Book Review on Shambhu P Singh’s Environment Conservation Through Religion

An  outstanding  Electrical  Engineer with Bokaro  Steel Plant, SAIL (Steel Authority of India Limited) with immense knowledge   and   interest   in   history,   Indian   astrology, philosophy,  ecology,  astronomy,  mythology  and  cardinal principles   of   all   prominent   religions,   Shambhu   Prasad Singh,   after   authoring   two   books: Nalanda   To   World Civilization and Vishwa  Sabhayata  Ko  Nalanda  Ki  Den,has now    presented    his    latest book titled Environment Conservation  Through  Religion—a  cornucopia  of  unique ideas and philosophy that the polluted world immediately needs most, especially, at this crucial juncture. Shambhu’s works have been immensely anthologized because a large number of perceptive readers and publishers take an avid interest  in  his  creations  which  are  not  only  unique  in nature,    but    also    infinitely    beneficial    for    the    entire humanity for all times to come. Themes highlighted in the book    are:    environmental    pollution,    global    disaster, humanism,  man’s  interference  with  nature,  eco-sociomoral  degradation  resulting  in  human  suffering,  selfish exploitation of natural resources, global warming, ice-age, population    explosion,    metaphysics,    preaching    about healthy  life  style  and  wholesome  environment  by  Shiva, Buddha,  Laotse,  Mahabir,  Rishahadeva,  Nanak  and  Kabir that    are    eco-friendly    and    that    could    help    remove environmental  pollution  and  cleanse  the  entire  biosphere of  all  obnoxious  green  gases  and  pollutants  vitiating  the entire  atmosphere.  Such  salubrious  thoughts  and  ideas combine  to  impel  various  prominent  critics  and  reviewers to effectively and convincingly articulate their appreciation and views on the author.

Shambhu  Prasad  is  a  keen  observer  of  the  biosphere  and ecosystem  that  everyone  witnesses and  through  his  enlightening  book, Environment    Conservation    Through Religion, he  hits  at  the  artificial  lives people   live   by   vitiating   the   entire atmosphere. I was impressed by the impassioned   utterance   the   author gave  to  his  repressed  thoughts  of the  approaching  cataclysm  owing  to pollution, excessive green gas emission, indiscrete ruthless exploitation of natural and terrestrial resources throughout  the  world,  creating  a degenerative  milieu, leading    to    periodical    disastrous    geographical    and geological   changes   that   have   strongly   impacted   the atmosphere  and  sensitive  psyche  of  every  well-meaning and  humane individual  of  the  world.  On  the  other hand,  I was at pains to witness the author’s grievances over the overbearing attitude and wicked tendencies of humans to exploit  natural  resources  to  meet  their  needs.  Such  an attitude that  evinces  love,  high  morality  and  anxiety  in weal and woe of the humanity at large inspires not only a few  readers,  but  also  the  entire  mankind.  As  explicitly stated in the preface by the author himself, he justifies his aims  and  objectives  of  writing  the  book  ethically  and conscientiously   with   complete   historical,   religious   and mythological background on the subject: ‘The main object of  composition  of  the  book  is  to  arouse  the  sleeping consciousness  of  human  race,  to  visualize  duty  towards earth  and  environment  and  to  make  human  race  vigil  for impending  peril.  We  have  inherited  clean  and  balance environment  from  our  ancestors.  It  is  our  duty  to  hand  it over to our coming generation without any pollution’. The anxiety,  care  and  concern  for  the  welfare  of  the  whole world  clearly  prove  how  every  atom  and  molecule  of  the author’s  being  is  infused  with  humanism  and  sense  of justice.

