CHHATHI MAIYA — A MESSAGE TO THE WORLD [Ancient Wisdom for a Modern World]

CHHATHI MAIYA — A MESSAGE TO THE WORLD

  Ancient Wisdom for a Modern World 

My dear brothers and sisters across the world,

Today, I wish to share with you a simple message from an ancient Indian tradition called Chhath.

Chhath is not merely a festival.

It is a conversation between Humanity, Nature, the Sun and the Divine.

For thousands of years, people have stood in rivers and sacred waters, offering gratitude to the setting Sun and the rising Sun.

And behind this beautiful tradition lies a message that the modern world urgently needs:

We are not separate from Nature.

We are a part of Nature.

The Sun gives us light and energy.

Water gives us life.

The Earth gives us food.

The air gives us every breath.

Nature gives without asking who we are, where we come from, or what faith we follow.

The same Sun shines upon the rich and the poor.

The same water sustains every community.

The same Earth is home to us all.

And Chhath teaches us to simply say:

Thank you.

Thank you, Sun, for your light.

Thank you, Water, for life.

Thank you, Earth, for your abundance.

Thank you, Nature, for everything we receive.

But gratitude must become responsibility.

If we are grateful for water,

we must protect our rivers.

If we are grateful for the Earth,

we must protect our soil and forests.

If we are grateful for life,

we must protect Nature for the generations yet to come.

Chhath also teaches us that real prosperity is not only about what we possess.

True wealth is health, family, inner peace, courage, relationships, clean air, clean water and a grateful heart.

Its message is simple:

Gratitude creates happiness.

Discipline creates strength.

Truth creates courage.

Service creates humanity.

And harmony with Nature creates a better future.

This message belongs not to one religion, one region or one country.

It belongs to humanity.

Because before we belong to any nation, language or tradition,

we all belong to this one Earth.

So, from the sacred waters of Chhath, I offer one message to the world:

We are not apart from Nature.

Nature is not merely around us.

Nature lives within us.

We are born from Nature,

we are sustained by Nature,

and one day, we return to Nature.

Therefore—

To respect Nature is to respect life itself.

Let us live cleaner.

Let us think deeper.

Let us consume responsibly.

Let us protect our rivers.

Let us protect our Earth.

Let us love more.

And let us remain grateful for the light that makes life possible.

We are not separate from Nature.

We are Nature.

And when we honour Nature,

we honour life.

May Chhathi Maiya inspire purity in our hearts,

strength in our spirit,

harmony in our families,

and peace across the world.

Jai Chhathi Maiya.

— Sandeep Kumar Dubey

Chairman, Chhathi Maiya Foundation