Unit : 10
Ecology for Peace
The Vedas (લેદ) sing about oneness of man and nature. The idea
expressed in ancient texts has universal value. We have always tried for
preservation and prosperity of all the species including mankind on this
earth.
The Atharva Veda gives us a great idea: यत्र विश्िम ् भिति एक् नीड्। It
means the whole world lives as one single unit like a nest. All the living
beings have the same right to live and thrive. This can be achieved
through co-living only. We are the birds of the same nest. We may wear
different skin, different clothes, speak different languages, believe in
different religions, belong to different cultures - yet we share the same
home: our earth ! Born on the same planet, covered with the same sky,
gazing at the same stars, breathing the same air, we must learn to
progress and prosper together happily or perish together miserably.
Our idea of peace does not mean just a state of 'no-war', neither it is
limited just to men or countries and communities. But it embraces the
whole nature and the whole creation. Let's try to understand this shanti
mantra from the Athatva Veda:
ऊँ धौ शान्ि् अंिररक्ष शान्ि् ऩथृ ििी् शान्ि्
आऩ् शान्ि् औषधय् शान्ि् िनस्ऩिड़म् शान्ि् ।
विश्िदे िा् शान्ि् ब्रह्म् शान्ि् शान्िरे ि शान्ि्
सा मा शान्िरे थध शान्ि् शान्ि् शान्ि् ।।
1
May there be peace in heaven, peace in space, peace on earth.
May there be peace in trees, peace in vegetation and plants.
May there be peace in our gods and in entire creation.
May there be peace everywhere and be it only peace.
That peace, I pray, embrace my being !
This mantra warns us not to disturb nature, not to abuse, pollute or
destroy our surroundings up to the heaven. In trying to master and get
benefit of our ecology, we are simply destroying ourselves, our own nest.
True peace will prevail only when man lives in peace with nature, divine
forces and ultimately himself. How can we do this?
The wise rishi or seer of Ishavasyam Upnishad gives us a wonderful
advice:
इशािास्यम ् इदं सिं यि ् ककंथिि ् जगतयां जगि ।
िेन तयकिेन भंजीिा् मा गध
ृ ् कस्यनस्िद्धनम ् ।।
The rishi says: everything animate or inanimate that is within the universe
is enlivened by the supreme power. One should therefore, accept only
those things necessary for oneself. This quote must be enjoyed by
renouncing it. Moreover one must not snatch away what belongs to or is
required by others. The whole creation is filled with the presence of God.
This is a message against the animalistic greed of human beings. We
should not, like a vulture, keep others away from having what we actually
don't need. Gandhiji also said: 'There is enough on this earth for
everybody's need, but not sufficient for one's greed.' As the crown of
2
creation, man must protect and not exploit and consume other animals. If
man stopped destroying animals, trees or other aspects of nature, our
world would become less violent and thus a peaceful abode for all.
Mahavir Swami preached Ahinsa (non-viloence) to that extent that all
Jain Sadhus put a cloth on their mouth, drink boiled water and do not take
food before sunrise and after sunset for not destroying even bacteria.
Mahavir Swami believed that we should not disturb or hurt even a stone
for a selfish purpose. Rishis believed that every matter in the universe is
living. There is nothing like non-living. Everything is in a process of
evolution. This was the realism of our ancient seers.
Mahakavi Kalidas has written a play: Abhignan Shankutalam. In a scene,
King Dushyant of Bharatvarsh enters the Ashram of Rishi Kanva. He is in
his chariot, chasing a deer for hunting. Two disciples of Kanva see him
and immediately ask him not to shoot his arrows at the deer.
न खऱ न खऱ बाण् संतनऩातयोऽनस्मन ् ।
मद
ृ तन मग
ृ शरररे ऩष्ऩराशावििानननम ् ।।
They said: O King don't shoot, please, don't shoot the arrow at the
tender body of this deer. It is as bad as putting fire on the heap of flowers.
