[vikramsjn]

Dear Steve,

Many thanks for yet another beautiful article.

I have been reading your blog for an year now, and have many times felt replying to articles/post, but never did, thinking that probably you will never get time to read.

Anyway.

I just wanted to share with you that here in India, we are taught that God is everywhere and also in insects and all forms of beings, even inanimate objects. Actually 'taught' is incorrect/weak word - Sanskaar (loosely translates to culture) is the right word.

I remember whenever I used to bang the door even accidentally my Mom used to, and still reminds me to be gentle, and to use things properly. I remember how at a very early age we were taught to never kill even ants even if they are on you or bite you. We were told that its there Swabhaav (nature). We were told, and are still told, and we teach the same to out kids that never unnecessarily hit even the ground. We consider it Dharti Maata (Mother Earth). We used to and still do touch the books and stationery, if accidentally it falls to ground - we say that its Vidya Devi/Maata (Mother Knowledge)

Just recently a pandit ji was explaining me that the Vedic Dharma says that there are two types of Devtaas (basically means one who gives and gives goodness without discrimating at all) Living and Non-Living. And that the Pooja (loosely translates to worship) of Non-Living Devtaa is also done - by maintaining and using them properly/appropriately. He also told that Puraana have even mantras to recite for example even when a leaf is plucked from plant - it is to remind the person, as a promise to the plant, that the the plucked leaf will be utilized properly and not waste or abused.

I realized that words like Sanskaar, Swabhaav, Dharti Maata, Pooja will look obscure, but actually the equivalent English words are weak to express what I mean.

So it came very naturally to us that we make sure that we do not hurt any insect even while walking. And obviously we do not use sprays to kill insects - we just work hard to keep our home clean.

Your post has again made me realize the greatness of Vedic Dharma and Hindu traditions, and Sanskaar.
Heartiest thanks again for the beautiful post.

Best wishes,
Vikram Sujanani