Dear Editor
Over the last few weeks, a number of volunteers began cleaning the seawalls. This most commendable effort must be supported by all, as keeping the environment clean is not only a civic duty but one as a human being. As a Hindu priest, I am disheartened by the remains of “Pooja” (ritualistic worship) paraphernalia, murtis and other items scattered on the seawall and beaches across the country. Many visits to the beaches, I am saddened to see persons walking, driving and even imbibing on these items. This reflects negatively on the entire Hindu community. Desecrating Mother Earth is not a Hindu value.
Generally, all Pooja items are biodegradable. However, with recent inventions such as foil, plastic, etc, our Poojas are churning out unnecessary waste. In fact, a Pooja usually concludes with a Havan (fire offering), which purifies the atmosphere. As such, we should always be cognisant of any waste materials we leave behind.
Dwipedi (1993) in Human Responsibility and the Environment: A Hindu Perspective explained that Hindu scriptures defined humanity’s relationship to nature and noted that an important part of that conduct is maintaining proper sanitation. As a deterrent to polluting the environment, persons engaging in unsocial activities and in acts of polluting the environment were cursed from a scriptural viewpoint: “A person, who is engaged in killing creatures, polluting wells, and ponds and tanks, and destroying gardens, certainly goes to hell” (Padmapurana, Bhoomikhananda 96:7-8).
In 2009, the Convocation of Hindu Spiritual Leaders adopted the inaugural Hindu Declaration on Climate Change at the Parliament of the World Religions, which was later re-introduced in the lead-up to the Paris Climate Conference in 2015. Within the declaration, Hindu leaders made specific references to teachings from religious texts to highlight how Hindus have an inherent duty to protect the environment.
Indeed, in the midst of various global discourses on pollution, religious leaders in Guyana need to become vocal advocates for changing certain practices with a view to protecting the environment. We, as priests, must be the drivers for this much-needed societal change. We must explain that no bad omen will befall if things are done differently – more so, in keeping the environment clean.
Given the religious importance of keeping the environment clean, the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha, the country’s largest Hindu organisation has been appealing to Hindus to use only biodegradable items in Poojas and that no foil papers, murtis, plastic or cloth should be dumped into the waterways. Other recommendations from the said body included placing leaves, flowers, fruits and other biodegradable materials into deep waters. Many Hindus opt to dispose of broken and old murtis into the waterways.
Pandit Rajin Balgobind explained, “Visarjanam” (immersion) forms part of the conclusion of every Pooja and items such as murtis, flags, sarees should not pollute our environment. To this end, he recommended that: 1. Sari (used in Pooja) should be gifted to someone, or a mandir, or used by the individuals themselves. 2. Fruits, including coconuts, can be consumed as “prasadam.” 3. Broken murti can be fixed and this is completely acceptable. 4. Pindas from Shraadh rituals can be fed to cows. It is important to note that it is not compulsory to hoist flags. Alternatives to this can include hoisting small flags or hoist same at home.
Pandit Roop Sukhram, a Guyanese-Hindu scholar based in Florida wrote extensively on disposing after-Pooja items. For Bhümau-nikhanatim or disposing of Pooja items, he recommended burial. He cited Yajur Veda – Taittireeya Braahmana as the authority. He explained by the performance of Yajña (worship), that Lord Shiva, through the features of both Prithivee – Mother Earth and Ambikaa Maa is being worshipped. Hence, since the Earth is Rudra, subsequently, upon the completion of this blissful Yajña all items are committed to the Earth. From this standpoint, it is proper and acceptable to bury all Pooja items upon the completion of any Pooja.
Apart from the issue of disposing used Pooja items, Hindus have been asking that areas be designated for their worship. To this end, I urge the local NDC and municipality to work with Hindu leaders to allocate places for worship. This can help in controlling the waste since it is no secret that non-Hindus also use the waterways for worship.
I urge my Hindu brothers and sisters that for their next Pooja, no waste should be left behind and there must be a disposal plan, which factors in environment care. Further, I urge that pandits and mandir devotees use Vasant Panchmi, Phagwah, Ganga Dusshera and other Earth themed occasions to explain the value of keeping the environment clean to their congregation.
Additionally, I am appealing to devotees to desist from disposing domestic wastes into the waterways. Every time we desecrate the environment, think of it as hurting the same Goddess, to whom we offer reverence. As outlined above, there many alternative methods which can be employed to guide our conduct. It must be pointed out that using any above methods will not reduce the benefits derived from the Pooja nor will it bring any harm to you and your family. These are all superstitious constructs which must be rejected.
Lastly, I urge all citizens to play their part in keeping our environment clean, and free from pollution.
Yours in Dharma,
Pandit Deodat
Persaud
Reliance Settlement
Sanatan Mandir