This shows that Ahimsa was very much in the blood of ancient people and
it became the tradition of Indian culture.
Our culture has given us a heart as big as this earth; we have a global
heart. Ancient wisdom teaches the world a true philosophy of universal
peace and harmony.
========================================================
3
Words :
ecology - મયાલયણ, જીલોનય એકફીજા વયથેનય અને આવયવની રયસ્થથતત વયથેનય
વંફધ
ં ો
peace - ળયંતત
oneness - એકત્લ, ઐક્ય
nature - તનવગા, પ્રકૃતત, કુદયત
to express - વ્મક્ત કયવું
ancient - પ્રયચીન
text - ગ્રંથ
universal - તલશ્વવ્મયક
value - મ ૂલ્મ, રકિંભત, ભશત્ત્લ
preservation - સુયક્ષય
prosperity - વમ ૃદ્ધિ
species - જાત, પ્રકયય
to include - નો વભયલેળ કયલો
mankind - ભયનલજાત
unit - એકભ, વમુદયમ
right - શક્ક, અતધકયય
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to thrive - વમ ૃિ થવું
to achieve - ભેલવું
co-living - વશજીલન
to believe - ભયનવુ,ં શ્રિય શોલી
religion - ધભા
culture - વંથકૃતત
planet - ગ્રશ
to cover - ઢયંકવું
to gaze - જોવું
to breathe - શ્વયવ રેલો
to progress - પ્રગતત કયલી, તલકયવ કયલો
to prosper - વમ ૃિ થવું
to perish - નયળ યભવું
miserably - દુુઃખી થઈને, કંગય થઈને
war - યુિ
limited - ભમયારદત
country - દે ળ
community - વભયજ
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to embrace - વભયલવુ,ં ઘેયી રેવ,ું થલીકયયવું
creation - યચનય
heaven - થલગા
space - અલકયળ
entire - વભગ્ર, આખું
to warn - ચેતલણી આલી
to disturb - ખરેર શોંચયડલી, અળયંતત પેરયલલી
to abuse - દુરુમોગ કયલો
to pollute - દુતત કયવું
to destroy - નયળ કયવું
surroundings - લયતયલયણ, મયાલયણ
to master - કયબ ૂ કયલો
benefit - રયબ, પયમદો
to prevail - લચાથલ, શોવુ,ં પ્રલતાવ ું
divine - દૈ લી, તલત્ર
force - ળસ્ક્ત, તયકયત
ultimately - છે લટે, અંતે
seer - ઋત
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animate - ચેતનલંત,ું જીલત,ું વજીલ
inanimate - તનજીલ
universe - તલશ્વ, સ ૃષ્ટટ
to enliven - પ્રયણ યે ડલો, વજીલન કયવું
supreme power - વલોચ્ચ ળસ્ક્ત, ઈશ્વય
to accept - થલીકયય કયલો
necessary - આલશ્મક
to renounce - છોડી દે વ,ું ત્મયગ કયવું
to snatch - છીનલી રેવ ું
to require - જરુય ડલી, જરુરયમયત શોલી
presence - શયજયી, ઉસ્થથતત
message - વંદેળ
animalistic - પ્રયણીવશજ
greed - રોબ
vulture - ગીધ
sufficient - પ ૂયત,ું મયાપ્ત
crown - તયજ, વલોચ્ચ
to protect - યક્ષણ કયવુ
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to exploit - ગેયરયબ રેલો, ઉમોગ કયલો
to consume - ખયવું
aspect - યસું
violent - રશિંવક
abode - યશેઠયણ
to preach - ઉદે ળ આલો
non-violence - અરશિંવય
extent - શદ
selfish - થલયથી
purpose - શેત,ુ ઇયયદો
matter - દયથા, તત્ત્લ
process - પ્રરિમય
evolution - ઉત્િયંતત
realism - લયથતલલયદ, મથયથા તનરુણ કે ચચત્રણ
scene - દશ્મ
chariot - યથ
to chase - ીછો કયલો
disciple - તળટમ
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immediately - તયત્કયચરક, તયત જ
to shoot - પેંકવુ,ં છોડવું
arrow - તીય
tender - કોભ
heap - ઢગરો
tradition - યં યય
global - લૈતશ્વક
wisdom - જ્ઞયન
philosophy - તત્ત્લજ્ઞયન, રપરસ ૂપી
harmony - સુભે
========================================================
idioms:
1. to keep someone away from something - -ને કોઈ લથતુથી દૂય યયખવું
Please keep the children away from electric appliances.
