Science and Environment in Vedic Sanatan Religion

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Rites and customs of the Vedic Sanatan religion are not orthodox-as propagate by some rationalists-but are full of scientific knowledge and wisdom that have helped preserve nature and society until recent times. But both of these are now deteriorating very quickly. The concept of all pervading BRAHMAN in the Vedic Sanatan religion is quite similar to the concept of the Quantum Fields of Energy in modern science as both are formless, infinite and omnipresent. There are many similar scientific connotations in the tenets and rites of the religion. Furthermore, if some elements of nature such as wells/rivers and plants/trees are regarded as deities and worshipped, it is not orthodoxy but helps create strong social awareness for the protection of nature through religion. If people worship something, they will not destroy it; it is a simple psyche. No such awareness exists anywhere in the modern scientific world, and the result is severe degradation of water and forest resources these days. Can rationalists understand such underlying philosophies in religious rites and customs? So, this book is a must-read for nature lovers to understand how ancient science in the Vedic Sanatan religion helped protect our environment, which is now falling apart at an alarming rate.

Vijay Pandey completed his graduation in Agricultural Sciences and post-graduation in Agriculture Economics in India, and his doctoral degree from the University of Illinois, USA. On his return from the USA in 1971, he taught Agricultural Economics and published several research articles in professional journals in both India and abroad. He also wrote a book on his research. In 1999, he retired as a professor and settled in Lucknow, where he started participating in social activities through his own philanthropic trust registered as 'BLISS FOUNDATION: This trust grants very poor female students scholarships for higher studies, creates awareness about the health hazards of air pollution and propagates the urgency in population stabilization through the internet. Observing the changing socio-economic milieu in the country, he has written several satirical poems in Hindi that showcase the pros and cons of the various aspects of modern lifestyle. These poems were published in 2017 in a book titled "Parakh" by Maitreyi Prakashan, Lucknow. During the house arrest due to COVID-19, he saw videos of some rationalists criticizing the rites and customs of the Vedic Sanatan religion as being unscientific and orthodox. This prompted him to read more about the religion and search for scientific content or orthodoxy therein. The present book is an outcome of this work.

The manner of teaching in science has led to a misconception in the minds of some people, leading to the belief that anything which cannot be explained by any known science is irrational and orthodox. Therefore, in the name of science and modernity, some people have been deploring the Vedic Sanatan religion and its tenets and customs as being unscientific and orthodox as these cannot be explained by any known science. This is just a misconception because only when something is proved wrong by any known science can it be labeled as unscientific. But, if anything just cannot be explained by any known science, it is a matter for more detailed investigations.

Many things cannot be fully explained by the physical and biological sciences, such as emotions, opinions, wishes, willpower, urges, etc. Besides the anatomy and physiology of the brain, conscience and consciousness significantly affect the functioning of the mind, which can cause considerable differences in the perception and behavior of different persons, despite coming from similar backgrounds. Human behavior can be better understood through social sciences, which deal with the varied aspects of human thinking more vividly. Human beings are more social than other animals. Without family, friends and society, anyone would feel quite alone, like Robinson Crusoe on the virgin island. Further, natural environment is the ultimate provident for all human needs, from food, clothing and shelter to air, water, land, minerals, medicines and all kinds of energies. Therefore, the ancient Vedic theologians accorded prime importance to the preservation of both our social environment as well as the natural environment while formulating tenets, rites and socio- religious customs of the religion. Though modern science was not known in ancient times, the Vedic theologians discovered the ancient science of logic and wisdom in deciding the early model of growth and development. This helped the country not only achieve tremendous progress in both spiritual and material fields but also preserved the social milieu as well as the natural resource base for millenniums, until recent times.