-: Bishnois and conservation :-
During the medieval period many religious sects became popular which vehemently advocated conservation of the natural environment. One such sect was that of the Bishnois, which became widely accepted in a climatically hostile zone of Rajasthan. The followers of the sect advocated the banning of treefelling since they believed that trees are the basis of a harmonious and prosperous environment. The love for trees was so greatly infused in the minds and souls of the Bishnois that in Khejrali village of Rajasthan about 363 young and old men and women embraced the khejri trees (Prosopis cineraria) to protect them from being felled by the king’s men. The local ruler had ordered the cutting of khejri trees to use them for his lime kilns as fuel; the Bishnois hugged them and many were killed in the episode. Later, a temple was built in honour of the Bishnoi martyrs. One of the leading women of the movement was Amrita Devi Bishnoi. The repentant king later issued an edict protecting trees and animals in Bishnoi-controlled lands.
The commoners from a semi-arid zone had understood the real value of trees. Khejri leaves constitute an important feed for livestock in a desert region like western Rajasthan, as they have high nutritional value for camels, cattle, sheep and goat. A unique feature of this tree is that it yields much green foliage even during dry winter months when no other green fodder is available in the dry tracts. People from semi-arid parts of western Rajasthan encouraged the growth of the khejri tree in between the cultivable lands and pastures because its extensive root system helped stabilize the shifting sand dunes. It also fixes nitrogen through bacterial activity. Besides, villagers used khejri leaves as organic matter for rejuvenating non-fertile soil. Women use its flowers mixed with sugar during their pregnancy as a safeguard against miscarriage, and its bark is effective against dysentery, asthma, common cold and rheumatic arthritis.
From : Knowledge TRADITIONS & PRACTICES OF INDIA
During the medieval period many religious sects became popular which vehemently advocated conservation of the natural environment
Shri Guru Jumbheshwar Bhagwan (JambhoJi)
Founder of BISHNOI / VISHNOI Sect
Birth : Vikram Samwat 1508 Bhadrapad Vadi 8 (Year 1451) Midnight of Shri Krishna Janmashtami in Kritica Nakshastra
Place : Village-Pipasar, District: Nagaur, State: Rajasthan
Father :Thakur Shri Lohat Ji Panwar
Mother : Hansa (Smt. Kesar Devi)
Uncle : Shri Pulho Ji Panwar (Jambho Ji has made him first BISHNOI)
Aunt : Smt. Tantu Devi
Grand Father : Shri Rawal Singh Ji Sardar (Rolo Ji); He was among 42nd ancestor of Maharaja Vikramaditya
Nana Ji : Shri Mohakam Singh Ji Bhati (Khileri)
Nanihal : Village: Chhapar, District: Churu, State: Rajasthan
When Shri Jumbheshwar Bhagwan were 7 years old, he started taking cows for grazing to the nearby forests. He utilized his seclusion as a cowherd for observing people, plants and trees, forests and animals. It was during this period that he understood the quality of life in the arid conditions of the Thar Desert.
Chet Sudi Navami, Vikram Samwat 1540: Father Lohat Ji Expired. Five months after mother Hansa also expired.In the age of 34 years, he left home and went to Samarathal Dhora.Established BISHNOI religion on Kartik Vadi 8, Vikram Samwat 1542. He left this world on Migsar Vadi Navami, Vikram Samwat 1593 at “Lalasar ki Sathari”.
He cleverly packaged a set of 29 rules (This is how BISHNOI name came inplace as ‘BIS’ is twenty and ‘NOI’ stands for nine) by which his followers must live. He was born in a Rajput clan, given to warring and conquests. He saw poverty and social discord. Convinced that man can succeed only by taking care of nature, and not by coveting the fruits of another man's labours. Visited across country for 51 years and shown lots of miracles to Kings, Rich & Poors etc. At times, he astounded people around him with words of knowledge and wisdom. Shri Guru Jumbheshwar Bhagwan walked the barren wilds of Rajasthan, showing how man can live in peace even in those lands, provided he cared. He was a great saint and philosopher of medieval India. He raised his voice against the rituals and formalities of Hinduism. Born in a well-to-do Rajput family in 1508 in Pipasar village of Nagaur district, Jambhoji was the only child of his parents. As a child, he was so quiet that his fellow villagers thought him to be dumb. When he was 18 years old, he met another famous saint - Gorakhnathji. It is believed that Gorakhnath Ji influenced the thoughts of Jambho Ji considerably. After the death of his parents, he renounced his entire property and shifted to Samrathal sand dunes. This is the place that saw the birth of Bishnoi sect. He imparted knowledge to his followers and propagated his faith. He was against all social and religious barriers. His close study of desert had made him realize the important role played by trees and other forms of vegetation.
Some of principles to live by, totaling 29 in all, by Shri Guru Jumbheshwar Bhagwan are as follows:
=>Never cut a green tree, but wait for a tree to age and die and then use it as timber.
=>Bury your dead simply, so that the earth assimilates the flesh - and you save too, the wood needed for a casket or a cremation.
=>Practice cleanliness and a high level of hygiene, for these will guard you from disease.
=>Protect wildlife - they too play a role in maintaining soil fertility and in holding the balance of harmful and beneficial life forms.
=>Conserve water for use by man and animals, by building tanks everywhere.
=>Practice vegetarianism and be addicted to nothing - alcohol, tobacco or even tea!
=>Do not expect or seek, alms or subsidy, from king or government; believe in self-help!
=>Let women, those founts of life, wear bright clothes of red or orange and the men white, as a symbol of undiluted devotion to the faith.
=>If ever you must choose to be violent, may it be in defense of a tree, an animal or your convictions; for this, even embrace death with cheer.
