Veda by Odiabook Bazar

A Bird’s Eye View of Vedas

conquered by Hindus from the Muslims. Admitting others to its fold, in fact Hinduism had stopped. On Muslim no tax was imposed corresponding to the JiJia etc. From the philological, anthropological or sociological point of view it is usual for Orientalists to consider the Vedas. For several thousand of years, sufficient attention does not appear to have been paid to the fact that they have been the basis of a religion which have been followed by thousands of millions of people on this earth. In the way of a real religious study of the material no doubt , there are difficulties. Like SAYANA there were invaluable commentaries of Indian scholars who had one grave defect. In respect of the religion they usually speak in terms of their own age. Hence they were often anachronistic . The new ways of interpreting the vedas were discovered by the indefatigable labour of the great orientalists. But we have to take note of certain preconceptions that are likely to have influenced their judgments in an adverse manner in understanding their interpretation of the religion. The devout Christians believed that the worship of the true God was limited to the Christianity only. Heathens and Infidels were not worshiping god, but something else whatever they called the object of their worship in the first place. Secondly as the path of piety, the consciousness of sin and repentance in sack cloth and ashes have been accepted by Christians. Hence the pagan cheerfulness of the Vedas must appear irreligious to them. The ethical doctrine of surrender to evil had been popularized by Christianity of turning the other Cheek when smitten on the one of loving the enemy. As the highest morality, this was accepted. In respect of the ethical standard the more degraded one was the 4

A Bird’s Eye View of Vedas

Introduction Vedas as the supreme Authority have been recognized by all religious denominations in different ages in India, except for certain non conformist cults. From the earliest times onwards the texts of the four Vedic- samhitas have been regarded as the most precious religious documents. A feat unequalled in the history of human race for the last five thousand years or more has been hanged down by oral traditions. To the Upanishads or the epics or the works of Sanskrit literature the same attention has not been paid by the classical Sanskrit writers. In spite of great social and political upheavals and terrific onslaughts on it from age to age, it is equally surprising is the fact that the vedic religion should have survived through these thousand of years. On its inner power a consideration of these onslaughts and of the reaction of the religion to them may throw some light in a natural fashion. In the 6th century B.C , the great impact was that of Buddhism , a non conformist sect of the vedic religion which arose in India and in the other parts of the world. By renouncing ritual and meta physics, it persuaded about one half of India to accept the original religion in a restricted ethical sense. Little trace of Buddhism as an independent religion was left in this country and within a few centuries India absorbed the new sect into the parent body. It adopted many of the new attractive features of Buddhism like temples, image worship etc and also some of the ethical points in the course of time like the emphasis on non violence. As the vedic religion nationalized among the people of India, Hinduism had adopted the theory of “Avataras” which is known as divine incarnations. In accordance with this theory

A Birdâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Eye View of Vedas

Buddha was accepted by some as the ninth in the line of ten avataras which is totally wrong as Goutam was a human being only and he was the son of a Jamindar by name Sudhodhan in then Kapilavastu in Southern Kalinga. In very early Muslim times by the Hindu king Muslim sailors were settled in Malabar from Arabia. In 711 Arabs invaded and conqured sind. They could not proceed further and also never reappered as invaders.

renouncement of their religion of some of the enlightened western educated Hindus.

In the 11th Century other Muslim inveders came to India. For 500 years or so a large part of the Indian sub continent was under Muslim rule almost wholly, but could effect the religion of Hindu very little indeed though great Countries like Ezypt, Afganistan, Turky, Persia and some parts of Europe had been conquered and converted. Including the later converts the Muslims do not form even one fourth of the population of the subcontinent today even after so many centuries. Against the military, social and economic pressure exerted by Islam Hinduism preserved itself almost miraculourly. By being handed down through oral tradition the Vedas were preserved against the vandalism of all times. Through the cult of devotion great saints arose and emerged in India who established religious sects that were democratic in character and carried a mass appeal throughtout. In the face of terrible defeat and destruction Indian womanhood distinguished itself by great loyalty. With the Portuguese in the 16th Century A.D. chritianity came a second time to India after the arrival of an Apostle. St. Thomas in the first Century A.D. who preached Christianity in Keral the then Travancore Cochin. But in India this religion did not make a headway though it had been tried. The third wave of christanity came with the missionaries of the British period. In the beginning Hinduism received a few shocks with 2

Hinduism has flourished with a strange vitality over the last five thousand years or more withstanding very severe onslaughts from the Islam and Christianity. In the beginning , Hinduism received a few shocks no doubt from these onslaughts. But great leaders of Hinduism appeared and produced a feeling of pride among its followers in its venerable antiquity and noble heritage having its unique position in the world. To the poorest and most backward communities the activities of the Christian missionaries were limited, particularly the aborigines from among which they have still been effecting conversion, through the means adopted by them even not always purely religious. By way of contrast, it may be stated , especially among the educated class conversion to Christianity is on a much larger scale in China and Japan than in India. It should be noted also, how Hinduism acquitted itself in the days of triumph and how it treated others who were at its mercy while considering the successful defence of the religion against foreign attacks. No historical record is there to show that hindus practised acts like the inquisition of Christians, that Buddhists were massacred or non conformists driven out of the land. There is clear evidence of religious harmony on the other hand in India. Take an example in this connection Ellora rock temples belong to three different religions They are Brahminism, Buddhism and Jainism and they are in a continuous line. An ordinary visitor is unable to distinguish where one religion ends and another begins . In Khajuraho , where Hindu and Jain temples stand together, again the same is the case . Not a single case of the forcible conversion of a religion to Hinduism is reported to have occurred in these parts of India which were re3

A Bird’s Eye View of Vedas

its absence. It will be found useful to study monotheism and polytheism as religious cults, before considering the same.

farther one went from this. In the heroic ideal all forms of paganism have the roots of their ethics. There could be no compromise with evil according to Vedic paganism. It must be fought relentlessly and strenuously. Indra symbolizes this heroic ideal among the most important of the vedic deities. All the fire and fury associated with heroism is the mark of a barbarous state of existence to the typical Christian. Varun has been described as the king of the universe by some orientalists. They have gone to the extent of recognizing them as the deities of universe whose noose gets hold of every sinner and whose emissaries roam over the earth as ‘the ethical deity and even as the ultimate reality.

Just the belief in one god and in many gods to the philosophers, it may be termed as monotheism and polytheism respectively. This may mean much more than this in relation to practical religion to which the terms apply. That monotheism is superior to polytheism, it is customary to think about. Polytheism perfects itself into monotheism by a process of growth comes from the theory of progress that has led to the belief. Vedic Monotheism Both monotheism and polytheism represent two distinct pattern of thought. The claim of superiority of one over the other is based on assumptions not acceptable to all which can be seen with a close examination of the cults. The difference between them is not that of the degree of perfection but of method only as it appears from the experience. Some salient aspects of the two patterns can be considered as follows. In the first place, monotheism is the belief in a single divine person or a divine idol. As a partial description of the cult, this can be defined. It is the one-ness alone that matters for some and not for all. But actually it is not so. In the technical sense of the term, for instance, One who thinks of the divine as‘ one impersonal essence is not a monotheist. The one being the sages call by many names Ekam SAD is the famous Rigvedic verse quoted by many. This does not sufficiently realize that there is one being only which is the Neuter standing for 8

With the notion of highest ethics, the true Christian, could not find himself well disposed towards the hero god, Indra, to whom many of the grandest Vedic hymns are addressed. This is the third one. Fourthly, by scientific theories of the later nineteenth century the theological Prepossessions of the orientalists were reinforced . The doctrine of social evolution and progress was the chief among these theories. This theory had been popularized by HERBERT SPENCER. However this had no real scientific connection with DARWIN’s theory of biological evolution . This earth was getting more and more Perfect according to the law of progress as time passed over. Hence in proportion to their distance from the present time things in the past were imperfect. That the vedic age being extremely remote, it must have been an extremely crude stage of civilization, which provided the orientalists with a ready assumption. This facile theory of progress was repudiated not till recently. Among other things it was established. In matter of art and spiritual life there had been no progress for many hundred of years. The orienta studies did not appear to have affected by this new corrective.

A Bird’s Eye View of Vedas

Fifthly the nineteenth century was an age of science that chiefly interested the orientalists being anthropology and philology. First to trace the words of literature to their roots it was the practice in those days. In so far as it applied to the words of which the meaning was known, this practice was quite good. There was often in evidence a dogmatism worse than that of religion , when unknown words were traced to real or imaginary roots with a discovery of their meaning. In the second place anthropology was applied. In terms of Crudest possible theory of their first origin became the rule of the day so far as the explanation of features of life is concerned. Far outstripping the legitimate bounds of their science, the orientalists often let themselves go in this respect to lengths.

mankind . At the same time it shows the highest point of human wisdom. We see in it the whole process of evolution from its beginning to its completion.” (Indian P.E.N, March 1942).

Orientalists have expressed learned opinions about their defects as primitive poetry having presumed that the Vedas belong to primitive times. In accordance with Cowell “the language and style of most of the hymns of vedas is singularly artificial. The poetry of the Rigveda is singularly deficient, we naturally look for in the songs of an early period of civilization in that simplicity and natural pathos” Now the critic is disappointed at the artificiality of the vedic language expecting to find qualities of the primitive ballad including natural pathos and puerile simplicity. Though belonging to early times, the Rigveda might also belong to a highly advanced and considerably sophisticated age, could not come to his mind. Till recent times, the Indian historians have followed in the wake of spencerian progressivists as a rule, as per the statement of Radhakumud Mukharjee which goes as follows. “The first point of distinction is that the veda and especially the premordial work known as Rigveda, represents not merely the dawn of culture, but also its zenith. Indian thought is seen at its highest in the Rigveda…. On the one hand it is the first book of India also of 6

The sense of certitude that has marked the temper of the average oriental scholar is the last but not the least. Not to have any mental reservation in any thing, nor to have allowed the benefit of doubt in respect of any of his conclusions in which he often seems. That the very backward conditions in which Indian masses were found to live it will not be wrong to believe. In the eyes of western observers their political subjugation tended to prejudice in case of their ancestors. Vedas as the basis of a religion that has vitally affected the lives of hundreds of millions of people , in order to make an attempt to understand, we should approach the orientalists in a critical spirit. In Vedic studies, these researches can never be ignored. For their prepossessions sufficient allowances must be made. In respect of the trend of religious thought, as the evidence of genuine Indian authorities, should by no means be set aside. The later Vedas will provide useful commentary on the earlier in this sense. For the interpretation of the Vedas even when they do not agree with the vedic stand point , will later developments of the vedic religion in the upanishads ,in Buddhism, in Bhagabat cult, in the Yoga cult, provide valuable material. Its legitimate contribution should be made by the traditional Vedic scholarship. VEDIC THEISM In spiritual content, the vedic view of the divine is much more subtler and deeper than the cults ordinarily known as monotheism and polytheism. By calling it henotheism, Max Muller distinguished the vedic outlook from these isms as to explain the full significance of vedic theism and he has not defined the term in such a way. By extending its connotation any other term in English shall be used in 7

A Bird’s Eye View of Vedas

Vedic Polytheism In stead of just the one of monotheism in heaven Polytheism finds many gods. In a synod or assembly of gods it believes. Possessing a character of his own, each being is a well- defined individual. Each is distinguished from the others by sex, special attributes and sometimes even age. The divine power is not centralized in one person so far as Polytheism is concerned. Hence in this case the divine government is oligarchic in place of monarchical. In Polytheism, the evil points in one may be counterbalanced by the good Points in another and here one god or goddess may be invoked against another. By one god, a monotheist may stand or fall. But a Polytheist may change one god for another if the former fails to satisfy him as he is having several gods at his disposal. Only alternative for a monotheist to his faith is heresy or atheism. The alternative for a polytheist is not the negation of god. It is the search for a better and greater god. In other parts of the world like Egypt, Greece and Rome there was polytheism with certain differences in comparison to Indian Puranas. But in India there is a higher Polytheism which merges in Pantheism. Here the devotee does not think of this god or that god where the Divine Being is poetically apprehended. Though in the pantheistic form there are subtleties not found in the popular type, Polytheism has some general characteristics whether anthropomorphic or losing itself in Pantheism. In the first place poetic theism is polytheism. Through poetry it approaches the Divine idea gradually. Hence in the glory of form and colour it delights and touches the human emotions from the sublime to the tender. As an essential factor it includes the aesthetic. 12

A Bird’s Eye View of Vedas

the divine existence and not for a divine individual. Hence it is not the same as contemplated by the well known creeds that depict themselves as monotheistic. God is not a metaphysical essence but a person to the monotheistic creeds. In any way one likes, secondly, as a person the monotheistic divinity can not be conceived. For instance, in the practical sense of the term one who accepts a single divinity as mother or maiden is not a monotheist. The divinity is not only a single person but also a masculine person to the monotheistic. Thus the distinction between monotheism and polytheism is not one of number alone but of gender also. Monotheistic God can not be any kind of male person, in the third place. For example, he can not be a boy or a child. He can only be a father. If one were to think of the divine as a brother or any other relation one would not be a monotheist. In the following verse, supposing, “Agni” means the ultimate being. Because the relations in which he stands to man are more than one. He would not be the typical monotheistic God. “Agni I deem my father, my kinsman I deem Him my brother, my friend for ever” (Rig Veda, viii 7.3) The monotheistic god stands in a single relationship to man and that of father, is not only a single person and a male person. Fourthly, the monotheistic God must be believed to be a very elderly person even as father. Not only a father but a patriarch also. The monotheistic god can not exist anywhere as a Person, in the fifth place. Heaven is His special place. He is a father who is in heaven. Though heaven is his place of residence, He may go where ever he likes or wishes.

A Birdâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Eye View of Vedas

In other words, that monotheism contemplates the divine in heaven and polytheism contemplates the divine in the universe. Perhaps the most essential difference between the two lies here.

must offer their respects often. In dread of him they must stand by bowing their heads with honour with a view to exalt Him.

In the entire conception of life and religion this makes a difference. Heaven represents God a superior order of reality and a superior plane of existence to the monotheists. In accordance with this cult while heaven is sacred, the universe is profane. While God and Angels who live in heaven are holy, man who lives on the earth is sinful. While god is great the man is small. In the universe polytheism finds the divine. Hence there is but a thin dividing line between the sacred and profane, the divine, the human, the mortal and immortal. God in nature heaven on earth and among men have been contemplated by polytheism in fact. Polytheism is attached to the earth. It thinks in terms of life and joy of living. But monotheism is attached to lives for heaven. It looks down upon earthly things. This is called paganism attributed to its traits of Polytheism. Sixthly, a simple belief in a god in heaven who is the father is not monotheism. Its God a patriarch is a Ruler. He is the emperor of Heaven. He also rules over the universe as its sole monarch from heaven. Hence monotheism is termed as monarchical theism. In other words, the ideology of a monarchy is the ideology of monotheism. Royal abode is heaven. In His throne the emperor or king is seated. He has His emissaries and plenty of servants. His vicegerents are appointed by Him. To his heavenly court He takes the best of His subjects. But the worst of them are flung in to the hell, which is known as the dark prison house. Unstinted allegiance and homage have been claimed by him as an emperor. Regularly enough to satisfy his royal position, the subjects 10

He is jealous of usurprs and rivals as the only king and he alone should receive the homage and no other. To the kingdom of God, to offer homage to any, but the god of heaven is to be a traitor. That ideal subjects of the kingdom have thought , no wonder, that nothing can please the king better. Then the punishment of those who try to offer their honour and homage to the persons and objects other than the god of heaven. Seventhly Satan is a sort of Anti god who is the perpetual adversary of the monotheistic god. Hence for the possession of the universe there is perpetual rivalry and adversary between god and Satan. Monotheistic Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s wrath is directed against human beings when they are suspected of having constant touch with Satan. As monotheism centres in a monarch, who is an absolute ruler, the most important thing in this connection is for His subjects to know His will correctly. In his conduct on the earth, the divine will is the only guide for man. But how to know the will of God? To make His will known to mankind, He sends his messengers or prophets to earth at the right time for this. For making it prevail on earth as in heaven, those men are virtuous who bow to His will. Who disobey or defy are sinners. Prophets convey periodically the will of God to mankind. To force himself to obey the will of God, religion, here is the exercise by man of his own. In case of monotheism, the prophets are not universally accepted. This is the difficulty. Hence there has been acute rivalry between monotheistic creeds because each claiming an exclusive relation with the ultimate Being. 11

A Bird’s Eye View of Vedas

The deities of henotheism are not the same as the deities defined as in monotheism or in Polytheism. Though it contemplates many gods its specialty lies in that it asserts each as the supreme Being. There is a general devotional attitude towards the divine in henotheism and this attitude remains unchanged even though the deities addressed are changed.

Being poetical, polytheism needs the poet and also the artist in order

Max Muller had his own idea on henotheism and Vedas go however further than this. In two ways they do so. In the first Place. One deity is identified with another by clear statements or different deities with one deity, for example Agni. Secondly, in the neuter gender as Ekam (the one) all deities are identified with one divine Entity – TAT SAT – that reality etc. In many names and forms, thus the Vedic theism is the worship of the one divinity. This may be called as Advaitist theism. This is distinguished from the general Advaitist — philosophy which is known as Monism. This tries to prove the unity not of god only, but of all orders of reality.

attempts to have its hold on the masses of people by poetical and

Our attention is arrested here with two essential aspects of Vedic Advaitism.

to interpret it. Being political in structure monotheism needs the soldier to fight the battle of the Monarch of heaven. While it is a usual feature of monotheism polytheism does not know any holy war at all. This is the second feature of polytheism. In the third place, in accordance with its innate tendencies polytheism artistic abilities. By the appeal of music and song by ceremonies and rituals as well as that of architecture, painting dancing and sculpture, polytheism tries to attract the common people to its fold. On the other hand a central authority has been built by monotheism that penetrates into the life of the people in toto. It is an institution with ramifications, often to the rigid exclusion of some people, if not all. Like that of Poetry and Art, the appeal of polytheism is spontaneous. This is also unofficial and independent. On the other hand, in the compulsion of an institution and its laws, the appeal of monotheism is Central. The attachment of its followers has been dictated by the

For example, in the first place, let us talk of the subjective aspect.

official pressure of the institution that maintains. This is the fourth

In the philosophical sense this cult appears to be monotheistic if we consider the attitude of the worshipper. In a spiritual mood every Vedic prayer is born in which the mind responds to the vision of the divine which is a praying attitude of the worshipper. Though the contents of the vision vary, this attitude and this feeling remain constant. The point of unity is provided by this psychological factor.

feature of polytheism.

The objective aspect follows in the second place

Non-Conformity is the part of the essence of polytheism where as Conformity is the fundamental condition of the existence of Monotheism. Polytheism is marked by variety while there is uniformity in monotheism. By individual initiative and effort, polytheistic creeds have been maintained, as a rule. But polytheism seldom became a state

The cult would look like a simple polytheism if we were to ignore the subjective feeling and contemplate the multiplicity of forms. The Vedic cult would appear polytheistic except for the amorphous

religion. Without the backing of a state, on the other hand

monotheism is hard to put it to support itself.

A Bird’s Eye View of Vedas

By making itself constantly acceptable to the people, it will appear, that polytheism, having no authoritative institution for its support has to exist. It has changed its forms very much as styles in art and literature have changed from time to time while remaining attached to the spirit. In order to escape extinction polytheism must be perpetually creative and vital. Egyptian and Babylonian polytheism disappeared from the face of the earth because they were not creative enough. Take an example. When it was superseded by Christianity Greek and Roman polytheism, however, had not lost its creativity. Christian Religion was fertilized by this creativity possessed by Greek and Romans. Christianity reasserted itself in the Pagan form during the middle period. And at the end of that period it brought about a Renaissance of mankind.

discipline of the will leading to the acceptance of definite article of faith including chiefly a belief in heaven and a God in heaven having unquestioning firm faith on them.

Monotheism has derived much strength from Orthodoxy and dogmatism. It sometimes led to the ruthless Persecution and destruction of heretics and infidels while polytheism has owed its continued existence to flexibility and the capacity for change and adjustment. Between Hebraism and Hellenism Mathew Arnold discovered certain difference which can be thought over through and through. By strictness of conscience Monotheism is Characterized which can be termed as severe conformity. But by independent perception and expression with spontaneity of conscience polytheism is expressed in thought word & deed. This is the fifth feature in the series. To the aesthetic appeal of the universe, sixthly polytheism the reaction of the free poetic soul, makes imagination of the chief vehicle of expression. Hence in concrete imagery it deals in a way which is symbolical, suggestive and representational. But monotheism thinks in terms of facts and demands with the firm 14

God’s creation of the universe is an historical event that can be definitely dated according to monotheistic theology – is the example they impose. According to monotheistic Christianity, so is the birth of the son of god. As a mere figure of speech or symbol no true Christian has attempted to interpret the birth of Christ or virgin Motherhood. On the wings of imagination, Polytheism flies while monotheism is pinned down to facts. The whole structure of monotheism falls to pieces if they disbelieve one of the facts. But by such attitude, polytheism will remain unaffected. To historicity, it makes no claim at all. With facts and dates, it has nothing to do. Just as Poetry has none, it has no quarrel with science. Vedic Henotheism: Where & When the Cult of one in many In different ages there is a certain religious attitude where one comes across. As found in the Vedas this is the typical of the religion. And also it is the earliest and most characteristic expression of the spiritual idealism of the Aryan type of civilization. Hence the divinity is contemplated as the one in many and the many in one. Henotheism covers the part of this idea as coined by Max Muller. Resembling both monotheism and polytheism as religious cults, primarily, it has been defined as an attitude, when it describes the divinity as one, Henotheism resembles Monotheism. When it contemplates the divine as God or Goddess. It resembles polytheism with Gods and Goddesses. But both from monotheism and Polytheism, henotheism differs.

A Bird’s Eye View of Vedas

To a doctrine not of oneness of the type of being Called God we have come across. This god lives in a particular place but of one Divine Being which pervedes all being understood metaphysically. It is clearly indicated in the Vedas that this metaphysical description in the neuter singular and poetical, do not contradict each other in masculine & feminine both in dual & plural.

character of the deities in relation to the form if it is observed externally. To describe it as Polytheism it is usual for many orientalists. As a purely formal one, the description may not appear inaccurate. It is the spirit which is the chief point while it loses sight of the spirit and gives the cult its specialty.

Therefore this Vedic theism is not simple henotheism. It is subtle and abstruse to a greater extent. It is something far more sophisticated than any primitive idea. It has touched modern civilized notion also. For example, TaT (that) implies the Divine Being in a verse in Yajur Veda- it is said “Agni is that, VAYU is that, Chandrama is that, Aditya is that, Light is that, Brahman is that Apah (waters) are those- Prajapati is He” To masculine deities like Agni, Aditya and so on not only is “That” Predicated but to Apah- the deity is plural. Hence “That” is made synonymous with “those” and “He”. It is indicated clearly that “THAT”, “THOSE” and “He” are the same of course to put it in a different way. One of the Upanishads tries to clarify the meaning by reading “Apah” (waters) are THAT, Prajapati is THAT (Sveta. up VIII.27). In accordance with a Yagur Veda verse (32.8) the Divinity is spoken of in the neuter as TAT SAT which means That Being in the very first line. And in the second line Lord (vibhu) is the masculine. The Advaitic theism of the Vedas is here only we find. That there is only one individual in the species called God, does not mean the unity of God, but that the Divine is supreme and all Pervading. All reality becomes unified in HIM in whom all find one nest only. 20

Like polytheistic gods and goddesses, the Vedic deities do not combine in their character virtue or vice, goodness and evil in respect of spirit pertaining to one important difference between Vedic Advaita and Polytheism. They are all good and by the sage each represents the highest moral standard conceivable. In the Vedic deities not only in these no moral defects but there is no aesthetic defect either. All are noble and beautiful. The secret of the identification of one deity with another is found here. The deities are many in forms, but they are one in spirit. If this is the spiritual approach, Vedic henotheism is an expression only. The Aesthetic Factor Each vision of the Divinity carries an aesthetic value in the Vedas. It is a vision of beauty and splendour. It is a religious attitude. In Bhagavat Geeta it is Vibhuti yoga which can be termed as path of splendour. Jyoti or light is the typical form of splendour. In the more abstract sense it is termed as “greatness, Beauty, glory, wonder or loveliness etc. ‘“ In accordance with this outlook the divinity is Dev which is the glorious one and shining one. Primarily the divine conception becomes a generic idea. The idea of an individual deity comes next. So long as the generic idea remains constant, there is no essential contradiction in identifying one specific deity with another. The Ethical Factor As much as the aesthetic, the Vedic deity embodies the ethical value. Indicating their ethical values, there are two basic terms in the Vedas. 17

A Bird’s Eye View of Vedas

In the Vedas there can be no god or goddess if they do not represent the conception of Rita and Satya where Rita is the eternal order and Satya is the truth.

being by implication as the superlative adjective indicates one person only.

Satya dharma is nothing but God. Source of power is Satya only. Upholder of eternal order is God only. Without reference to a divinity, this can be contemplated as ends in themselves while taking religion to some fundamentals. As in the case of Buddhism, Vedic theism is based on moral values. This may be upheld in a non theistic way also. It is not the astheist who is really objectionable in India but also the person by whom the moral law is repudiated. In accordance with Vedas, the earth is upheld not by the will of Almighty, but by truth which is known as “Satya”, where the supreme component is God only. God reveals Himself through RITA which is the eternal order told by the Vedas only. According to another form of Vibhuti Yoga – God is supreme. He represents beauty and splendour of nature. All virtues, goodness nobility in man and woman at its highest are the wonderful reflection of god only. There are descriptive terms for the Divinity in the Vedic prayers in the subjective form. By this the supremacy of Divinity is indicated though the names of the Deities are different. In the Vedas the divinity has been spoken of in one name or another as the supreme poet, as the supreme mother, supreme hero, supreme father and as the supremely beneficent etc. The Vedic sense of quality and value have been indicated by these terms. The superlative can imply only one individual, again to an intellectual person. The implication is that they are the same when two deities are described by the same superlative. Take for an instance: Brahmanaspati and Agni are both spoken of as Vipratma the supreme sage. Hence both Agni and Brahmanaspati are one divine 18

The Metaphysical Factor The oneness of the divine is also presented in the veda as a definite metaphysical proposition so far it is the simple henotheism of Max Muller implied through the psychological and ethical factor. The sages contemplate “THE ONE BEING” in many ways which is stated clearly– EKAM SANTAM BAHUDHA KALPAYANTI -(Rig Veda, X, 114.5) That all gods are one in INDRA – Sometimes it is said (Rig Veda, 111, 54.17) and sometimes all gods are described as one god only and vice-versa. Well known verse sets down the vedic Advaita in clear language as follows:[EKAM SAD VIPRA BAHUDHA VADANTI] By many names as Agni, Yama, Matarishavan Because the divinity is spoken of in the neuter as one being (EKAM SAT) the conception of divine becomes metaphysical which is shown in a closer observation. Know Vedas This method is frequently used in the Vedas as it is not casual. This is the metaphysical foundation of Vedic theism. It is said in the “Creation Hymn” “that the one breathed, airless by self-impulse” in which the term (EKAM) one is in the neuter. In the first and tenth cycles of the Rig-Veda this idea does not occur.

