Turned into strife.

Water makes up 60% of our bodies. On Earth, it appears as lakes, rivers, seas and oceans and it covers 71% of the earth’s surface. Water also exists in the air as water vapor. Currently 44% of all wastewater returns to earth untreated. This means that all our waste (human, household sewerage, toxic and medical) is released directly into the planet’s ecosystems.

We have forgotten what water means.

It represents our conscious and subconscious emotions. It is never stationary and represents our emotions. It is associated with taste and the Swadhishthana chakra. Water is known as Apas, or Jala. In the Vedas, water was considered purifying in a spiritual context. The Rig Veda identifies Jala as the first resident or Ayana of Nara. It is considered Pratishtha (venerated), the underlying principle of the universe. Nara refers to water and Ayana to the abode. Water is Vishnu’s abode and that is why he is known as Narayana.

Water may pour from the heaven or run along the channels dug out by men; or flow clear and pure having the ocean as their goal… In the midst of the Waters is moving the Lord surveying men’s truth and men’s lies. How sweet are the waters, crystal clear and cleansing. From whom … all the deities drink, exhilarating strength into whom the Universal Lord has entered… (Satapatha).

Born of the waters

Early Vedic texts also identify water as being manifestation of the feminine principle known commonly as Shakti. ‘I call the water goddesses … wherein our cows quench their thirst; oblations to the streams be given.’ (Rig Veda). It is said that the primordial, cosmic man was born of the waters. Vedic texts identified, ‘Water as female.’(Satapatha).

Water has been associated with spiritual cleansing. ‘Whatever sin is found in me, whatever wrong I may have done, if I have lied or falsely sworn, Waters remove it far from me.’ (Rig Veda). However, man does not pray to water, the physical entity, but the source of life and spirituality within it.

Bhagavad Gita 7.8: ‘I am the taste in water, O son of Kunti, and the radiance of the sun and the moon.’ Water is in everything and therefore one has Krishna constantly in his/her mind.

Water is life,
Turned into strife.
If it had a voice it would say:
The essence I truly am,
Giving the promise of life, I can.
The element which holds you tight
That’s me!
Don’t you ever take me lightly.
I know who you truly are.
Don’t create a deep scar.
I know your story.
I am your memory.
If I am gone, then so are you.
Care for me, be fully true.
Hold me tight, hold me right.
With love I can be bright.
I am born to be free.
Save me now or I shall flee.
Then where would you be. – Swami Satyananda Saraswati

Dear ones, read this poem carefully and venerate the spirituality of water. When we pray to the Shakti of water, we can save Mother Earth.

Aim Hrim Klim