A Short Note on the Bhagavad-gītā, the Qualities of Nature, and Ecology: Journal of Vaishnava Studies

Abstract

In Lance Nelson’s essay, “Reading the Bhagavad- gītā from an Ecological perspective,” he evaluates the Bhagavad-gītā (BhG) in the context of our present ecological crisis, using “the standards of an emerging ecological paradigm, as identified by Thomas Berry, eco-feminists, the eco-justice movement, proponents of deep ecology, and others.” (Nelson 2000, p. 128) He admittedly analyzes
the text from a Western, outsider perspective, briefly describing its ecological positives, while focusing mostly on the negatives. He concludes his essay with an interesting question that sums up much of his concern: “How is one to regard a sacred text that contains much wisdom, offers a deep spirituality, informs the religious life of millions, and yet teaches (as in 5.19) that we are established in the
highest spiritual goal when we have ‘conquered nature’?”