IN the Pahlavi language, paradise means a garden which is surrounded by four walls and full of fruit trees, flowers, fountains, birds and where men and women live together happily.
In Arabic, jannat also means a garden set with trees or a grove with palm trees. Among the Greeks, the Jews, and the Christians there are three concepts of paradise. In one of them, it is said that perhaps once upon a time there was a golden age on this earth when there was no conflict, no rivalry and no hatred against each other and all men and women lived peacefully and happily. It further explains that there was plenty to eat and beautiful natural surroundings to enjoy. The memories of the golden age have become a part of collective memory of humankind that is why he is yearning for such time where he could live peacefully and leisurely.
In the second concept it was believed that there were such islands where man could live a carefree life. Third concept was of Elysian Field where there were no worldly problems and peace reigned eternally.
About the golden age, Hesiod, a Roman poet writes that in the golden age, men “lived like gods without sorrow of heart, remote and free from toil and grief: miserable age rested not on earth, but with legs and arms never failing they made merry with feasting beyond the reach of all evils.”
Plato in The Statesman portrays golden age in the reign of Choronos where “they had fruits in plenty from the trees and other plants, and they lived for the most part in the open air, without clothing or bedding.”
Later on, Christian religious scholars emphasized on the existence of earthly paradise that was in some far off and unknown place and inaccessible to people, only some individuals, after special permission, could visit it. In another point of view, God had lifted it to heavens and one could go there only after his death.
In the mediaeval period, Christian scholars believed that earthly paradise was the Garden of Eden which was existed somewhere in the world. In 1165, it was a popular belief that this paradise was situated in Asia in the kingdom of Prestor John. Or it was in some unknown island which subsequently created curiosity and the adventurers started voyages in search of it.
When America was discovered, some of them found it in Brazil and some in Cape Hermoso. Amerigo Vespucci wrote in one his letters that: “the friendly land, covered with countless very tall trees that do not loose their leaves and that emit sweet and fragrant odours and are loaded with tasty fruits that promote the body’s health; the field of thick grass that are filled with flowers which have a wonderful delightful perfume; the great throng of birds of various species, whose feathers, colours, and songs defy description. For myself, I thought I was near the earthly paradise.”
The geographical maps that were prepared during the mediaeval period, pointed out the probable location of the earthly paradise. Some of them indicated it in Ethiopia, or Armenia, Iraq, Palestine, and South America.
Christian scholars also discussed that when and at what time God created paradise and at what stage expelled Adam and Eve from it. They also discussed how tall were Adam and Eve and what was their age at the time of their creation. Were there no diseases in paradise? Did they work and spent their time leisurely?
Martin Luther’s argument was that if Adam and Eve had not committed sin, mankind would have not endured worldly torture and misery. In this case neither they needed any paper, nor books. On the contrary they would have everlasting wisdom.
Then there was question, what was the language of paradise? Some argued that as Hebrew is the oldest language, therefore, God had conversed with Adam in it. However, this did not satisfy the nationalists of different countries and they proved that languages of paradise were Swedish, Danish, and Flemish.
Another question was: were man and woman equal in paradise? The reply was that if Eve would not have tempted Adam to commit sin, both of them could enjoy equal status. The role of Eve downgraded women. However, it was further argued nature demanded that Eve should have obeyed Adam.
As in feudal Europe private property had become sacred, the question was asked about it: Was there private property in paradise? On this question Saint Ambros said that there was no question of private property in paradise. However, in the 17th century amendments were made and it was said that if anybody would have collected fruits from trees, in this case he would have right to possess them and any attempt to snatch from him would have been a sin.
These views indicate that how the institution of private property was becoming strong in society and religion supported it.
In the 17th century when European scholars criticized the Bible and its concept of creation, the belief on earthly paradise subsequently weakened. Instead of searching the lost paradise, people decided to create of his own man made paradise on earth. Therefore such gardens were set up which could revile paradise. In Europe, botanical gardens were founded in 1533 in Venice, in 1545 in Padaua, in 1546 in Pisa and in 1575 in Paris.
In the Indian subcontinent, Mughals set up a number of gardens on the model of paradise with trees, fountains, flowerbeds, and waterways and proudly claimed that if there is paradise on earth, here it is, here it is.