2. in the blood of - -નય રોશીભયં
Music is in the blood of the entire Sharma family.
========================================================
9
Ex. A Comprehension:
paragraph 1
The Vedas sing about oneness of man and nature. The idea expressed
in ancient texts has universal value. We have always tried for preservation
and prosperity of all the species including mankind on this earth.
1. What do the Vedas talk about?
Ans. The Vedas talk about the oneness of man and nature.
2. What have we always tried?
Ans. We have always tried for the preservation and prosperity of all the
species including mankind on this earth.
3. The ideas expressed in the ancient texts have .....
Ans. The ideas expressed in the ancient texts have universal value.
paragraph 2
The Atharva Veda gives us a great idea: यत्र विश्िम ् भिति एक् नीड्। It
means the whole world lives as one single unit like a nest. All the living
beings have the same right to live and thrive. This can be achieved
through co-living only.
1. What does the Atharva Veda say about living beings?
Ans. The Atharva Veda says that all living beings have the same right to
live and thrive.
2. How does the whole world live?
Ans. The whole world lives as one single unit like a nest.
3. How can we live as one single unit?
10
Ans. We can live as one single unit through co-living.
paragraph 3
We are the birds of the same nest. We may wear different skin, different
clothes, speak different languages, believe in different religions, belong to
different cultures - yet we share the same home: our earth ! Born on the
same planet, covered with the same sky, gazing at the same stars,
breathing the same air, we must learn to progress and prosper together
happily or perish together miserably.
1. What must we learn?
Ans. We must learn to progress and prosper together happily or perish
together miserably.
2. 'We are birds of the same nest? How?
Ans. We are the birds of the same nest because though we have different
skin, wear different clothes, speak different languages, believe in different
religions, belong to different cultures - we live in the same home : our
earth.
3. What do we share?
Ans. We are born on the same planet, covered with the same sky, gaze at
the same stars and breathe the same air.
paragraph 4
Our idea of peace does not mean just a state of 'no-war', neither it is
limited just to men or countries and communities. But it embraces the
whole nature and the whole creation.
1. What is our idea of peace?
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Ans. Our idea of peace embraces the whole nature and whole creation.
2. To what is our idea of peace not limited?
Ans. Our idea of peace is not limited to men or countries and
communities.
3. What does our idea of peace embrace?
Ans. Our idea of peace embraces the whole nature and the whole
creation.
paragraph 5
Let's try to understand this shanti mantra from the Athatva Veda:
ऊँ धौ शान्ि् अंिररक्ष शान्ि् ऩथृ ििी् शान्ि्
आऩ् शान्ि् औषधय् शान्ि् िनस्ऩिड़म् शान्ि् ।
विश्िदे िा् शान्ि् ब्रह्म् शान्ि् शान्िरे ि शान्ि्
सा मा शान्िरे थध शान्ि् शान्ि् शान्ि् ।।
May there be peace in heaven, peace in space, peace on earth.
May there be peace in trees, peace in vegetation and plants.
May there be peace in our gods and in entire creation.
May there be peace everywhere and be it only peace.
That peace, I pray, embrace my being !
This mantra warns us not to disturb nature, not to abuse, pollute or
destroy our surroundings up to the heaven. In trying to master and get
benefit of our ecology, we are simply destroying ourselves, our own nest.
