Liverpool Hope University
Varsha Manglam's research connects the philosophical wisdom of the Vedas with contemporary environmental challenges, aiming to develop a "Vedic ecosophy" that offers alternative perspectives on addressing the current ecological crisis and fostering a deeper reconnection to nature. She completed her MA in the Faculty of Creative Arts and Humanities at Liverpool Hope University.
This paper explores the Prithvi Sukta from the Atharva Veda as a source of ecological wisdom, offering insights into addressing modern environmental crises. The hymn celebrates Earth as sacred, integrating poetic, mystical, and tangible dimensions to emphasize profound reverence and Earth awareness. Through an analysis of the ontopoetic relationships described in the text, the study identifies pathways to inspire ecological consciousness and break free from destructive habits, advocating for harmonious coexistence with the cosmos and its diverse inhabitants. The paper further delves into how meditating upon this text, we witness the Hindu tradition of reverence for nature that extends our awareness to the broader ecosphere and all forms of life. Drawing on these insights, I construct a distinct Vedic ecosophy offering an alternative perspective that bridges the knowledge-action gap underlying current environmental crisis. This framework offers a transformative perspective on human-environment interactions, highlighting the potential for ancient traditions to inform contemporary practices and to re-think what it means to be ‘human’ in the 21st century.