Viewing  the  entire  environmental  scenario  in  retrospect, the   author   discovers   that   hundreds   of   years   earlier, farming and agriculture were the only means of livelihood. Even    people    of    other    professions    were    indirectly connected  with  agriculture,  keeping  the  entire  ecosystem clean.     However,     after     industrial     revolution,     many dimensions   came   to   be   added   to   human   needs   and desires,    resulting    in    the    immense    increase    in    the production  of  various  materials  and  goods  for  the  need and  comfort  of  man.  All  industrial  products  were  in  great demand    because    they    were    cheaper    than    manual products.   Animal   and   man   power   was   replaced   by machine    and    brain    power.    There    was    an    abrupt transformation ‘in political, social and economic structure across the world’. People became wealthier and started leading  a  comfortable  and  luxurious  life.  But  ironically, with the multiplication of network of industries around the world, emission of green house gases increased, polluting the   entire   environment.   Ecological   system   and   eco-geological   balance   of   the   earth   was   also   seriously disturbed owing to mindless deforestation for constructing newer and newer factories, but the frequency of  floods  on  the  other  hand,  has  also  correspondingly increased since the roots of trees and plants have a strong hold over soil that does not easily wash away by rains and floods.   The   author   cites   multiple   living   evidence   to establish how due to ruthless exploitation of the earth’s resources,   serious   chemical   and   physical   disturbances have occurred in the entrails of the mother earth resulting in  earthquakes,  Tsunami  and  other  terrestrial  hazards. Innumerable people disappeared in Indonesian archipelago   in   Oct.   2010   owing   to   earthquake   and Tsunami—the  second  most  critical  disaster  of  the  first decade of 21stcentury in the Bay of Bengal. The frequency of  earthquakes  and  Tsunami  in  the  Bay  of  Bengal  and Himalayan  regions  during  the  last  20  years  are  in  fact, greater  than  the  number  of  all  such  preceding  disasters occurred  many  years  ago.  During  2004  when  Tsunami swept  the  Bay  of  Bengal,  huge  casualty  and  incalculable loss of property were caused in the Eastern coast of India, Malaysia,   Indonesia,   Bangladesh   and   Thailand   leaving many   traceless.   Geological   and   geographical   changes have  also  caused  drought,  bringing  untold  miseries  and sufferings  to  many  cities.  Big  cities  are  also  likely  to  be soon destroyed by the rise of the sea level owing to global warming generated by man’s interference  with  earth  and its  environment.  If  the  same  cycle  is  repeated  time  and again,  in  the  same  way,  human  race  will  soon  become  an extinct species. It is really disheartening that in matters of vitiating  the  environment  and  emitting  poisonous  gases India’s position  is  6thin  the  world,  after  USA,  Europe, Japan, China and Russia.

The  author  felt  motivated  to  see  that  L.E.E.D.  (leadership in   energy   and   environment)   was   created as   it   was appointed   by   green   gas   engineering   that   has   been working    as    international    standard    organization    for environment   cleansing   through   certain   standards   and norms  to  save  the  earth  and  human  race  from  becoming extinct.  This  organization  has  vitally  contributed  towards controlling   uncontrolled   industrial   emission   of   carbon gases  into  the  atmosphere,  carbon  mixed  gases  emitted by  fossil  fuel  driven  automobiles,  random  unprincipled destruction  of  forests,  ruthless  exploitation  of  mines  for iron  ores,  coal,  gold,  aluminium  copper,  magnesia,  etc., industrial discharge of toxic waste and slag into rivers and all  noxious  pollutants  that  vitiate  the  clean  atmosphere. Shambhu  was  also  perceptive  enough  to  note  that kite, jackals,  foxes,  hyenas,  crows,  vultures,  etc.,  working  as scavengers,  partially  keep  nature  clean  by  eating  dead animals, thereby also preventing nauseating smell emitted during   the   course   ‘disintegration,   fermentation, decomposition and rotting of dead body cells’. Even ducks, crows,  swans,  cranes,  sparrows  and  lizards  eat  various insects  and  tiny  creatures  that  cause  harm  to  man  and nature.  But,  despite  all  these  little  blessings  and  benign act  that  help  check  pollution,  the  damage  caused  to  the environment  has  not  been  fully  repaired,  for  the  level  of damage   has   already   gone   so   high   that   no   complete redressal  mechanism  seems  conceivable.  Unfortunately, many  species  of  birds  have  now  become  extinct  or  are near  extinction  in  the  Indian  subcontinent  because  they have  fallen  victim  to the hunters.  Some  human  friendly birds,  sparrows  and  even  some  species  of  butterfly  and insects are also facing extinction owing to ‘high frequency electromagnetic  wave  generated  for  telecommunication purposes’.  Chemicals  and  nano  particles  that  infest  the ocean  destroy aquatic  biosphere  of  ocean.  Vultures  that play  a  vital  role  in  generating  healthy  environment  by feeding   on   carcasses   of   cows   and   buffaloes   are   also gradually  vanishing,  because  chemical  hormone  oxytocin injected  to  these  animals  make  their  flesh  poisonous, leading  to  the  death  of  vultures.  Farmers’  use  of insecticides  to  protect  crops  from  various  harmful  insects and  spraying  of  pesticides  on  crops  to  contain  epidemic arising   from   fungus   and   bacteria   may   be   financially profitable  for  them,  but  it  is  definitely  injurious  to  human health  and  biosphere.  Likewise,  genetic  mutant  food  also has  an  equally  negative  impact.  Though  the  effects  of ‘chemicals and genetic catalysts’ are not immediate, yet, later  they  adversely  impact  the  ‘genetic  profile  and anatomical structure  of  human  body’  and  this  vicious impact will be perceptible for generations.

