Realising the Sacredness of Nature: An Analysis of Select Poems of Kabir Das, Sree Narayana Guru and Sri Aurobindo within the Paradigm of Deep Ecology

Abstract

Man and Nature are intrinsically co-related. Man’s existence depends on how he preserves and conserves nature. The destructive use of science and technology poses a threat to nature, human beings and also to flora and fauna, which will in turn lead to the total annihilation of life on earth. The exponents of deep ecology stress the importance of a holistic and philosophical approach and perceive human beings and nature not as separate entities but as one and the same. This paper intends to make an in-depth and thorough study of select poems of the Bhakti-Sufi poet Kabir Das, the seer-poets Sree Narayana Guru and Sri Aurobindo, in the light of their philosophies regarding the relation between Man and Nature. The essence of their philosophies gives voice to the Indian traditional concept of ‘Vasudeva Kutumabam’, meaning, ‘the entire universe is a single family’. This conception strengthens the deep ecological worldview of a universal perception encompassing all life forms. The study is based on the postulates of Deep Ecology formulated by Arne Naess.