Ecological Tenets in Sanatana Dharma: A Scriptural and Historical Analysis of Sustainability

Abstract

Background: The escalating global ecological crisis has spurred a search for diverse philosophical and ethical frameworks to guide humanity toward sustainability. While often overlooked in mainstream environmental discourse, Sanatana Dharma (Hinduism) possesses a rich, continuous tradition of ecological thought deeply embedded in its core tenets and scriptures.

Objective: This article analyzes the foundational ecological principles within Sanatana Dharma by examining its primary scriptures and relevant historical scholarship. The aim is to articulate a coherent philosophical framework and assess its relevance for addressing contemporary sustainability challenges.

Methods: The study employs a qualitative, thematic analysis of foundational Hindu texts, including the Vedas [2, 7], Manusmriti [3], Puranas [4, 5], and the Mahabharata [1, 8], as cited in the provided reference list. This textual analysis is contextualized through a review of secondary scholarship on Indian environmental history [9, 10, 11] and the intersection of religion and ecology [12, 13, 14, 15].

Results: The analysis reveals several core themes: the perception of nature as a manifestation of the divine (Prakriti); the Earth revered as a goddess (Bhudevi); the fundamental interconnectedness of all life governed by a cosmic law (Dharma); and a set of ethical injunctions promoting non-violence (Ahimsa), moderation, and reverence for natural elements. Scriptural evidence, such as hymns to the Earth in the Atharva Veda [7] and injunctions against pollution in the Matsya Purana [4], substantiates these principles. The Bhagavad Gita [6] further illustrates the cyclical relationship between human action and natural processes.

Conclusion: Sanatana Dharma offers a profound, non-anthropocentric worldview that emphasizes cosmic balance and ethical responsibility. Its principles provide a valuable and actionable framework for informing modern environmental ethics, policy, and practice. This ancient wisdom tradition presents a compelling alternative to purely utilitarian approaches, enriching the global discourse on sustainability by grounding it in a holistic sense of the sacred.