going Singh ji and renowned Persian Scholar, likened his end exisistence with a handfull of Soil ( Hasti -ye man tanha moshti khaq ast).
The Sufism too has acknowledged the incorporeal spirit of earth. Kabir Ji says; “Kabira garv na kijiye ooncha dekh awas, ajj kal bhoye letna ooper jamey ghas” (one should not feel proud of one’s wealth because sooner or later the person on death will be buried in the soil). Baba Farid- a Punjabi Sufi Saint, says; “Farida khaq na nindiye, khaq jida na koi jivdian pairaan taley moyian ooper hoye” (earth being supreme; when alive it is below us but after death it would be above us). And he goes on, “Budha hoiya Sheikh Farid kamban lagi deh, je sau baras jeevna bhi tan hosi kheh” (even if One lives for 100 years would ultimately be buried in the soil).
There cannot be more apposite spiritual apogee than what Punjabi Sufi Saint- Baba Bulle Shah said: -
“Mati (soil) ghoda (horse) mati jora,mati da aswar (rider). Mati mati nu doravey, mati di kharkal (Authority).
Mati mati nu maran lagi,mati de hathiar. Jis mati par bahuti mati, so mati hankar.
Mati mati nu dekhan ayee,mati di hai bahar. Hass khed phir mati hovey, paindi pao pasar.”
(The earth make people compete and fight. A person with more resources become arrogantly more powerful; but finally merges in the soil)
Col Ramesh Davesar is a Veteran who fought 1971 Indo-Pak War; had two years stint in the IPKF & commanded Battalion in the Valley; Views presented are personal.