Intense  pollution  has  doubtlessly,  wrought  catastrophic changes,  putting  the  whole  civilization  on  the  brink  of apocalypse. Such a pathetic situation seems to perturb the disgruntled  author  whose  sensitive  soul  often  simmers with  discontentment  and  resentment,  so  much  so  that  he had  to  vent  the  plethora  of  his  choked  and  aggrieved feelings  through  this  phenomenal  book  which  he  did  in the   most   graceful,   impressive,   refined and   dignified manner through various religious, mythological, metaphysical,   mystical   and   scientific   explanations   and justifications  not  conceivable  in  the  whole  range  of  study and research on organisms, ecosystems and environmental   pollution   till   date.   It is   precisely   the exigency of the situation that impelled him to invoke Lord Shiva,  Vishnu,  Christ,  Lao-T-s  and  Osyrus  to  reincarnate themselves  in  some  form,  return  to  this  earth,  undo  all sins committed by mankind and ‘save human race from extinction’. As  a  mystic-engineer-writer,  the  author  is  still hopeful   that   some   positive   changes   through   religious beliefs  could  be  induced,  though  Prof  Franc  Fener  of Microbiology  of  National  University,  Australia  opines  that ‘it  is  too  late  to  rectify  the  sins  done  to environment. Homo sapiens (humans) will extinct from this earth within 100 years.’  However, most interestingly, Shambhu Prasad, without breaking stride has convincingly proved how Lord Shiva    is    symbolic    of    recycling    and    conservator    of environment.  He  affirms that Shiva’s life style, his way of living, dress, ornaments and habitats convey the message of  sacrifice  and  abandonment  of  all  worldly  belongings only  for  the  welfare  of  environment  and  biosphere.  Even his carrier Nandy is the symbol of welfare of biosphere and environment   and   also   lives   for   others   by   feeding   on human-generated  scraps  like  straw,  grass  and  husk  that generate energy used in tilling land that produces food to nourish  the  entire  human  race,  thereby  doing  great  for the  welfare  of  bio  world  also.  Ashes  and  burnt  waste  of earthly  material  smeared  on  Shiva’s  skin  proves  that nothing on this earth is futile, everything can conveniently ‘be used for the welfare of organic world’. Shiva uses ash for  covering  and  warming  his  body;  the  crescent  on  his forehead  indicates  the  periodical  ‘inevitability  of happiness,    sorrow,    creation,    destruction,    rise,    fall, acceleration,  retardation,  darkness,  lighted  phase  during organic  evolution  of  life.  The moon  is  the creator of  heart and   water   in   organic   world;   during   recycling   process (sanhar)   of   wastes   and   slag   of   physical   and   organic material energy, water is essential. The moon also inspires us  to  store  energy  during  the  first  half  of  the  cycle  of operation and discharge it in the half cycle. Snakes around Shiva’s neck is the symbol of rebirth and inevitability of life periodicity….’Likewise,   various   images   and   elements connected  with  Shiva  and  other  gods  are  shown  to  have some or the other symbolic significance related to nature, ecosystem and environment.

The   best   warning   message   that   comes   from   various mythological  allusions  and  references  is  that  we  must discard  our  luxurious  life  style  that  is  greatly  responsible for  vitiating  the  environment.  Uncontrolled  emitting  of limitless  green  gases  and  huge  expansion  of  network  of industries  to  meet  our  endless  unaccountable  luxurious needs  have  poisoned  the  atmosphere  so  much  so  that we’re  now  compelled  to  reconsider  about  recycling capacity for conversion of venomous waste and trash into some  vital  component  through Sanhar process  of  Lord Shiva.  The author  strengthens  his  concept  on  the  basis  of the laws of ‘indestructibility of matter’ and ‘conservation of energy’ of Physics which establishes that no matter or energy,  whatever,  can  ever  be  totally  destroyed;  only  its magnitude,   nature,   shape,   direction   and   size   can   be transformed. Hence, modern concept of Physics on matter and energy are only different names of Sanhar of Shiva at metaphorical,   physical,   metaphysical   and   philosophical levels.   The   author   is   also   adept   at   synthesizing   his knowledge    of    mythology    with    science    and    medical sciences.  He  observes  that  snakes  around  Shiva’s  neck assimilate  all  venom,  unwanted  energy  emitted  into  the atmosphere    and    all    vicious    elements    in    biosphere, protecting   this   biological   world   from   being   harmed. Snake’s venom is a condensed form of energy in liquid state as one single drop of king cobra’s venom can kill 100 men.  When  a  snake’s  venom  enters  human  body,  it dissolves  the  organic  tissue  of  neurological  system  which paralyses  ‘communication  of  electric  signals  sent  by different   limb-sensor   to   brain   through   neural   tissues, paralyzing  human  body  within  hours,  rather  killing  him. But  conversely,  when  a  snake’s  venom  is  injected  into human   body   in   a   diluted   form,   many   incurable   and complicated  diseases  like  hypothermia,  paralyses,  neural and  other  conceivable  and  inconceivable  diseases  could be   cured.   Quite   meaningfully   hence,   snakes   around Shiva’s  neck  are  instrumental  in  conserving,  regulating and   balancing   of   venom   energy   discernible   on   earth. Shambhu thus, exhorts all polluters to reduce their use of luxurious    appliances    like    air-conditioner,    car,    heavy electrical equipment and  the  like  and  strictly  follow  the simple  life-style  and  code  of  conduct  set  by  Shiva  in  case they really want to conserve ecosystem and this earth and prevent it from facing the impending ice age which due to biological   and  geographical  changes,  sweep  the  earth after every 1000 years.