A Bird’s Eye View of Vedas

our kin or enemy or foreigner should be valiantly opposed. From the ranks of the foreward marching people the evil doer must be eliminated. God is the god of Dasa as well as of Arya it is said. For the forgiveness of sins against the foreigner there is a prayer.

Vedic henotheism has been developed by simple monotheism. One god is understood by monotheism. In other words all are ruled by one god. The conception of the Vedic Advait- “One in many” and “many in one” lies beyond human imagination.

God is as much of the foreign land as of our own land. Hence unity in diversity covers all human relations according to the principle. Till at last we come to a grand conception of universal peace and serenity. There are mantras which extend the principle to all living beings.

By the application of logic, the philosopher may think to reduce the proposition to simple monism. That many is unreal and the one is real only. Beyond the logic of monism, the Vedic Advaita lies. On a mystical expersense it takes its stand in which the one is real and the many too are real also. And in the one the many find their unity.

That Vedic advaita is not a casual creed thus it will be found. In its application to life, it is comprehensive. The deities had been worshipped by people of their own. With qualitative differences in which every deity was recognized as divine of course, polytheism synthesized them into a pluralistic pantheon. Hence Greek was absorbed by roman polytheism and within its religious creed Egyptian gods were absorbed.

Philosophers can alone Penetrate into the conception of the one in the many who accept mysticism as follows: - Rigved (1.82.10)

Different kinds of gods and goddesses of different sects and tribes were absorbed by Hindu polytheism. But by vedic Aryans something different and subtler and grandeur had been done ages before them.

Beyond the time and space, the above conception goes with the following logical sense of quantity which is superseded.

All the different deities that were worshiped had been accepted by them as manifestation of one divinity had been synthesized by them also. Hence any one of them could be identified with any other or all the rest. Accustomed to mystical apprehension of reality, a mind of the highest subtlety could be conceived to be capable of this. In the beginning of the second cycle of Rig Veda an ideal of religious synthesis was set up as per the following verses to which the greatest saints and sages of the universe had been found to contemplate for long. The deity Agni is worshipped by poet through verses. But there are other deities both male and female, like Indra, Varuna and Aditi 24

“Aditi is the Sky, Aditi the mid – region Aditi the mother, the father and the son Aditi all deities, the five classed men Aditi is all that is born, all that will be born.”

“And both the seas are varun’s loins And He lies in this small drop of water”(Atharva Veda, 1V 163) It is poetically conceived that all- Pervasiveness of the one exists not only in the cosmic world but also on the earth where men live in. The neuter term for Divinity is addressed to Brahman as follows. “Thou art man, Thou art woman, Thou art boy Thou art maiden Thou art the old man, tottering with the staff Thou existest on the sides.” Artharva Veda (X. 8.27) 21

A Bird’s Eye View of Vedas

To any of the least extent, the Veda has not ignored the vision of the individual Pertaining to Divine. It may be whether in the singular or the dual or the plural, whether masculine, or the feminine or the neuter. The poetry of particular experiences has been maintained by Veda only take for example:-

fix the deities in to definite plastic forms. In the poetry of Vedas, Vedic deities are visions but they are formless and they have received embodiment only. Concealed somewhere in the sky the female figure of a deity is imagined which is no other than USHA – the daughter of the sky. Like the bride decked by her mother who appears on occasions to mortals whom she favours. This is polytheism to which Vedic advaita differs.

One existence is Agni–(EKAM)–But in the masculine he is contempl ated. Like that USHAS–though one–(EKAM)-is contemplated in the feminine. The poet and mysticism is the theism of the intellectual interpretation of a deep experience. On Single Rita (The Ritualistic Factor) It is in keeping with this Advaita Character the Ritualistic factor is the vedic yajna, without any special applicability to the deity worshipped it is one uniform ceremonial unlike the Polytheistic or fetishistic ritual of course , as a rule. The ritual is the same whatever the deity be. In the accompanying prayer, the same oblation or libation is offered to one or many gods may be mentioned. From the ritualistic point of view between the Vedic advaita and polytheism there is one important difference which is as follows. Polytheism has used plastic arts including sculpture where as Vedas have made music and poetry alone their media of expression. That the logical anomaly of identifying one deity with another becomes a formidable difficulty with the sculpture so thoroughly particularised as a deity. Take for an instance: - the masculine Surya and Agni and the feminine USHAS are spoken of as EKAM – ONE in the neuter. Such identification cannot be effected in visual arts. Hence Vedic advaita identifies all deities with one essence in the neuter gender in as much as it substitutes one deity for another, cannot possibly 22

In accordance with the principle of unity in diversity the social grouping of Vedas takes place. The division of society in to four types is recognized by it (a) Brahmin (the man of knowledge), (b) the man of warfare and politics (kshyatriya), the man of industry and trade (vaisya) and the serving and working man (sudra). They are all the limbs of the cosmic being as it is said. They are the mouths, arms, thighs, and feet, of purusha respectively. They are all the same in spirit all though they are all separated by quality and occupation in philosophical language. It is social advaita which is another example of the many in one. In respect of members of other religion, equally interesting is the social application of the principle of Vedic advaita. The Hymn recognizes the variety of man and the creeds on the earth. With various religious rites the earth bears people of speaking varied languages according to the places of abode. Between Arya and Dasa or Dasyu in the Vedas we find the antithesis which is started as one between enlightenment and ignorance, goodness and wickedness, lawful life and lawlessness. Unlike Buddhism the Veda preaches open battle against all forces of evil. As a fighter, Indra is the Supreme Being against evil. He is described as VRITRAHANTAMA. In other words, he is the supreme among killers of vritra, the power of darkness. By the idea no question of the infidel is raised as ‘yet. It is stated, on the other hand, whether 23

A Bird’s Eye View of Vedas

In its accepted religious sense, monotheism carries the imperialistic challenge of one social group against all the other groups while Polytheism is a federation of different grades of theism. By its Very logic, a plurality of monotheism creates a situation is which constant conflict is the rule of life.

and so on who are worshiped by other sages and saints has been recognized. “Thou O Agni I art Indra, the Hero of heroes Thou art Vishnu of the mighty stride adorable xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

To lie in henotheism as found in Vedas, this has been noticed the acceptance of one another’s Gods as the one Divinity through the spiritual effort and experience perfecting the knowledge. As a powerful force in the spiritual life of India, this henotheism or Advaitic theism has worked in its comprehensive form though it is a special feature of the Veda. There are some basic Principles of the Vedic Religion Not so much the intellectual acceptance as the moral Conduct and the spiritual build, it may be said that the things that matters most, is not so much what one believes as to how one behaves with the different religious sects originating in India. With the spiritual discipline guiding life, the basis of religion is the moral law, then, of course. A word cognate with form in English the common term for this law and this discipline is Dharma. The ideal form of conduct is Dharma. An older form of the term, meaning the eternal law is the Vedic theism which presupposes the existence of Dharma. For instance, Vishnu upholds the eternal statutes. President of the eternal Law is no other than Agni. The Mahabharata has the root meaning of the word Dharma which says“It is called Dharma, because it upholds the Creation. (Karna Parva)(69.59) 28

“Thou O Agni I art king Varuna whose laws stand fast xxxxxxxxxxxxxx Thou, God Agni! and Aditi to the offerer of oblation” xxxxxxxxxxxxxx There is really nothing like henotheism in the Vedas have been told by some orientalists. To them it is simply Polytheism. Every deity is flattered as the supreme deity only owing to the peculiar primitive mentality of the worshipers. All deities with the abstract divine essence in the neuter form we find in the Vedas, not only henotheism but also the identification of one deity with another or of one deity with all the rest with the description of every deity as the supreme deity. In polytheism is there anything like this? of the one in the many and the many in one, never has polytheism spoken in the manner of the veda, ancient or modern. In post vedic Ages how was vedic henotheism? Though a speciality of the Vedas, the Advait theism is found in later ages also. In their own way we find a number of medieval sages in india preaching this idea that the god is one, though by different names in different ways. Ordinarily it is a mutual toleration of the gods of different people belonging to different religion. But the attitudes of the vedic sages is much above this principle. For them it is not only simply one of 25

A Bird’s Eye View of Vedas

toleration, but of acceptance also. With the hospitality of polytheism it is not only the acceptance of another’s god, but acceptance of all gods imagined by all other sages as identical with one’s own the one deity without a second. Know Vedas

A Bird’s Eye View of Vedas

That whatever deity he entertains should be conceived in terms of truth & goodness & beauty.

That the unity should not remain a mere abstraction but must find a concrete form in terms of social life, both internal & international.

The religious experience is the contemplation of the Divinity in accordance with the conception of different sects and religions. OF contemplating the Divine not only in terms of one’s own God but of everybody else‘s God. We find a religious phenomenon of the same type as Vedic Advaita.

To highly cultural concept of religion, Henotheism can therefore only apply as found in the Vedas. Polytheism is easily transferred into henotheism where this attitude Prevails. In different shrines, the worship of many gods becomes really the worship of God. In India, this has been the case.

As found in Vedas, thus henotheism is not a simple religious theory, but the symptom of a deep Spiritual experience. In the synthetic part of the Avatar theory, the working of this henotheism principle is found in a very nice fashion. OF the same deity that all Avatars are incarnations only. The resolution of age long sectarian differences is the result of this. In opposition both Rama & Parsuram were Kshatriya and Brahmin heroes. But both are the incarnations of Vishnu in the melting pot of Avatar. Against Brahminism, Buddha was a rebel. Some of his followers tried to pose him as an Avatar which is totally wrong as Buddha was a reformer only . Here the conflict of ages was composed but by acceptance not by simple toleration. This is the Advaita Theism

We find that there are different attitudes from the examination of the different religious concepts regarding the Divinity that One religion can take up in respect of another. With its exclusive claim of its God as the only god, one is that of monotheism. Followed by Polytheism, then there is a method of accumulation in which all types of deities imagined at different times by different people. They are allowed to exercise, being fostered and entertained whatever influence they can on the religious life of the people. By the Vedic henotheism there is the method of spiritual synthesis represented finally. As the one Divinity there is no more hospitality to the God of another, there is no mere toleration but acceptance of another’s God as One’s own. It has been the Part of mystic experience of great sages and saints at all times as the last is logically puzzling.

Including the Principles described as above, the success of henotheism as a religious cult is found to depend on the fulfillment of the essential conditions only.

In the last analysis the henotheistic God is not jealous of other gods as all true worship is the worship of God.

That the ritual should be in keeping with the idea of unity.

Geeta- the 9th Adhyaya- twenty- third- sloke- says

That the worshipper must bring a pure prayerful mind.

That the metaphysical basis of unity in diversity should be securely established.

“Though in an irregular or wrong way-even those devotees who worship other Gods with faith – worship ME”.

A Bird’s Eye View of Vedas

destroyed by Indra by name Vritra who obstructs the working of Rita. The followers of evil Law are DASA and DASYU.

The great reformer Buddha slaked the sentence above. Goutam Buddha ODIA Pua (son of ODISHA – the then Kalinga) has popularized the term in its PALI Form – “DHAMMA” signifying eternal moral Principle, unconnected with, and independent of , one’s faith in the Divinity. Whether theistic, atheistic or agnostic, the Dharma stands for the fundamentals of religion by all religious orders in ancient India that was accepted as the foundation of right living having the ideal form of conduct. From the general outlook of a particular religious order, the contents of Dharma are more or less taken for granted by the people from tradition. Their concepts in detail have been defined by the latter day leaders of religion as a rule. A comprehensive definition of Dharma in early religious literature would be very interesting to find having the basic principles that are believed to uphold society.

There are some who do not believe that there is no Indra. Who has seen him? Why shall we worship? Whom shall we worship? etc etc. As per Rig Veda Indra exists. Through the splendour and the order resulting from the working of the Law and the severity of moral rules the sceptic who complains of not having seen Indra is asked to see him here in the universe itself. Aesthetic aspect of Rita That reduces Chaos to Cosmos is Rita. It gives symmetry and harmony. It gives order and integration to matter also. That which has an aesthetic content too is nothing but the Conception of Rita. It implies beauty and splendour. That holds together the Cosmos through natural Law is the discipline of life through moral law. It is nothing but Rita and also the discipline of form that makes beauty. Through conformity to law nature becomes beautiful. The lovely dawn (Usha) is true to Eternal order. It is sublime by law. That the Vedic Gods are all lawful, beautiful and good, upholding Rita. It is only for this reason. This is a significant attribute to their beauty. As per the verses of Rig-Veda, Agni, Varun, Indra are all beautiful. The highest requirement of the mind and the finest culture is illustrated through the aesthetic approach to reality. In terms of Divine grace and holiness what delicate moral impressions on character must be produced by the representation of the beauty and charm of young womanhood! That moral exhortations and prohibitions can achieve on every sensitive mind that imagery must imprint itself in all its sacredness and sublimate the conception of womanhood 32

In the Attarava Veda, such a statement about the contents of Dharma is noticed which speaks of the earth as upheld by Dharma. The fundamental principles of religion according to Vedic ideal are as follows. a. Truth, b. Eternal order, c. Consecration, d. austerity, e. Prayer, f. Ritual. Truth: In religion, Veda Places Truth first and ritual last which is very important to note. In every age in the history of Vedic religion ungrudging supremacy has been conceded to truth. Like articles of faith there is nothing in this religion which is not without its special significance. Not to stick to belief in every age the problem has been to find out the truth is there. For the maintenance of the philosophical and spiritual outlook every period of Indian history has had its sage and seeker of truth wherein the freedom of their minds have been responsible.

A Bird’s Eye View of Vedas

As the essence of Divinity the truth has been described in Vedas. According to Atharva Veda, the Deity has truth as the law of His being Deity manifestation of truth is found in Rig Veda.

aspect. AS being born in the beginning of things out of perfect spiritual ardour, Rita & Satya are spoken of by the Rig Veda.

From a truthful life and true heart, prayer & ritual of the right type generally come out. The path of truth is the path of religious progress. As per Mundak Upanishad, through truth Atma is to be realized. In its moral sense truth is truthfulness and integrity. In a metaphysical sense reality and integrity are signified. Satya applies to conduct – it become SAT which is an object of search of knowledge or realization of vision. Lead me from unreality to reality is the upanisadic Prayer. It is as per Brihad aranyak upanishad. As a metaphysical entity Satya is abstruse & mystical. The universe is united as men in the house when the sage of yajur Veda records his vision of sat. Knowledge passes like the information from one sage to another about an unknown land just like from one traveller to another. About sat and reality a traveller may remain silent with modesty who has yet a long way to go. At every moment of life, Satya is our concern, A state beyond sat and Asat, reality and unreality, the Vedic saga has contemplated. At the beginning there was neither reality nor unreality. As a value of life truth is abiding and ultimate. As per Rig veda, the universe is upheld by truth only. By asserting his spiritual disquisition, a sage of the upanished begins – “SATYAM VADISHYAMI”- I will speak the truth

Rita upholds heavens as truth upholds earth. The sage speaks of soma in the offering of SOMA libation as declaring LAW (RITA)splendid by law which is truthful in action. Eternal order must be praised by us and we should think in a straight way. In its moral aspect, Rita is wider than truth. As an ethical concept it includes justice and goodness. As an ethical concept, It is almost synonymous with Dharma. Rita is spoken of as fierce and stern as it is opposed to evil and the opposition is severe. Rita as cosmic order:- As essential part of the conception of the Divinity Rita, like, Satya forms like Guardian of law and has a wider implication than morality. For the immutable law of nature it stands for cosmic order. The universe becomes systematized and integrated By Rita only it avoids confusion and chaos. As per Veda the songs of Rita is chanted by Gods only. Divinity is identified with Rita in one of the Verses of upanished. Rita leads to the triumph of gods over evil as on the moral plane. Hence on cosmic plane it Leads to the triumph of light over darkness.

Ethical aspect of Rita:

A Co-ordination between moral law and natural law should exist. Good life is cognate with the cosmic law governing nature. This is the life lived according to Rita and moral law. Like the sun and the moon we will follow the path of goodness according to the Vedic sage of Rig Veda. From treading this path of happiness comes. Along the Path of eternal Law as per Rig Veda – so runs a prayer – “LEAD us Beyond All pain & grief.”

The truth is the first essential of Dharma; Rita is the second which is eternal order or Eternal Law. In modern times the word is obsolete. As negative of truth it has been used from ancient times, meaning literally disorder or Chaos. Rita is cognate with-truth in its moral

The person who has understood and accepted the Eternal Law is really a man of faith. According to Eternal Law an Atheist is one who does not believe in the eternal values. He does not stand for goodness and oppose the evil. The power of darkness & evil is

A Bird’s Eye View of Vedas

There is no Predetermination in the Vedas. To follow Rita, in making order Prevail against disorder, Cosmos against chaos, there is confident faith in man’s capacity.

beyond anything. As the noble lady, there arises before us visions of USHAS as one who goes like a maiden in pride of beauty, brightly shining and smiling with youthfulness.

Within us and without us, the existence of evil is recognized, but it is believed that evil can be fought and fought successfully. The power of darkness and evil, “the vritra” had been destroyed by Indra which is opposed to Rita, is an indicative of the final triumph of goodness and law over evil and disorder. Supreme among slayers of “Vritra” is Indra who is “vritrahantama”. Every human being has his own vritra, to fight out in life. Sucessfully he can fight out if he is valiant enough to face the world bravely.

According to Rigved as the daughter of the sky, bending opposite to men like a virtuous maiden as one who is lovely as a bride adorned by her mother. Usha as the beauty who as if conscious that her limbs are Bright and like a dancer enrobes herself with her embroidered garments as a maiden, of course, in a red form. She is seen advancing as one wonderful goddess whom poets welcome with singing of hymns.

The heroic or epic outlook on life is nothing but the vedic outlook on life. There is evil in our midst and life is hard in this world. But victory is ours only if we are brave enough to face it. The Attarva Veda and yajur veda reproduce many verses on this with the expression “Stand erect” by the more emphatic substitute “VIRAYADDHVAM”, “Like heroes you Quit.” Satya is Brahma–Rita is Kshatra

The Vedic sages uplifted the minds of men to unimaginable heights by revealing the beauty that lies at the care of the cosmic order. The hold on the aesthetic also stabilized the fundamentals of character in a way that only very modern minds can properly understand which the right living more durably than mere moral preaching could do. To keep him straight in his moral character, one who learnt to admire the divine beauty of the woman did not need the ordinary social taboos in his moral character.

The higher interest of life is represented by Satya in the metaphysical as well as moral sense with Rita in broad sense, Covering the cosmic aesthetic, ethical and social law as well as the ritual. For the moral. Political interest, Satya stands for the religious. Philosophical interest and Rita in its typical sense.

By way of exhortation to virtue for the woman also that is not much but beautiful pictures present the ideal for all times. Speaking the purity of the Deity for example, the sage says that He is like the irreproachable wife beloved of her husband, So in the chaste wife, there is Divine purity in the eyes of the Veda itself.

Therefore interests of life have been spoken by Rig Veda. (RVIII. 35. 16-18) 1.

Power of knowledge is to be strengthened. & strenthen the intellectual.

Strengthen the Ruling Power – strengthen the heroes.

Strengthen the people & give strength to the milch cow.

Savita is implored to send far away all evil and send what is good in a succession of verses. To grant all things that are beautiful then he is spoken of as one whose power is in truth. In terms of goodness, Beauty and truth, thus the Deity is understood, which are the three ultimate values. Obedient to the reins of order, which is Rita, the beautiful one, usha, is implored to send thoughts that are more and more beautiful and blissful. As moral law, thus beauty, an aspect of

A Bird’s Eye View of Vedas

Rita as cosmic law is only to speak the obverse. Hence by the contemplation of a universal order, form as beauty, and form as morality that are harmonized.

The king while receiving consecration in the yajur veda is told: ”Thou ART VARUNA, THOU ART MITRA”.

To the Vedic ritual, the term Rita has also been applied. That Rita is rite as well as right, it has been observed. The orderly performance of the ceremonial part of worship is signified by Rita as a ritual. And hence possesses the attributes of art. The form of the yajna also conforms to laws of order like the aesthetic form. Including the eternal states of moral life the order that observed as the ritual is a symbol of eternal order. Soma is invoked as the Deity of the ritual by certain verses. Flowing the streams of Rita, the soma libations are asked to glorify the Deity as they make the whole world noble and drive away the lawless, by another verse of Rig Ved. Let not the licentious enter the place of worship. The hands of singers sip the sweets of immortality while ascending the lofty heights of order. To the man who lives by law, the earth is sweet and beautiful “while Rita as cosmic and moral law is understood to be immutable” it is very interesting to note the same. To suit the human desire for change, Rita as ritual is expected to vary with time and to be renewed. Every God and Goddess is spoken of as the protector of Rita, which is the cosmic order, in all the Vedas. Certain Deities are narrated as kings who are the guardians of Rita more particularly. Mitra & Varun have been spoken of as protectors & kshatriyas. The praise songs of noble – minded poets have been inspired, especially by the emissaries of Varuna. They are the upholders of Eternal law who survey the universe. In the noose of Varuna the sinner is caught. Mitra & Varun are the models in the eyes of earthly kings. As applied to social life, Rita wants to be an upholder of order like them.

Being a protector and a defender, the Kshatriya is necessarily a fighter too. The Deity is typically Indra who represents the ideal of the fighter as well as the giver of law. The spirit of Kshatriya finds its widest application in Him. To the people to be heroic after the manner of Indra there is always a stirring call. By applying his ruling power, the earthly king becomes a protector or kshatriya to society. Similarly these Divine kings apply their ruling powers to the universe according to Rita. Fate & Rita To translate the order (Rita) of the cosmos into social order is the ideal of society. Rita is independent of the will of the gods like the Greek conception of Fate. Beyond the capacity of anybody to alter Fate, Greeks found a power which was arbitrary and which fore ordained the course of mortal life even to which the so called gods could not with stand. That man was a helpless victim of fate, this led to the typical Greek conception of tragedy. But the case of India is different. Rita remained eternal law and eternal justice and never became fore–ordination. Hence there could be no escape from the consequences of our deeds, as a result, however, of the working of eternal justice. As he sows, a man must reap. This led to the doctrine of Karma followed by the conception of stern Rita. Every soul is believed to be born with the residue of Karma of Previous birth with the detailed acceptance of the doctrine of rebirth which remained unseen so far having guided man’s present life to happiness or misery in accordance with eternal justice. The Greek idea of Predetermination thus, came nearer to the Indian conception of Karma. 35

A Bird’s Eye View of Vedas

Outside the common human habitations, the life in the open fresh air in sunlight is required. Hard work both physical and intellectual, hard bed, the performance of fire ritual and personal supervision by the Acharya contributed to spartan virtues. Like a hermit secluded from society the Brahmachari did not grow. Begging his up-keep he took his daily round of the neighbouring villages by meeting the mistress of the household requesting for alms.

Corresponding to truth represented by cultural force is Brahman only. Corresponding to Rita represented by Political Power is kshatra. The milch - cow represents the economic force of the society.The Brahman, the Philosophic man, the kshatriya, the political man and the vaisya, the common man – like this three types of men emerge in the society.

Towards women, a filial attitude might have been cultivated in course of time. Brahmachari was the worshipper of saraswati; the Divine mother at whose breast he prayed to be privileged to be fed. Living with his family the Acharya was a married man and the Brahmachari was adopted into it. The ideal of Brahmachari stood for a preparation for life and not for the entire life ordinarily in the Vedas. In the personal life of individuals the ideal of Brahmacharya was co-ordinated with that of the family life but in case of social life the ideal of Brahman was with that of Kshatra. For a young husband the maiden should be qualified through Brahmacharya. Hence the young man should be qualified himself for married life for taking leadership of a family. The powerful sage agastya practised both classes of obligations, that is both Brahmacharya and Garhapatya and from the Devas he received benedictions. In the words of Lopamudra, (the wife of Agastya) “The ancient sages who preached the Eternal Law and conversed of eternal statutes with Devas, begot Progeny, and did not thereby arrive at the end of their lives of Tapas.” (R.1.179.2) In social life there were two interests and hence there were two ways in individual life one succeeding the other. The original conception of varnashrama Dharame lies in this broad foundation 40

The intellectual and spiritual enterprise would be carried on by Brahman, the second shall work for order and security and the third will produce wealth of the nation. Special efforts are to be directed to the encouragement of the first two groups of society while the third group needs protection. To makeup between them is the religious and political idealism of vedic times, thus the Brahman & Kshatra would be found. Agni particularly represents Brahman ideal of the major deities though he has also been spoken of as king. Among those who live holy life, Agni is supreme. He is holy poet. He is the holy sage. Corresponding to Brahman & Kshatra, two types of virtues are stressed in the Vedas , they are wisdom and valour. There are prayers for strength, fearlessness, vigour . Spiritual power manliness, wrath and other qualities of heroism, of course, on the other hand like conquering power etc. Consecration:- Under the category of Brahman for which the Philosophical-religious interest stands, the four Principles of Dharma, Consecration, Austerity, Prayer & ritual come generally. At the realization of Satya or ultimate truth, the first two of these, namely consecration and austerity are chiefly directed. For spiritual advancement these two refer to detailed systems of self culture. Between the teacher (Acharya) and the student, there is a deep personal contact where consecration is not merely a formal initiation. 37

A Bird’s Eye View of Vedas

As per Atharava veda, while giving the initiation. The Acharya carries

For the student of Vedic learning, the Tapas par excellence at the

the pupil within him just like a mother carries the foetus in her womb.

beginning of life is the discipline. The way of obtaining the Vedic

The teacher keeps pupil under instruction and after the symbolic

knowledge is known as Brahmacharya Primarily and that of

three days of the Vrata the Sisya is born a wonder whom the gods

education and culture in a general sense.

in a body come to see.

