Ecotheology, Animal Rights, and the Śrīmad Bhāgavatam: Journal of Vaishnava Studies

Abstract

The story of Emperor Parīkṣit, the Dharma-bull, and the Earth-cow in the First Canto (mainly Chapters 16-17) of the Śrīmad Bhāgavatam (SB)1 can be read as an ecotheological thesis statement that is supported by the other theo-ethical themes that pervade the text. These themes can be catalogued as those relating to non-violence (ahiṃsā), the protection of cows2 and other living
beings, respect and care for the natural world, and even vegetarianism. While this may only be a partial enumeration, we can see that the text is a fertile ground for eco-theology. The current project is a confessional constructive theology3 to engage the traditional dharmic theo-ethic of ahiṃsā with the modern environmental and animal rights movements