12
True peace will prevail only when man lives in peace with nature, divine
forces and ultimately himself.
1. What does the shanti mantra warn us?
Ans. The shanti mantra warns us not to disturb nature, not to abuse,
pollute or destroy our surroundings up to the heaven.
2. What are we doing in trying to master ecology?
Ans. In trying to master ecology, we are destroying ourselves, our earth.
3. When will true peace prevail?
Ans. True peace will prevail when man lives in peace with nature, divine
forces and ultimately himself.
paragraph 6
The rishi says: everything animate or inanimate that is within the universe
is enlivened by the supreme power. One should therefore, accept only
those things necessary for oneself. This quote must be enjoyed by
renouncing it. Moreover one must not snatch away what belongs to or is
required by others. The whole creation is filled with the presence of God.
1. What does the rishi say about everything that is animate and inanimate
in the universe?
Ans. The rishis says that everything that is animate or inanimate in the
universe is given life by the supreme power.
2. What should we accept?
Ans. We should accept only these things that are necessary for us.
3. What should we not snatch away?
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Ans. We should not snatch away what belongs to others or is required by
others.
paragraph 7
This is a message against the animalistic greed of human beings. We
should not, like a vulture, keep others away from having what we actually
don't need. Gandhiji also said: 'There is enough on this earth for
everybody's need, but not sufficient for one's greed.
1. What do we do because of our greed?
Ans. Our greed keeps others away from having what we do not need.
2. What did Gandhiji say?
Ans. Gandhiji said that 'there is enough on this earth for everybody's
need, but not sufficient for one's greed.'
paragraph 8
As the crown of creation, man must protect and not exploit and consume
other animals. If man stopped destroying animals, trees or other aspects
of nature, our world would become less violent and thus a peaceful abode
for all.
1. What must man do?
Ans. Man must protect and not exploit and consume other animals.
2. How can we make the world less violent?
Ans. We can make the world less violent when we stop destroying
animals, trees and other aspects of nature.
paragraph 9
14
Mahavir Swami preached Ahinsa (non-viloence) to that extent that all
Jain Sadhus put a cloth on their mouth, drink boiled water and do not take
food before sunrise and after sunset for not destroying even bacteria.
Mahavir Swami believed that we should not disturb or hurt even a stone
for a selfish purpose.
1. What do the Jain sadhus do to protect the smallest creature?
Ans. The Jain sadhus put a cloth on their mouth, drink boiled water and
do not take food before sunrise and after sunset so that they do not
destroy bacteria.
2. What did Mahavir Swami believe?
Ans. Mahavir Swami believed that we should not disturb or hurt even a
stone for our selfish purpose.
paragraph 10
Rishis believed that every matter in the universe is living. There is nothing
like non-living. Everything is in a process of evolution. This was the
realism of our ancient seers.
1. What did the rishis believe?
Ans. Our rishis believed that every matter in the universe is living.
2. What was the realism of our ancient seers?
Ans. Everything in the universe is living and in a process of evolution.
That was the realism of our ancient seers.
paragraph 11
Mahakavi Kalidas has written a play: Abhignan Shankutalam. In a scene,
King Dushyant of Bharatvarsh enters the Ashram of Rishi Kanva. He is in
15
his chariot, chasing a deer for hunting. Two disciples of Kanva see him
and immediately ask him not to shoot his arrows at the deer.
न खऱ न खऱ बाण् संतनऩातयोऽनस्मन ् ।
मद
ृ तन मग
ृ शरररे ऩष्ऩराशावििानननम ् ।।
They said: O King don't shoot, please, don't shoot the arrow at the
tender body of this deer. It is as bad as putting fire on the heap of flowers.
1. What was King Dushyant doing?
Ans. King Dushyant was chasing a deer for hunting.