 Despite  the  author’s wide knowledge in    various disciplines,  his  erudition  and  diligence  come  to  the  fore when   one   witnesses   a   comprehensive   environmental pollution index (CEPI) which has been calculated deeming four     factors:     pollutants,     pathways,     receptors     and additional  high-risk  element.  A  detailed  list  of  position  of air,water and land CPEI of industrial clusters in the states like  Gujarat,  U.P.,  Maharashtra,  Chhattisgarh,  Rajasthan, Orissa,  Punjab,  Kerala,  A. P.,  Uttarakhand,  Assam  and Tamil  Nadu  is  explicitly  explicated.  Shambhu  also  took pains  to  scrutinize  how  developing  countries  are  speedily increasing    the    production    of    steel    that    generates unaccountable  green  gases.  An  increase  in  production  of steel  in  percentage  by  various  developed  and  developing countries  like  USA,  Germany,  Brazil,  Japan,  South  Korea, Russia, China,   Ukraine,   Turkey   and   India   has   been elucidated  precisely  through  a  proper  chart.  The  author has   also   explained   how   countries   like   USA,   European Union,  Japan,  China,  Russia  and  India  that  have  higher urban  population  annually  generate  higher  level  of green gases   and CO2.   Shambhu   has   also   been   insightfully perceptive  when  he  attributes  the  cause  of  pollution  to population  explosion.  Production  to  meet  human  needs, luxury  and  comfort  has  to  increase  mainly  because of  the rising  population.  With  great  effort,  this  again  has  been illustrated   by   citing   the   average   growth,   density   per square  km.,  religion  and  average  female  population  of many  countries  of  the  world  through  exact  and  detailed facts and figures. No writer, till date has made such an in-depth  study  of  ecosystem,  environmental  pollution—its causes  and  effects  on  the  entire  humanity  and  various curative  measures  mainly  through  religion  and  science. Loaded  with  facts  and  figures,  the  book  is  a  relevant  and unique  document  written with  heart  touching rendering. With  imperceptible  tears  of  anguish,  the  compassionate author vents her immense suppressed disappointment on the   heartless   attitude   and   insane   manner   this   world spreads   pollution.   This   makes   him   resentful   of   the exploitation of earth’s resources by the so-called modern, civilized,  cultured  and  enlightened  society.  Being  deeply sympathetic  towards  the  suffering  battered  ecology  and agonized  humanity,  he  bares  even  his  unconscious  mind most   boldly,   candidly   and   factually   by   emoting   his justifiable  grievances  and  agony  fervently  as  evidenced  in all chapters.

Bedecked  with  scientific,  historical  and  mythological  facts, the  book  is  riddled  with  bitter  satire  and  grim  irony. Surely,  the  author  is  in  for  some  drastic  change,  for  he knows   well   that   everything   in   life   is   ephemeral   and inconstant,  except  change,  that  alone  is  constant. The crucial  issues  taken  up  by  him  are  pertinent  and  have been plaguing human society for at least 200 years. The   author   has   skill fully   interwoven   religion,   culture, science, history, convention, tradition, mythology, psychology   and   philosophy   with   inconceivable   writing skills,  making  the  anthology  a  unique  inspirational  and useful document for the present generation as well as for posterity to savour and preserve it for all times to come. 

About The Author

Shambhu Prasad  Singh  was  born in East-Champaran  district  in Bihar.  He  passed electrical  engineering from Bihar  University in 1972 and joined Bokaro Steel Plant, SAIL (Steel Authority of India Limited).  He worked in  different  units  and  faculties at the  plant. He retired from service in December 2008 on the post of Assistant General  Manager.  Besides  electrical  engineering, he  has special interest  in  the  fields of  Indian  astrology,  history,  philosophy, religion, environmental, hazard, games and sports. He has two books Environmental Hazard and Peril of the Earth and Eclipse  of  cricket  over  Indian  sub-continent published  to  his  credit till date.

Title: Environment Conservation Through Religion
Author : Shambhu Prasad Singh
Publisher: Evincepub
Available: Amazon

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