Mother earth gives birth to all
MOTHER EARTH HAS CREATED a beautiful big garden in which exist different kinds of trees and plants with hundreds of varieties of flowers, big and small, of different hues and multiple colors, all blooming together, existing side by side in total harmony, enjoying the melodious humming tunes produced by the hustle and bustle and crackling of the leaves.
ਬਲਿਹਾਰੀ ਕਦਰਤਿ ਵਸਿਆ ॥ ਤੇਰਾ ਅੰਤ ਨ ਜਾਈ ਲਖਿਆ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ (SGGS 469)
Lord, I am overwhelmed by your infinitely wonderful creation which no human being can apprehend. It is beyond our understanding or reach. Within Nature, we are at peace. There are no differences, or argument among these beautiful creatures of Mother Earth. They all grow up in peace and love, in harmony, humility and submission to the will of God manifest in Mother Nature.
ਅਵਲਿ ਅਲਹ ਨੂਰ ਉਪਾਇਆ ਕਦਰਤਿ ਕੇ ਸਭ ਬੰਦੇ ॥ ਝਕ ਨੂਰ ਤੇ ਸਭ ਜਗ ਉਪਜਿਆ ਕਉਨ ਭਲੇ ਕੋ ਮੰਦੇ ॥੧॥ (SGGS 1349)
God’s first command created Divine light all over. All humanity and creation belong to Him. This entire universe has come into existence from the Divine light. There is no good or bad, low or high.
Unity of Nature
The offspring of mother earth cannot be either envious or jealous of each other. They are happy and contented in whatever state God has created them. They do not grab or snatch from one another, but only give fragrance to all creatures and human beings without any discrimination.
Big trees clean the atmosphere by inhaling carbon dioxide and giving out oxygen. They give shelter and shade to everybody. Fruit-bearing trees give delicious varieties of fruits, in all seasons, to one and all. Mother Earth also produces and provides different kinds of food for all creatures and inhabitants on Earth without any consideration and discrimination of religion: Hindu or Muslim, low caste or high, rich or poor, saint or sinner – it keeps them all alive.
ਹਿੰਦੂ ਤਰਕ ਕੋਊ ਰਾਫਜੀ ਇਮਾਮ ਸਾਫੀ, ਮਾਨਸ ਕੀ ਜਾਤ ਸਭੈ ਝਕੈ ਪਹਿਚਾਨਬੋ ॥ (Guru Gobind Singh)
Whether Hindu or Muslim, - priest or layman – all humans are one race or species; equal in status, as part of humanity.
The generosity of the Mother Earth has no limits; it is no exaggeration to say that it is infinitely beneficent. Since the evolution of the universe it has given us a wealth of raw material – in abundance, whether it is gold, silver, copper, coal, iron to the inhabitants to develop and produce articles for comfort of human race.
For all this, Mother Earth expects nothing in return – except a friendly and sympathetic attitude towards her and her offspring. How gracious and wonderful, is Mother Earth! None can match its generosity. In contrast the human race is callous and destructive:
ਹੀਰੇ ਜੈਸਾ ਜਨਮ ਹੈ ਕਉਡੀ ਬਦਲੇ ਜਾਇ ॥੧॥ (SGGS 156)
We waste our human lease of life for trifles: We pollute the sacred rivers by releasing into them highly toxic wastes from industrial plants without any restraint. We are so unconcerned, we have not even spared the sacred Ganga.
Unlike trees, plants and flower that co-exist in peace and harmony, human societies are always bickering and robbing one another. Often the human male shamelessly ill treats or disgraces women folk. Yet these very men pretend to worship goddesses in temples and sundry shrines. They should not forget that women give birth to all human beings:
ਸੋ ਕਿਉ ਮੰਦਾ ਆਖੀਝ ਜਿਤ ਜੰਮਹਿ ਰਾਜਾਨ ॥ (SGGS 473)
Why look down upon women who give birth to royalty? Gurbani reminds us:
ਜੋ ਉਪਜਿਓ ਸੋ ਬਿਨਸਿ ਹੈ ਪਰੋ ਆਜ ਕੈ ਕਾਲਿ ॥
ਨਾਨਕ ਹਰਿ ਗਨ ਗਾਇ ਲੇ ਛਾਡਿ ਸਗਲ ਜੰਜਾਲ ॥੫੨॥ (SGGS 1429)
All that comes in this universe, shall soon perish Nanak says ever praise the Lord and remember Him for that is the way to emancipation.
ਭਈ ਪਰਾਪਤਿ ਮਾਨਖ ਦੇਹਰੀਆ ॥
ਗੋਬਿੰਦ ਮਿਲਣ ਕੀ ਇਹ ਤੇਰੀ ਬਰੀਆ ॥ (SGGS 12)
Here – and now – is the great opportunity to redeem our pledge and repay our debt to Nature – in accordance with dictates of Gurbani, and follow the wise counsel of Guru Granth Sahib for sake of our own well-being – in harmony with the concluding salok of Jap-Ji.
ਪਵਣ ਗਰੂ ਪਾਣੀ ਪਿਤਾ ਮਾਤਾ ਧਰਤਿ ਮਹਤ ॥ (SGGS 8)
- from article 'Gurbani’s Fervent Plea: “Keep the Mother Earth Evergreen”' by K.S. KARWAL, Gur Prashad Niwas, A-24, Naraina Vihar, New Delhi 110028.