The character of the Brahmachari in detail, the Attarva veda does

From darkness to light, from humanity to divinity, from untruth to

describe. By Tapas, he satisfies the Acharya. With his sacred wood

truth, this initiation is the path of transition hence. Instruction is like

(SAMIDHA) sacred belt (mekhala) and his labour, the Brahmachari

the guidance that the Acharya gives to the disciple who knows a

satisfies the universe. With the Tapas, he stands high clad in spiritual

land gives to one who is a stranger to it.

light. In his new garb and new power, the young boy takes up the

But being under instruction one receives guidance and goes directly forward by himself would conceivably grope his way to some amount

intellectual and spiritual career. And after some twenty-four years, the mature youth comes back to society.

of knowledge. The necessity of instruction has been established by

By the Samidh, the Brahmachari comes perfected having clad in

this which states its nature. It is just like the guidance to a traveller

black antelope’s skin also consecrated wearing long beard. From

who is actuated by a desire to visit and see the land with the pupil,

the eastern to western sea, he comes quickly assembling the people

therefore, the initiative lies. In the acquisition of knowledge, the

he establishes him-self forth with. During the long period of

initiative is not a passive recipient, but an active agent.

continence, the creative energy conserved by him is used on the spiritual plane and animated by his creative vigour.

TAPAS (Austerity) The path of constant hard striving is the path to higher life. Through the sweat of his brow, one wins intellectual and spiritual enlightenment. What applies generally to spiritual life applies to the performance of the ritual also. Gods befriend none but him who

They must be Brahmacharies all who would live worthily. Through the Tapas of Brahmacharya, the king protects the state. Through Brahmacharya the Acharya desires to have his pupil. Through Brahmacharya the maiden obtains a youthful husband. At the centre of Divinity Brahmacharya lies. By the Tapas of Brahmacharya, the

has toiled.

shining ones turned away death they face, Through Brahmacharya, In the achievement of higher things in life, Tapas is the unsparing

Indra brought light to Devas. Having bathed bright and resplendent

and unilagging effort. To do something really worth while the infinite

the Brahmachari shines greatly on the earth. For attaining the fitness

pains one has to take. At the beginning of all great things, Tapas

for Vedic knowledge, Brahmacharya is the discipline of body and

lies. Out of perfect spiritual andour, it is said, truth and order were

mind. For the control and sublimation of the sex energy much strain

born at the beginning. Through Tapas, sages and gods perform

was laid. What meticuliously attended to is the physical fitness and

noble things. Indolence is punished by the sleepless ones.

cleanliness.

A Bird’s Eye View of Vedas

We find this idea in Rig Veda clearly. Please refer to (Rig.VIII.70.3)

referred to above in the words of Lopamudra. The term varna, implies to Ashram only. To resume Brahmacharya was set as the ideal of later life on a return to forest with the ideal of complete renunciation which is known as “Sanyas” for the fourth stage of life.

By the adoption of five systems of great yajna, the conception of yajna was much widened.. The study and teaching of Vedas in addition to the usual Agnihotra the service for, giving food to lower creatures or, offering of oblation to Manes(Pitriyajna) were recognized as great yajnas. In short words they are known as “Brahmayajna”, “Nriyajna”, “Bhutayajna”, “Pritriyajna” and “Mahayajna” respectively. In its own remarkable way, Geeta distinguished the spirit of Yajna from its forms. Related to fire, fuel and the oblation the material part of yajna, may be taken not only literally but also symbolically and figuratively if the spirit is accepted. If so, then the Yajna of the Karmakanda could be material. Yajna of tapas, (spiritual discipline) , in which the fire of restraint is lighted and senses are the offering. Into the fire of self-control, there will be the yajna of yoga in which the vital functions will be the offering only. There will be yajna of sacred studies and the yajna of Jnana in which the supreme Reality the Brahma is fire, fuel and oblation as well as sacrificer, for men of spiritual discipline and self-dedication. Then it must be admitted in the same wider sense if this wider meaning of yajna is taken as claimed by the followers of Karmakandis that the eaters of the Ambrosia of the remains of yajna go to the changeless eternal. As the central thing in the discipline for higher life, there should then not only be no opposition to yajna but yajna must be accepted.

In pursuit of spiritual knowledge, from the earliest times there were men & women who remained celibates in their individual ways. On a much more limited scale than that of Brahmacharya, the Practice of the last two ideals, however must have been practised. It should be noted, Vedas place Tapas after Diksha. All efforts become constructive effort after initiation and there is no mere self mortification at all. Know Vedas Brahman means prayer in its Primary sense. In the Vedas meant for prayer, it means the body of mantras. As books of prayer and wisdom, then the term implies Vedas only. The lord of prayer is a Deity who is Brahmanspti. For the mastery of the Vedas and Vedic knowledge, Brahmacharya means the discipline. As an impersonal Reality, the Divinity especially contemplated and then Brahma has stood for the object of Prayer.

The realistic elements of the Vedic religion have been emphasized for one thing in contrast with the way of the ascetic which is austere

Standing for the activities connected with the search for Reality and truth, the term Brahman is referred to above. The word Brahman has been derived from the religious –Philosophical spirit when one engaged in the search for Brahman which has mere specific sense in accordance with the seemed meaning mentioned as above. The text of the Veda or Brahman is meant by that only. In the whole cultural history of the world it was a marvellous feat for the Indians to have preserved the Vedas by oral tradition. They take every care to maintain each syllable of the text unimpaired. That they understood the high value of the documents, it goes to the eternal credit of the Indians. To preserve them in the face of terrible

In the figurative sense, even in the Vedas yajna is taken as it is found. The Indian system of thought is quite in keeping with the spiritualization of the concept of yajna. It had specialities of its own with the institution of yajna as ritual.

A Bird’s Eye View of Vedas

upheavals they did everything possible that changed the whole structure of society, both internal and external. The human beings who carried Vedas in their heads deserved well of the society. They were immune from capital punishment as the traditional social law gave them a privileged position. To obstruct the oral tradition of a Veda carried on by him is to kill a Brahman would be, perhaps. While describing the whole benefit of Vedic studies the Satapatha, Brahaman speaks of the protection against capital punishment as one of them. The efficacy of the sound of the Vedic hymns (Mantras) have been spoken by Hindu theologians. In the whole poetical history of the world, that they are among the most wonderful of rhythmic creation whatever their theological significance cannot be denied.

The yajna, being a great public institution developed complicated rituals. This has added to the attractiveness of the ceremonial side of prayer. To carry on the ritual by the knowledge of Vedas with the appropriate ceremony, it needed a class of experts from among Brahmans, in course of time therefore.

Through the ages, that the Vedas could be handed down by oral tradition is due to some extent to the wonderful memorableness of the verses. The Vedic hymns would occupy a very high place in the estimation of the world, if as some think; memorableness is an essential quality of poetry, from this criterion alone, then. Yajna: - On the sacrificial fire lighted on an altar yajna is the Vedic ritual of offering libation or oblation. Offering of soma Juice, was another ritual. The ritual was the same whatever the names of the Deities worshipped. Accompanied by chanting and singing the Vedic ritual was picturesque and acting where SAMA Veda hymns were musically rendered. Held in open spaces and attended by vast numbers of people, there was the simple domestic sacrifice which is other wise known as Agnihotra. Attended by vast number of people there were also great seasonal sacrifices held in open spaces. To the ritual by the institutions of Ashvamedha political colouring was given. This used to be preceded by a challenge to the neighbouring states to a tournament of arms. To obtain homage from their vassals, the emperors were conducting Rajasuya yajna also. 42

The action part of the religion is known as karmakanda which is the formal part of the worship. The formal character of the yajna became very much pronounced, when in later times the vedic language became obsolete where the meaning could not be understood by the worshipper. Having no relation to the spiritual or metaphysical questions, curiously enough, the whole of vedic texts came to be regarded as part of the Karmakanda. As distinguished from the metaphysical approach to the ultimate reality through thought and experience, the mastery of the four Vedas and accessory literature was considered to be sort of practical and material knowledge as per Manduka upanished. In a society with freedom of thought and expression it is natural that there should be opposition to mere formalism. Standing for spiritualism to the total exclusion of formalism, the Manduka upanishad says — “In the form of yajna, they are frail rafts With the eighteen members in them, the work is of an inferior type” (Mun 1.2.7.) In the Bhagavat Geeta, the attitude of Bhakti cult is well defined in which the divine grace is the only source of spiritual advancement. By memorizing Vedas, by studies, by charity, by Yajna, the direct experience of the Divine cannot be had not by action – nor by severe austerities or Tapas.

A Bird’s Eye View of Vedas

Vedic Collectivism:- On the collectivistic ideal of life, Vedic society was based.

and silent. The sage has his own way of expressing himself through Poetry, oratory and music in contrast with the non-ritualistic spiritual strivings of the yogi who seeks eternal through super sensual paths. The way of Karmakanda is different where colour, sound and fragrance have their full play with all other things of senses.

In the first place, the ideal of conjugal union is found there. The presence of the master and mistress of the household is required in every Yajna. Through thousands of years in this country Bharat, the marriage hymns in the Rig Veda (X-85) reproduced in the Atharva veda with interesting supplements, have been the means of consecrating marriage bonds. A most idyllic and romantic picture of the conjugal life has been given by them. The monogamous ideal has been included, in the first place, the notable features of the conjugal life. “You two live here, do not get separated. Full span life is to be enjoyed by you. With sons and grand sons go on dancing in your limited sphere of your own house, (Rig.X.85.42) “You two together, laughing and merry, arising in the happey home, enjoying with great power. Spend the shining morning with good cattle at your disposal in a good home.” (Atharva.Veda). Rigveda also speaks like this.(R.VIII.31.8) By their side, may the married couple enjoy the full span of life with sons and daughters decked with ornaments of gold. (R. VIII.31.8) In the second place with the household, the wife is given equality of status. As he is the master of the house she is as much a mistress with equal status. At home rather the wife is made to be the higher authority. When the wife is the mistress of the house , the husband shall be the ruler. Over her father-in-law and mother-in-law, sister-in-law and brotherin-law. She is asked to be the queen. 48

On the minds of the worshippers, there is a direct and purifying effect in the form of glorious luster of the blazing fire, the sweet perfume of the burnt ghee, the blades of grass, the cooked offering the crushed soma and all other materials of yajna. This carried an immediacy of appeal which was of no smaller spiritual value taking into consideration the acting of the priests, the chanting & music & final offering. VEDIC REALISM :- In order to feed the soul ascetics have gone the way of starving the body. To make the soul strong, the realist would feel the joy of life and would feed the body. The wise see with the spirit and the mind, has been said by veda. Spirituality sees with the soul hence.To see with bodily eyes is not glorious. Things that uplift and ennoble to be felt with the body. A Muni prays in the Rig Veda Give sight in our eyes Give sight to our bodies that they may see May we survey and discern this world May we look on thee, Surya The most lovely to behold See well with the eyes of men (R.X.158.4.5) So runs another verse – God-ordained

A Bird’s Eye View of Vedas

We see for hundred years And we will live for hundred years (Rig.VII.66.16)

As a stern fact death is accepted. It is faced bravely and serenely (Yajur Veda XL.15). One should live the full period of life, it is insisted and live joyfully for hundred years or more.

Yajur Veda adds to this “We will hear for a hundred years And speak for a hundred years And will hold our heads high for a hundred years.” Yes, even more than a hundred years. (Y.VS.26.24) That of a perfect body and a perfect mind is having the realistic ideal of life. After perpetual youth this leads to the striving. In THY friendship, we will be ever youthful says a sage in Rig Ved. For ever youthful Indra is our youthful friend. We read much about heaven in the mythologies both Hindu and Greek. But there is scanty reference in the Vedas. The wonder of life and the beauty and glory of the earth have been interpreted much in the Vedas. One of the most magnificent poetic expressions on the subject in the world literature is the great Paean to the earth in the Atharva Veda. The most beloved of all is this world of ours, “Ayam Lokah PriyATAMAH” – says Atharva Veda. This is the address to a diseased man. Die not before decrepit age. (ATH.V.30.17) To bring health and happiness we now know to be an essential condition of the existence of life on the earth which is called upon in the Rig Veda as follows. “May the air blow his balm Carrying joy and health to our hearts May HE prolong our lives.” (R.X.186.1)

In the attitude of worship, the joy of life is evident pertaining to a Realist. In the Vedas, the mood of worship is not a gloomy one. Like song and poetry worship is an overflow of the joy of the soul. As per Rigveda( R.VIII.43 – 31) “Agni, the Joyous, much beloved…… We worship with joyous hearts” (R.VIII-43.31) That man is not conceived to be a mean and sinful creature which is another aspect of vedic Realism. He is conscious of a Divinity on the other hand within himself. In the mother’s womb, we have established our perpetual brotherhood with harmony. A sage of Rigved uttered addressing God. After describing the creation of man the Atharava. Veda says – Gods enter into him having fused that the moral man is complete. Hence to be human is to be divine also. God is in His Heaven to others. God is in the universe to the Vedic Realists. See me here is the revelation. PASYA MEHA He is in the hearts of every body – irrespective of human beings. The home of man is ruled by master and mistress and is presided over by the Deity. Agni has been addressed as Grihapati. Agni is the master of the household. As the beloved house hold friend – he has been spoken. (Yagur ved:- VS.2.27) He is the guest of the House (Rig. V.4.5). In the dwelling of man if it is properly built there can be divine beauty. Following blessing has been received by bountiful man “May there be the House to the bountiful man Lovely like the lake of lotus Ornamented around, beautiful as the divine mansion.” (R.X.107.10) 47

A Bird’s Eye View of Vedas

Rig Veda has been arranged consisting of 10 mandals, 1028 Suktas and 10552 Mantras.

Atharva ved says-“Be thou a queen after reaching your husband’s

Yajur Veda has forty chapters and 1975 mantras.

Between husband and wife mutual love is contemplated. The Rig

In sama Veda there are 640 mantras in the PURVARCHIKA part and in its UTTARARCHIKA part there are 1225 mantras where as the middle part contains only 10 mantras making 1875 in all.

veda says “-father of the daughter has selected a husband for his

In Atharva Veda there are 20 KANDAS, 731 Suktas and 5977 mantras.

sense, these terms are used without any bad odour about them.

house.”

daughter whom she mentally admired.” To pre-marital love there is a reference in the Vedas. The girl in love is termed is JARINI and the lover is termed as JARA. In a simple

The re-marriage of a woman, is clearly mentioned in the Atharva 3.

Very very deep involvement in intense analysis and deep thinking are the mantras all about.

veda, (Ath.IX.5.27). This is most remarkable. In the vedic conception

Hindu religion is called vedic religion or vice-versa. Again that which has propounded in the Vedas is Vedic religion.

openness and naturalness in the contemplation of sextual side of

Behind the creation of the universe, the Vedas constitute the wisdom. Vedas are the sources of the true knowledge. For all times and all climes; the pronouncements in the Vedas are valid. For the physical, spiritual and social development of the mankind the four Vedas are the store – house of knowledge. These Vedas are called Rig, Yajuh, Sama and Atharva respectively.

the romantic picture of love and mutual attraction the mind of the

At the beginning of the every cycle of creation for the well being of the mankind the Almighty God imparts the knowledge of the four Vedas. The Vedas have not been authored by anybody in this universe. These are not man – made. Enabling him to attain this ultimate goal God reveals the Vedic wisdom to man as the beginning of creation, So that he can lead his life with adequate knowledge and perception. By the ancient sages in their inner hearts, the Vedas were first received which formed the primordial pure thoughts of the human kind. 52

of love and marriage and domestic life for a modern man, is the life guarding the total absence of taboo and represson. To weave sages is sophisticated enough. But the biological aspect is clearly viewed and expressed with almost scientific objectivity. Be a mother of heroic children is the blessing to the bride. (Rigveda) According to Atharva veda after establishing the poetic relation between the couple, the newly married husband says or May we two be parents of children, may we two be of one mind.” One of the distinguishing characteristic of the Vedas is the tender regard for womanhood. For a woman the courteous address is the same as for a Goddess “Subhaga” she is often described as “Kalyani” the blissful. As a mark of divine beauty, the woman’s smile has been treated. With divine loveliness, the mother’s kiss for the child is invested with. For divine purity, the purity of the chaste wife has been a point of comparison. (Rig.I.73.3) 49

A Bird’s Eye View of Vedas

In the appearance of the finely-robed loving wife before her husband, similarly, a comparison for the glorious sacred word appearing spontaneously before the sage-poet has been found. (R.X.71.4) Among the vedic seers – there are noble female deities like USHAS, saraswati, Aditi etc. In such a remote age woman had an exalted position not reached by her under later civilization for a long period of time either in the west or in the east is quite remarkable. Through the working of the eternal order – RITA – the same is the problem of social life as a whole relating to the problem of domestic life which is to establish the harmony and concord that exist in nature.as a whole the same is the problem of life. Indicating the collective actions of the people, in the vedic ideology the prefix sam (com) is found to be attached to words. Similarly a collective relation is implied by samana (common). For the idea of union sa and saha also have been used. In this connection Atharva veda (III.30) may be referred to for the sage to address a family group. Hence conjugal union comes first and the unity of the family afterwards. Like the spokes of a wheel round the nave the family is desired to assemble round the sacrificial fire (Atharva veda).

Part - I

Synopsis of Four Vedas 1.

In the four Vedas, namely Rig Veda, Yajur Veda, Sama Veda and Atharva Veda, there are 20,379 Mantras in total as on today. a. Rig Veda

10552 Mantras

b. Yajur Veda

1975 Mantras

c. Sama Veda

1875 Mantras

d. Atharva Veda

- 5977 Mantras _________________ 20,379 Mantras

A Bird’s Eye View of Vedas

17 The revealed words of God are the Vedas. Into these revealed words or mantras, Rishi, the seer has only given the vision or

A Bird’s Eye View of Vedas

insight. The sage who has first penetrated into the depth of a particular revelation of God by elaborating it for human understanding is famous as the Rishi of the mantra.

That the Vedas emanated from God Himself there is proof in the Vedas, (Rig Veda 10,90,9) which is as follows “Thasmat Yajnat Sarvahutah Richah Samani Yajnire Chhandamsi Yajnire Tasmat Yajuh Tasmat ajayata (Rig 10,90,9)”

18 The subject matter that has been dealt in that mantra has been It means “ Listen ‘O’ mankind – I have created this beautiful mother Veda for your well being.”

signified as the Devata of that particular mantra. Take for example where Agni is Devata. In this case where

In Satapatha Brahman, Sage Yajnavalkya has mentioned as follows:-

Agni is Devata, the mantra has naturally been described subjects like the universal soul, individual Soul, the wise being

“Asya mahato bhutasya nishvasitam etad yad rigvedo yajurv edah Samavedo, Atharvaginasah (Satapatha 14,5,4,10)

the gust ruler, the pioneer, fire etc. 19 As the beginning of creation, the Vedas revealed wisdom. After the revelation of Vedas the history of mankind started. Hence

It means:- As the living being breathes in one breathe out without any effort, so the supreme being revealed Rig, Yajuh, Sama and Atharva Vedas.

the later unfolding of human history, they would not contain. The eternal words are the Vedas only. In every cycle of creation they are like the sun and the moon. On the other hand, every cycle of creation has its own kind of geography, history like different lands, rivers, sages, rulers, etc. To look for human history of geographical feature in the Vedas, therefore, it amounts to ignorance. 20 The primordial vocabulary of the Vedas had been put into use by the sages and seers and accordingly named various rivers, objects, men, mountains and activities etc. For one who attracts is the vedic word Krishna and it stands for black also. Similarly electricity means Arjun & vice-versa. Any long river is signified as Ganga and Ayodhya stands for human body. From vedic vocabulary all proper nouns have been derived as the Vedas do not contain proper nouns.

In Mahabharat, Maharshi Vedavyas has written as follows:- ” Anadi nidhana nitya vagutsrusta Svayambhreva adau v edamayi dibya yatah Satah Sarv ah Prav ruttayah.” (Mahabharata, S.P.232.34) It means: The eternal God head revealed the timeless Vedas, at the beginning of creation. All activities of mankind were inspired out of them.

10. In his annotation on Vedanta Adi Sankacharya has spoken as follows:“The wisdom of Vedas which has the stamp of omniscience could not have emerged from anyone but the omniscient Supreme Being Himself.”

A Bird’s Eye View of Vedas

In “Satya Prakasha” Swami Dayananda has stated clearly as follows:- “No one can imbibe knowledge unless taught by someone. If the divine had not revealed the Vedas to the seers and sages of the dawn of creation, none could have acquired any knowledge any time later on. The hymns of the Vedas choked in up-going and down-coming rhythmic voices and in various meters like Gayatri, Anustup etc. could have been emanated from only by omniscient himself.” According to Swami Vivekanandaji Maharaj “The Vedas embody the primordial wisdom and are the divine voice. It exists in eternity past, present and future. As the creation has no beginning and no end, so has the divine voice has no beginning and no end.” 11. Four sages first received the revealed words of the four Vedas in their hearts at the state of the creation. This has become the source of all human wisdom. As adduced in the scriptures there is ample proof for this. Rig Veda comes out through a sage by name Agni, Yajurveda through the sage Vayu, Samaveda through the sage Surya or Aditya and Atharva veda through Angira. These sages are the extra ordinary pure powerful and superior human beings. They are all highly evolved. In body vitality, mind and intellect they are all extraordinary and in Vedic language they are called “Rishis”. Into the deepest meaning of the words in the hymns, a Rishis insight can penetrate and hence there is fit recipients for comprehension of the Vedic wisdom. 12. Through the four mouths, it is said, Brahma recited the four Vedas.

A Bird’s Eye View of Vedas

For the welfare of mankind, through his manifested will Brahma revealed the Vedic knowledge to the four RISHIS. This is purely a symbolical description as Brahma chanting the Vedas through his four mouths. From the four original teachers, a great soul called “ Paremesthi Brahma” learnt the Vedas, after the revelation. In order to enable the mankind to extend its knowledge of the universe and fulfill that objective of creation, the holy paremesthi Brahma extracted the knowledge of four Vedas from the four Rishis named Agni, Vayu, Aditya and Angira. 13. From the molecule to the Supreme Being, Rig Veda describes attributes of everything. For all noble activities and symbolic rituals, hymns of Yajur Veda infuse inspiration. Sama Veda contains prayers to divine in verse and Atharveda deals with various physical metaphysical sciences. Rik means poetry, Yajuh stands for prose, Sama is chant or singing, Atharva contains all the three. 14 From the beginning of the creation, four divisions of the Vedas have been existing. No human being has done this as depicted in manypuranas. 15 There are three kinds of accents in the Vedas. They are 1. Udatta (which is a cute accents), 2. Anudatta (accentless) and the third is Svarita which is known as mixed tone. 16 In a mantra, the number of letters determines its CHHAND or Meter. If a mantra consists of twenty four letters. It is called Gayatri chhanda or metre. If it contains thirty two letters it is named as “Anustup” chhanda and forty eight letters in a mantra is said to be the JAGATI CHHAND. 55

A Bird’s Eye View of Vedas

32 Geeta is described as the ambrosial milk of the upanishadic wisdom. The essence of Geeta is that the soul is immortal while the body is mortal. Do not give up action give up the desire for the fruit of the action. Bhagabat Geeta describes the teaching of the Lord Sri Krishna to Arjun before the Mahabharat war, Which is in Bhisma Parva.

21 Before embarking of the study of Vedas, it is very essential to cultivate austere and disciplined life in order to go through the key books of vedanga.

33 Books written by ancient masters are called Purans, Setapatha Brahmans & Aitreya Brahmans are the examples of this. 34 God’s own precept is Sruti or the Vedas. To literally dilute the Vedic hymns language is not at all possible and sufficient. All compositions other than Vedas are by men only. In to these later books self-seeking people have introduced biased and prejudiced ideas in course of time. Unequivocally the Rishis have said that in case of conflict between the precept in the Vedas and that in smrutis, the Vedas have to be taken as the ultimate authority. The Vedas have enumerated only what is good for all. Also what stands of reason which is embedded in truth? 35 Vedas differ from other scriptural writings in many ways. From the absolute godhead Vedas have emanated while the other scriptures embody the teachings and precepts of great, men and saints. As the sun and the moon, Vedic tenets are immutable. Vedas are the primordial and complete knowledge where as scriptures writing of men might have been based on the Vedas. 36 It is said to be very difficult to understand the language of the Vedas. Different people make very different interpretations of them. Hence for the ordinary people to understand Veda is a very herculian task. On God’s creation the nature of the sun, 60

Every human being has a right to study Vedas as every human being has a right to partake water air fire etc. created by the Almighty. Words of God should be and must be understood by every human being in his life. This is equally applicable to women also. 22 Women have a right to study Vedas as men in their lives and as the Vedas are transcended words of the divine. Hence they are meant for all human beings irrespective of men and women. There were women sages in ancient times too as well as their male counterparts. Women should have adequate knowledge of these sacred texts. 23 Gayatri mantra is distinguished as the transcendental maxim though all mantras in the Vedas are equally edifying of all the 20379 mantras in the four Vedas. Upanishads describe Gayatri as the soul of Vedas. Vedas themselves describe Gayatri as the “Bestower of every thing”. To inspire wisdom and realization, prayers go out to the supreme in this mantra only. 24 The life-breath of all creatures is the Almighty God. He is the remover of all pains and evils. He is the motivator of the universe and Bestower of all bliss. That excellent splendour of the creator is to be perceived through and through. To follow the various path the human beings are to direct their intellectual faculties to the excellent splendour of the great God. 25 Mahamrutunjaya prayer or mantra is found in Yajuh Veda (YV.111.60) which has got a very prominent role in the minds of the Vedic people. Its meaning is really wonderful and one 57

A Bird’s Eye View of Vedas

should know it before uttering that mantra. ”We bow-down to the supreme being who governs time and the universe itself. We pray to free us from the subservience to death and from imprisonment in illusion like a ripe, saluted, nutritious water melon – But pray do not deny us immortality and liberation.” 26 Any section of a mantra which is complete in itself is a sukta. These sukties contain priceless exhortations and deep mysticism. 27 On the Vedas, the first ever books of commentary and exposition are called books of Brahmana Authored by human beings. These are the first Vedic literature. The famous books on this category are as follows: a.

