Mother Earth

“Those who contemplate the beauty of the Earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts.” – Rachel Carson

Today (Sunday) the world commemorates “Earth Day” under the theme ‘‘Mobilise the Earth’’. The organisers have announced that groups in more than 180 countries “will voice their appreciation for the planet and demand its protection.” To a person from my background I have always found it a bit strange that people have to be ‘organised’ to recognise the worth of the earth.

Growing up in a Hindu home, we are taught from our earliest days that the earth is “Mother” – Prithvi Mata or Bhoomi Mata or Dharti Mata are a few of her many names. All her names signify the ‘giving’ nature of the supreme mother – who is also equated with the universal mothers Lakhsmi, Durga and Saraswati.

Every morning before we step out of bed, we offer a prayer asking forgiveness for stepping on her. Before every puja or religious worshipping of the gods, Dharti Mata must be given obeisance. In the most sacred Hindu texts, the Vedas, there is the very famous Prithvi Sukta in which Mother Earth is given praises in sixty three verses.

So it should not take much to ‘mobilise’ Hindus to ask for protection of the earth.

In the most famous text for Guyanese Hindus, the Ram Charitmanas of Goswami Tusidas, it is recounted that the Supreme Being took incarnation as Sri Ram because of supplication from Mother Earth.

In a most moving episode, beloved by Hindus, Mother Earth, with tears in her eyes beseeches God to help mankind – her children – from the depredations of the evil Ravana. The story epitomises the Hindu perspective that the Earth is the sustainer and protector of mankind.

Her name “Dharti” is from the Sanskrit word that means ‘that which upholds’. This was the tradition of most traditional societies, whether in Africa, Europe and Asia. But very sadly after the conquests by the western powers, this world view of worshipping was not only derided but actually suppressed.

It suited their purpose to describe the earth in purely material terms – so that it could be ravaged.

If one thought of it as “Mother” it becomes much more difficult to pollute the land, rivers and atmosphere.

I believe that we in Guyana on this “Earth Day’ should begin this process of returning Mother Earth to her natural place – at the centre of our lives.

Most regretfully, our school books are filled with the premise that the Earth is just there for our use and abuse.

The Ministry of Education can set the ball rolling by treating “Earth Science” and having an “Art” component also: the art of respecting something that literally gives us life and sustains us all.

I am sorry that I cannot wish anyone a “Happy Earth Day”… because Earth cannot be happy with the pollution and degradation to which we are subjecting her. Let us commit ourselves towards the goal of being able to say “Happy Mother Earth Day” in our lifetimes.

*Rachel Carson wrote the book “Silent Springs” in 1962 which first brought to western notice the damage being wrought by man to the earth.