Pancavati

The most notable features of Indian civilisation are its antiquity, continuity and vitality. Indian sages and seers recognised the vital importance of maintaining the ecological balance for the general welfare of mankind as well as for all other beings in the universe. They discovered the essential unity of mankind, other beings and nature and emphasised the non-dual character of their relationship. They advocated an integrated approach to progress aimed at harmonious development, so that there is no undue exploitation of natural resources. In order to ensure that the complex, abstract and abstruse principles discovered by them could be put to practice, traditions, customs and rituals were devised, and practice of celebrating the onset of each season in the form of festivals amidst nature were initiated.

This book surveys the complex skein of thoughts, beliefs and practices that developed from ancient period to the present. It also analyses the accounts of beliefs and practices, philosophies and religious convictions as reflected in Indian epics and doctrinal literature and presents for the first time the time-tested techniques discovered by Indian sages, seers, artisans, craftsmen and householders practiced for period extending over five thousand years for preservation of environment. Besides discussing the medicinal properties of trees and the traditional methods of increasing the yield and fertility of land, it also describes the techniques of curing 'sick' trees.