Aitareya Brahman of Rig Veda

Satapatha Brahman of Yajur Veda

Sama Brahmana of Sama Veda

Gopatha Brahman of Atharva Veda

28 To elucidate the Vedas, Rishis have written some books. They are called VEdangas. There are six of them which are as follows: a.

Siksha (the rules of pronunciation and phonetics),

Kalpa (Dharma Sutra, Srcuta Sutra, Grihya Sutra, Shulva Sutra),

Vyakaran (Grammar),

Nirukta (etomology),

Chhanda (Prosody),

Jyotish (Astronomy).

A Bird’s Eye View of Vedas

29 Similarly Upangas refer to a system of philosophy. There are six such systems. They are:- Nyaya, Vaiseshika, Samkhaya, Yoga, Vedanta and Mimansa. 30. There are six profounder for these six philosophical systems:a.

Nyaya system was formulated by the sage Goutam.

Sage Kapil was the formulator of Samkhya

Sage Kanad – Vaiseshika System

Patanjali – Yoga System

Vyas — Vedanta System

Mimansa system has been formulated by Jaimini Rishi.

30 There are four upavedas which are as follows:a.

AYur Veda

Dhanur Veda

Gandharv Veda

Artha Veda

From Rig veda, Ayurved has been derived

Dhanurved is from Yajur veda

Gandharva veda is from Sama veda

Arthaved is from Atharva Veda.

31 The maxim of personal and social behaviour for human beings has been laid down in Smriti Sastras. Till today we find twenty four different smrities which are in existence. The most reputed one is the Manu Smruti authored by Manu.

A Bird’s Eye View of Vedas

The Supreme Being is existent, blissful and conscious. Individual soul is existent and conscious. Cosmic nature is existent and it is devoid of consciousness. Individual soul has limited cognition. Absolute Being is omniscient, cosmic nature is the material cause of the creation. Individual soul is the common cause. Absolute being is the efficient for absolute cause. The Supreme Being is only one while the individual beings are numerous. Vedic verse (RVI.164.2) propounds the aforesaid concept. Just as seeming is the natural function of the eyes, creation preservation and destruction of the universe are the natural and spontaneous functions of the Supreme Being. Through the act of creation the qualities like mercy, justice etc. of the supreme being are manifested.During the later creation, the good or evil deeds performed by the individuals in the past creations lead to their fruits only.

A Bird’s Eye View of Vedas

air, fire etc has not been fully understood so far. Through the process of research scientists and seekers are trying to understand more and more about the creation. Vedangas hav e been written and so have been born philosophical systems. various branches of knowledge like Ayurved, Arthaved, Nyayaved, Dhanurved etc. have been written. All human efforts are rooted in Vedas. But we have not been able to master Vedas fully and completely. The Vedic words which have multi-faceted meaning are symbolic in nature. To a disciplined life knowledge of vedangas and practices of yoga are certainly helpful in the effort to understand the Vedic terminology.

10. God has created the universe for the well being of all creatures and has used cosmic nature as the material cause. 11. God is omnipotent, omnipresent, and omniscient and therefore He exists everywhere. He is all powerful and He sees everything. 12. The Divine Lord being the subtlest entity can dwell everywhere. In a gross body a subtle body can inhabit. The air can contain space. Also the fire can contain the qualities of space. 13. The Vedas have described the Absolute Being and never born and formless. One who is born is bound to perish one day. As god is omnipresent the question of His appearance or location here or else where does not arise. 14. God is formless. He would not be omnipresent, omniscient and omnipotent if he had a form. 64

A Bird’s Eye View of Vedas

That which is never born and has never had an inception is called Anadi. That which never perishes or never comes to an end is called Ananta

Absolute god-head is HE whose attributes, actions and qualities constitute the intrinsic truth, who is omnipotent, formless, omniscient without a beginning. He is endless, deathless, eternal, indestructible, embodiment of bliss, and sees into the heart of every particle of creation. He who is purest, just merciful and never born- He, who creates, sustains and finally dissolves the creation and who dispenses to all beings the fruits of their actions.

The individual soul, the absolute god head and the primordial matter (Prakriti) can be called Anadi and Ananta. These three are never born nor do they ever perish. They have existed,

Part - II

they are existing, and they will continue to exist for ever. They are eternal.

Synopsis of Four Vedas

All the attributes of the Brahma would have appeared in the individual soul as well. Brahma is immutable. Omniscient, Omnipotent and embodiment of bliss where as the individual being has limited knowledge and fragmented vision. He suffers

In a state of static equilibrium, Sattva, Rajas, and Tamas constitute the prakriti which is nothing but the matter. Primordial matter is unanimate. It is set in motion by the absolute Godhead and then creation begins. A soul is conscious for an individual being. He is subjected to the fruit of his action as he performs action. His capabilities are limited. The primary qualities of an individual soul are pleasure, pain, desire, aversion, comprehension and effort. In the cycles of birth and death he is enmeshed. 62

from grief and sorrow and driven by aberrations. According to some when ignorance or Avidya envelopes the Brahma, the latter degenerates in to an individual being. This is also not true since subjection to illution and ignorance is contrary to his intrinsic nature. 7.

The universe is not an illusion but it is changeable. It has his own existence. For example steam & ice are two different forms of water. Here water does not become non-existent.

A Bird’s Eye View of Vedas

32. By virtue of his own deeds, Man turns into a Devata or Asur. Appearance has nothing to do with conduct. In mythology absurd descriptions of Asuras are there. These are entirely fictions. 33. Rebirth is there as per Hindu sastras. Man has a limited mind. Hence he cannot recollect or remember. It is a blessing also for him that he is not able to recollect the events of his previous life. 34. Most certainly one enjoys the fruits of his deeds during his life time. This has been accepted by Vedas. The cooked food comes back to the cook. 35. There are three types of karmas. That which is being done now is called kriyamana. As Sanchita, the consequences of kriyamana are stored. The consequences which have started receiving are “PRARABDHA”. The Sanchita and Prarabdha both relate to the past. 36. There are three states of the body. When the sense organs the mind and the vital powers are responsive and alert, then it is known as the state of wakefulness. When the senses are inert but mind and vital powers awake, it is the state of dream. The state of slumber is when only the vital powers are awake, but not the other two. The soul gets the privilege to come in the presence of the supreme soul but is not conscious of his presence due to ignorance in this state.

A Bird’s Eye View of Vedas

Both in cognitive knowledge and in the power of act a form is limited where as the cognition and action of the supreme Lord know no limits. 15. God is all powerful. Without the need of any help or assistance the omnipotence of god means that He performs the act of creation, preservation, and dissolution. The fruits of their action hav e been meted out to the human beings by Him. Omnipotence does not mean that He can destroy Himself or can commit a sin. Violation of the canons is not a sign of might but of weakness. These acts go against His intrinsic disposition, inherent quality and attribute. 16. For idol worship there is no sanction by Vedas. In this connection (AV.XX.93.2) (YV.40.8) (YV.XXXII.3) may be referred to. 17. By looking at an image or idol one cannot visualize the Divine. As god is formless and pervasive, hence it is impossible to visualize His image. By looking at the earth, the sun, the Moon, the stars, the mountains, the oceans, the living beings, the vegetation etc if one cannot think of Him then it will not be possible to remember Him by staring at his supposed likeness imagined by men out of Supreme Being. The whole universe is a temple and god is present everywhere.

37. There are five koshes or shells in the gross physical body of a human being.

18. The Vedas do not mention of idols or likeness of Almighty. By worshipping inert material objects, the sensitivity of man gets eroded. The Jains and Buddhists started idol worship for Tirthankar and Buddha respectively. Gradually others imitated the practice.

The first one is “Annamaya kosha”. This annamaya kosha grows due to intake of food. The gross physical body consisting of blood, flesh, bone, marrow, fat and semen is called

19. Vedas which are regarded as Divine words never refer to idol worship. Idol worship has not found mention even in works by Rishis such as Brahmana Darshana and upanishada etc.

A Bird’s Eye View of Vedas

20. The supreme soul is addressed in various names in the vedic Texts. By many names, the wise men call the eternal Being. -

As the embodiment of all opulence, He is INDRA.

Being gracious and friendly to all. He is MITRA.

Being adorable by all and destroyer of all grief. He is VARUNA.

As one who illuminates and guides He is AGNI.

Being full of luster He is Divya and dispenser of all laws. He is YAMA.

21. God never grieves. So there is no question of His being pleased. He has given freedom of action to all beings. Good or bad – He metes out the fruit of all actions. This is His normal function and He is passionless. He is just and without any prejudice. He has no need nor does look for anything. Hence He is neither satisfied nor dis-satisfied. 22. God does not condone sins. He mets out to the living beings the consequences of their actions. 23. God is merciful. He is just and kind. Administering justice restores kindness. 24. For their own crimes, thieves and robbers do not punish themselves. By the laws of god appropriate punishment is imposed on them. While awarding to the living beings the consequences of their own deeds, God acts like the judge.

A Bird’s Eye View of Vedas

the consciousness and bliss. He is neither happy nor unhappy as He is all bliss and devoid of passion. 26. The name of God can be defined in many ways. The wordOM- composed of three letters “A”, “U”, “M” is the best appellation of God. ‘OM’ is an interpretation which has no gender. The supreme soul denoted by ‘OM’ is eternal and impassive. “A” stands for “VIRAT” (Illuminator of the multiform universe Agni) “U” stands for HIRANYA GARBHA “Vayu” – “M” stands for ISVARA” – “ADITYA” (immortal). 27. That an individual soul has six distinguishing characteristics which have been propounded by NYAYA philosophy as follows. Pleasure, pain, desire, aversion,cognition and effort. 28. The souls in human & animal bodies are same. But they are pure or impure according to that they are virtuous or sinful. 29. With Divine powers, Devata is an entity. One who enriches others, and bestows is resplendent himself is a Devata. The parents, teachers and all virtuous enlightened persons in the society are living Devatas while fire, air, sun, moon etc are quiescent Devatas. 30. For the man, the joyful existence is heaven for him. There is no geographical, location for that. Man achieves godliness leading a charitable and virtuous life. Therefore to say that Devatas dwell in heaven actually connotes that charitable and moral men only lead happy lives.

25. While punishing the wrong doer as it is His duty to do so, the judge does not regret. The Supreme Lord is the law maker. He dispenses justice and He is the embodiment of truth. He is

31. ”ASU” means life – “ASU” means strength. One who has got more strength is called a”Asur”. Even by harming others, one who wants to save himself is an Asur. Normally he does not discharge his social obligations.

A Bird’s Eye View of Vedas

Hence the total duration of a chaturyuga is Forty three lakhs twenty thousand years. 3.

The duration of one cycle of creation lasts for one thousand chaturyangas which comes to four hundred and thirty two crore years.

Years have no bearing on sinfulness or righteousness. Man reaps the fruits of his own action. Every era has given birth to godly people as well as reprobates. The theory of ‘Karma” or action of souls would be proved incorrect if the era would have influenced actions of the nature.

All souls are bestowed with bodies according to the deeds performed in previous birth after the period of “Pralaya”. The first to come out there from is the space after the atoms of the quiescent nature got agitated. Then follows all inferior beings and finally the “man” by the combination of sperm and ovum and hence the embodied life is born.

Soul cannot recall the past experience as the knowledge of the soul is limited. That a man does not remember his past life is a matter of consolation otherwise he would have been mentally troubled due to the past sorrow & troubles.

A Bird’s Eye View of Vedas

Annamaya Kosha. The kosha or shell consisting of five channels of the life breath which are – Pran, Apan, Samana, Vyana and Udana is called Pranamaya Kosha. Then there is Manomaya kosha which consists of the activities of the mind. The still inner shell is Vijnana maya kosa which comprises the domain of intellect and consciousness. Finally there is Anandamaya kosha which is the subtlest one. Due to this kosha man achieves joy, happiness and self-realization. Through intake of food, Annamaya kosha grows. It consists of blood, flesh, bone, marrow, tat and semen. By these five koshas, a man’s behaviour is always guided. Each succeeding shell is subtler than the preceding one. 38. There are five different life-breaths in a human being. They are Pran, Apan, Vyana, Samana and Udana. The air that goes in through the nose acts differently passing through different areas of the body and takes different names. -

When knowing from the nose up to the heart, the breath is called PRAN.

When operates from the heart up to the naval it is called Apan.

With reverential concentration to god at dawn and dusk, when grateful prayers are offered, these are called sandhya upasana.

Between the throat and the cereboral area, similarly it is known as Udana

Yama, Niyam, Asan, Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dhyana Dharna & Samadhi these are known as Ashtanga Yoga or eight – fold yoga. The mind, body, intellect & soul of the man are purified with the observance of these eight disciplines.

And it is Vyana which maintains over all control of the body.

It is samana which maintains the process of digestion.

The meaning of stuti, Prarthana & Upasana can be noted as followes. 72

39. The external organs of the body are heads, ears, eyes, feet etc. Mind, memory intellect and the sense ‘I’ are the internal organs of the body. These four constitute ‘Antah Karana’. 69

A Bird’s Eye View of Vedas

40. The functions of the four “Antah karamas” are as follows:Mind thinks–Intellect takes decisions Memory retains knowledge of the past events. As a soverign existence, Ego prompts a man to think of himself. 41. The mind and the vital breath are physical but they are not gross objects like hands or feet. After the soul enters into the foetus, these are subtle objects developed gradually. Along with the mind intellect etc, the vital air starts its movement. In the physical body soul is the only spiritual substance. 42. We have people, all around us, where some are happy and some are unhappy. Some are pious and some are wicked. Looking a happy man, to f eel happiness, and to be compassionate towards the distressed – to be glad to see the virtuous and to shun the wicked doer–these only bring happiness to the mind. 43. Liberation is nothing but toget out of the complete bondange of sorrow and miseries.

Part - III

Synopsis of Four Vedas 1.

Pralaya or dissolution follows the creation. Pralaya is the causative state where as creation is the active state. Nature is reduced to atoms and molecules at the time of dissolution. All souls remain dorment after leaving their bodies. After dissolution creation is a must.

In each cycle of creation there are four yugas. They are – Satya, Tretaya, Dvapar and Kali.

Liberation is attained through “Purushartha” The bodiless soul moving about with the feeling of blissful freedom after death is the state of liberation. In its natural form of purity, soul remains here 44. The ability and efforts of the individual soul are limited. Hence it cannot attain the endless bliss. The cycle of birth & death is always there where the soul traverses again. 45. To meet the earthly parents, the God lets us taste the bliss of liberation and then sends us to this mundane world. Rigveda (1.24.2) 46. The said period of liberation has been described by Mundakopanishad as “PARANTA KALA” which equals to several cycles of creation. 70

Satya yuga

17,28,000 years

Treta yuga

12,96,000 years

Dvapar yuga

8,64,000 years

Kali yuga

4,32,000 years

______________________________ Total

43,20,000 years 71

A Bird’s Eye View of Vedas

20. The urge for sacrifice is promoted in the mind by the Agnihotra or Havana that keeps the body in good health and purifies the house. Therefore “Havana” should be performed by everybody. By cooking, by excretion we pollute environment, so we should purify the same.

Stuti:-In accordance with Hindu ideals, “stuti” is to adore the attributes of god in order to rectity and guide one’s own action.

21. We have been benefitted by Havana in the community in the society, in the country at large. The physical property of the clarified butter offered to the fire purifies the atmosphere and its subtle essence sanctifies the mind and the heart, Noble perception has been generated by the latter. The ritual checks the spread of the disease in the community.

Upasana:- To realize & feel the presence of the supreme being in the heart of hearts, is called upasana or prayer. It is easier to reach the proximity of god through the prayer only. The individual soul finds happiness with the supreme soul.

22. Both men & women can perform Havana daily in their household affairs. In ancient times women are known to perform daily Havana. It is not a waste of money to offer ghee to the fire instead of being consumed. Even the needy are offering ghee to the fire which never gets in vain. 23. In a subtle way the fragrance emitted by Havana feeds mankind.The man who eats clarified butter alone gets the nutrition where as the fragrance of yajna provides subtle nutrition to hundreds of people. It even improves the yield of fruits by trees. It purifies environment. Ghee lying in a pot does not spread its effect as such. But when offered to fire it is fragmented into atoms and molecules and in the process purifies the environment. 24. Without clarified butter, Agnihotra can be performed also. It can be performed with medical herb with paddy, with barley or with the inner fire of veneration. The attitude of self-sacrifice itself is Yajna. Of that symbolic thought, performing Havana is a symbolic form. 76

Prarthana:- To beg for God’s grace and to Shun the ego in order to attain knowledge and strength etc. is nothing but Prarthana.

10. Through meditation the intellectual facility expands. Sandhya upasana builds up faith and destroys the ego. The soul becomes pure and sanctified. The mind and the senses are cleansed of impurities. To perform good deeds an impetus comes. For the welfare of humanity. Constant thought to the effect that the almighty god is there all the time ensuring the well being of living creatures generates the will to sacrifice one self. 11. The effects of prayer out power into the soul. By remembering god who is omnipotent and repository of all divine qualities, the soul attains capability and sanctity. Prayer is the only means to conquer the subtle aberrations of the inner mind. Through destructive weapons or through money power material victory may be achieved in this mundane world even though. By prayer and introspection, the ego is destroyed. When ego is eliminated, the soul blooms. Reverence, love, friendship & kindness are guaranteed with the power of prayers only by wiping out the hatred, fear, envy and weakness. 12. The impediments for Upasana are many. They are as follows. a. Doubts, b. mental weakness, c. sickness, d. lethargy, e. falsehood, f. inadvertence of indecision etc. 73

A Bird’s Eye View of Vedas

13. In Hindu Sashtra the meaning of Yajna are many. Yajna is derived from the root yaj which means worship, equity and charity.

16. Deva Yajna:- Performance of Agnihotra or Havan both at sunrise and sunset after completion of Sandhya upasana is generally known as Deva Yajna. Through Asana and Pranayam it strengthens the organs of the body and to purify the atmosphere by Agnihotra in order, to keep company with wise etc. comprise deva yajna.

- Elders are to be worshipped - Equity with those who are equals - Charity to those who are younger. These are the duties of a man which constitute Yajna. That Yajna comprises the noblest actions of man has been depicted in Brahman scriptures.Yajna is non-violent and charitable. “Pursuit of truth with reverence” is Yajna as per satapatha Brahman. In Bhagabat Geeta, the definition of Yajna has been given elaborately. 14. There are five Mahayajnas which are as follows: specially for house holders. a. Offering reverential gratitude to the supreme Being b. Performing Agnihotra c. Showing respect for elders d. Rendering hospitality to the guests e. Services to the poor and hungry. They are called Brahma Yajna, Devayajna, Pitru Yajna, AtithiYajna, Vaishadev Yajna. 15. Brahma Yajna:- To perform Sandhya upasana at dawn and Svadhyaya (introspection) is Brahma yajna. Ego is destroyed by Sandhya upasana. Study of scriptures is Svadhyaya and to analyze the distortions and aberration in one’s life that removes the dross from the mind. 74

17. Pitru Yajna: - during their life time, the parents, the sages, the pious, the teachers are to be respected and worshipped. To pay reverence to the respected people is known as Pitru Yajna, two forms of Pitru Yajna are Shradha and Tarapana. Veneration and love and service to the elders are called Shradha. To satisfy and please them Tarapana is to be done. 18. Atithi Yajna: - in course of their wanderings, pious and charitable people are to be treated properly as if they are the guests because they do not come with any prior programme or intention.To serve such pious people by offering them food and comfort in order to imbibe true knowledge from them is an important duty of the householders.This is known as Atithi Yajna. 19. Valivai Shavadev Yajna: - Man is the highest in the God’s creation. He is the inheritor of immortality. All small and weak creatures are protected by him. Man’s sacred obligation is to provide them good food & sustenance as far as possible and without any perversion. Vali means share or apportionment. Before sitting down to a meal; man should offer a portion of his food cooked at home to poor, sick and helpless creatures which is known as valivai shavadev yajna or Bhuta Yajns. Man should realize that the weak, poor and helpless people and even animals, birds have a legitimate share in what we earn is the aim of this Yajna. 75

A Bird’s Eye View of Vedas

There is difference between the words Varna and JATI. Jati or (Species) is inborn such as man, animal etc. But Varna is different from species. Varna such as Brahman refers to mankind which is changeable. And changes are according to one’s disposition and occupation. 39. Varna does not change. A donkey cannot be a cow. A Sudra cannot be a Brahmin, it is said. But this theory is wrong – argued by many. The individual is allotted to a Varna as he chooses a social duty according to his aptitude and capacity. Here the example of donkey and cow is in appropriate. 40. Based on mental disposition and occupation the Vedas have evolved Varna system. It has been mentioned in ManuSmriti also. Vedas are of the supreme authority of the Sanatana Dharma admitted by Manu. Later on there are many interpolations by self-seeking biased people in the ManuSmriti. Hence sometimes, it is contradictory. 41. The significance of four different “Ashrams” should be understood by each and every human being. Life passes through four chronological stages between birth and death. First is Brahmacharya, Second is Garhyasthya,

A Bird’s Eye View of Vedas

25. Vedic hymns are chanted during prayers because during the chanting period pure thoughts embodied in the Vedic hymns sanctifying the mind. Through the recital of the inspiring hymns, mankind tends to get into a bond of unity. Through their recitals, Vedas are preserved. 26. Vedas do not prescribe animal sacrifice at all. It teaches how to kill the animal in man. For sensual enjoyment, the followers of the “vama-marga” of the Tantra school have introduced animal sacrifice. The Vedas talk of Yajna which is otherwise called “ADHVARA” or act of non-violence. So the question of any reference to violence towards animals does not arise in the Vedas at all. 27. For clarification of the readers, the meanings of various Yajna are given below. Gomedha Yajna: the word “gau” stands for speech, cow, and earth etc. The root “MEDHRU” signifies intellect piety, amity and slaughter. Gomedha really means worshipping cattle – purification of speech – cleansing the earth, similarly Aswamedha signifies impending knowledge, or building of the nation etc. These two institutes refer to duties of wise people and rulers respectively in the Vedas. In such edifying senses in the Vedas, words like gomedha, Aswamedha, Naramedha etc. have been used. 28. Elderly people, social workers, old parents, preceptors, doctors, scientists are called patriarchs. Also pitar, which means wise saviors and elderly people.

Third is Vanaprastha, And fourth is Sanyasa. For the social structure classification of Varna is necessary. Hence the division of Ashram is also required for the enrichment of the individual life. This should be understood properly.

In the Vedas, living ancients have been described as patriarchs. (Yajur Veda XIX57). “By their wise counsel, let them understand our problems and remove our ignorance.” 77

A Bird’s Eye View of Vedas

29. As a memorable day, to observe the day of death in order to recollect the good deeds of the dead man shraddha is necessary. This concept has been started from Tretaya Yuga when Seeta offered sand Pinda to her father-in-law who extended his hand as per Ramayan. The dead have nobodies. Hence Shraddha for the dead is a later concept. Veda is silent on the matter. To offer food stuff (Pinda) to dead is illogical and non-vedic to many. But we do observe Sharddha regularly.

33. The man who dispels ignorance from the society and spread knowledge with “Sattvik” disposition is called a Brahmin.

30. In order to understand the significance of their lives on earth boys or girls at the time of Upanayana are symbolized by the sacred thread worn on the body. To attain lofty ambitions and accomplish devout deeds are its aims. The significance of wearing yajnopavita or sacred thread is to keep oneself engaged in yajna or philanthropic work. Only to wear this sacred thread, without doing what it enjoins to do, is useless. 31. The Upavita has three strands of thread. These three strands of threads symbolize the three debts that the man incurs in life. This reminds the man to repay three debts. To act according to their teaching who carry the human heritage and tradition forward such as hermits, menters and sages etc, is to repay their debts we owe to them. Substances with beneficial power like, fire wind water etc. are Devas who sustain human lives. We repay their debts by using them properly. By properly ministering to parents, a debt to Pittar is paid back and by becoming ideal parents ourselves. In the sacred thread, every strand of thread cautions us as it were. ‘O’ man, before clearing your debts do not leave this world. 32. People who are eligible to do justice can wear sacred thread. For wearing this reverence resolution and purity are absolutely essential. Pious and righteous people are worthy of this. 78

34. One who obliterates injustice from the society by physical strength with enforcement of principles of justice is a Kshatriya paving a mixture of Sattvik & Rajasik qualities. 35. The money power in the society is controlled by Vaishya. He is a mixture of Rajasika (Passionate) and Tamasika (Ignorant). In Vedic concept, the Vaishya is the trustee of social wealth as he generates finance, enriches the society and eliminates poverty from the nation. 36. By physical labour, Sudra serves the society. In social service he helps the other three classes of the society. His inclinations are Tamasika (Ignorant). 37. By the temperament vocation, nature of man and Varna are established. By dint of his occupation he is fitted into the Varna. For Example: A son of a Sudra who accumulates knowledge and removes ignorance from the society becomes a Brahmin by Varna, but if the son of a Brahmin takes up trade and commence and accumulates money will be addressed as a Vaishya only. Hence with the change in the mental inclinations social duty and nature of man, the Varna can change accordingly. 38. On the earth, the creation of God can be divided into six broad species such as man, animal, bird, vermin, insect and reptile. The male & female of the same species only can mate and procreate. From the birth, species are determined. With identical form, shape and characteristics, creatures are considered to be of a particular species. 79

A Bird’s Eye View of Vedas

51. In ancient times there was Gurukul pattern of education. Teachers at the Vanaprastha stage of life while keeping children in their custody, they used to extend them love, guidance & learning.

42. One should know the meaning of Brahmacharya. Brahma stands for greatness and Charya means demeanour. To adopt a noble behaviour by shunning petty and narrow conduct is Brahmacharya. Also Brahmacharya devotes retention of semen. One part of semen is formed out of eighty parts of blood. Therefore loss of semen leads to physical and mental ailments. Life-force is only Brahmacharya.

52. In student life, there are eight lapses. They are lethargy, attachment, egoism, greed, luxury, Bad Company, lack of sensitivity & light heartedness. 53. The aim of education is the concept that soul is the master of the body. And to engage the body to work accordingly is the aim of education. The inner personality is developed by prayer and education. To attain the ultimate cherished goal in life education sets the pupil on the right path. It generates resistance to temptations of mundane life.

