Proceedings of the National Seminar on Environmental Awareness Reflected in Sanskrit Literature (An Old and Rare Book)

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I am very happy to present the Proceedings of the Seminar on "Environmental Awareness Reflected in Sanskrit Literature" held at the Centre from 17-20 March, 1990. The Seminar was a unique attempt to initiate scholars of Sanskrit to peep. into the huge bulk of Sanskrit literature right from the Veda upto recent times from the point of view of the environmental awareness which has been the need of our present time during recent years. This was arranged only with a view to bring to the surface the outlook of ancient Indians towards nature and everything that is incorporated in the surroundings, of man with the sole aim to derive insight from such outlooks which can benefit modern society and modern man. Often it is said that the development of science and technology should go hand in hand with the balance of human values. Thus, it was thought that it would not be a bad idea to peep into the past to derive some insights which might help the modern man without coming on the way of scientific and technological developments. The present volume does not claim to be an exhaustive survey of environmental awareness reflected in Sanskrit literature but it is expected to serve merely as a specimen of the magnitude of thinking about the relationship between man and his surroundings, ultimately aiming at the peace and balance that a man is desirous of.

I am hopeful that such an attempt will also prove how relevant this ancient literature is to our modern society. The authors of these articles will feel amply rewarded if the environmental scientists spare some time to go through these articles and make use of them.

I am thankful to my students and colleagues Dr. S. K. Lal, Dr. Shivkumar, Dr. Nirmala Kulkami, Dr. Ujjwala Panse, Dr. Subhash Chandra Dash, Dr. Kashinath Hota, Dr. Nirmala Kamat, Dr. Kanchan Mande, Dr. Manik Thakar, Dr. Sanjay Deodikar, Dr. Chhaya Katre, Shri. Ganesh Panda, Smt. Sushama Dandekar and Smt. Suvarna Shete for helping me in going through the proofs.

I also thank the Vedvidya Mudranalaya for taking up this work of printing with great speed and accuracy.