2. Who stopped the king from hunting the deer?
Ans. Two disciples of Kanva rishi stopped the king from hunting the deer.
3. According to the disciples, shooting an arrow at the deer was ....
Ans. According to the disciples, shooting an arrow at the deer was as bad
as putting fire on a heap of flowers.
paragraph 12
This shows that Ahimsa was very much in the blood of ancient people and
it became the tradition of Indian culture.
Our culture has given us a heart as big as this earth; we have a global
heart. Ancient wisdom teaches the world a true philosophy of universal
peace and harmony.
1. What does the extract say about ahimsa?
Ans. Ahimsa was very much in the blood of ancient people and it became
the tradition of Indian culture.
2. What does ancient wisdom teach the world?
16
Ans. Ancient wisdom teaches the world the true philosophy of universal
peace and harmony.
3. What has our culture given us?
Ans. Our culture has given us a global heart - as big as this earth.
========================================================
Ex. B Use the set of words in your own sentences.
1. peace - to express
Ans. The saint has expressed his wish for peace among the people.
2. prosperity - to believe
Ans. People believe that worshipping Goddess Lakshmi brings prosperity
in the house.
3. to include - religion
Ans. The committee formed by the sarpanch includes people of all
religions.
4. species - preservation
Ans. Preservation and protection of the tiger and the lion is very
necessary because they are endangered species.
5. nature - value
Ans. Children must be taught the value of protecting the resources of
nature.
6. mankind - to achieve
Ans. Mankind has achieved a lot of progress in the field of medical
science.
17
7. ancient - text
Ans. This museum has preserved texts like the Ramayana and the
Mahabharata as they are our ancient epics.
8. to thrive - harmony
Ans. People of all religions and communities must live in peace and
harmony to thrive.
9. culture - message
Ans. Exchanging sweets and messages of best wishes on festive
occasions has been our culture since ages.
10. to gaze - surroundings
Ans. The visitors gazed with wonder at the beautiful surroundings of the
hill station.
11. snatch - to chase
Ans. Anil chased the man who had snatched his bag.
12. to require - sufficient
Ans. We require more funds because what we have collected now is not
sufficient to build a new school.
13. presence - violent
Ans. In spite of the presence of a large police force, the violent crowd
attacked the factory.
14. to progress - community
Ans. The women of the village are working hard for the progress of their
community.
18
15. greed - to warn
Ans. The minister warned the king that his greed would destroy him.
16. prosper - exploit
Ans. It is said that the rich prosper by exploiting the poor.
17. perish - consume
Ans. Many birds and animals perish by consuming plastic thrown in the
garbage.
18. miserably - selfish
Ans. Ramji was so selfish and greedy that he lost all his friends and lived
miserably.
19. protect - entire
Ans. The police have spread in the entire area to protect all the people.
20. limited - progress
Ans. Raju has limited knowledge of the process of making earthen pots.
21. aspects - matter
Ans. The principal has studied all the aspects before giving his decision in
this matter.
22. to accept - disciple
Ans. Dronacharya refused to accept Eklavya as his disciple.
23. preach - non-violence
Ans. Our saints have always preached for peace and non-violence.
24. creation - benefit
19
Ans. The creation of good syllabus will benefit all the students.
25. to disturb - purpose
Ans. The children were enjoying the party but their purpose was not to
disturb the neighbours.
26. extent - necessary
Ans. It is necessary to tell the students the extent to which they should
use the freedom given to them.
27. abuse - force
Ans. The people of the kingdom used all the force to prevent the king from
abusing his powers.
28. pollute - destroy
Ans. When we pollute air and water, we are destroying our own future.
29. to master - ultimately
Ans. After a lot of practice, Nita has ultimately been able to master the art
of making paper flowers.
30. prevail - tradition
Ans. Sati Pratha was an evil tradition that prevailed in some communities
in the olden days.
31. immediately - shoot
Ans. The hunter saw the deer and immediately shot an arrow.