43. An apathy towards natural enjoyment is developed when a man attains sixty or more. In a householder’s life he no longer gets satisfaction. He gives up domestic enjoyment at this stage. He devotes time selflessly for the betterment of the society. If more people adopt this mode of living in philanthropic deeds in the appropriate time, then the spirit of sacrifice spreads more and more. As a result corruption gets eliminated and undesirable people cannot enter in to the life-stream of the society or the country. This is Vanaprastha Ashram. 44. Man has practically relinquished the mundane world during Sanyasa Ashram. It is primarily a change of the mind, but not a change of attire only. In this stage he feels love and affection towards all living creatures of the world. 45. These are Vedic rites in different stages of human life with Vedic Samskaras. The method or systems prescribed by the ancient sages to develop the faculties of a person in different stages are called Samskar. In the scriptures sixteen Samskars have been devised covering the period from the stay in the mother’s womb through growth, decay and finally death. Physical, mental, intellectual and spiritual powers in man would be promoted through these sixteen Samskars, which are as follows;

A Bird’s Eye View of Vedas

1. Garbhadhana, 2. Pumsavana, 3. Simantonnayan, 4. Jatak Karam, 5. Namakaran, 6. Niskramana, 7. Annaprasana, 8. Chudakaran, 9. Karnabedha, 10. Upanayan, 11. Vedaranbha, 12. Samavarttana, 13. VIVAH, 14. Vanaprastha, 15. Sanyas, 16. Antesti. 46. Before the of birth of the child three pre-birth Samskars are observ ed. W ith the wish to hav e good off -springs – Garbhadharna is done with prayer to Almighty. In order to strengthen the foetus which is known as “Pumsavana” the husband adopts celibacy and the wife adopts pure food and conduct. When the mind of the foetus starts forming Simantonnayan Samskar is performed in the fourth month to keep the mind of the mother cheerful and healthy. 47. An auspicious name is conferred on the child, on the 10th or 11th day after the birth which is the reflection of the fond hopes of the parents for the future of the child. This is known as Namakaran Samskar. After the Niskramana Samskar, Annaprasan has been done followed by Karnaveda. Then of course Upanayana is done. Upa means near and Nayana means to take. When the child is taken to the teacher for the first time and place in his care to mould the personality of the child, the Samskar named Uparayan is performed. In the ancient times it was known as Gurukula. Both for the boys and girls- Upanayan is obligatory. Now-adays this is done only in case of boys that too in Brahmin catse. This is an aberration of the original idea of Uparayan.

A Bird’s Eye View of Vedas

As is practised in our society at present Uparayan is not a sum total of ten Samskars at all. The significance of upanayan Samskar is to be properly understood by the people, as it is the tenth Samskar in the series of sixteen as told by Vedas. On the day of the Upanayan all the nine Samskars preceding Upanayan are observed collectively. This shows the ignorance of the real meaning of sixteen expurgation rites. Instead of doing each one at its appropriate time, it doesn’t make any sense to perform all the ten Samskars at a time. 48. The Antyesti Samskar or the last rites is the cremation of the corpse by the relatives and friends after the soul leaves the body. This is according to the maxims laid down in scriptures of Antyesti Samskars. As per Veda after Antyesti no other Samskar is left. For the human body this is last Samskar. The rituals which are being performed now-a-days after death for ten days find no mention in the Vedas. In mythology these are found and these were wrongly interpolated later on much much later. According to acts performed in the previous birth, the soul takes on another body just after death. Cremation of the body is its scientific disposal which had been thought of by sages & rishis of yore. 49. To be an Acharya- one should be righteous himself and inculcates righteousness also throughout. 50. Twice born is generally known as Dvija. Once from the womb of the mother and second, when he attains knowledge imparted by the teacher where by he gets a new life. This is known as second birth. Then he is called Dvija or twice-born.

A Bird’s Eye View of Vedas

Arya is a Sanskrit word. The man who is truthful modest, dutiful, virtuous, Philanthropic and industrious only can be called Arya. Irrespective of the place and the time of his origin, a man processing these attributes is an Arya only. In a man, it denotes noble qualities. As per Vashistha smriti, a man who is virtuous, keeps away from his sin and dutiful is an Arya.

10. As per Veda. Aryan came from a different planet by air to Sapta sindhu many many lakha years ago when Sapta sindhu was surrounded by three seas and seven rivers comprising of present Afganistan, Pakistan, Kashmir, Haryana and some parts of India including Rajasthan. The details are there in Vedas.

Part - IV

European historians have spread baseless stories regarding this without opening the pages of Vedas which has been followed by some Indian historians also blindly. 11. For Tirth or pilgrimage different people have different ideas or notions. Taking bath in a river is not pilgrimage or Tirth. These rivers came to be termed as places of pilgrimage as the ancient Rishis generally used to live on the banks of these rivers. For console and consolations, seekers used to visit them there in ancient times. Through some noble actions man escapes sorrow and worldly miseries. These noble actions constitute Tirth only which are good conduct. Prayers to God, keeping good company truthful actions, virtuous deed like studying and observing celibacy etc. is pilgrimage.

Synopsis of Four Vedas 1.

The full concept of Dharma has not been signified fully in the English word ‘Religion’. That which generates tolerance and purity in a man is called Dharma.

Man has enumerated ten tenets of Religion which are as follows. Knowledge of scriptures, purity of the body, mind and word, control over sense, intellect, patience, mercy, truthfulness, absence of anger not coveting the possession of others are broadly the ten attributes of Dharma.

A Bird’s Eye View of Vedas

Only one Dharma mankind has truly speaking. It has been handed down by the Divine creator Himself. At the time of committing a sin the feeling of fear, apprehension and shame which are felt are owing to the inspiration of the supreme self dwelling inside the heart. The feeling of happiness, pleasure and joy which came at the time of performing a virtuous act is also by his decree.

perversions entered into it in course of time. The source of Sanatana Dharma is Vedas only. We find the concept of one unique there in. It is omnipresent, formless Supreme Being who has several names though He is one and only one. Puranas were composed in Praise of these deities like Siva, Vishnu, Mahes, Laxmi, Saraswati etc. Many sectarians were born out of these deities. The present Hinduism is a conglomeration of various sects. The metaphysical concepts and Vedic mode of worship are getting misinterpreted and diluted.

The ten tenets of religion constitute the sovereign and eternal virtues of men. They have been handed down to mankind from the beginning of civilization.] 4.

The humanity has only one Dharma –a set of righteous duties. Various creeds or sects are there in the society. Creeds and their numbers are still increasing. In reality humanity has only Dharma.

The presence of this word Hindu or Hinduism is not found mention in any Puran of Hindus. Also this is not a Sanskrit word.

Creeds are many even though Dharma is one, Mankind is united by Dharma where as there are differences among caste & creed and they cannot get closer to one another.

Hindu is a Persian word. A way of living has been interpreted as Hinduism now a days. During foreign rule this word has been coined.

The Divine Being has himself formulated Dharma. Where as the mentors of the creeds are human beings. The virtues in life are brought out by the practice of Dharma. Penance, meditation discipline etc. are the essential tenets of Dharma. On the other hand, the sectarians lay more stress on their individual beliefs, customs, life story by their preacher, prophet and incarnation. 6.

Sanatana Dharma of ancient times is known as what is called Hinduism today. Even-new means Sanatana. For all ages and all times that is valid. It is the only human religion. Many 86

The word Hindu is not found in the Vedas. In Upanishads & Vedangas also it is not seen. The word Hinduism is not found in Ramayana & Mahabharata or Bhagavat Mahapuran etc.

Even if it is assumed that the word Hindu is derived from Sindhu, yet it would not point to the glorious associates of the word Arya. The residents of both the banks of Sindhu should be Hindus if people living on the banks of river sindhu are called Hindus.” In persian writings in a single sentence both the words are sometimes seen. Yet it would not point to the glorious associations of the word aryas even if it is assumed that no word Hindu is derived from Sindhu.”

A Bird’s Eye View of Vedas

22. Krishna Dvaipayana vedavyas divided the original unified Vedas in to four segments. He only recapitulated what was already known before him. But he composed Mahabharata epic as a whole.

12. Bathing in the river Ganga or Jamuna cannot remove evil from a man or a woman. If that had been the case, people living on the banks of these rivers directly would have gone to Heaven.

23. It is impossible to determine as to who composed Veda and when? 24. Widely different data’s have been suggested by scholars. 25. Earliest Veda is Rig-Veda. It is difficult to ascertain the date of final compilation.

Keeping company of the virtuous, Penance, introspection, Prayers etc. constitute the real Tirth. 13. Regarding heaven & hell there is different conceptions in the mind of different people. The place which generates suffering is hell and the place where one attains joy & happiness is called heaven. In sectarian scriptures, the topographical description of heaven and hell are not in accordance with the Vedic scriptures. Heaven is located neither in the sky nor in the hell also. 14. One of the six vedangas is Astronomy. Astrology, Horoscope etc. are not included in the astronomy. There is no sanction of Vedas for this. In astronomy we refer to movement of stars and planets and their mathematics. 15. The Vedic thinking supports the doctrine of action and the consequent result there of. Veda neither supports regression nor evolution. To good consequences good action leads where as bad action leads to bad consequences. 16. Culture is a mental unfolding where as civilization is material program. Culture is an inner state of mind where as civilization is external condition. Computer, internet, telephone, radio etc. denote civilization. Honesty-truth, falsehood, love, hatred, dishonesty are indicative of inner nature whether it is developed or under developed.

A Bird’s Eye View of Vedas

Mantras are difficult to interrupt without commentaries. This is what the Brahmins set out to do. They explain hymns and indicate how these are to be used in sacrifices.

The Vedas are sacred texts that provide knowledge. There are four Vedas known as Rig-Veda, Yajur Veda, Sama Veda and AtharvVeda. These Vedas teach three paths – to salvation : Jnana (Knowledge), Bhakti (Devotion) and Karma (Action). The Rig-Veda is identified with the path of knowledge, the Yajurveda with the path of action, the Samaveda with the path of devotion.

Samhita and Brahmans are known as karmakanda.

10. Vedic literature includes Jnana Kanda which is the Aranyakas and Upanishads. 11. The Vedas were revealed not written or composed. They were Shrutis.

Unlike other Vedas, the Atharv-Veda in addition to prayers, contains charms and spells and used to be recited to counteract

12. Vedas were communicated by Supreme God head or divine essence to the ancient seers or sages.

evil influences during the course of sacrifice.

13. Rishis did not compose the Vedas. They merely obtained the divine knowledge through their extra-ordinary powers. In this sense Vedas are APOURUSHEYA

Some Important Points: 1.

The word Veda literally means knowledge.

The root is–vid- to know.

Vedas are referred to “Trayi” or three.

15. In Hindu conception of time, the time is divided into four erasSatya, Treta, Dvapar & Kali.

They are acknowledged to have been Rig, Sama & Yajur Vedas.

16. As one moves from Satya to kali- the power of righteousness diminishes and evil starts with its ugly head.

The path to salvation are believed to be those of Jnan (Knowledge), Bhakti (Devotion) and Karma (Action).

17. To bring man to the righteous path, the sacred knowledge of Vedas might be disseminated amongst them.

Rig Veda - the path of knowledge.

18. Vedas are abstract and esoteric-too difficult to comprehend.

Sama Veda - the path of devotion

19. To make dissemination and assimilation easier, the Vedas must be conveniently partitioned and divided into various groups.

14. The authority cannot be ascribed to any human author.

Yajur Veda - the path of action 7.

Each Veda has two parts - namely Samhita & Brahman.

Samhita consists of Mantras or incantations which are hymns used in sacrifices. 90

20. A knowledgeable person who has thus divided Vedas has the Title Veda-vyas or Vyasdeva. 21. In every Dvapar yuga, such a brilliant vedavyas is born to perform this sacred task. 91

A Bird’s Eye View of Vedas

By oral tradition, the Vedic mantras used to be handed down and that is why it is known “Sruti”. The disciple had to listen attentively and repeat what the Guru would chant. A wonderful system of orally teaching and learning had been evolved by the Vedic Risis or Vedic sages so that mantras could be preserved very correctly so far the Svaras or intonations care concerned with a view to be transmitted to the posterity. Even today there are pandits, who are capable of reciting the entire Rig-Veda mantras faultlessly as a result. These mantras are also known as “Jnanapatha”, “Samhita Pat ha”, “Jatapatha”, “Karmapatha”, “Padapatha”. In their mystical states, Vedic mantras were continually revealed to the great sages who had to be kept in memory for transmitting them

A Glimpse of

orally to the next generation. Endangering the storing and transmission of Vedic wisdom itself, a saturation point was fast approaching. This was aptly realized by Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyas

Rig-Veda (I)

who divided the extant material into four groups and taught to his four disciples by name “PAILA”, “Vaisampayana”, “Jaimini” and “Sumantu”. Into four groups, this was the first division of the Vedic mantras that have come to be recognized as four Vedas- Rig Veda, Yajur Veda, Sama Veda and Atharva Veda. Some minor alteration and readjustments had been made subsequently since each of these four disciples had their own disciples also while teaching Vedas they had known from their Gurus. To suit their local or ritualistic modes, this was done mostly by

huge banyan tree of Hinduism has evolved from the original seed of Veda which has four aspects. Out of which the RigVeda is the first. Honorific Vedavyasa gathered all the extant

Vedic mantras of his times and divided them in to four groups. In the performance of a sacrifice, all the mantras used by the priest were collected together and this had been called Rig-Veda. Each of its mantras is known as an “rc” or “rk”.

rearrangement of the mantras. Such modified forms came to be

Rig-Veda influenced the other three Vedas being the most ancient

known as Sakhas.

and basic work naturally. But it is very very difficult to fix a definite 96

A Birdâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Eye View of Vedas

date or period for its origin. It is as arduous as mapping the movement of a Bird after it has settled down in its nest for that

A Birdâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Eye View of Vedas

ASTAKA METHOD Sl.

Adhyas

Vargas

Mantras

265

1370

in different times who have based their research findings on a few

221

1147

assumptions like the evolution of the language of the Rig-Veda

225

1209

centering round certain astronomical data which may not have

250

1289

238

1263

331

1730

248

1263

246

1281

2024

10,552

matter concerning any of the ancient Hindu scripture. For fixation of dates there are many suggestions as given by different scholars

been proved beyond all doubts. Beyond all reasonable doubts, none of these dates can be said to be true as a result. When first Manu came to this earth from the other planet many many lakh years ago with Sanskrit as his mother tongue one can imagine the origin of the Vedas pertaining to that period only. At the beginning of each cycle of creation Vedas revealed by the creator in accordance with the orthodox traditions and hence Vedas

MANDALA METHOD

are not confined to books. That a serious and devoted shady of the Veda is more profitable than such dry polemical discussions which naturally lead to no where. METHODICAL DIVISION: In two different ways, ancient Hindu tradition has divided the RigVeda. One is ASTAKA Method and the second is MANDALA Method. By apportioning more or less equal number of mantras to each sector, Astaka method has been designed to facilitate memorization easily. The subject is more important in the second method.

Sl.

Aauvaks

Sukts

Mantras

191

2006

429

617

589

727

765

104

841

103

1716

114

1108

10.

191

1754

1028

10,552

A Bird’s Eye View of Vedas

It is said there were twenty one Sakhas. But only five survived till date. They are known as “SAKALA”, “BASKAL”, “ASVALAYANA”, “SANKHAYANA” and “MANDUKEYA”. From the sages of those names such as Sakala and Basakala, their nomenclatures have been derived. By the same process, these five Sakalas got future subdivided. RSI SAKALA created five disciples namely Mudgala, Galava, Vatsya, Saliya and Saisiriya as per the declaration of Vishnu Puran (3, 4, 21, 22). By the teachers of the other three Vedas this process is adopted. Divisions Internal

A Glimpse of

Rig-Veda (II)

EVATAS: Addressed to the various deities most of the Suktas of the Rig-Veda are hymns.

A knowledge of the rsi (Sage) the deity or god and Chanda (Metre) is necessary absolutely as per the tradition of chanting the Vedic Mantras. Thirty-three devatas are generally enumerated. They are eight Vasus, eleven Rudras, Twelve Adityas Indra and Prajapati. An important place is there for a few other deities also. They are Visvedevas, Yama, Agni, Soma, Asvins, Varuna, Surya, Vayu and Visnu. 100

Into two parts, each of the four Vedas has again been subdivided namely Mantra and Brahman. Adding two more sections namely Aranyaka and Upanishada, this division is raised to four more often. More commonly, the Mantra section is called the Samhita. To indicate Samhita part only, infact the very word Veda is used. Hence, RigVeda Samhita only. By their special names, the other three are being known also. As available today, the following are the names of those sections of the Rig-Veda. 1.

Brahman: Aitareya Brahman and Kausitaki Brahman.

Aranyaka: Aitareya Aranyaka and Sankhayana or Kautitaki Aranyaka.

Upanishada: Aitareya Upanishada.

From the root rs, the word rsi has been derived which has two meanings, namely knowledge and movement. In order to get spiritual wisdom, the sages were performing severe austerities to please Iswar or God who appeared before them. On 97

A Bird’s Eye View of Vedas

his part, this indicates movement is the form of Vedic mantras and he gave that knowledge which they were seeking. As the God Himself came and granted that knowledge to them they became sages or Risis. Without first uttering the name of the risis to whom it was revealed, no Vedic mantra should be recited according to Hindu tradition where the chandas or the mantra in which it is composed and the deity to whom it is addressed. We find a large number of risis in the Rig-Veda out of which there are thirty women among them by name visvavara, Ghose, Godha, Apala, Juhu, Romasa Sarama and so on.

A Bird’s Eye View of Vedas

Srutarsis (Famous Risis)

Especially in the purans, several kulas (Vamsas or lineages) of Vedic Risis have been written. The originators of these kulas are Bhrugu, Angira, Kasyapa, Atri, Vaasistha, Viswamitra and Agastya. In later literature, many great sages were the descendants of these seven who became very well known. Famous of of them are Jamadagni, Dadhyan, Atharvana, Chyavana, Rsabha, Vamadeva, Garga, Raibhya, Parasara, Vyasa and Devarata.

The original seer of the mantradrasta was one who discovered a mantra and expounded its meaning and significance and the one who used it first in a Vedic sacrifice might deserve that title. These risis have been classified into various groups by the ancient commentators and compilers of subsidiary Vedic treatises. They are as follows. 1.

Satarcins : those to whom a hundred rks or more were revealed.

Madhyamas : the middlings who got less rsk.

Ksudrasuktas : the propagators of small suktas.

Mahasuktas : the propagators of longer or bigger of a more important suktas.

Maharsis : the great risis

rsis (Sages of second grade) : mostly the sons of the maharsis.

rsikis (Sons of the Risis) 98

A Bird’s Eye View of Vedas

the unique distinction of hav ing com posed bhasyas or

There are also a few female deities. They are Usha, Ratri, Saraswati and Prithvi etc. Having the powers to supervise certain aspects of the various functions of the universe they are conscious entities with their own individuality.

commentaries. He belonged to Bharadvaja Gotra. He was the son of Mayana and Srimati. His elder brother was the renouned monk Vidyaranya who was the founder of the famous Vijayanagar Empire. The younger one was Bhoganath. He was a great scholar also. All the three brothers had served the Empire as prime- ministers and ministers. Not only on the samhitas of the Vedas but also on the Brahmans

That many inanimate objects like grinding stone, qualities like faith and emotions like anger have also been described and deified which is very interesting to note.

and the Aranyakas Sayanacharya had composed commentaries.

Depending on their areas of operation, devatas are usually classified into three groups.

A thorough knowledge of the six vedangas is necessary for a correct understanding of Vedas.

Bruhaspati, Agni, Prithvi are the devatas of earth or Prithvi.

Those operating in the antariksa or intermediary space are Indra, Vayu, Parjanya, Rudra and Maruta.

The devatas who are stationed in the heavenly region (dyasu) are Varun, Mitra, Savitri, Surya, Pusan, Usas, Asvini devatas, Adityas, Visvadevas.

Also Purvamimasa system based on the sutras of Jaimini is absolutely necessary along with the bhasya of Subarasvamin. Ancient and continuous tradition handed down from the Guru to the disciple is equally important with a view to be brought up in the Sampradaya. Of both sayan had the advantage. In every sense of the term his commentaries should be considered as the most authoritative hence. During the 18th and 19th century A.D. a few European scholars have contributed to the Vedic studies. Only of those scholars, the work of Max Muller needs special mention. He translated and published the entire Rig-Veda with sayan’s commentary in 6 volumes during the period 1849 – 1873. To the students of Vedic studies, the works of Bloom – field and Wilson have been very useful along with MacDonnell and Keith. Since these scholars were not grounded in what the Hindus call “Sampradaya”, the conclusions drawn by them are often off the mark, the all important tradition transmitted meticulously from generation to generation. 104

The Rig-Veda is not only the oldest literary master piece of this worldl; It is also the oldest scripture. Verses of various metres are usually found in the entire work. Only seven are more common, though the total number of metres used is fifteen. Again of these, only “TRISTUBH”, “GAYATRI” and “JAGATI” have been used extensively. With which they have been used are really admirable as per the selection of appropriate words and the ease. The verses are easy to comprehend since large compound words have been avoided totally. The physical beauty of the Mantras (5, 54.11) and the Goddess USHA (1, 92.4) quite enchanting as per the description. On the same Goddess another verse also reveals (1, 92.10) her cruel nature 101

A Bird’s Eye View of Vedas

since she cuts away the lives of human beings. The wings of a captured bird have been cut off by the daughter of a hunter so that it can fly no more.

To the later theories about the navarasas (nine sentiments) found

In the second mandal (2.39.2-7), the seven verses describe the twin deities; theAsvins in great detail with several Similes like two wheels of a chariot. For long life strength and protection, the prayer is addressed to them.

In general, the Sanskrit language of all the Vedas and in particular

Dealing with the conversations, there are several Samvadasuktas and suktas between Pururava and Urvasi (10, 95), yama & yami (10.10), Agastya and Lopamudra (11.174), Visvamitra and Nadis or Rivers (3.33) as also Agni and the gods (10.51). Unburdening his piteous condition (10.34). There is also an interesting soliloquy of a gambler.

dictionary of hoary antiquity and its commentary the Nirukta of Yaska

In a married couple the Urvasi – Pururava Sambada reveals the deep mutual love and attachment.

Skandasvami who belonged to the desa or country Valabhi. Bhartr

In the glory of mature spiritual wisdom and its victory over carnal passions, the yama-yami sambad is reflected. To have a worthy off spring, the Agastya-Lopamudra sambad depicts the duty of a worthy householder. Visvamitra is travelling with king Sudasa and others who pray to the rivers Vipasa and Sutudri (Beas and Sutlej) to make way by lessening their flow in the Visvamitra. Nadi Sambada. Being pleased with his prayer, the rivers oblige him.

in well known works known as Alamkarsastra all these may be considered as precursors.

of Rig-Veda is highly archaic and arcanum. It is difficult to decipher them without the help of ancient commentaries. Of the Vedic names and concepts the Nighantu which is a Vedic (800 B.C.) are the earliest sources of interpretation. That ever the Niruktas refers to some very ancient schools of Vedic interpretation is of interest to note. On the Rig-Veda, the earliest commentary available now is that of Dhruva was his father. Harisvami who has written a commentary on the Satapatha Brahman of the sukla yajur Veda was his disciple. As available now, his commentary is incomplete. On the whole of Rig-Veda, Venkatamadhava is another author of eleventh Century A.D. Whose commentary is available now. He was the son of Venkataraj and Sundari belonged to Kausika gotra (lineage). On the first forty Suktas only, Ananda tirtha wrote a nice commentary in verses. He is also known as Madhavacarya (1238– 1317 A.D). As the Rgbhasya, it is generally known. In 14th century A.D. Jayatirtha wrote a gloss on it called sambandhadipika. From

The Gods discover Agni hiding in water and pray to him to return his duties of carrying the havis (oblations) to them in Agni – devata sambada. In several other suktas where in sentiments such as heroism or beauties of nature or humility and devotion to God, or war- scenes have been described. 102

three different angles this commentary of Madhavacarya deals with the mantras. He tries to show that the entire Veda teaches about Narayana. On the Rig-Veda, the greatest of all the comm entaries is Sayanacarya (A.D. 1315 - 1387). On all the four Vedas, he has 103

A Bird’s Eye View of Vedas

group prayers might have existed then based on one mantra

These European scholars were motivated more to prove the

(1.80.9).

superiority of Christianity over Hinduism than to Study, understand,

For a glorious life after death, if led properly, the sages of the RigVeda had realized the importance of life here and now that it offered man a great opportunity. Life has never been despised by them. For a strong body they prayed always to get pure sense organs and long life (1.8.98) (3.53.18) (2.21.6). In personal and social life (9.73.1)

and interpret the Vedas correctly and for this there are also enough grounds for suspicion to conclude. But these so called scholars did not know when they were riding on cycles; Hindus were flying in the sky to discover the mystery of Antariksya which they could not think of. RIG-VEDIAN PHYLOSOPHY:

(9.73.6) (8.31.13) they also recognized the importance of moral & ethical values, at the same time.

In spite of centuries of vicissitudes wrought by external aggression or internal upheavals, the greatness of Hinduism lies in the fact that

Earning wealth, by right means and sharing the good things of life

its value system at the core has remained intact like the basic flow

with others is an important aspect of life in this world. In those

of a great river. The pinnacle of all Hindu Philosophical system is

days dana was valued highly and hence profusely hailed (10.107.2)

the Vedanta and its mother – root is Rig-Veda. In the Upanishads

(10.117.3-4).

and allied scriptures, almost all the ideas found later on in a seed

An idea of the Vedic concept of marriage (10.85) has been given in

form already there in the Rig-Veda, though not in one place.

the vivahasukta. As a Samskara, marriage was considered. Due to

Several Gods like Agni, Indra, Maruta and others and number of

sacrament or marriage with a woman had a honourable place in

mantras devoted to Indra and Agni being the maximum are praised

the society & in the family not only as a wife but also as a mother

by the Rig-Veda. Like Greek Gods they are not separate and

(10.85.27.44).

independent individuals in conflict with one another. Hindu Gods

Under certain circumstances a woman had the freedom to choose

are all different aspects and facets of one and the same Supreme

her husband (10.27.12) and probably a childless widow could marry the groom being the younger brother of her dead husband (10.40.2). A widow dying on the funeral pyre of her dead husband had become

Being, has been declared in several places. Even though different appellations have been used, there is a clear reference to God the Supreme in several places.

a symbolical ritual by the time of Rig-Veda which was termed

Before creation that alone God existed and the HE is the Creator,

as SAHAGAMANA.