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| Jai jambha~shakti by:RK Bishnoi |
During the medieval period many religious sects became popular which vehemently advocated conservation of the natural environment. One such sect was that of the Bishnois, which became widely accepted in a climatically hostile zone of Rajasthan. The followers of the sect advocated the banning of treefelling since they believed that trees are the basis of a harmonious and prosperous environment. The love for trees was so greatly infused in the minds and souls of the Bishnois that in Khejrali village of Rajasthan about 363 young and old men and women embraced the khejri trees (Prosopis cineraria) to protect them from being felled by the king’s men. The local ruler had ordered the cutting of khejri trees to use them for his lime kilns as fuel; the Bishnois hugged them and many were killed in the episode. Later, a temple was built in honour of the Bishnoi martyrs. One of the leading women of the movement was Amrita Devi Bishnoi. The repentant king later issued an edict protecting trees and animals in Bishnoi-controlled lands.
The commoners from a semi-arid zone had understood the real value of trees. Khejri leaves constitute an important feed for livestock in a desert region like western Rajasthan, as they have high nutritional value for camels, cattle, sheep and goat. A unique feature of this tree is that it yields much green foliage even during dry winter months when no other green fodder is available in the dry tracts. People from semi-arid parts of western Rajasthan encouraged the growth of the khejri tree in between the cultivable lands and pastures because its extensive root system helped stabilize the shifting sand dunes. It also fixes nitrogen through bacterial activity. Besides, villagers used khejri leaves as organic matter for rejuvenating non-fertile soil. Women use its flowers mixed with sugar during their pregnancy as a safeguard against miscarriage, and its bark is effective against dysentery, asthma, common cold and rheumatic arthritis.
From : Knowledge TRADITIONS & PRACTICES OF INDIA
During the medieval period many religious sects became popular which vehemently advocated conservation of the natural environment
Shri Guru Jumbheshwar Bhagwan (JambhoJi)
Founder of BISHNOI / VISHNOI Sect
Birth : Vikram Samwat 1508 Bhadrapad Vadi 8 (Year 1451) Midnight of Shri Krishna Janmashtami in Kritica Nakshastra
Place : Village-Pipasar, District: Nagaur, State: Rajasthan
Father :Thakur Shri Lohat Ji Panwar
Mother : Hansa (Smt. Kesar Devi)
Uncle : Shri Pulho Ji Panwar (Jambho Ji has made him first BISHNOI)
Aunt : Smt. Tantu Devi
Grand Father : Shri Rawal Singh Ji Sardar (Rolo Ji); He was among 42nd ancestor of Maharaja Vikramaditya
Nana Ji : Shri Mohakam Singh Ji Bhati (Khileri)
Nanihal : Village: Chhapar, District: Churu, State: Rajasthan
When Shri Jumbheshwar Bhagwan were 7 years old, he started taking cows for grazing to the nearby forests. He utilized his seclusion as a cowherd for observing people, plants and trees, forests and animals. It was during this period that he understood the quality of life in the arid conditions of the Thar Desert.
Chet Sudi Navami, Vikram Samwat 1540: Father Lohat Ji Expired. Five months after mother Hansa also expired.In the age of 34 years, he left home and went to Samarathal Dhora.Established BISHNOI religion on Kartik Vadi 8, Vikram Samwat 1542. He left this world on Migsar Vadi Navami, Vikram Samwat 1593 at “Lalasar ki Sathari”.
He cleverly packaged a set of 29 rules (This is how BISHNOI name came inplace as ‘BIS’ is twenty and ‘NOI’ stands for nine) by which his followers must live. He was born in a Rajput clan, given to warring and conquests. He saw poverty and social discord. Convinced that man can succeed only by taking care of nature, and not by coveting the fruits of another man's labours. Visited across country for 51 years and shown lots of miracles to Kings, Rich & Poors etc. At times, he astounded people around him with words of knowledge and wisdom. Shri Guru Jumbheshwar Bhagwan walked the barren wilds of Rajasthan, showing how man can live in peace even in those lands, provided he cared. He was a great saint and philosopher of medieval India. He raised his voice against the rituals and formalities of Hinduism. Born in a well-to-do Rajput family in 1508 in Pipasar village of Nagaur district, Jambhoji was the only child of his parents. As a child, he was so quiet that his fellow villagers thought him to be dumb. When he was 18 years old, he met another famous saint - Gorakhnathji. It is believed that Gorakhnath Ji influenced the thoughts of Jambho Ji considerably. After the death of his parents, he renounced his entire property and shifted to Samrathal sand dunes. This is the place that saw the birth of Bishnoi sect. He imparted knowledge to his followers and propagated his faith. He was against all social and religious barriers. His close study of desert had made him realize the important role played by trees and other forms of vegetation.
Some of principles to live by, totaling 29 in all, by Shri Guru Jumbheshwar Bhagwan are as follows:
=>Never cut a green tree, but wait for a tree to age and die and then use it as timber.
=>Bury your dead simply, so that the earth assimilates the flesh - and you save too, the wood needed for a casket or a cremation.
=>Practice cleanliness and a high level of hygiene, for these will guard you from disease.
=>Protect wildlife - they too play a role in maintaining soil fertility and in holding the balance of harmful and beneficial life forms.
=>Conserve water for use by man and animals, by building tanks everywhere.
=>Practice vegetarianism and be addicted to nothing - alcohol, tobacco or even tea!
=>Do not expect or seek, alms or subsidy, from king or government; believe in self-help!
=>Let women, those founts of life, wear bright clothes of red or orange and the men white, as a symbol of undiluted devotion to the faith.
=>If ever you must choose to be violent, may it be in defense of a tree, an animal or your convictions; for this, even embrace death with cheer.
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