Religion teaches man to love the entire creation. Some people mock religion saying that it is mere blind belief; yet it is generally found that the actions of such people do greater harm to nature than those who believe in God. It is the religious minded people, not these so-called intellectuals, who protect, preserve and love nature.
There are some people who, by quoting modern scientific theories, are always trying to prove that whatever religion teaches is wrong. The truth is that the reverence and devotion that human beings develop through their religious faith are always beneficial to humanity and nature.
Religion teaches us to worship God within nature. Through the stories of Sri Krishna’s life, the tulasi (basil) plant and the cow have become very dear to the people of India, who protect and look after them. In days of yore, every home had a pond and a small grove of trees adjoining it. Each home had a tulasi plant growing in the front yard. Tulasi leaves are highly medicinal. People watered the tulasi plant every morning, bowed down with reverence and worshipped the tulasi as an embodiment of goddess. This was the reverence which Indians showed to other trees, such as the banyan, bilva and fig.
The medicinal value of tulasi leaves, which was known to the ancients rishis eons ago, has now been proven through modern scientific experiments.
The Indian scriptures teach that a householder should perform the pancha yajnas or five daily sacrifices. The first of these is the deva yajna or worshipping of God, the supreme power, which is to be done with devotion and to the best of one’s ability. Next comes rishi yajna, or the adoration of the sages. The ancient God- realized sages did not allow their unique experiences to vanish into oblivion. Out of compassion for humanity they passed them on in the form of scriptures and other sacred writings.
A devout study and practise of the scriptural teachings constitutes this sacrifice. The third is pitru yajna. This consists of showing respect and rendering service towards one’s parents and elders. It also includes auspicious thoughts for the welfare of one’s departed ancestors. Fourth comes nara yajna or service rendered to mankind.
This includes all forms of selfless service, such as feeding the poor and serving the sick. Bhuta yajna is the last sacrifice; it is to serve all living beings as embodiments of the universal being. This is done by feeding the animal kingdom and plants.