Protector and the Ruler of this universe has been clearly mentioned

In the then society monogamy and polygamy were both common.

in several mantras (10.221.1-4) (10.82.1-6)(10.129).

Head of the family was the father. Though the daughters were not

As the Supreme lord, Varun, Agni and Indra also have been praised.

looked down upon couples generally hankered for male off-springs.

Before the creation, Brahma only existed who is the creator sustainer

108

105

A Bird’s Eye View of Vedas

and destroyer of the universe. As per His own free will, He does it. He is the upadana or the material cause and He is the efficient

A Bird’s Eye View of Vedas

Only support in life is the unflinching faith in Him (8.45.20).

In the path of truth for being guided prayer is necessary

cause or the nimitta. In the world He is not only immanent, but also

(10.133.6).

transcendent. He has created the world out of Himself. Hence He Himself is everything. He has created (10.81.1) (10.5.7) (10.82.1).

Before old age comes (1.71.10) there should be prayer for spiritual wisdom.

The several infinitely good and great qualities of Brahma have been described in Rig-Veda. They are omnipotence (3.59.1) (1.24.6),

For serving the Lord always (6.45.9) there should be prayer.

Omniscience (6.51.2), ranscendence (6.47.15), rulership (8.93.11)

For eternal protection (8.1.13)(8.61.17) there should be appeal

extraordinary brilliance (8.81.51) having a cosmic form (1.13.10) being the inner controller(1.67.34) incomparability (6.21.10) and so

to God 6.

As the best means (8.70.3), there should be devotion.

(6.7.7). Being very generous He fulfils the desires of His creation

To see him (6.3.4) there should be intense longing.

(10.80.1). He is supremely adorable (2.35.12).

As described in the Upanishads, the concept of Moksa or liberation

In the Vedanta system, morally the question that is discussed

is not found here in that form.

generally about the identity or the difference of the Jiva with Brahma.

After death the physical body breaks and merged in the five elements

Or in other words the difference between individual soul and God is

namely (earth, water, fire, air and ether) and there by freeing the

not raised or even mentioned in the Rig-Veda.

Jiva(Soul) has been mentioned.

The desire to attain the world of the immortal Gods has been

By the path of the Gods to the world of Pitra ruled by yama, the

however desired and expressed in 10.16. That shows that these

deity Agni leads the Jiva wherein he lives happily.

on. Of His devotees He is the greatest friend and protector (1.75.4)

sages believed in an eternal soul and eternal world which is known as pitruloka (6.31.4).

As seen in the eyes of the Rig-Veda, the society of those times was a virile and dynamic society. The later concept of Dharma has

To attain God (6.31.4) is the aim of life. The PAPA or sin, evil ways

been given rise to by the basis spirit of rtaaccording to the cosmic

of living always keep the human beings away from the God. For

law and order reflected in the social and personal life. Especially

forgiveness (1.24.14), hence one should pray God always, and also for being freed from the sins and be guided on the path of righteousness (8.45.36) (5.8.25).

through the religious system of yajna which was practised very widely at that time, the people forged a strong relationship with the Vedic Gods like Indra, Varun, Agni and others. As we have today, however,

That which leads the aspirants to Him are the spiritual discipline,

there is no evidence to assume that temples and image worship

can be enumerated as follows.

ever existed then. Some scholars are also inclined to think that 106

107

A Bird’s Eye View of Vedas

The third class of priests consists of recitals (ADHVARYA) who carry out sacrificial rites while chanting sacred texts and the hymns of the YajurVeda are for them only.

As the mode of disposal of the dead, both cremation and burial

The fourth class of priests consists of Brahman overseers. They supervise the sacrifice and the hymns of AtharvaVeda are for this class of priests.

Vedic society contrary to the opinions expressed by the western

existed. A high degree of civilization and culture had been attained by the writers of the colonial era. Often people protected by forts lived in villages and towns (1.116.1)

2. a) The Rig-Veda derives its name from the word RIK which means a mantra. In the Rig-Veda samhita, there are 10589 verses. They are divided into ten mandals. Each of the mandals is subdivided into anuvaks (lessons) and sukts (hymns). b)

The ten mandals have 85 anuvaks, 1028 sukts and 10552 Mantras. There is also a Valakhilya section or supplement. This seems to have been a later addition.

/ (7.3.7). other vocations like carpentry, smithy, weaving, building ships, medical profession and leather work were also practised, though agriculture and diary farming were the main occupations. (3.45.3) (7.49.2) To the farmers, good methods of irrigation were known. Quite a high standard had been achieved by the society as regards food, clothing, jewels, decorative materials, weapons of war, and animals like cows, horses and elephants.

RIG – VEDA IS FAIRLY LONG Mandala One: This mandala has 191 suktas and 2006 mantras. The bulk of the mantras are addressed to Indra. Agni comes next in order of importance.

Drinking of the soma juice in sacrifices was highly eulogized. It was quite common to eat meat. The well-known means of entertainment were music and dance (10.18.3). Protection was sought from the Gods for a few diseases with

[Agni] Fire God is Agni. Those oblations are offered to Agni in a sacrifice. Agni is regarded as messenger who summons the other Gods to the sacrifice and carries the offering for them. This practical hymn is ascribed to a sage named Madhuchhandra Vishvamitra. Various hymns follow various metres and this one is in Gayatri metre. Agni makes sacrifice a success and brings welfare of mankind. By many sages Agni is praised since earlier times. To the sacrifice Agni brings other Gods. [Vayu] God of wind is Vayu. To the sage Madhuchhandra Vishvamitra this hymn is also ascribed is in Gayatri metre. 112

reference to drinking wine and gambling, to thieves and robbers. In quite a few places the valiant deeds of great kings & heroes had been mentioned especially in wars and battles. Brahmans, Kshatriyas, Vaisyas and Sudras- then four varnas had come to stay in the society. By their intellectual and spiritual power, the Brahmans welded great influence on the whole society. The Rig-Veda society was in no way undeveloped or barbaric on the whole as it could be conceded easily 109

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and perfectly. It had attained a high degree of civilization and culture on the other hand. Rig-Veda is the basic scripture of Hinduism. It is authentic, brief and often poetic. There is a record of all aspects of the life of the people of its times. It is not only a holistic replica of the contemporary society but also it is a holy book.

A Glimpse of

Rig-Veda (III) RIG-VEDA SAMHITA: 1. a) It is very important to understand that there were four classes of priests required at any sacrifice or yajna. The first class consists of the officiating priests or acolytes (HOTRI). They invoke Gods by reciting mantras prepared for the sacrificial ground and the altar. They pour out the libations. The hymns of the Rig-Veda are for this class of priests. b)

The second class of priests consists of choristers (Udgatri) who chant sacred hymns and the hymns of the Samaveda are for them only.

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Hymn that follows is TRISHTUPA metre.

The MARUTS – hymn that follows is Jagati metre.

Mandala – III This mandal has 62 suktas and 617 mantras ascribed to the sage Vishvamitra or his family. Primarily addressed to sacrificial post or Yupa. Hymn is trishtupa & Anushtupa. Yupa – a tree, made out of a tree stand up straight at an auspicious spot on the earth. Usha – it is the personification of dawn. There is a sukta addressed to usha. The sage to whom this hymn is ascribed continues to be Vishvamitra – metre is Trishtupa.

A Bird’s Eye View of Vedas

Although the hymns are basically addressed to Vayu; Indra and Varun also figure in it. The chief God of Vedas is Indra who rules over the atmosphere (antariksha) the intervening region between the earth (Prithiv) and heaven (Dyuloka). with his weapon Vajra, Indra killed the demons. In particular the demon Vritra had been killed by Indra only. [Mitra] Mitra is an aspect of the Sun that presided over the day. Correspondingly Varun presided over the night. Soma Juice was extracted from the Soma herb, the herbs having been collected by moonlight. To extract the Juice the herbs were crushed. Then the juice was purified by straining. The purified juice was mixed with water, milk and flour and then offered to Gods. [In dra] Thi s hym n is also ascri bed t o Madhuchhandra Vishvamitra and the metre continues to be Gayatri only.

Mandala – IV The RIBHUS This mandala has 58 suktas & 589 mantras and it is ascribed to the sage Vamadeva, son of sage Gautama. SHYENA, DADHIKRA, GHARITA (clarified butter) are there in this mandala. Mandala – V There are 87 suktas & 727 mantras in this mandala. -

This is ascribed to various sages and seers.

Here in this mandala, suktas are addressed mostly to Agni followed by VisvaDeva, Maruta and Indra.

Also Mitra, Varun, Sabita, Parajanya (God of thunder storm and rain).

Prithvi – appear in this mandala. 116

Angiras formed an important priestly family. In this line born a sage named Sudhava who had three sons. They were RIBHA, Vibhvan, and Vaja. These three collectively called RIBHUS. To the status of Gods, they were elevated. The hymn is ascribed to the sage MEDHATITHI, son of kanva. The metre is Gayatri. They were righteous and straight forward in conduct. They travelled in all directions. They made their aged parents young again. [Varun] This hymn is ascribed to a sage named Shunahshapa. He was the son of Ajigatra. The metre in which this hymn is composed is Gayatri. Varun is the source of all valour-source of good fortune also. Mitra and Varun are the Gods who wish to elevate those who observed 113

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religious rites. They elevate those who give alms. They will partake of the oblations from those who have offered.

Come with thirty three Gods to drink Soma Juice we have offered.

Varun is acquainted with twelve months that bring prosperity to the subjects.

Thirty three Gods are – Eight Vasus, Eleven Rudras, Twelve Adityas. This adds up to thirty one. The remaining two are identified as Prajapati and Indra.

ASHVINIS These two Ashvinis are Gods whose identities are not clear. They brought light to the morning sky. They were probably two stars. One identified with the morning and the other with the evening. They were subsequently characterized as the physicians of the Gods. This hymns is ascribed to a sage named Hiranya Stupa who was the son of the sage Angira. The metre is partly Jagat is partly tristupa.

The VISHVA – DEVAS -

The Vishva Devas is a general expression which sacrifices all the Gods collectively. Sometimes the suggestion however is that VISHVA – Devas are a special group of Gods.

The hymns says – “EKAM SAD VIPRA VAHUDHA VADANTI” meaning truth is one, but the learned speak of it in various ways. This hymn is ascribed to the sage DIRGHATAMA – the son of the sage OUCHATHYA.

The metres are TRISHTUPA, JAGATI, PRASTARAPAMKTI and ANUSTUPA.

Three brothers are Surya, Vayu and Agni.

Surya rules Dyuloka and is the eldest. Vayu rules Antariksha – brother in the middle. Agni rules on Prithvi and is the youngest brother.

The chariot of Ashvinis bears honey and those who are attached to the chariot. This is a reference to the three daily sacrifices that are held. This ensures the performance of righteous deeds. -

Grant us thrice – medicine from heaven.

Grant us thrice – herbs from earth.

Grant us thrice – herbs from water.

Grant protection and happiness to our children.

Grant them a proper balance of three constituents.

Mandala–II

The three constituents (dhatu) of human body are Vata (wing) Pitta bile and kafa (Phlegm).

This mandala has 43 Suktas and 429 mantras. All most all the suktas are ascribed to a sage named Gritsamada.

When these three are in perfect balance a person is quite well.

Rudra – Bulk of the suktas addressed to Indra and Agni and then to Rudra.

There are seven sacred rivers – they are as follows. Sindhu (indus), Vitasta, Asiki, Parushni, Vipasa, Satadru and Saravati.

NASATYAS is another name of Ashvinis. Literally, the word means one who preserves the truth.

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The Rudra of the Vedas deems to have been a God of storm. Later identified as Shiva. Rudra is the father of Maruta – God of the wind. 115

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Havirdhanas: One sukta is addressed to Havirdhanas. Two suktas or carts were used at sacrifices to carry out offerings. For example Soma herbs. These carts were known as the Havirdhanas. The Sukta is composed in trishtupa and Jagati metres. It is not clear to which sage the sukta is ascribed but it seems to have belonged to the Angiras family.

Brahma is One: Brahma is one – only one. His attributes are endless. Countless are His names. Man offers invocation through the various words of the Vedic Texts to this Divine Being. As Indra He appears – sometimes - the most resplendent.

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Mandala – VI There are 75 suktas & 765 mantras. This is ascribed to the sage Varadvaja and his family. These suktas are addressed mostly to Indra followed by Agni and then cows. - Cow, SUSHA (Manifestation of Surya), Saraswati, Dyavaprithvi, Brihaspati, Weapons of war found mention here in this mandala. Mandala – VII This mandala have 104 suktas & 841 mantras. -

Here in this mandala suktas are addressed to Indra followed by Agni.

Here hymns are ascribed to the sage VASISHTA and his family in TRISHTUPA metre.

About Vasishta, water vastoshpati, Vishnu. The frog song found mention here.

As Mitra – the most benevolent. As Varuna – the most venerable. As Agni – the most adorable. Brahma is “Suparna” – the all fostering and He is also the celestial – “well - winged” – “Garutman”. He is Divya - the most Divine. He is Yama – the law abider. He is also the cosmic breath - called “Matarisvan”. As “Ekam Sat” He is identified by Vedic verses – that is the one and the only one lord of the Universe who creates, sustains and annihilates. The language of Veda is unaware to many. They think that the Vedic seers used to worship various Gods and imaginary deities residing some where in heaven. But the creator has been analyzed by the enlightened people with finer knowledge thoroughly recognizing various attributes of the one Brahma addressing Him in various names. 120

Mandala – VIII 103 suktas and 1716 mantras are here in this mandala. -

Here the suktas are ascribed to various seers and sages.

The mantras here are addressed to Indra followed by Agni and Ashvinis.

Flames of Agni and energies will endure our welfare. Surya will radiate just the right amount of heat. So that we are warmed, but not burnt up. May all Gods banish our enemies. May the pure vague blow grant us happiness. We find many such good things in this mandala. Mandala – IX In this mandala there are 114 suktas and 1108 mantras. Baring a single exception all the suktas are addressed to PAVAMANA SAMA. 117

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SAMA is the personification of the same juice and is also identified with the moon God. Pavamana signifies that which is being purified. This refers to the purification of the extracted soma juice. To avoid repetition, we reproduce only one sukta from ninth mandala which is composed in the Gayatri mantra and is addressed to the sage Vishvamitra. [Pavaman Sama] Sama is the one who destroys all the demons. Sama is the one who sees everything cows should never be killed. They look upon Sama as their son. Veda is against killing of cows, which is to be noted seriously and carefully. Mandala – X This is the richest mandala of the Rig-Veda samhita. Most of the references that one finds to the Rig-Veda are from this mandala only. As a whole this mandala has 191 suktas and 1754 mantras.

A Glimpse of

We start with a dialogue between Yama and Yami. Yama & Yami were respectively the son and daughter of Vivasana or Surya.

Rig-Veda (IV)

In this mandala, sukta is ascribed to no particular sage. Yama & Yami are themselves refered to as the sages. The hymn is composed in trishtupa metre. Here there is an interesting discussion between Yama & Yami – though they are brother & sister. Yami requests Yama to unite to which the later disagrees. Yami wants that Yama should be her husband which is disagreeable for Yama.

Rig-Veda is classified in two ways; It is the first and largest of the four Vedas.

At last Yama advised to Yami as follows “Go and embrace some other man like a creeper embracing tree”. May you be happy with him.

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Two ways of classification are given below: 1.

Mandala, SUkta and Mantra.

Astaka, Varga and Mantra.

Each category is comprising the same number of verses. Number one classification is more popular as it contains ten mandalas or books, 1028 Suktas or hymns and 10552 Verses (Mantras). The smallest of the hymns has a single verse where as the largest has 58 verses. 119

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nourishment, on the mankind who are devoted to Him and the creature who is dedicated to his duties. The sincere seeker to subdue his mundane temptations can be inspired by Him only. The man may ever follow Him earnestly to keep himself engaged in benevolent deeds. To bend and bow the inner self of the seeker can be inspired as His grace only in order to remove all the obstacles and hurdles of his path. For the welfare of the virtuous man as per his needs and requirements, sometimes Brahma brings the violent, fierce and malignant forces under subjection. To the worshipper He has been manifested Himself in order to give him such gifts as may help him to conquer evils.

The cosmos is sustained by the Brahma only - fanning aspiring and inspiring. Over the Universe He is the one and the one alone in his supremacy. To replace Him, there is no second or third or fourth or fifth or nth when n tends to infinity. To become one and only one, all the bounties of nature emerge from Him and also converge in Him. 3.

Manas: Manas means spirit. To the spirit of a man who is about to die, this hymn is addressed to. To call the spirit back, this hymn attempts. In the anushtupa metre, this sukta is composed. It is ascribed to the sages by name Shrutabandhu, Viprabandhu & Gopayana.

The First Incantation: the first grateful offering of the earliest seer and the first incantation of Rig-Veda is “Agnimile”. The foremost manifestation of the creation is being saluted. Agni is the supreme sacrificer. He is the high priest and the exponent of the great collective process of the universe. Movements as well as consciousness have been imparted by Him. Hence he is known as Agni which is the leading light. The magnificent pageant out of the sustaining forces has been reverentially perceived. For enlightenment and blissful living, Agni has commanded. To be a part of the universal sacrifice he has activated all his splendid bounties and munificence. All that is divine and luminous you feed and sustain. O Resplendent Lord Agni Dev The unrestrained cosmic sacrifices of the creation have been protected by you only. All the rules of creative forces have been modulated by you also. While you yourself remain ever selfless and withdrawn, you have gifted all enjoyments for the living beings. As a mysterious home, your universe appears – ‘O’

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“Leader of human generation and Nature’s heavenly bounties”. It is thoroughly balanced and full being pro-active. For the manifestation of divinity ‘O’ – Lord – Agni – “do light up my inner self”.

Having made wholesome efforts, a true devotee invokes Him to fulfill his righteous needs. 7.

On the institutor of worship – please lead me on the path of this great offering and bestow the splendour. 5.

Vishvakarma was the first priest who performed a sacrifice for the creation of the universe with all its riches. To Agni He offered His oblation with devotion. He is the universal father. Hymns were recited by Him for His creations that were typified in heaven.

Rivers: The Sukta addressed to rivers is composed in Jagati metre and ascribed to the sage preyamedsha. It has been said that Sindhu roars in the sky before descending on earth. Sushama is another name of Sindhu. Sindhu is the leader of the rivers like a king is the leader of his army.

There are Ganga, Jamuna, Saraswati and Shutudri (Sutlej).

Parushni Asikli. Asikli is the Chandrabhaga or Chenab.

Marudvridha: has not been identified.

Vitasta is Jhelum.

ARJIKIYA has been identified as Vipasha or Beas. There were seven rivers including Sindhu known as Saptasindhu originally.

But nine rivers are mentioned here.

The True Friend: The most dependable friend, in this world, if there is any He is God only who is eternal. In the day to day struggle in life His help and Ashirvad are unsurpassable. Only to fulfill their wants, our mortal friends make friendship for their own needs. Company of God is always selfless, pure and benevolent since He has no need or requirement. For all times to all beings God is the merciful friend. Friendship of God is devoid of all pretension or illusion as it is pure, eternal and sublime. 122

Vishvakarma: Sukta addressed to Vishvakarma who is regarded as the creator of the universe. As the architect of the Gods, he has got the name and fame. In the trishtupa metre, this sukta is composed and is ascribed to the sage Bhouvana.

First the vast universe was created by Him. After that He merged in Agni.Vishvakarma is the Paramatman. 8.

The devoted Lord of the Universe: from the very beginning, the sustainer Lord of the illuminant celestial cosmos has been present. Of all created beings, He is the sole controller. The earth and heaven are upheld by Him. He is the bestower of happiness and prosperity to whom we can offer all our devotion. Both spiritual and physical strength have been given by Him only. All beings are controlled and commanded by Him only. The enlightened only obey him tooth and nail. One enjoys immortality as much as death under His shadow alone. In the vast firmament He has the signing region like the flying birds. We can offer our devotion to the devoted Lord of the universe.

Proclamation of the Divine: Of all the eternal treasure, Brahma is the eternal and principle Lord of the universe. The entire wealth of the universe can be won by Him at any time. He is the father of all creations living and dead. He bestows 123

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Perching on the same tree do birds are closely associated ? The lower only tasks its fruits where as the other the superior shines resplendently with out testing it. URVASHI & PURURAVA Urvashi & Pururava are ascribed as the divinities to whom this hymn is addressed specially in this sukta. They are also described as sages to whom this hymn is ascribed. Between universe and Pururava, the entire hymn is in the form of a dialogue. In the trishtupa metre the sukta is composed. Pururava has been interpreted as the morning sun in a naturalistic sense and Urvashi as the dawn. On a more earthly legend the sukta in question is however based. Urvashi was an Apsara from heaven who was cursed and banished to this mundane earth. King Pururava was encountered by Urvashi and the king wanted to marry her. Both of them agreed for marriage, subject to two conditions being met. First Condition:Pururava should always take care of two rams possessed by Urvashi. The Second:That Urvashi should never see Pururava naked. For four years the couple married and lived together happily. But the Gandharavas plotted to take Urvashi back to heaven. One night they stole one of the rams. To catch the thief, Pururava rose from his bed without having the time to put his clothes on in an attempt. There was a flash of lightening at that moment. Urvashi caught a glimpse of her husband naked. Since both the conditions were violated Urvashi vanished and returned to heaven.

A Glimpse of

Rig-Veda (V) PURUSH:This is the embodiment of the universal soul for which a Sukta is there in Rig-Veda for purush. It is thus regarded as the origin of the universe. The sukta is composed in the anushtupa and trishtupa metres and is ascribed to the sage Narayana. The supreme God head is the Purush who has thousand heads, thousand eyes and thousand feet. From four directions he surrounds the earth. One of his figures is only ten – fingers tall which pervades creation.

Pururava met her subsequently and requested her to return to him, until a son was born to them, Urvashi consented.

There is another interpretation. Purush or Paramatma also has a manifestation in terms of the individual soul or jibatma. It is the atma which is ten-fingers in length.

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It is the purush who is the present past and future. Through food grains only purush flourishes. He is the lord of immortality and of divine bliss.

From the mouth of the Purush learned Brahmans were born. From

Immense is the greatness of the Purush. But there is a Purush who is much superior as well, known as Brahma, the creator of cosmos and the universe.

The moon was created from the mind of the Paramatma. His eyes became the sun. Indra and Agni were born from his mouth. Vayu

In heaven three of the Purush’s footsteps can be traced. Into four quarters His form is divided. One fourth of his form is born again and again in the universe in the shape of living beings. In the four directions He created beings that live on food grains and there are certain beings that do not. Beings that are sentient live on food grains. The others are insentient.

his arms the brave Kshatriyas were born. From his thigh were born Vaishyas and from his feet were born the Sudras (Slave class).

was created from the breath of life. The atmosphere was made from the navel of Paramatma. His head became heaven and earth from his feet. The directions were created from his ears. In this fashion other worlds can be thought of to have been created from other parts of Paramatma’s anatomy. With the aid of the Purush, Gods began to perform sacrifice. This was one of the righteous acts ever performed.

Virat was created from Purush only. Above virat, there is a greater Purush. Virat was divided into various parts. First the land and the world was created and physical bodies emerged later on. Virat is regarded as the female counterpart of the Primaval Purush.

NICE METAPHOR: The three eternals are – Nature, Soul and God. According to others Brahma, Jibatma & Maya are the three eternals. The verse

The God offered oblations to Purush and Virat. A sacrifice was performed for them. The spring season was the clarified butter that was offered on the occasion of sacrifice. The summer season was kindling and the autumn season was the oblation.

containing these eternals is a nice metaphor (This explains the

Virat was first to be created and deserved to be worshipped. The God and the sages, Virat and Purush performed their sacrifice in their honour.

The eternal soul and the individual soul or Jivatma are both

Curds were obtained from that sacrifice and then clarified butter.

matter is the tree that symbolizes. The individual soul or Jivatma fails to recognize the supreme soul due to ignorance. In the

he birds that fly in the sky were created. The animals that live in the forests where vayu rules, also emerged. Domesticated animals were also created. The mantras of the Rig-Veda were emerged from the sacrifice. Also some hymns, various metres and mantras of the Atharv-Veda and the mantras of the Yajur-Veda were also emerged. 126

creation of three externals as family). The countless Jivas, primordial matter and the infinite supreme only are the three eternals and none of these is born or die.

conscious and attached to each other like friends. These two live together as birds on a tree as revealed metaphorically. The world of

enjoyment of the mundane pleasures. It remains absorbed experiencing the difficuilties and sorrow of life. As a silent spectator or witness the supreme soul or Paramatma remains existent by recording the action of the Jivatma. 127

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Let us have congregational prayer always to get the energy from the source of energy floating in spiritual ecstasy like the surging waves of the ocean.

Herbs: In the anushtupa metre, the hymn pertaining to herbs is

Offer my Gratefulness: I am indebted to them through whom I have reached this stage of my life with their sympathy & help. That debt in life should be repaid by me. By the labour of others, the wealth earned, should not be enjoyed by me.

different periods of time the Gods gave birth to herbs. They were spring, monsoon and autumn.

I should express my gratitude and good wishes if I accept the hospitality of some one. I will offer my gratefulness of some one who looks at me smilingly.

whom the sukta is ascribed.

With my body and mind, I must serve my parents by paying the debts incurred by them. To my colleagues, I should be hospitable. To my juniors, I should be affectionate and protective.

at a sacrifice only through devotion and we praise shraddha. It is

composed. Many are the forms that herbs take. They are full of juices. In three

SHRADDHA: SHRADDHA connotes respect, faith and devotion. In the sukta which follows shradha is itself described as the sage to

The hymn is composed in the anushtupa metre. It is through devotion that the fire is kindled in every household. Those oblations are offered the best of all riches. Oh! Shraddha :- May the desire of one who gives alms be fulfilled

By incurring loan, one should not enjoy delicious dishes in accordance with the verse. The thought of loan keeps on tormenting him, even in the divine moment of the early dawn. He cannot distinguish day and night due to the burden. On his head if the person habitually incurs loan, He passes sleepless nights thinking only of the loan made by him. It is the ungrateful ones who do not confess the loans taken by them and falsely declare themselves that they are bankrupt and take shelter in the court of law. Prajapati: There is a sukta which is addressed to Hiranyagarva or Prajapati, the creator. In the anushtupa metre, it is composed and is ascribed to no particular sage. Prior to the act of creation only Hiranyagarva was there who is the Paramatma or Brahma. He is one and only one who created the universe. He is the source of all happiness.

