What Prabhupada said about cutting tree
Posted June 22, 2005
kecit khanitrair bibhiduh setu-prakara-gopuran
ajivyams cicchidur vrksan
kecit parasu-panayah
pradahan saranany eke
prajanam jvalitolmukaih
SYNONYMS
kecit--some of the demons; khanitraih--with digging instruments;
bibhiduh--broke to pieces; setu--bridges; prakara--protective walls;
gopuran--city gates; ajivyan--the source of livelihood; cicchiduh--cut
down; vrksan--trees; kecit--some; parasu-panayah--taking axes in hand;
pradahan--burned down; saranani--the dwellings; eke--other demons;
prajanam--of the citizens; jvalita--blazing; ulmukaih--with firebrands.
TRANSLATION
Some of the demons took digging instruments and broke down the
bridges, the protective walls and the gates [gopuras] of the cities.
Some took axes and began cutting the important trees that produced
mango, jackfruit and other sources of food. Some of the demons took
firebrands and set fire to the residential quarters of the citizens.
PURPORT
The cutting of trees is generally prohibited. In particular, trees
that produce nice fruit for the maintenance of human society should
not be cut. In different countries there are different types of fruit
trees. In India the mango and jackfruit trees are prominent, and in
other places there are mango trees, jackfruit trees, coconut trees and
berry trees. Any tree that produces nice fruit for the maintenance of
the people should not be cut at all. This is a sastric injunction.
(SB. 7.2.15)