Soils in Hindu Scriptures (including Jainism, Buddhism, and Sikhism)

Hinduism is considered unique in the world of religions since it had no founder yet grew gradually over five thousand years, absorbing, assimilating, and guiding all other faiths to bear the cultural heritage of India. Hinduism has no Bible/Koran/Dhammapadam to find potential solutions for problems. Hinduism clarifies the differences and shared beliefs of different schools of thought within it, thus resembling Christianity binding human civilization with a common thread. There is no historical creator of Hinduism as in Jainism, Buddhism, and Sikhism.

According to the literature (Hindu text, the Bhagvad Gita), relationships of human/nature (yagna), human/divine (tapas), and human/human (dana) are conceptualized to stitch human beings and nature through soil, soul, and society. This suggests a high level of realization to connect these three to have a harmonious relationship with nature and sustain human civilization. All religions address soils differently and portray diverse cultural patterns of understanding this valuable natural resource. According to Hindu religious belief, soil (matter, nature) is considered divine and respected as Mother. Soil is seen as a feminine donor, attributed predominantly to chthonic (Ancient Greek word: khthon, which means earth or soil). In Hinduism soil is referred as dharti/bhoo mata: Mother Earth is also related to cosmic elements. In Buddhism, the soil is described as a symbol of dust in this ephemeral world to support life.

Humans belong to nature, and when they cultivate soil, it always reverberates in their mind. To relate humans with soils, two different types of religious concepts, namely natural religion and salvation religion are postulated. During the long history of human civilisation with primal religion (Primal religion has a priority where the fundamental aspect of religion is available). Being dominant, the soil is considered supernatural and controlled by an unseen power. Soils are part of religious reverence, justifying certain rituals to sustain their fertility.

However, the modern-day approach to soils takes environment, ethics, and ecology as more essential aspects. Human ecology is related to human concepts of nature and destiny (religion). Hindu religion always considers land/soil as mother earth, cautioned about its use and abuse, and recommends its preservation for posterity. Given this, Hinduism and other religions such as Jainism, Buddhism, and Sikhism and their concepts indirectly believe in the environment and ecological sustenance. They are in line with the modern-day vision.