From Prakriti to Ecology: Elemental Ontology and Environmental Responsibility in Indian Philosophy

Abstract: This paper explores classical Indian philosophy’s contribution to contemporary environmental ethics by analyzing Prakṛti and the Pañcamahābhūta (the five great elements). It argues that Sāṃkhya and Vedānta traditions establish a "relational ontology," where humans and nature share the same structural constitution. Under this framework, ecological responsibility is not an external moral duty but an internal implication of our shared metaphysical identity. By grounding environmental obligation in the principle of dharma, this model challenges anthropocentric and mechanistic views of nature. The study further engages with Western concepts like Deep Ecology and the Land Ethic, noting that while they share similar goals, the Indian model uniquely roots ethics in metaphysical unity rather than moral expansion. Ultimately, the paper suggests that this holistic elemental ontology offers a vital conceptual foundation for global sustainability and addressing the modern climate crisis.