Nature as sacred
The Bhumi Sukta of the Atharvaveda is a long hymn to the Earth as mother and sustainer of all. Every morning many Hindus ask her forgiveness before stepping on her. Rivers like the Ganga, Yamuna and Narmada are worshipped as goddesses; tulsi, peepal, banyan and neem are honoured; the cow, the snake and the elephant are revered.
This reverence carries a responsibility: one does not poison or waste what one worships.
Atharvaveda 12.1.12
माता भूमिः पुत्रोऽहं पृथिव्याः ।
mātā bhūmiḥ putro 'haṃ pṛthivyāḥ |
The Earth is my mother, and I am her son (her child).
Samudra vasane (morning shloka)
समुद्रवसने देवि पर्वतस्तनमण्डले ।
विष्णुपत्नि नमस्तुभ्यं पादस्पर्शं क्षमस्व मे ॥
samudravasane devi parvatastanamaṇḍale |
viṣṇupatni namastubhyaṃ pādasparśaṃ kṣamasva me ||
O goddess Earth, clothed in the oceans, consort of Vishnu — salutations; forgive me for touching you with my feet.
Living it today
- Plant and care for trees — a tulsi at home, a peepal or neem in the community.
- Keep rivers and ponds clean: no plastic or idols of plaster of Paris in the water.
- Use water and electricity with restraint.
- Choose clay diyas, natural colours and eco-friendly idols for festivals.
- Feed birds and animals, and protect their homes.
Frequently asked questions
What does "Mata bhumih putro'ham prithivyah" mean?
"The Earth is my mother, I am her child" — Atharvaveda 12.1.12, from the Bhumi Sukta.
Why are trees like peepal and tulsi worshipped?
They are seen as homes of the divine — Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva in the peepal, Lakshmi in the tulsi — and their worship encourages their protection.