Concept Of Water ‘Apaha’, Air ‘Vayu’, And Ether ‘Akasha’

Concept Of Water ‘Apaha’,

Water is essential for all forms of life. According to Rig-Veda water as a part of human environment occurs in five forms: 1. Rain water (Divaha) 2. Natural spring (Srivanti) 3. Wells and 4. Canals (Khanitimah) 5. Lakes (Svayamazah).

There are also some other classifications in Tittiriya Aranyaka, Yajur Veda and Atharva Veda as drinking water, medicinal water, stagnant water etc. Chandogya Upanishad describes about the qualities of water. Water is the source of happiness and for living a healthy life. It is the immediate cause of all organic beings such as vegetation, insects, worms, birds, animals, men etc. Even mountains, earth, atmosphere and heavenly bodies are conceptualized as water. 33 cycles of water are described. From the ocean waters reach the sky and from the sky return to the earth. rainwaters are glorified. Rain-cloud is represented as Parjanya God.

The fight between Indra and Vritra is a famous story of Rig-Veda. It is explained in many ways. According to one view it is a fight of waters. Indra is called Apsu-jit or conquers the waters, while Vritra is engaging them. Vritra catches the rain and covers the waters and being thus guilty Indra is killed by means of his weapon called Vajra i.e. thunderbolt. The Indra-Vritra fight represents the natural phenomenon going on in the aerial space. All the seven rivers flow by the efforts of Indra. The flow of water should not be stopped and it is desired by humanity. The importance of water for life was known to the Vedic seers. They mention -waters are Amrit. Water is the source of all plants and the giver of good health. Water destroys all kinds of diseases. Water is for purification. It seems to have been developed later on the cultural tradition of pilgrimage on river-banks, based on the principle of purification by water. The ancient Indians knowing water as a vital element for life, were very particular about maintaining it pure and free from any kind of pollution. Manasmriti emphasizes many examples for keeping water clean. Padma Purana condemns water pollution, stating that he who pollutes the water of ponds, wells or lakes goes to hell.

The Concept of Air ‘Vayu’

The observer space is the abode of matter particles, light space is the abode of energy and the intermediate space is the abode of the ‘Antariksha’ region. The chief deity of Antariksha is Vayu. Jaiminiya Brahmana quotes, ‘Vayu Brightens in Antariksha.’ Field is another form of energy and so, the Yajur Veda says, ‘There is radiance in Vayu. What is that string, that is Vayu.’

The obvious meaning of Vayu is wind. The Vedic seers knew the importance of air for life. They understood about the air in the atmosphere and also about the air inside the body. Tittiriya Upanishad highlights five types of air inside the body: Prana, Vrana, Apana, Udana and Saman Air resides in the body. Rig Veda mentions! You are our father, the protector. Air has medicinal values ‘Let the air blow as medicine and bring me well-being and happiness. Medicated air is the international physician who destroys pollution and provides health and cheerfulness, life and vivacity to the people of the world. The hilly regions are filled with medicated air, which contains herbal elements. Another verse describes the characteristics of Vayu, the soul of all gods. It is present in all as the life-breath. It can go everywhere. We cannot see it. One can only hear its sound. We pray to God to give us air. Vayu God is prayed to blow it with its medicinal properties.

The Concept of Ether ‘Akasha’

Modern environmentalists discuss sound or noise pollution. There is a connection between ether and sound. Sound waves move in the ether at different frequencies. The scientist can see the ether which exists only in the vicinity of the earth, but Tittirya Upanishad throws light on two types of ether i.e.: one inside the body and the other outside the body. The ether inside the body is regarded as the seat of the mind. An interesting advice to mankind is found in the Yajur Veda, do not destroy anything of the ether and do not pollute the ether, do not destroy anything of the ether. The sun strengthens our inner strength and is essential for our life. Thus the importance and care for the ether is mentioned openly in the Vedic verses.

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