WILDLIFE MESSAGES 2023

 

THE GRAND DESIGN

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(Oh, Raghava! The five physical cosmic elements i.e., earth, air, sky, water and fire, remain fixed in their own nature.                                               They never depart from their eternal dharma, resorting to their timeless path.)

- Srimadvalmiki Ramayan, Yuddhakanda, 2-26

Tuesday, 26 September 2023

Dear friend,

 We observe that every single substance in this universe behaves and follows its own natural properties and laws. For example, an atom has a unique structure consisting of protons, neutrons and electrons. The electrons revolve around their nucleus in an elliptic orbit, without expending any energy.

 All atoms are different from each other: Hydrogen has different properties than Oxygen; Gold is different from Mercury. Atoms form elements and elements form different chemicals. Here too, if you compare water and common salt, they have different physical and chemical properties; a piece of stone is distinct in its behaviour from that of an iron bar.

  A cursory outlook tells us that all substances are quite unrelated to each other because each one behaves differently. But all of them work together in unison as if they are closely connected to one another in nature!

 We observe a similar pattern of arrangement in the Solar system. The planets eternally revolve around the Sun in fixed orbits, very similar to that of an electron. In turn, the satellites revolve around their respective planets. They follow the same, consistent and disciplined path, with no mistakes done! While Earth’s rotation on its axis gives us day and night, its revolution around the Sun gives us the year. The same revolution also contributes to the seasons like monsoons, winter and summer on our Earth.  

 When there are so many rules and laws for inanimate things, shouldn’t there be rules for living creatures on Earth? The innumerable species of animals and plants also systematically follow their life cycles, each different from the other. Each animal or plant has a distinct size and shape, divergent food patterns and dissimilar lifestyles. Whereas, one depends on the other for its living; one becomes the food for the next! With all the diversities, contradictions and hostilities between them, there is a profound interdependence, coexistence and harmony among the various life forms. This is a silent lesson taught by them to all of us!

 The life of every living being revolves around its own lifecycle, in tune with the perfect rhythms of nature. This wonderful process of evolution, with the trilogy of creation-sustenance-dissolution is by itself an extremely satisfying experience. It is an entity of seamlessly marvellous beauty and a great symphonic melody!

 It is only we, humans, who have the perverse tendency to interfere with the unique and immaculate lifecycles of living beings and disturb the harmony of nature. Knowing fully well that it is disastrous to his very existence, and despite hearing the alarm bells of nature, man has continued his atrocious tendency. Homo sapiens have no future if he does not mend himself. The entire universe runs on the six principles - completeness, perpetuity, honesty, stability, precision and integrity. The only way to our future is to appreciate, bow down and follow these principles, which are in tune with the intention of creation.

 Let us join hands to make our only Earth, a place where all elements of life can live in health, happiness, and harmony.

SPECIAL WILDLIFE MESSENGER OF THIS YEAR

Southern Hill Myna: (Gracula indica) A resident bird of the western ghats and measuring 30 cms, the Southern Hill Myna has a shiny black plumage with an yellow tipped orange beak and bright naked yellow wattles on the head. It has white spots on the primaries and the legs are yellow. Male and female birds look alike. It is omnivorous, eating fruits, nectar and insects. Perched on tree tops, in a group, they have a high pitched, shrill whistle. The hill myna is a good mimic of other birds and considered to be one of the best in imitating human voice. It builds a nest in a hole in a tree. Hill Mynas live for about 30 years.

Total of hand-painted cards made: this year 2270; in 39 years 79,415. Total recipients: this year 1264; in 39 years 15,726.