“What’s the use of a fine house if you haven’t got a tolerable planet to put it on.”.

”
These words of Henry David Thoreau aptly reflect the current scenario. The current silence which
pervades the abandoned malls and barren roads re-echoes the current reign of fear. A fear which is
capable of sending chills to heart, a fear that has been known since time immemorial - the fear of
death, the fear of never waking up to the warm smile of your loved ones, the fear of helplessness as
one witnesses ones dear ones ensnared in the clutches of COVID-19.

We are in a pathetic situation, aren’t we?

Well, in my opinion, in the current situation, far worse than the situation itself, is our perspective
towards it. Ask anyone- “ Who is responsible for this ?”. The answer more often than not would be
-“Oh, it’s the chinese. They did this, they did that.” This is where we are hopelessly wrong for even in
the face of death, we are involved in an endless and worthless game of blame game. The need of the
hour is self appraisal.

The stock markets are crashing, billions of worth is falling down to nothingness, nations are sealing
their boundaries and what not. We are in a war like situation, perhaps worse, because our enemy and
assailant is silent and invisible. It is quite intriguing that the homo homo sapien or the so called super
human who was able to scale his way to Mars, established the glittering cities and was able to subdue
and kill the fiercest of the fiercest of animals with a flick of his finger, is helpless against an organism
which he can’t even see with his naked eye.

Well, this is primarily because there is something which is beyond humans- the power of nature, the
law of KARMA.

The once “Vishwauguru” which was denounced as the land of mendicants, fables and superstitions
holds evidence for this.

In the Indian philosophy, it is said that every individual has an account for every bad action there is a
debit and for every good action there is a credit. All these actions determine the future trajectory of
life. Scientifically and psychologically as well, if you are consistently indulged in negative actions
which can also be called bad actions, our innate self and mind-set will also tend to develop in that
very direction.

Now, the next question of importance is as to what we have done to deserve this?

The answer lies in the stumps of once evergreen trees in the vast expanses of barren lands, in the
ponds and wells which reek of the after-effect of the Great Industrial Revolution, in the expensive
bags and perfumes which once constituted the breath of a living form and in the frustration and
confusion of the animals who have lost their abode to the selfishness and greed of humans.

Well all our efforts that we have made to head towards the heaven of our dreams, have manifested
themselves in the hell we find ourselves today.

The nature is all set to let us have a taste of our own medicine. Every second, hour and minute we are
heading towards our own destruction and demise.

The Indian principles which are misunderstood by even the Indians today, seem to be the only saving
grace in a situation like this. The principles upheld by the Indian vedas and upnishads proclaim the
principles which are essentially sustainable in nature.

For instance, the hindu vedas and puranans emphasise on vegetarian diet which is said to elevate
body and mind. It is said that those who increase their own through the flesh of others, can never
remain happy. Also, non-vegetarian diet has been classified as ‘tamsik’ which is said to have negative
impact on the mental being of an individual. Primarily because the process of procurement of such a
meal involves violence and negative emotions. This statement of Hindus was long ridiculed as
backwardness and conservatism but this is exactly what is attributable to dwindling wildlife and fish
population and unfortunately, this is exactly what led to the transmission of the virus from animals to
humans.

Also, it is widely known that the spread of this virus is mainly from human contact, here again,
Hinduism comes to rescue with its customary greeting of ‘Namaste’ rather than a handshake.

There is a scientific logic behind the same. The Namaste has its origin from ‘Natmastak’ which
means to greet someone with your whole heart and soul. Here, you are essentially recognising the
good or the god in others while keeping aside all negative emotions or prejudices that you may
possibly have towards that person. Further, it ensures that there is no hypocrisy in your actions and
such demeanour provides purity, contentment and peace to the soul. Further, it also enables you to
maintain your personal space and hygiene without offending others. Can you possibly refuse an
outstretched dirty hand without offending the other person? Likewise, it isn’t necessary that the person
you are offering a handshake may be comfortable with it, so, it makes sense to state that Namaste in
itself is comfortable and acceptable for the person offering the greetings and the one receiving it.

When it comes to Hinduism, why do all we think of is temples and ringing bells, why don’t the divine
principles of Yoga, Pranayam and Surya Namaskar which are necessary to keep mind and body in
order cross our mind? Why do we associate with murti puja and rituals only? Why can’t we
understand the logic behind the rituals and work on it?

Hinduism urges its followers to respect and conserve trees and worship them. This can be considered
as a valid means of ensuring that deforestation is curtailed and sustainability is maintained.

Adhyatma or soul inspection or the meeting with one’s soul is necessary to understand one’s true long
term objectives and steer ourselves from the materialistic race which will be leading us nowhere.

It is in this time period that we are able to attain a peaceful and balanced state of mind from
the usual excited state and understand the true consequences of our actions.

We need to keep aside our materialistic goals, understand our true duties, protect ourselves from the
temptations which are all set and ready to ensnare us in the eternal trap of suffering and woes.

We need to follow Indian values and stop excusing ourselves from following them and calling them
communality, rather see them in a new light. The Indian values are all about self discipline, purity and
self assessment and improvement. It us who have morphed the principles, so pure as ordained by the
divine power itself to a ghastly state. The need of the hour is to understand its true sense and act
upon the same.

Let’s rise above the boundaries and steel walls of communalism, materialism to adopt the principles
of self discipline to protect our mother earth and future.

Let’s think and act before it’s too late to make amends and let the light of truth and our resolve guide
us across this mirth and darkness, while we still can.