Thought for the Day

Wednesday 20 November

Roll on, thou deep and dark blue ocean, roll!
Ten thousand fleets sweep over thee in vain;
Man marks the earth with ruin, – his control
Stops with the shore.

— Lord Byron

Eknath Easwaran's Commentary

Alas, Lord Byron, no more! Industrial society’s reach has extended deep into the sea. Pollution, depletion of the ozone layer, global warming – threats like these are changing the ocean.

In the Bhagavad Gita, the Lord says, “Among bodies of water, I am the ocean.” He does not say merely, “I made the ocean”; he says, “I am the ocean.” To me, this is the basis of all our environmental efforts, and it accords with what ecologists tell us about the importance of the sea. The sea supports us, balances our climate, provides a home for whales and seals and dolphins. When we look at the sea, we should remember the infinite tenderness and compassion of God. When we pollute the ocean we are ignoring and abusing that compassion in a manner unworthy of us.

The Thought for the Day is today's entry from Eknath Easwaran's Words to Live By.