Nature's Wisdom: Indian Philosophical Insights

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Dr. Vandana Sharma Diya' is a well-known Scholar of Advaita Vedanta Darsana. With a Bachelor's and Master's degree in Bhartiya Darsan Sastra (Indian Philosophy) from the Annamalai University, Tamil Nadu, she went on to study the Advaita Vedanta Darsana and Bhagwadgita Sankarabhasya at the Chinmaya Mission Foundation, Ernakulam, Kerala. Dr.Sharma further earned a Ph.D. in Advaita Vedanta from the same university.

Dr. Sharma is currently a Fellow at the Indian Institute of Advanced Studies. Shimla. She was previously a Post- doctoral Fellow at the Indian Council of Social Sciences Research (ICSSR), and a Junior Research Fellow at the Indian Council of Philosophical Research (ICPR), Government of India. She has also conducted research under the Ministry of Culture for the Kedarnath Dham project on restoration of cultural heritage.

Dr.Sharma has been sent by the Government of India to the "World Congress of Philosophy 2018" held in Beijing, China, to present her research study on "Advaita Vedanta,"

Apart from her scholarly contributions, she strives to promote Sanatandharma, vegetarianism, animal welfare, and environmental cons- ciousness.

Dr. Kaushalendra Singh is a well-known Scholar of Pali and Buddhist Studies. His passion for Ancient History and Buddhism made him study the subject and excel in the same. With a Master's degree in Buddhist Studies from the University of Delhi, he went on to complete his Diploma in Pali from the same University and further earned himself a Doctorate in Buddhist Studies from the prestigious Banaras Hindu University.

He has to her credit several research articles published in national and international journals and has been a Junior Research Fellow and Senior Research Fellow of UGC, 2014. He has held a key position at Association of Indian Philosophers International and has organized various national and International seminars related to social, philosophical and political subjects. He has also attended various seminars, conferences and has given prolific speeches at various events.

At present Dr. Kaushalendra Singh is the Post-doctoral fellow, Indian Council of Social Sciences Research, Delhi and is pursuing his research at the prestigious Maharaja Agrasen College, University of Delhi.

Dr. Kaushalendra is the Honorary Organizing Secretary of Prof. S. R. Bhatt's Organization "Association of Indian Philosophers International (AIPI)." He has also lectured and given talks at various national and international webinars. seminars and conferences.

I feel extremely privileged to write about this novel work of two erudite scholars. "Nature's Wisdom: Indian Philosophical Insights." It is an innovative approach to Indian philosophy. "Environment" has been a hot topic of debate for the past few decades. Around the world, environmental concerns have been raised as the most urgent need.

Classical Indian people were always environmentally conscious in their thoughts and practices. For them, seeing themselves as an extension of nature and vice versa was a way of life. Unfortunately, we have now forgotten to exist as a part of Nature and make futile efforts to overpower Her. It is in this context that this book emerges as one of the most relevant works of all time. The book serves as a guide for demonstrating the practical application of the ancient wisdom contained in the Indian scriptures. "Environment" is seen as psycho-physical, internal, and external in Indian thought. In a holistic framework, these are to be reckoned with. In fact, it is the internal that affects the external. The external is only a manifestation of the internal. We worry about the external but remain oblivious to the internal, which is at the root of all pollution and misery.

A reading of the book shows that the authors have seen "Environment" through the lenses of the ancient Vedic scriptures and have grasped it accurately as an integrated whole, division-less, and interdependent as opposed to an isolated and mutually exclusive entity.

The authors have written the book with scriptural support and have put forth copious references. They delve deep into the important systems of Indian thought and bring out elements of environmentalism. To the best of my knowledge, it is the first work of its kind. Their presentation of environmental leamings derived from the nine schools of Indian philosophy is worth praising. This work will serve as a wake-up call to governmental and non-governmental organizations concerned with environmental protection, and it will stimulate further research into the application of ancient Indian wisdom for the welfare of all beings.

I congratulate Dr. Vandana Sharma 'Diya' and Dr. Kaushalendra Singh for this valuable work and hope that it will provide guiding principles for the whole of humanity.

**Contents and Sample Pages**