Rūpaka Bank

Before introducing the Rūpaka Cards, teachers may take a moment to engage with the following Aekyaṃ reflections.

  • Let the image awaken awareness.
  • Do not rush it into instructions.
  • There are no right or wrong answers.
  • Invite children just to see the images.
  • Don’t name or interpret the children’s perception; let it be neutral.
  • Don’t judge the children’s responses.
  • Facilitate children’s understanding of the relationships evident in the image.
  • Avoid words like good/bad. Focus on what is happening.
  • Invite children to position themselves in the picture, forging belongingness to the world around.
  • Do not convert answers into tasks or pledges.
  • Invite actions without moral preachings or pressures.

Rūpaka Cards: Bhūmi Sūktam

Below are a few Rūpaka cards inspired by Bhūmi Sūktam to initiate the classroom discussions.

Rūpaka Card 1

माता भूमिः पुत्रो अहं पृथिव्याः (Earth is my mother, I am her child.)

Question Card_1Download
Rūpaka Card 2

यस्यां वेदिं परिगृह्णन्ति भूम्यां यस्यां यज्ञं तन्वते विश्वकर्माणः (Salutations to Mother Earth! In her, bhoomi (ground) has spread herself as the sacrificial altar; in her, all the activities of the world have spread themselves as yagya. )

Question Card 2Download
Rūpaka Card 3

नानावीर्या ओषधीर्या बिभर्ति पृथिवी नः प्रथतां राध्यतां नः ( Mother Earth bears many plants and medicinal herbs of various potencies; may she extend her riches to us and make us healthy).

Question Card_3Download
Rūpaka Card 4

यस्यां समुद्र उत सिन्धुरापो यस्यामन्नं कृष्टयः संबभूवुः (Salutations to Mother Earth! In her is woven together ocean and river waters; in her is contained food which she manifests when ploughed).

Question Card_4Download
Rūpaka Card 5

यस्यामापः परिचराः समानीरहोरात्रे अप्रमादं क्षरन्ति । सा नो भूमिर्भूरिधारा पयो दुहामथो उक्षतु वर्चसा ॥ (I reverentially bow down to Mother Earth. In Her waters flow on all sides, day and night unceasingly. May She, Mother Earth, give us the milk of Her abundant streams, and moisten us with Her splendour.)

Download Question card 5
Rūpaka Card 6

यस्यामन्नं व्रीहियवौ यस्यां इमाः पञ्च कृष्टयः ।
भूम्यै पर्जन्यपत्नीये नमोऽस्तु वर्षमेदसे ॥ (The Mother Earth on which grains, paddy and barley are produced, on which these five types of people/communities (sages/scholars, warriors, traders, craftsmen, service providers) reside – we bow down to that Mother Earth, which is the companion of parjanya (rain).

Download Question Card 6

This page is part of an evolving educational journey.
Last revised: 25 May 2026.