The creation of the Timeless Being—this Nature—is humanity’s closest friend and teacher. If we observe its colours with attention, we find a deep harmony within them. The beauty of Nature has the power to awaken our dormant emotions. Listening to the sweet songs of the birds that roam within it brings joy to the human heart. Nature has provided every creature with an environment suitable for its survival. All living beings, including humans, absorb the influence of their surroundings. When we maintain harmony and balance with Nature, we begin to perceive glimpses of its Creator in every particle. At times, Nature itself appears like the living, conscious form of its Maker:
ਬਲਿਹਾਰੀ ਕੁਦਰਤਿ ਵਸਿਆ॥
ਤੇਰਾ ਅੰਤੁ ਨ ਜਾਈ ਲਖਿਆ॥ (ਅੰਗ ੪੬੯)
The Gurus have repeatedly described Nature in Gurbani.
According to Gurmat philosophy, Nature is an extension of the Eternal Being. It is His own creation—His divine play. Nature is the manifest (sargun) form of the Supreme. When He wills, He also assumes the state of absolute stillness:
ਆਪਿ ਸਤਿ ਕੀਆ ਸਭੁ ਸਤਿ॥
ਤਿਸੁ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਤੇ ਸਗਲੀ ਉਤਪਤਿ॥
ਤਿਸੁ ਭਾਵੈ ਤਾ ਕਰੇ ਬਿਸਥਾਰੁ॥
ਤਿਸੁ ਭਾਵੈ ਤਾ ਏਕੰਕਾਰੁ॥
(ਅੰਗ ੨੯੪)
Nature functions entirely under the Hukam of the Timeless One. Not even a leaf can move without His command:
ਕੀਤਾ ਪਸਾਉ ਏਕੋ ਕਵਾਉ॥ ਤਿਸ ਤੇ ਹੋਏ ਲਖ ਦਰੀਆਉ॥ (ਅੰਗ ੩)
When He was in the state of total stillness, everything was immersed in darkness. Nature did not yet exist:
ਅਰਬਦ ਨਰਬਦ ਧੁੰਧੂਕਾਰਾ॥
ਧਰਣਿ ਨ ਗਗਨਾ ਹੁਕਮੁ ਅਪਾਰਾ॥
ਨਾ ਦਿਨੁ ਰੈਨਿ ਨ ਚੰਦੁ ਨ ਸੂਰਜੁ ਸੁੰਨ ਸਮਾਧਿ ਲਗਾਇਦਾ॥ (ਅੰਗ ੧੦੩੫)
In today’s age, caught in materialistic pursuits and blinded by greed, humans are becoming increasingly estranged from Nature. In the process—knowingly or unknowingly—we have invited severe troubles and complications. The earth faces a grave crisis. Trapped in superstition, illusions, charms, and rituals, humanity is losing its precious life:
ਐਸੇ ਭਰਮਿ ਭੂਲੇ ਸੰਸਾਰਾ॥ ਜਨਮੁ ਪਦਾਰਥੁ ਖੋਇ ਗਵਾਰਾ॥ (ਅੰਗ ੬੮੬)
Instead of aligning with Nature, humans are disrupting its balance. Rather than living in the Creator’s Hukam, Will, and fear-free discipline, we have placed selfishness at the center of our actions.
The human mind is always filled with the desire for liberation and the lure of heaven. Lost in confusion, humans today are experiencing hell instead. Without a true Guru, there seems no way out:
ਗੁਰ ਕੈ ਸਬਦਿ ਜੋ ਮਰਿ ਜੀਵੈ ਸੋ ਪਾਏ ਮੋਖ ਦੁਆਰੁ॥ (ਅੰਗ ੯੪੧-੪੨)
Separation from Nature has placed mankind before one of the greatest threats: pollution. Unnecessary and harmful changes in the physical, chemical, and biological elements of Earth’s environment are known as pollution. The balance of air, water, soil, and living systems has been disturbed. Excessive particles and gases in the atmosphere threaten humans, animals, birds, and plants. Nuclear explosions and atomic weapon tests release dangerous radiation, causing severe diseases. The depletion of the ozone layer allows harmful ultraviolet rays to reach Earth—an alarming situation.
