Sankalpa -2014

Returning from a visit to New Zealand, someone commented that it was veritably a land where milk and honey flows in abundance. Reverence to Mother Nature, the flora and fauna is evident in such countries. With amazing stretches of forest wealth and grazing lands made available for the cattle population, the milk yields are plentiful and water resources abound. Our own sub continent was once upon a time so blessed. What went wrong? If we introspect a little, our reverence to Mother Nature with her five elements, perhaps, has been on a steady decline.
Let’s make a small beginning, if not already in the direction and help recovery of such natural wealth. Let us focus on this one idea, one goal, defined in an undertaking of a “sankalpa” with the dawn of a New Year.
Reverence to the Prithvi tatwa:
As we wake up from bed, let’s start our day with an expression of reverence to Mother Earth: “As I take my first step on you today, bless me to live on your surface another day filled with peace, contentment and joy”
Reverence to Vayu and Akaash tatwa:
Let’s recharge the dwelling place with fresh prana and natural light. This makes practical sense as the carbon dioxide that we breathe out during our sleeping hours in bed rooms, have to be flushed out of the house quickly. Oxygen rich air that is available till about seven in the morning is relatively charged with good prana and after which, especially in urban areas, it gets polluted.
Reverence to Jal tatwa:
On first contact with water in the morning, let’s take a little water and sprinkle it over our head saying – “This is the water of the holy river Ganga.” Such heartfelt reverence to Jal tatwa should continue whenever we use water remembering how vital and precious it is, in our lives.
Reverence to Agni tatwa:
 Of all the species in creation, it is the human who has the ability to light a fire and keep it under control.  In days gone by, all the cooking was done using firewood. The custom then used to be to worship the wood stove using sacred turmeric and vermillion powder before fire is lit on. Painted prayer in the form of a rangoli would be drawn on the space in front of the stove to invoke divine vibrations and create a satvic ambience in which food is cooked.
Reverence to five elements in small ways combined with other regular sadhanas help us to tune our rhythm well and help us to lead a happy and stress free life.  Simple ways in which we express greater understanding of Mother Nature while walking the paths of Jnana, Bhakti and Karma. Simple ways to help resonate in harmony with the vital elements, balancing them within ourselves as well as in the environment.
Happy New Year!
Dr.Arun Madhavan,

Author, ‘Sampradaya – A Tribute to Tradition’