About the Book Forest and environment in ancient India is having emphasis in the Book on developing concept rather than merely providing information and providing up to date Knowledge relevant to the ancient environment (Le. Rig Veda /Later Vedic Forest Deforestation in Age of Brahmans Koutilya Arthashastra and Buddha Period). There is adequate scope to stimulate independent thinking and application of the principal learnt especially in religious forest.

In the sixth century B.C. India witnessed an in lens intellectual of upheaval Buddha was leading figure of that epoch besides questioning the established norms socio religious practices and spiritual values prevailing at that time. Then the Buddha Stood at a distance to the North-east of the Bodhi tree and gazed at it for one week motionless eyes as mark of gratitude and appreciation for having sheltered him during his enlightenment. This is extremely significant in determining his attitude towards trees & forest.

Not only that there are four ashram to lead out life the main is Vanprasth Ashram, man who completed 50 to 55 years go to the forest is live together. Many philosophers have tried to indicate the basis for good forest life system for example- Buddha left Home have at the age of 29 years and wondered through the village & Cities in the Ganga Valley for 15 Years.

About the Author Dr. Vijay Kumar Gupta passed M.A. Examination with 1st class from Magadh University Buddha-Gaya and has a completed Ph.D Under the supervision of Dr. S. Sahai Head of the department of AI & AS/ Pro. Vice Chanceller Madadh University. Presently working an officer in the department of KVIC (Govt. of India). V.K. Gupta is a prolific writer and well known communication philosopher about forest and Environment specially in religious ancient forest.

Preface In the present work, I have made an attempt to study various problems, related with forest and environment in ancient India with particular reference to the Mahabharata.

To understand the state of forest and environment as reflected in the Mahabharata, I have surveyed the ancient Indian literature from the Rigvedic period. The main sources for the study of this subject are: the Regveda, the later Vedas, the Brahmanas, the Buddhist literature, the Vanaparva of Mahabharata and Kautilya's Arthasastra.

The main focus of this book is the Mahabharata. The understanding of forest and environment as reflected in the Mahabharata depends upon the pre and post- Mahabharata scence.

**Contents and Sample Pages**