Sharing Ancient Wisdom on International Earth Day
Each year, Earth Day serves as a reminder of the beauty and magnificence of our planet. It’s a day for us to honor our only home, appreciate the efforts of environmentalists before us, and find new ways to protect Earth as we move forward.
In ancient Indian texts, we recognize Bhoomi as the goddess of Earth. She provides us with ancient wisdom, teaching us that we are interconnected with the environment both materially and spiritually. Not only that, but Mother Earth provides us with the healing and life-sustaining herbs we need to thrive on this planet.
Join us as we take a closer look at the insights we can learn from Bhoomi this Earth Day.
Lessons from Bhoomi
In ancient Indian texts, Dharma is the cosmic law that determines one's moral and ethical duties. Everyone on the planet has Dharma. A lion’s Dharma is different from a human’s Dharma, and so on.
When all human beings act in line with Dharma, or our duties, we work in unison with the planet. The planet thrives. When we don’t, the planet suffers. The more we follow cosmic law, the more we can protect this planet we call home.
Lakadong Turmeric: Nutrition from Earth’s Womb
The Ashwins have filled Her with healing herbs and Vishnu has imparted Her with Divine qualities;
Indra made Her free from enemies and the friend of all; May she nurture us with kindness like a mother to a son.
-Ancient Indian texts
Another key teaching is that Bhoomi is upheld by Divine forces, which allow Mother Earth to provide us with the nurturing sustenance we require. The Ashwins (divine physicians) filled the Earth with life-sustaining and healing herbs (Yam Ashvinav Amimatam). These herbs provide us with vital nutrients that help us avoid sickness.
We can see evidence of this all around us. Take, for instance, Lakadong turmeric. In France, people sometimes call turmeric terre merite. Although there is much theory behind the history of this name, it is thought that merite refers to the immense value turmeric (and Earth) provides as an herbal medicine.
When we harvest turmeric at Mt. Meru Medicines, we’re constantly thinking of the power and wisdom of Mother Earth. Each year, our farmers carefully select the best mother rhizomes to plant. The Lakadong Turmeric grows in the womb of the earth for nine months, just like a baby in a human womb, before harvesting. This turmeric, grown in the earth’s mineral-rich soil, is an enduring reminder of how Earth provides for us when we treat her well.
Caring for Future Generations
One way that we recognize the importance of Dharma and our role as farmers and Stewards of the Earth is by practicing regenerative agriculture. We utilize synergy cropping, meaning we grow other plants alongside our turmeric. This practice, which is also called intercropping, involves using other plants to protect our turmeric from pests. We never have to use harmful pesticides. This practice also allows for increases in curcumin levels and boosts crop yields. As we’ve discussed, Bhoomi works with us when we’re in line with Dharma. We invite you to read more about our Earth Stewardship here.
We have just one planet. We depend on Earth, on Bhoomi, to provide us with shelter, water, food, and freedom. This Earth Day, we implore you to take care of Mother Earth, a duty that we must fulfill to make sure that we as well as the Future Generations can have a thriving future on our home planet.
Radhika, Aura (Radhika’s daughter), and our lovely farmers in Meghalaya, India