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and ensure the welfare of one who is generous. -

Pray to devotion in the morning, middle of the day and in the evening.

Grant devotion to those of us who live in this world.

From the word “Srat”, Shraddha is derived, which means truth. That the divine forces of the creation are founded on truth as also our social fabric on truth only. In the ultimate triumph of truth in our individual and social affair, it signifies implicit faith. Truth prevails in the long run. Supreme Lord or Brahma is the source of truth which is shraddha. The movement of the smallest and largest objects in the universe is governed by the power of absolute truth which is Brahma only. There are moments when man finds himself crestfallen though sometimes in his disrespectful impudence vaunts to be the arbitrator of his destiny. But the supreme power before whom he is to surrender, he then quickly realizes that it is not he. 129

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As firm brief in the truth underlying the visible and invisible universe, thus shraddha is to be understood.

knowledge like wise as the weaver weaves, clothes in brightness of light to avoid joint and twist in the woven material. For a smooth and harmonious life by sacred acts and divine wisdom our wise ancestors have devised pathways which we should follow sincerely with determination and devotion as per the verse pertaining to the fabric of life.

In other words, adoption of truth in life is nothing but Shraddha. THE MOTHER COW At par with the Brahma and the cow the mother, Vedic texts have adored and prayed the mother. In stead of mother’s milk, a baby lives on the milk of the cow. The milk of the cow is prescribed as diet for a patient by the doctor when other forms of food are forbidden. The scriptures have described cow-milk as ambrosia for that reason only. For the health of a human being the milk of a cow along with

May you first strive to become man – “Manurbhava”. When man sets the reins of his mind light and controls the horses of the sense organs, this is only possible. By weaving the threads of divine knowledge free from defect one should be resolute to guard and enrich the splendour of human life.

curd, butter, cow-dung are most beneficial. For a house the cow is considered to be most auspicious.

To love and to serve is the inherent nature of man, When he embraces sectarian views, man is degraded because he starts thinking and doing in a sprit of envy, hatred & jealousy.

The verse says, “Great is the abundance that is attributed to you in our auspicious ceremonies.” ‘O’ mother cow.

Establish proximately with the Lord of bliss and rise to the status of an enlightened one.

- Cow is our Mother -

Source of Energy: For the fulfillment of our aspiration and the bestower of divine bliss, the God alone is the inspirer of all noble deeds being the provider of joy and jubilation. Always sing the glory of the resplendent Almighty repeatedly in congregational prayer with friends and devotees. God is the source of energy.

Hence it is barbarous and criminal to kill a cow. Let no hostile weapon fall on a cow and let no thief carry her away. Goddess Saraswati: The symbolic Goddess of speech is Saraswati in the divine texts of Vedas. In many verses Brahma is also adored as Saraswati the bestower of revealed knowledge. The following movement of knowledge refers to Saraswati which refers to stream literally. In the heart of an aspirant it is the over flowing inspiration that emerges from his mouth.

With the threads of his actions man is a weaver who weaves his life having no stoppage. The more glorious is the life – fabric the nobles are his deeds. Man should perform all actions with the light of

Generally we applaud the benevolent people who provide us with grain, clothes and means of livelihood. We thank them. But we forget the supreme God who is the supreme giver of our life energy which is the embodiment of total selfless action and the bestower of our true happiness. We thank the trader while purchasing an article by paying his dues. But we forget to thank our Lord who provides us freely air, water & sunshine for us while we enjoy the same for our living. With wondrous organs God has equipped our body that receives the senses from the universe.

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Truth Consciousness Life – Fabric and “Manurbhava”

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Brahma is all–Powerful– Most Powerful: Brahma is all powerful, omnipotent and omniscient. From any quarters His numerous performances do not need assistance. His infinite power, His omnipotence have been led towards His infinite knowledge. From His unlimited knowledge, universal activities spontaneously have been shaped up. The utter darkness, the space parameter the plasmic ocean are generated through the eternal law and truth with the birth of arduous penance of the creator who is no other than Brahma. As the indicator of the origin and working of the universe hymn 190 of Book X is considered in this context. The first verse of the hymn points out on this matter. The forces of the divine work themselves into an intense cognitional activity which is known as Tapasya from which the eternal law and satyam are born. In the etymological sense, the mystic words “Rtam”, “Satyam”, “Ratn”, “Samudra”,”Arnava” are to be understood and not what is commonly known in Sanskrit. “Rtam” means eternal laws and “Satyam” means the true translation of the laws into actions, Ratri means utter darkness which is homogeneous and undifferentiated. Having the potentiality of further developments, samudra – a Nebula which is born from that. Reach the Height of Bliss: “To reach the height of bliss, May every moment of your life be a step upwards, within the span of your life – may you earn all other wealth necessary you feel.” “But you never get back the part of life you have spent even though, you try. By effort, regain the lost riches and power.” A mortal possesses ability to live with spirit and Vigour, but is not to live for ever surely. Hence for you to draw a life-map. By 136

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He provides the knowledge of atma and He is the source of all strength. -

He is the master of all bipeds and quadrupeds.

The snow-clad mountains have been created by Him only.

The rivers that flow and the earth that moves are His creations only.

The four directions owe their origin to His strength only.

He permeates the past, present and future.

He is the lord of all Gods and Brahma is the supreme.

Creation: There is a sukta on creation also. -

This is addressed to Prajapati.

It is composed in trishtupa metre.

It is not ascribed to any sage.

Forests: The sukta pertaining to forests, addressed to the goddess of forest only. -

It is composed in the anushtupa metre.

It is ascribed to the sage Devamuni.

Animals are chanting the praise of the goddess of the forest.

BE ALERT AND RISE UP: “Keep good company to carry out your duties” – says the verse. Mundane life is crooked. Like greed, lust and other impulses in your passage of life and burden of excitements are to be given up. For a man aspiring to lead a peaceful life, patience and co-operation are the guiding virtues. To sustain and enrich his life smoothly man always needs the help of his fellowmen. 133

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A man lives a happy life in the company of friends with different skills just as a human body comprising a variety of organs with different skills smoothly. Where its bed is stony and steep, the world is like a torrential stream of mountainous region. ‘Here the velocity of waters is enormous. For a lone traveller, it is always perilous, to cross the river. It is more difficult and risky when he carries heavy luggage. Like that the life of a mortal is full of challenges in this mundane world.

A Glimpse of

Rig-Veda (VI) MAY YOUR DEVOTION BE ONE AND THE SAME: Oh! “Mankind – like the ancient sages – you may move together – In one voice talk together – your assigned share of fortune may be enjoyed by you together – Let your minds be in accord.” “May your devotion be one and the same – common be the prayer and acquirement with the purpose you have in common.” “May your hearts feel alike, - Let your resolves be one and only one– may your thinking be one – In perfect harmony and happiness, thus, may you all live.” 134

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of truth. As a result, the burden of sinful thoughts thus disappears from the mental horizon. Beyond the mundane darkness, the devotee beholds the uprising divine brightness and light.

righteousness, may your desire for material wealth and enjoyment be well – regulated. For the liberation of your soul may your efforts centre round ceaselessly.

The most divine of the divinities have been approached by the devotees gradually when they exclaim.

Engaged in your duties actively and purposefully, May you live a hundred autumns. From all directions may you be protected from malignant adversaries coming from behind and from below. May your life be long and delightful, free from sin. While living a laggard is dead. From the signs of death – keep therefore away. To immature death may you never fall a victim. Behind the wedge, may your death be hidden.

“The paths, glorious and innocuous leading to divine powers are seen by them with the banner of spiritual dawn which is unfurled in their hearts rising to high altitude.” Virtue of Charity: The virtue of charity is revealed in the tenth book of Rig-Veda with the touch of hymn 117. Do not perform equally that the hands which are alike. Do not yield the same milk generally the cows calving at the same time. One as the other, the twins do not have the same strength. Generally persons do not display equal nature of one family. Why the theory of inequality, the question arises here is expressed at the end of the hymn that deals with the virtue of charity, very simple is the answer. It is the spirit and willingness of charity that is more essential than the amount of a donor donates. Famishing for want of nourishment a person should not harden his heart towards the needy having a lot of wealth. To a poor man, he should not behave as a miser. A man who offers food to the hungry and helps people in distress he alone becomes bounteous. In the capacity of two similar objects, there is inherent inequality as a matter fact. To give in charity all people on earth do not have same strength and capacity just as the pair of twins are equipped with different faculties. To imitate a miser any time, it is unwise. The natural virtues of a 140

Parameters of Space and Time: The two parameters of space and time were unfolded. As the primordial seed of further evolution, the Nebula was evolved, representing the space. The space was not enough for the ongoing evolution. Representing time the “Sambatsar” was born. As understood in ordinary Sanskrit, “Samudra” stands for Nebula instead of ocean as revealed in other verses. To supplement the time parameter, year is born after the creation of Nebula. The hymn that smashes the sin is commonly called “Aghamarshna Sukta”. With tremendous force the universe is created. With the minutest planning and mighty intelligence of the Supreme Being yet it is ultimately designed for dissolution after the assigned period of sustenance. What to speak of an individual who is an insignificant speck in the boundless space? If so, why sin? Sages Discover Truth: In many forms falsehood appears. But truth is one and only one. The symbol of truth is the supreme soul. On truth only the creation Brahma is founded and sustained. 137

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In the Vedas, the law of creation has been termed as “Rta”. Those who observe the law are “Rtajna” or “Rtape”. Against the natural law, taking food through nose rather than through mouth is painful. Who sleeps in the day diseases grasp him but not at night. In the spiritual realm, the sages discover truth whereas through experiments scientists search for the truth and analyse in the material realm.

Those who incessantly make efforts, to acquire knowledge RigVeda always welcomes them. There is no enrichment in intellect for a person who sleeps. True thirst of knowledge by forsaking inactivity will always be blessed with the knowledge of Vedas.

The eternal law is “Rta” and into action truth is its translation. According to Rta worthy children are born on consummation. Following the simple and serene ways of Rta, man gets peace and tranquility. Rta signifies purity and simplicity. It is vulgar and painful if it is a way contrary to “Rta”. Artificial life of a mundane man is full of sorrow and pretension. When it moves with the laws of nature life becomes free and progressive. To lead a life of misery and suffering is to oppose the free flow of life. Chant Hymns of Praise: Chant hymns of praise to these law – strengtheners in majestic greatness after knowing the secret of eternal law with unassembled divine powers. They sustain plasma of the firmament, in their wondrous bounty. On us for our delight, may they confer prosperity. The Supreme Lord be of one consent in awarding us the blessing of Nature’s bounties such as the sun, the wind, divine speech, the fire the lightening water solar radiation, the cloud, the vital breath, the healing aid, the firmament and the mother earth etc. The RK Hymns Who Wake and Watch: Rhythmic poetry is called RK in Rig-Vedic verse. Love RK hymns who watch and wake. This is the meaning of the verse in this connection. Beginning from the small grass to the mighty Brahma, the poetic Rig-Veda is the store house of knowledge only. 138

Devotional music of Samaveda is the support and solace since devotion to work is essential to get peace, joy which cannot be acquired mechanically. The glory of the creator and His creation should be sung and eulogized without attachment and sorrow. One who is ever vigilant will be blessed with saman tunes, as per the verse. The purpose of life should be understood and for that one should awake and arise. Again and again one should try. It is not awakening simply enjoying food and then sleeping. To know the self is true awakening with devotion and eagerness with an effort to seek. A pure and worthy life is led by a true seeker only Brahman is always with such a seeker. Nature’s Bounties: With the light of inner conscience, there is a spiritual dawn that proceeds towards a devotee. Dispersing the dark gloom of human mind, the spiritual dawn appears with-a-radiance. In the proximity of the sun the physical dawn is welcomed by men and mankind like a youthful lady who animates all beings in activity. All the obstructing dark forces are dispelled by the light given by her. She becomes the source of creativity is the form of the eye of all Nature’s bounties. With lovely radiance and golden colours she beams forth in the sky. The whole earth is illuminated with her resplendent beams and on earth the treasures are bestowed in plenty by her. Consisting of life and vigour, the dawn possesses affluence which has been praised by mankind. Emerging from the darkness of ignorant life she appears as a bright light to all observant persons 139

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The drunken lies naked like animal – as per the verse. At night and during day he cries aloud and disturbs others. His wife and children are being taunted by the people. Anger and sorrow have been expressed by his parents.

good man should be followed by sympathy, charity, help & service for others.

Like – drinking, bad company leads to several vices. To himself the drunken is a sinner as well as to his family and society at large. His vital organs become weaker. Therefore Vedic verses, emphasize on good friends and good company. Secret of Speech by the Divine: By means of language a man communicates his feelings and desires comprising meaningful sounds. A unique privilege of man is his speech. In human mouth from the mode of their pronunciation the eternal divine sounds deriving their intent. With such luminous sounds the fabric of Vedic text is woven. In the revealed knowledge this conjoins to produce words and verses. By the spirit of intuition and sacrifice the wise sages follow the path of knowing the secret of speech. The verse sages – ‘O’ Lord of the universe – you are really greatest. For the first time the best part of the divine speech has given names to the objects which have been uttered in the very beginning. Devoid of all sins those earliest sages who are best among men has been revealed, through her, with the love and blessing the divine words are revealed in their hearts secretly. Through the revealed words they ascribed meaningful names. Just as a loving wife, the divine words deliver her secret to her husband being well – attired. Chance of Profit: For making easy money a gambler plays games of chance. Great risk of loss and chance of profit have been under taken by him. As 144

Hence Depending on your capacity do good to others to the extent possible. With Great Joy Rejoice Plants: Conquering over diseases, rejoice plants with great joy bearing abundant fruits and plants. Like quick horse be victorious. While he lives, no evil shall befall on man whom we nourish. For their inherent virtues plants are to be praised. 1.

The curatives are Aswavati.

The sedatives are Somavati.

The energizing are urjabati.

The rejuvenating are Ud-Ojasa.

ALL OUR DISEASES ARE TO BE WIPED OUT: To Obey Eternal Laws: Oh God – “to obey your eternal laws give us strength, in order to avoid sin by following your command.” Cherishing communion with the Lord, the devout person makes a fervent prayer – Oh! God – protect me from evils. From three fetters liberate me – 1.

Ignorance and false beliefs is the uppermost knot. Man has been fastened by animalisms by this only. Hence a firm brake is to be put to his faculty of discrimination.

One’s painful feeling caused by the apprehension of danger or evil every moment is the middle knot. The will power and vigour of man will be destroyed due to fear because it makes a man coward. 141

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Lower bondage is the sexual desire. It makes a man blind.

The unreasonable beliefs, sensual craziness and undesirable fear may be removed so that we shall be strengthened morally. Our senses will possess restraint, morality and virtues if you cut asunder the three bonds. Sun is Mighty among Divine Forces: Mighty among the divine forces is the sun which is great in fame. In all corners of the earth sun displays his form spreading light and life- energy. He rouses all the living beings from slumber destroying the wicked darkness. To a divine falcon most predominant over other birds that fly swift as wind, a verse compares sun, bringing celestial elixir to mankind elsewhere in the hymn. He moves round in the sky with twelve – spoked wheels. “Mounting into the highest eternal values the sun is radiant with benevolent virtues. Please remove paleness of my body and sickness of my heart.”

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proud. The symbol of pride is the bird “Garuda”. Vulture is symbolized as greed. The external enemies are less dangerous than the eternal enemies. There are six powerful adversaries of men. They are lust, greed, envy, anger, pride and attachment. Every moment, they endanger the human life. As the degraded lives of birds and beasts, these evil traits have been symbolized in metaphor. In light owl gets restless but it loves darkness. Similarly man disregards truth and knowledge when he becomes, a victim of attachment. He becomes annoyed with the things not dear to him due to attachment only. As a result he gets angry. As a symbol of anger, the sheep has been described; symbol of jealousy is the dog. Oh! God of resplendence. To the fiendish garb of all my charming vices of the owl, sheep, swan, dog, Garuda and vulture may cause affliction at the earliest. Water for our Sustenance:

Disappearance of ailments of head that rock its crown has been caused by the rising sun. For our protection seen and unseen worms are killed by Him only. When exposed to sun shine sore – sickness and yellowness of the ailing ones disappear completely. The supreme splendour of resplendent God is enshrined in the sun who always cherish beauty and piety. The glorious fame of the sun spreads as far as it cleans the darkness on earth. According to eternal Law the earth is composed by the sun only. “In all ceremonial celebrations we proclaim your glory – O. Sun.”

For the sustenance of mankind, may the great rivers come with their mighty roar along with the waves of pure water. Divine and inspiring may these motherly rivers grant us their sweet water which is rich in sweetness as honey and nourishing as milk. For the up keeping of the human body ‘O’ Water – bring to perfection all diseases – dispelling medicaments so that the mankind may live long to enjoy the bright sun. Like Animals the Drunken Lies Naked:

swan. With wealth, power, youth and beauty man always becomes

Man loses his power of discrimination when addicted to drinking. Even before his family members and children he commits undesirable acts at the spur of a moment. Walking on the road he abuses innocent people.

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The desire of Lust: Man is deaf and blind with the desire of lust. The symbol of lust is

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Spiritual stream of seven oceans are caused by powerful soul. They

the taste of exhilarating herbs grown on mountains the mysterious dice are dear to him. To earn without toil ultimately ruins him.

are benevolence, love, truth austerity generosity, contentment and knowledge to flow freely. Peace and Prosperity: Means of acquisition of wealth should be ideal and fair. To keep our selves safe and secure we generally build houses, procure food stuff and clothing. Without having the co-operation from others, we cannot say that our earnings are out of our own labour. They have their share surely with our wealth those who have put their head and hands with us in our acquisition. Wealth often leads to pride and lust that achieves power and victory. The means we adopt to collect wealth should be fair and honest. If

When he sees happy wife and children of others, the gamester regrets and suffers mentally. Each time he asks for himself – “Shall he be lucky this time.” For playing the dice will increase his passion and his wife is verily like a helpless widow. He becomes isolated in his own house, staking his money against his rival participants he continues to practise the art of gambling. Disagreeable Gloom: For driving away the disagreeable gloom, from the beginning of the creation Nature’s bounties have been propitiating these two divinities of bliss and sustenance. The resplendent Lord generates the mature milk in the immature heifers with these two divinities only.

by unfair means wealth is acquired it will never give peace and contentment. ‘O’ God resplendent – O’ Great God–bless the universe with spiritual wealth which is ever lasting. This will lead to victory and peace and protect the people from evil impulses. Make the people the messenger of peace & prosperity. Death is personified:

High in heaven, bliss has taken the seat while the other has done so on earth and in the mid – air which is known as sustenance. Much desired abundance of riches may be granted to humanity by these two for the great source of enjoyment. As soon as these two are born, they became the guardians of the entire universe. They are the source of immortality and inspire of the bounties of nature.

As a deity with eyes to see and ears to hear, death is personified. With divine qualities he is advised out to tread on the path of men. Every ordinary man is assailed by the fear of death. Death has no existence to the enlightened few. Associated with death, it is the fear that is wrongly comprehended as death only. Of a dying man, a sinful person has all the symptoms. By the fear of death, the more is he threatened, the more untruthful a person becomes.

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Multiply your Hands to Thousands: To collect multiply your hands to a hundred but to distribute multiply the hundred hands to a thousand always. In Vedic text, the virtue of charity is eulogized and praised. That will place you in the world of bliss whatever you have donated and set apart for public good. To the divine man is elevated through charity and donation. In certain cases some are not worthy of being gifted to. The deserving and undeserving ones are to be distinguished by the donor. Helping hands are to be given to disabled, the lame, the blind etc only who feel extremely difficult to survive without help.

A Glimpse of

Rig-Veda (VII)

Those who do never squander away the gifted wealth deserve donations–they are the second category. After using the gifted amount, people donate unspent money to more needy people–are the third category who deserve help. Selfless workers do also deserve charity, who dedicate their time and energy for the upliftment of education, health, morality and spiritual values of the mass day in and day out.

Arrogant–Sinful Mind

Powerful Soul:

The arrogant and sinful mind always defies the mighty soul when wounded. The dark and blind impulses are weakened and scattered by this arrogant and sinful mind. The barriers set by the soul have been broken by the animated and sinful impulses when gathered together. n three virtuous directions–the powerful soul gains its strength. They are physical, spiritual and mental. As the water of a river flows over the fields, with her breached banks, thoughts flow over the mind that delights the soul being wounded & prostrated.

The powerful soul is the sovereign of all impulses and emotions including that of movable and immovable. Also it is the prime mover of aggressive or peaceful. As the circumference encompasses the spokes of a wheel all activities of mankind are centered within the soul only. In other words the soul is the monarch of all creatures created by the Brahma. To reach the sphere of the soul, the soul throws open the cave that had blocked the path of noble impulses by destroying the strength of the demoniac forces. Like cows stolen by wicked people and kept hidden, good impulses are destructed by greed.

Such flow is obstructed by the mind. 146

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With a human body he is born and brought up on earth. With virtue and enlightenment, he has been impregnated in the mundane world. By any worldly allurement and ambition he is never deterred at all.

Hymn 18 of book X of the Rig-Veda is addressed to death. The first verse reads as follows –

With the universal spirit, a saint conjoins his movements. For the life of others he lives peacefully and happily. Of the virtuous, he is the trust worthy companion being firm protector of the week and the needy and of all beings he is the benevolent well wisher. Through labour and penance he enriches himself supported by truth and righteousness. He leaves the ephemeral body with a blissful smile when he breathes his last. To a sect, to a community, to a land and to a language such a mortal is not limited. Surrounding him, he shares the delight as well as agony of the people. From his share, he feeds the hungry, gives clothes to the naked. Everywhere he destroys evil and bad things. Of all dedicated work, he is the all time leader with a sharp vision which could read the future. Rules of Conduct: Seven codes of conduct have been stipulated by the wise men to be followed by the mankind in their day to day lives. He is a sinner who deviates from any one of those codes against humanity by obstructing the progress of the society. The rules of conduct for man are-as-follows; a.

Non-violence,

Constant search for the divine,

Truthfulness,

Observing celibacy,

Cleanliness, 152

“O – Death depart to a distant path that is your own – go hence which is distinct from the divine – pursue that path. Our off-springs should not be injured by you. Our fellow – men should not be harmed by your good self. With humility and dedication let them live an active and exuberant life.” Vedic Doctrine of administration: In accordance with the law of justice of the Divine Lord the Vedic Doctrine of administration of a state is controlled. God is addressed as father and ruler by many verses of the Vedas. The merciful Lord should be the divine guide for the ruler of the state to make him eminent and renowned. “For you always – let all wish”:- These words are significant and important in the verse. So long as people wish you to remain in the seat or other wise vacate immediately. Under your administrations, let it be secured and safe. May the supreme Lord bless you with divine words as are bestowed by the royal priest on you. Delighted by your services, may the supreme Lord establish you dearly. To be guardian of the state, may you continue always. As Good as Dead: Without divine qualities one is as good as dead. The main theme is of longevity beginning with a threat to death, is styled as hymn to death. He will be away from energetic and active life as he has to depart to a far distant place. To attack a saintly person death has no guts as one dare not put his feet on the sacred pot of a sacrificial fire. Against the principle of morality, it is the behaviour. That is subdued by the fear of death breaking the laws of God. 149

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May you proceed forward – ‘O’ – performers of sacred deeds effacing the footsteps of death by prolonging our span of useful life? Every moment, may you be diligent in your dedication.

charity in life, there is no example to see that a person becomes poor.

From the scheme of life death cannot be wiped out. The fear of death, threatens to the sinful every moment of their lives. With progeny and affluence may you enrich yourself. Bestow Peace and Happiness: Bestow peace and happiness “‘O’ administrator or ruler on your subjects. You are the destroyer of evil forces being guardian of your people and you are the sustainer of the state. Our minds should not be tormented by evil spirit. Far beyond a posture – measure. Let poverty and hunger be driven by you. To give us all protection may you be stronger shower happiness on us by holding the weapons of justice.” To share the happiness and misery, the ruler should live amidst his own people, as an all time ideal for them. He reflects their aspiration and stands by the side. True ruler is secular and generous always. His duty is to protect the people and the land from foreign attack. From all kinds of diseases, injustice & poverty, he should guard his subjects. Death is the Master: As the cause of death Lord has not assigned hunger. Those who are eating well and much, death also comes to them. Hence death is the master in all circumstances. Owing to their excess eating rich people also die. That only a hungry man faces death, it is not true. One is sure to die when he is born in this mortal world. Hence to alleviate the misery of others the wise and intelligent people utilize their acquisition. Because of his doing 150

Like providing relief to the needy and the poor, men flourish through benevolent deeds. On the other hand, it leads to bankruptcy and mental distress due to misuse of wealth. One does not have peace and joy in life if he has no mercy and charity. Let alone doing good to others, he does not do justice to his own life and duties. At a miser’s ‘dwelling for help, even a beggar does not look for.’ SOMA is not alcoholic: In the Vedic texts, Soma is not to be understood as alcoholic drink. Soma is the cause of enlightenment and bliss. On the other hand, where as liquor excites the body and the mind of the drunken beyond his control and firmness. And in excessive dose liquor shakes the mental and physical frame of the Drunken. Sura is stupefying where as Soma is vitalizing. To the wise Soma imparts, delight and ensures perfect happiness and joy where as Sura is a beverage to be enjoyed by the wicked drunkards only. Victims of a perpetual hell are the sharers of Sura whereas Soma is a conceptual beverage of devotion. Extreme devotion to God has been signified by Soma which brings prosperity, truth and light. They are SRI, SATYA and JYOTISH in Sanskrit. On the contrary, Sura signifies misery, darkness and untruth, Seated in our innermost consciousness, the source of Soma is the supreme reality. Which is immortal juice of love devotion and dedication? Soma is the spiritual elixir. Epitome of Cosmic Sacrifice The epitome of cosmic sacrifice is no ther than a saint in the true sense of the term. He is a mundane being – not heavenly at all. 151

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‘O’–Bride:

Non-possession of other’s property,

“May you never be separated from your husband and children and may you live together all your life – with grand children.”