The purity of water is declining. Scarcity of drinking water will become a serious problem in the future. Chemical fertilizers and pesticides used to increase crop yield have contaminated the soil. Acid rain is becoming more likely. Increasing noise pollution mocks the harmony of Nature. The demon of pollution has gripped humanity tightly, threatening our very existence. If we reflect deeply, we realize that human beings—due to ignorance—are foolishly attempting to turn Nature upside down:
ਦੀਵਾ ਬਲੈ ਅੰਧੇਰਾ ਜਾਇ॥ ਬੇਦ ਪਾਠ ਮਤਿ ਪਾਪਾ ਖਾਇ॥
ਉਗਵੈ ਸੂਰੁ ਨ ਜਾਪੈ ਚੰਦੁ॥ ਜਹ ਗਿਆਨ ਪ੍ਰਗਾਸੁ ਅਗਿਆਨੁ ਮਿਟੰਤੁ॥ (ਅੰਗ ੭੯੧)
Without spiritual knowledge, humans fail to experience the Creator and the mysteries of His Nature. Only by reconnecting with Nature and its Maker can true wisdom arise. Modern life has become increasingly complicated—our clothing, language, and food are growing unnecessarily complex. Rituals and pretenses have chained the human spirit. Separated from Nature and simple living, humans are wandering aimlessly. Ignoring the abundant gifts bestowed by Nature, we indulge in harmful habits that corrupt the intellect. True harmony and simplicity become possible only when we attune ourselves to Nature:
ਤੇਰੀ ਕੁਦਰਤਿ ਤੂਹੈ ਜਾਣਹਿ ਅਉਰੁ ਨ ਦੂਜਾ ਜਾਣੈ॥
ਜਿਸ ਨੋ ਕ੍ਰਿਪਾ ਕਰਹਿ ਮੇਰੇ ਪਿਆਰੇ ਸੋਈ ਤੁਝੈ ਪਛਾਣੈ॥ (ਅੰਗ ੧੧੮੫)
According to Gurmat, humans should believe in living a balanced life. Just as the lotus blooms spotless out of muddy waters, humans too must live as householders while restraining desires, avoiding unhealthy cravings, maintaining pure conduct, and walking on the path of sehaj—effortless natural living. One should wear simple clothing, eat simply, and speak in a straightforward manner. But this is possible only with the grace of the Eternal Being and the guidance of the True Guru:
ਸਚਿ ਮਿਲੈ ਸਚਿਆਰੁ ਕੂੜਿ ਨ ਪਾਈਐ॥
ਸਚੇ ਸਿਉ ਚਿਤੁ ਲਾਇ ਬਹੁੜਿ ਨ ਆਈਐ॥ (ਅੰਗ ੪੧੯)
The renowned naturalist writer Rousseau writes in his celebrated book Émile:
“Try to live according to Nature. The further we drift from the natural state, the further we move away from true joy.”
The great Punjabi poet Prof. Puran Singh, to escape the complexities of modern civilization, constantly sought refuge in the lap of Nature. Deeply devoted to the Gurus, he found peace and shelter in Nature’s pure and innocent embrace. This soulful poet merged his spirit with the spirit of Nature. With his lines, we conclude this essay:
ਮਾਣੀ ਮਾਣੀ ਤੂੰ ਸੋਹਣਿਆ!
ਪੀਲੀ ਪੀਲੀ ਖਿਲੀ ਸਰ੍ਹੋਂ ਦੀਆਂ ਪੈਲੀਆਂ।
ਮਾਣੀਂ ਤੂੰ ਸੋਹਣਿਆ ਮਾਣੀਂ ਤੂੰ ਖਿੜ ਕੇ ਆਪਣੀ ਬਸੰਤ ਸਾਰੀ।
ਮਾਣੀ ਤੂੰ ਚਿੱਟੀ ਦੁੱਧ ਗਰਮੀਆਂ।
ਮਾਣੀ ਅਸਮਾਨਾਂ ਆਪਣਿਆਂ ਵਿਚ ਉਹ ਗੱਜ ਗੱਜ ਆਣ ਘਨਘੋਰ ਕਾਲੇ ਬੱਦਲ
ਮਾਣੀਂ ਤੂੰ ਸਾਵਣ ਆਪਣਾ!…
Be proud—be proud—of your faith and your Sikhi!
Be proud of your lofty love, the love that belongs to the Gurus!
Hold firmly the knot of this lineage;
Rely entirely on your True and Eternal Sovereign!
(From “Desh Pyara Punjab”)
Come! Let us all learn to live in harmony with Nature!
Giani Narinder Singh