32. tender - heap
Ans. Please do not step on the heap of tender flowers.
33. accept - wisdom
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Ans. The king accepted that Birbal's wit and wisdom had solved many
problems.
========================================================
Ex. C Fill in the blanks choosing the correct words from the
brackets.
1. (universal, ancient, oneness)
Ans. The Vedas sing about oneness of man and nature. The idea
expressed in the ancient texts has universal value.
2. (species, preservation, mankind)
Ans. We have always tried for the preservation and prosperity of all the
species including mankind on this earth.
3. (thrive, nest, co-living)
Ans. The whole world lives as one single unit like a nest. All the living
beings have the same right to live and thrive. This can be achieved
through co-living only.
4. (languages, earth, cultures)
Ans. We are the birds of the same nest. We may wear different skin,
different clothes, speak different languages, believe in different religions,
belong to different cultures - yet we share the same home : our earth !
5. (communities, peace, creation)
Ans. Our idea of peace does not mean just a state of 'no-war', neither is it
limited just to men or countries and communities. But it embraces the
whole nature and the whole creation.
6. (abuse, surroundings, warns)
21
Ans. This mantra warns us not to disturb nature, not to abuse, pollute or
destroy our surroundings up to the heaven.
7. (destroying, to master ecology)
Ans. In trying to master and get benefit of our ecology, we are simply
destroying ourselves, our own nest.
8. (ultimately, prevail, divine)
Ans. True peace will prevail only when man lives in peace with nature,
divine forces and ultimately himself.
9. (supreme, advice, universe)
Ans. The wise rishi or seer of Ishavasya Upnishad gives us a wonderful
advice : Everything animate or inanimate that is within the universe is
enlivened by the supreme power.
10. (world, accept, renouncing)
Ans. One should therefore, accept only those things necessary for
oneself. This world must be enjoyed by renouncing it.
11. (snatch, presence, creation)
Ans. Moreover one must not snatch away what belongs to or is required
by others. The whole creation is filled with the presence of God.
12. (greed, message, vulture)
Ans. This is a message against the animalistic greed of human beings.
We should not, like a vulture, keep others away from having what we
actually don't need.
13. (need, earth, sufficient)
22
Ans. Gandhiji also said : There is enough on this earth for everybody's
need, but not sufficient for one's greed.
14. (exploit, protect, crown)
Ans. As the crown of creation, man must protect and not exploit and
consume other animals.
15. (abode, violent, aspects)
Ans. If man stopped destroying animals, trees or other aspects of nature,
our world would become less violent and thus a peaceful abode for all.
16. (preach, selfish, destroying)
Ans. Mahavir Swami preached ahimsa (non-violence) to that extent all
Jain sadhus put a cloth on their mouth, drink boiled water and do not take
food before sunrise and after sunset for not destroying even bacteria.
Mahavir Swami believed that we should not disturb or hurt even a stone
for a selfish purpose.
17. (universe, realism, evolution)
Ans. Rishis believed that every matter in the universe is living. There is
nothing like non-living. Everything is in a process of evolution. This was
the realism of our ancient seers.
18. (hunting, immediately, disciples)
Ans. In a scene, King Dushyant of Bharatvarsh enters the ashram of Rishi
Kanva. He is in his chariot, chasing a deer for hunting. Two disciples of
Kanva saw him and immediately asked him not to shoot his arrows at the
deer.
19. (tender, heap, shoot)
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Ans. Don't shoot, please, don't shoot the arrow at the tender body of his
deer. It is as bad as putting fire on the heap of flowers.
20. (tradition, ancient, culture)
Ans. This shows that ahimsa was very much in the blood of ancient
people and it became the tradition of Indian culture. Our culture has given
us a heart as big as this earth.
21. (harmony, wisdom, global)
Ans. We have a global heart. Ancient wisdom teaches the world the true
philosophy of universal peace and harmony.
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