The Rig Veda is a valuable source for understanding the civilization of the seven rivers. Through its hymns, it describes a world where man lived in close relationship with nature. Far from being a simple collection of religious chants, it recounts ancient events in the form of metaphors and sheds light on a time when people knew how to use the resources of their environment without destroying it.
An era of respect for nature.
In the early hymns of the Rig Veda, we perceive a civilization living in harmony with its natural environment. The forces of nature are represented by powerful deities: Indra, the god of storms and strength, confronts Vritra, the serpent that holds back the waters, to free the rivers and fertilize the earth. Similarly, he battles Shushna and Shambara, figures associated with drought and obstacles to abundance. These stories demonstrate the importance of water and fertility to the peoples of the Seven Rivers civilization.
Rituals related to fire, water, and plants also reveal a way of life respectful of natural cycles. Agni, the sacred fire, is a mediator between humans and the gods, used cautiously for cooking food and ceremonies. This measured approach contrasts with the excesses that would appear later with the urban phase.
The urban phase and its environmental consequences
With the rise of great cities like Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro, the Seven Rivers Civilization entered a more structured, but also more resource-intensive, period. Building these cities required the production of millions of fired bricks, leading to massive deforestation to fuel the kilns. This intensive logging likely weakened the region’s natural balance.
Despite this increasing pressure on the environment, the Vedic people maintain a strong connection with nature. Hymns continue to extol the power of rivers and storms, emphasizing their essential role in human prosperity. The Rig Veda reminds us that water is the source of life and that access to it must be protected.
An ecological legacy
The Rig Veda thus offers us a dual vision of this civilization: an ancient period where man lived in harmony with his environment, and an urban phase marked by significant transformations. By highlighting natural cycles and the divine forces associated with the elements, it invites us to reflect on the importance of preserving our ecosystem.
Today, these texts remain a source of inspiration for those seeking to understand how ancient societies managed their resources. The Seven Rivers Civilization, although it has undergone evolutions and challenges, reminds us that respect for nature is an essential condition for a sustainable future.
Le Rig Veda 
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