Self – introspection,

Keeping good company

‘O’–Bride: “Obey your husband given by the Lord who is the creator of cosmic orders and may the husband be the master of the household.” Bride is felicitated: To the place of marriage, the bride and bridegroom come together where both of them are felicitated. For the highly evolved concept of married life the Vedas provide suitable path. Bridegroom may the master of the household till old age.

Self introspection and constant search for the divine are mingled with each other and hence they can be taken as one only. The progress of others not to be obstructed is nothing but nonviolence. Truth is eternal and changeless. To preserve vigour and give up meanness in life is celibacy. Cleanliness is the purification of body, mind and soul. Self study is to keep company with learned men and to have regular introspection, search for divine is the eagerness to realize the spirit behind creation. To consume as much as barely necessary and not to own the fruits of the efforts of others is non-stealing.

‘O’–Bride: “Be the queen to your father-in-law & Mother-in-law and to your husband’s sisters and brothers.” “Pray for the favour of God when you are blessed with good children” –‘O’ Bride. Serve the Society: As per the aptitude and ability in different vocations as stated in the verse – members of the same family are free to serve the society. To meet the needs of the people, the Vedas envisage a developed society consisting of professions and occupations. To promote the human culture and civilization they have the potentiality and strength. They carry a message for all times, relating to man at the earliest stage of human history.

Even at the moment of misery and depression he keeps his head high as he becomes the ruler of his own mind and body by establishing the codes of conduct indicated aforesaid. Young or Old: Young or old in age is truly old if his behaviour inspires a cruel man to become a benevolent one. If he inspires a wicked man to a polite one and a hater to a lover he is also treated as old. According to verse He will be recognized as kind if he encourages a coward to be courageous, an ignorant one to be knowledgeable, a cruel one to be kind and fallen one to arise. His virtuous acts and aptitude make him old or wise, but not the long length of years he lives.

Vedic age developed positive sciences and they made the world worth while.

His glory shines up on his surrounding although he is young in age. Through righteous means he earns and enjoys riches. To all who come in contact he is the dispenser of light.

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To live in with comforts and purposefulness the ancient seers of the

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He stands as a beacon for mankind free from blemish, anger, greed

their wisdom, thought and deeds, these loving and fascinating words

and passion.

of the seers through which they inspire the chanters are remarkable

A man who shakes voluntarily due to physical weakness with a frail and fragile body is the common conception of an old man. But as per the verse it is quite different. Vulgar Luxury with Co-wives: Competing to earn the favour of their husband, co-wives envy each other. When they do not quarrel each other there is not a single day – listening to the complaints and counter complaints of his wives, the poor husband thus leads a very miserable life. He will be dragged to the road sometimes by them. In the society he becomes a laughing

to note. Through our noble deeds may we offer homage to these three goddesses for our enlightenment. Their divine virtues may be extolled by us. This brings wisdom and felicity when we worship our divine Land, language and rich cultural heritage. When we dedicate ourselves to their well-being and promotion we achieve our noble aspirations. Then we enjoy the full span of a happy life when they dominate over all our performance.

stock eventually. But by then he has ruined his life when the moment

Sweet Taste:

of repentance comes to his mind.

Love and affection always give a sweet taste in our life in general. Even good food does not give any benefit with hatred in mind. Thinking to be sweet even if we chew a bitter item, that also turns sweet. With fear in mind, if a man takes medicine, that does not yield good results even if it is a “panacea”.

It is worst sort of tragedy to satisfy the desires of a number of wives though sometimes to discharge the various duties along with a virtuous wife may be difficult for a man in life. For marrying more than one wife he narrates his agony to others. When he falls a prey to sexual impulses, he repents for his weak moments in life. Indulging in such vulgar luxury like polygamy the verse speaks of the misfortune of a husband. Blissful Motherland: To his land of birth man owes his gratitude including his mother tongue and rich cultural heritage. To their language and mother

The bride and bridegroom pray to the Lord with Madhu Parka at the start of marriage for blessing in their wedded life to be full of joy and sweetness. Honey curd and ghee together is known as Madhuparka. As per the verse –“The world becomes sweet and pleasant for those who follow the path of truth. It becomes full of poison for those who follow the evil path.” Family Life:

In our performances and ceremonies – “may we adore them”. In the reverential prayers of a devotee in Vedic texts the triad ILA – MAHI and Saraswati find a place often. To widen the horizon of

“With an evil eye never look upon your husband and never be hostile to him–‘O’ bride.–as the hymn says–ever be amiable and cheerful and be tender to animals–of brave children be the proud mother– Be the bestower of happiness, loving to the divine powers–and bring prosperity–to quadrupeds and bipeds.”

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culture occupies respectful place in our hearts.

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and derives joy only when this is continuous and sincere practice of yoga and pranayama which is the real tool to realize god though sadhana is tough and time taking.

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Happiness in the Family Life:

THE BEST GUIDE

With the rising sun the prosperity mounts up when the happiness knows no bounds. Husband in the family is the source of unfurled glory. Maintain an honorable life by triumphing over evils.

As your mortal devotees for our fortune we chase the Divine. You are the best guide and imperishable life-force. You are the inspirer

Mother is the emblem of the house and she is the summit of honor. Righteous will of the wife is conformed by the husband.

of benevolent deeds. You take us across all miseries we pray you always.

Trouble makers are destroyed by her sons. In her own right the daughter is a virtuous ruler. So the mother is victorious.

For all the wealth in the world I shall not sell any devotion to you – ‘O’ opulent Lord you are the welder of adamantine justice for you are the Lord of countless wealth. THE OLD AGE IS NOT DARK ‘O’ Passerby – do not use wrongly the human body you have at present. If you do it – you will go to the prison house of lower life. After the expiry of the period of punishment you will regain the human body. Hence rectify the mistakes of the present life. The old age is not dark. Regarding the purpose of human life it illuminates your mind. For attaining liberation the other beings pass through human body. Each life provides an opportunity to get closer to the god. The significance of the sandal tree is not understood by an ignorant person and he sells the charcoal by burning the sandal wood. When the importance of sandal wood is explained by a well wisher he sells the rest of the sandal wood and gets large profit. Hence one should make efforts to enrich his life and be happy. ‘O’ Traveller you will have to travel birth after birth around an endless life cycle till you get liberated. To to get fulfillment in life you should be able to get a valuable experience in life. 160

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For a momentary glance of the general public a small effort is meant by taking a few verses for their enjoyment and inspiration. ONE LORD Furthering the light of eternal law, the Supreme Lord has pervaded every bit of his creation so that incessantly he may work. All the seasons are controlled by Him on this earth. ‘O’ Lord – “waters, herbs and milch cows have been generated by you. With light darkness has been dispelled by you. The mysterious mid space have been expanded and sustained by your good self”. In the black and red cows with the spotted skin white milk has been deposited by you.

Momentary view of

Sama Veda (I) Although Sama Veda ranks third in the usual order of enumeration of the Vedas, in sanctity and liturgical importance, Sama Veda is next to Rig Veda. The chapter indicates the same on the finger of the left and right hands during the saman music as he draws the notes from the vocal organs. The lord supreme is glorified by the Sama verses. Out of a total of 1875 verses only 99 verses do not belong to Rig Veda. The rest Rig Veda verses are sung in saman tune. The first part of the text is known as “Purvacika” which contains 640 verses. The second part is known as “Uttaracika” which contains 1225 verses. In between there is small part of ten verses only. 158

‘O’ great Almighty. DESIRES AND PASSIONS Paramatma as “Indra” and Jivatma as “Indu” have been indicated in the Vedic incantations. When he totally surrenders to Indra Indu is illuminated. Indu lives in body and uses it to purpose where as Indra is body less and all pervading. He does not realize his identity due to ignorance. And to be his own he feels the desires and passions of the body. The sense organs of the body are busy in acquiring pleasure out of the world only in the state of waking. Here and there, mind travels as per his desires. Although the senses take rest in the state of dreams, the mind remains mobile and the functions of the senses remain suspended. For the union of the soul and god there is scope always. A child cannot see his mother when he sits on the mother’s lap with his back towards the mother. Likewise the embodied soul cannot feel the Lord as it is engaged in the sense organs. But one who is dearest and closest cannot be recognized by the ignorant soul and hence the opportunity is lost. The soul meets god 159

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“HAMBA” In every activity of creation, the inaudible sound of “Omkar” is hidden. By the nectar of ’Omkar’ sound the living and non-living all become active. All sounds of the world are only a reflection of the syllable “om”. The sound of “om” is reflected everywhere. In the sound of the thundering cloud, the silent light or the starry sky. One can hear the sound of “OM”. But the cow is lowing in her usual way with the udder filled with milk. When the sound “Hamba” reaches the ears of the calf it immediately runs crying ‘ma’ – ‘ma’ and pushes her mouth at the udder. The mother cow has been away whole day. The fortune of the calf rises as the sun sets in the sky. The calf runs and stands close to the mother cow pronouncing ‘om’ ‘aum’ while opening the mouth leading to’u’ the sound of ‘a’ is uttered. It merges in the utterance “m” finally while closing the lips that stand for God, ‘u’ for soul and ‘m’ for matter. The hunger of the calf is not for the milk but for the sound “om”. For that mysterious source it becomes restless and gets excited. FIRE RITUAL Cherishing the hope that the burning fire of the sacrificial altar will one day ignite his soul, the devout sacrificer performs fire ritual daily by lighting fire. His thoughts will be exhilarated with the spirit of surrender. The growth of self illumination is being helped and inspired by the fire ritual. In the mind of the devotee it rouses auspicious and divine feelings. As per the verse – ‘O’ God –in the altar of self the fire of Good thoughts being lighted. In my heart, the spiritual dawn is emerging. All my evil thoughts will be killed by its shine. Of your divine creation may I be a part. As the pure altar of sacred fire. May I myself be transformed. May divinity flow in me and purify my mind and body. 164

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Remember the journey of life has no end and the evening is discending fast. To enrich the rest of your life make efforts and be happy. EXALT OURSELVES Joy and affection, peace and pleasure are for him who longs for and also gives to others such favour. His Love is not enkindled by the defiant offender nor does He win His way to the aspired riches. With delight he magnifies and accepts while we exalt ourselves and he is exalted with little praise for him. THE BASIC NEEDS OF SUCCESS In the verse there are four stages of human life which are depicted figuratively compared to Agni in the first stage of learning of the student. Agni represents knowledge and strength. These are the two basic needs of success. The young people returns home of their parents after completing their education with austerity. They become householders after marriage which is a stage compared to Dhenu which takes ordinary food like grass and yields nectar like milk. In the society belonging to other three stages the householder takes care of the family members as well as others. Leading a simple life of self negation, he provides comforts to all. To a bird, the third stage of life is compared. Utilizing his knowledge and experience man moves like a bird in the selfless service of the society. With joy he visits every house and solves the problems. The last stage is said to resemble the sun. Free from lust, hatred and anger, he becomes pure, blameless and well wisher of everybody. 161

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SHOWERS OF BLESSINGS ‘O’ supreme Lord – To vitalize the physical forces you rise above. To shine through the hearts of mankind you go deep into the inner realm. All the regions of celestial and spiritual world have been commanded by you. The vast cloud of darkness is unveiled by you destroying the wickedness with the showers of blessings on mankind. Fountains of knowledge have been set free by you. Obstructed stream has been liberated by you.

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most obedient servant. For your progress utilize us. To earnestly desire for seeingunholy thing, the bondage of the eyes is there. TRANSCENDENTAL GLOW For the benefit of all creatures that have birth, it is your divine light that discriminates between light and darkness. All other transient lights fade away like thieves in His transcendental glow. ‘O’ self radiant lord – you are the supreme Light that out strips all the speed. It is your spiritual radiance that awakens each one of us.

MASTER SOUL TO BE PRAYED

It shines through the entire firmament.

Like birds with wings that acquire the sensation of the outer world, the five sense organs of human body are seeing, hearing, feeling, taste and smell. To receive polluted and unholy feelings of the outer world make the mind stern and resolute so that it does not tempt us.

DIVINE FIRE

The essence of fire has been accepted by eyes. Essence of the sky by the ear. Essence of the air by the skin. Essence of the water by the tongue. Essence of the earth by the nostrils. Between the body and outer world, they establish the continuous relation. Sensations have been collected by them. They put up to the mind which is the closest aid of the soul. Ruler of the body is the soul. In spite of having ears and eyes soulless a person cannot listen and see.

Through self discipline he who realizes god is titled as “Kashyapa” by the Vedas. In other words he who sees Brahma is known as Kashyapa which means “PASHYAKA” whose activities of life become extremely divine. He gets involved in his own thoughts and feelings rising from the external activities. He sees self in all beings and all beings in the self itself. By the divine fire such a person is well protected that happens to be his father. His mind words and action are sustained by that unique fire. In the heart of his dear son, he bestows Love, devotion and compassion. The mother of the realized person is shraddha. Closer to truth she brings her son. From the womb of shraddha Kashyapa is born as per the verses. Such a person, born of truth is sustained by the fire of austerity and determination. In the words of the Vedas he is a poet who can see the future.

Master soul is prayed by five birds we have no direct communication with you. ‘O’ soul, we pass on each sensation to the mind, your

‘O’ man- you are divine and your parents are born of the divine. Inner conscience is your father and shraddha is your mother. The source of your strength and enlightenment are the uncommon parents.

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EEFORTS AND PERSEVERANCE By efforts and perseverance remember success is achieved. The birth right of all human beings is to get the holy vision of the Lord. To attain that glamours moment, start your mental journey here and now itself. Take the assistance of seven mothers who will lead you to the goal. In your mission there are seven beneficial steps. yama, niyama, asan Pranayama, Pratyahara dhyana, dharana. Diligently climb these steps while experiencing the thrilling self realization. You may forget to ask any thing. The miracle of your life is the intellect that you should remember. Do not sleep like Kumbhakarna and do not be cruel like Ravan. You are to follow Bibhisana and pray for the treasure of truth. That wonderful power of understanding is the miracle of human life is nothing but true intelligence. The purest form of wisdom and the greatest wealth is the intelligence. Towards perfection it guides mankind.

A Bird’s Eye View of Vedas

Fire ritual purifies all corners. Similarly the rays of dedication sanctity all my organs of the body. Meant for fire ritual may my body be transformed to a piece of sacred wood. After emiting fragrance in all directions may that be reduced to ashes. I surrender – ‘O’ Lord, may every action of mine echo the spirit of dedication. SACRED OFFERINGS If a man serves the Lord with sacred offerings no hostile mortal can ever prevail by fraud over him. In his action no one obstructs him. From performing his duties never can he be held back. From his creation none can separate Him nor can the creation destroy Him. A person who performs noble deeds and strives to win the favour of divine powers will always conquer those who do not worship. EAGLE OF THE SKY ‘O’ celestial sun most powerful. Diverse forms and colours have been given by you to this mundane earth. You the eagle of the sky. You wear different clothing of varieties of aurora in different seasons. Since eternity this phenomenon has been going on and on in this world. Seeds of manifold stuff are laid in waters because of you ‘O’ sun,” the great. To the mid space you have imparted greatness. You are the great bestower of blessings. Due to you multifold colours and lustre are added to everything on the earth. You are the eagle of the sky. Towards the glory of the mighty god you call aloud to draw our attention. BESTOWER OF BENEFIT

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God is the bestower of benefit,-‘O’-man you worship Him only and non else. Praise Him alone. He is the cause of all beauty all strength and all wisdom. He is the revealer of spiritual wealth. When we repeatedly utter hymns in His honour our exhilarating stream of love flows on to Him only. 165

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To his worldly master man makes flattery. He extols the physical things he enjoys. The resplendent Lord has been forgotten by him who is his disinterested protector. All supporting life factors like the water, wind, fire as also the wonderful physical body have been bestowed by Him to mankind. Who have no faith in Him, He never ignores them also. For His endowment of the vital principles and bounties of nature that keep our life going mankind should thank the resplendent Lord

may I never nurture the desire to enjoy alone the pleasure of liberation. In the field of service may I experience the joy of engagement? To protect the glory of the earth keep me ever awake that ungrudgingly bears our weight – for which we pray at your feet.

DISPELLER OF DARKNESS Possessor of unique wealth and wisdom. ’O’ unparalleled god we are desirous of your protection. We are weak and we invoke you. You are the source of all strength for help. You are the dispeller of darkness. There is no one superior to you. No one is better than you. There is no one such as you are. ‘O’ God – you have neither a rival nor any companion since eternity. Surely you seek company of one who loves to fight against destructive powers. DESTROYER OF ADVERSARIES ‘O’ benign and benevolent God – may we live under your liberal protection with favours and conquer the infidels. May you protect us against all malignity and hatred of mortal man? At the dawn of the day or at noon when the sun is high in heaven or by day or by night you come with felicitous protection whether you come at the milking time of the cattle, May we overcome all adversaries? ’O’ destroyer of adversaries. PEACEFUL ABODE OF HEAVEN ‘O’ dearest Lord – may service be my destination. Due to holy deeds even if I deserve moksha in the world full of action let me be born again. Leaving company of the aggrieved and miserable creatures, 166

Free of struggle if I live in the peaceful abode of heaven ‘O’ Lord, I do not want the world of moksha. For me to perform what duty will there be? Where the kingdom of truth is always established what scope and opportunity will I get? To sustain the universe, you are ever busy ‘O’ god yet you are calm and quiet. As your true son may I work with out desire and there by derive peace and contentment. To the mortal world please send me always and I pray. Bless me with human body so that I will serve with determination. PURSUIT OF ACCOMPLISHMENT For further ascent he beholds a wider space when an earnest seeker ascends one step in pursuit of accomplishment “‘O’ Lord – illuminate his path and assist his attainment knowing his pure intent by blessing him in his endeavors”. Of dedicated life and perseverance, there is no substitute absolutely. How to reach the summit of the desired destination the verse teaches us. The highest peak is not visible to him, when a man starts climbing up a mountain. The next top most peak appears in his vision as he advances upwards filled with vigour. He comes nearer to the goal with each step of ascent. A man comprehends further duty who discharges his duty with devotion. From the outset Laggardliness and lack of energy are signs of failure. With dedication a diligent house holder later enters into social service. Leading to the final attainment of bliss the doctrine of ascension is the secrecy of yoga with consolidation and further upward movement. 167

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‘O’ fire for the sake of enriching wisdom. You have been kindled. In the body of a pregnant woman this fire appears as on embryo lovingly cared for in the body, when kindled. THE GLORY AND THE GLAMOUR The combination of beauty and form is the glamour. That which is pure innocent and sinless is splendour. To save life from all sin and crime I will be glamorous. From all goodness of creation I shall collect glamour. May all of us be blessed with the glory of glamour of gold like creation as well as the glory of time and the eternal truth of divine supreme. We will distribute the same amongst the masses after collecting all brightness and becoming splendourous. In ordinary sense the Vedic devotee is not a beggar. He surrenders

Momentary view of

to Almighty after discharging his duty diligently. He distributes among others whatever he derives from prayer. That his bag of distribution will remain full always he knows very well. He is never without wealth.

Sama Veda (II)

The essence of life is the Virya derived by “hiranya”. THE CORPSE IS LIFELESS He is poor in spite all possessions if the life liquid is not within him.

The hero infuses new life into others as he himself is courageous. Of all kinds he faces injustice. For wiping out the sorrow of others he has concern. In absence of heroic thoughts human heart becomes poor. To provide food for the hungry and impart wisdom to the ignorant ‘O’ man “be a hero and protect the weak to give shelter to the shelterless.

Contained in the earthen vessel of the body, the nectar soul is the spark of fire of the earthen lamp which is the living flame. Ofcource the corpse is lifeless. Life force, thought force and work force together of the body is the soul. The birth of the body is the arrival of the soul where as its departure is its death. The body is awakened by the inspiring power of the soul as a result of which the body becomes mobile. All signs of life are exhibited with the soul present. All activities get lost without the soul. Like awakening, sleeping and deep slumber are the different states of the body caused by the soul.

The miserly feelings and the demon make the heart dry and drab. The demon is he who destroys peace and unity by destroying the progress of the society with the expansion of the empire of terror

Childhood, birth, youth, old age and finally death of the body are the different stages of the body caused by the presence of soul inside the body. All these have only one impeller which is called soul.

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I don’t want to be a victim to the passion of the body. MISERLY FEELINGS

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The face of a dead body looks distorted. It starts decomposing as time passes. For mortal purification a person takes bath when touches a dead body. The body becomes impure, motionless and ugly with the departure of the soul.

By paying due attention to balanced food, they become stronger with regular exercise and with observance of celibacy by following the truth in thought word and action. The mind becomes steady and clean conscientious thinking makes the intellect pure and clean. They are known as “Aditya” who impart these three types of lessons.

DIFFERENT MOTIVATION There are different motivations for prayers ordinarily. For power of knowledge and for wealth do people pray to god. For their happiness in life in all respects people pray to Almighty. They try to make friendship with god so that god will help anytime in times of necessity. Friendship with a human being may not remain the same throughout the life. It may change and there are many examples

PROTECTION AND HAPPINESS We invoke the resplendent God for protection and happiness on every occasion and in every noble work. The best among our friends “O’ cosmic Lord. For the completion of the sacrifice that will benefit all mankind may you enter into the spirit of our songs” ‘O’ cosmic Lord.

But god remains as eternal friend of the immortal soul from birth to rebirth and over after the death of the body. God is a true friend and a benevolent mentor of all selfless companions.

“With reverential homage through sublime thoughts and noble deeds we approach you ‘O’ God day and night”.

A mortal friend is subject to endless wants. He becomes dissatisfied when his wants are not fulfilled. But god has no wants. He is the true friend of the mortal creatures. Man should become the friend of God with a promise not to pollute His creation.

THE OMNISCIENT FIRE

ASPECT OF EDUCATION

Bless us for our prayer continuously ‘O’ God the Great.

Without efforts no fire is produced. Between the two wooden sticks ready to be rubbed, the omniscient fire lies hidden. By the ever vigilant men, the fire divine must be praised highly and exalted. The heavenly bodies are manufactured by the celestial fire. Living in the

The verse maintains that by reading books man becomes literate. He becomes wise by witnessing the lives of the experienced elders realizing the psychological aspect of education. The physical, mental and intellectual developments of the body are the sole purpose of education. Home is the first school of learning of the boys and girls. They are taught by the mother the mother tongue as well as good manners. From the father they observe the example of strength and valour. Several lessons of creations are being taught by the teacher in course of time. They also acquire knowledge from spiritual teachers. In the common man they inculcate fine qualities and set forth the guide lines for physical, mental and intellectual prowess.

mind the earthly fire inspires the beings to set. To raise an embryo in a woman offsprings are the product of a couple. Of any form or shape fire is the reason. In the Vedic texts it is therefore regarded

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as most adorable. May its gracious favour grow largely and multiply forever. In various spheres the creator and the primordial matter, the preceptor and the disciple, the husband and the wife, the heaven and the earth are all producers. For the sake of enriching wisdom you have been kindled. The glory of the mystic fire may be proclaimed which is sovereign.

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AN UNDERSTANDABLE FORM Of your manifestation, we praise many deities each symbolizing an understandable form. ’O’ infinite God, you are beyond our comprehension ultimately our oblation to each god proceeds to you as glory. In to the bounties of nature our unending enquiry is the search for you. You are the truth incarnate that sustains Universe. You firmly hold the mother-earth. Hence our tribute to motherland is an invocation to you. These are songs for your acceptance when we sing divine hymns relating to the vital principles of creation. Because you are the driving force of the sun, we adore the sun in the sky as a mark of your worship. In recognition of natures of bounties “whatever we offer in repeated and plentiful oblations is assuredly an offering to you. “’O’ adorable Lord – may our adoration of the knowable deities, the knowable supreme be the Quest for you”. Everything is attained to Him knowing whom knowable everything is known. SEEKERS OF TRUE KNOWLEDGE ‘O’ seekers of true knowledge – ‘O’ devotees – for the sake of good feelings may you possess in large measures intellectual foresights for selfless service. For your strength and potentialities for your well being, for your smartness, for your mental powers and for all types of your activities invoke the Lord. Offer to him the spiritual devotion free from blemish in order to purify your heart. At the sacred altar of worship may you establish this protector of household. Surrender to Him with reverence along with your offerings. Devotees seek the glory of the god even from afar and enshrine it in their inner most chamber of enlightenment like the household fire. The glory of our Lord is full of splendour all in every heart it is worthy to be honoured. The brave devotee is sure to subdue his adversaries though unequalled in power to combat. 176

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and grave injustice. He spreads Jungle Raj where might is right. To the society and mankind he does enormous harm. An expression of cruelty is the other type of enemy of miserliness. A miser is nonco-operative unkind and unsociable. A demon pushes a person standing on the bank of a river into the river and loots away all his belongings. Drowning in the river a miser does not even look towards a person. One is wicked and the other is terribly selfish. THUNDERBOLT OF DEATH Other substances which God has ordained as gift areabsolutely free, some people do not attach importance out of ignorance to the life. Sustaining air, water, sunshine. Nothing is required to be paid for the hair to grow on the head people do not realize this simple fact that one has to pay for cutting one’s hair. For extracting the tooth one has to pay to the doctor but tooth is grown without payment in one’s mouth. Man pays attentions to that work where he has to make payment unfortunately. Before we ask Him God provides everything for us. After finishing our meal, we go to sleep but God stays awake and converts the food into blood and flesh. If we forget his blessings and gifts we shall be ungrateful. Before death strikes us unawares as lightening let us accept the kind Lord as our saviour. Before the thunderbolt of death falls on your head accept god as your saviour – ‘O’ man- to him offer your reverential gratitude. God is the destroyer of death. As the door opening to a new life may death appear? FROM EARTH TO HEAVEN “Extending from earth to heaven may my fame spread in regions. From men of learning and men of power may I be a recipient of 173

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reputation. Amongst men of power may I be renowned. Amongst the people of wealth may I be recognized. Of my glory may I be never deprived of. Amongst the members of assembly may I have good name and may I be known for my eloquence. For the torrents of wisdom through obstacles he has broken away. He has removed the cloud of blind and dark impulses. Of the resplendent soul may I acclaim the valorous deeds which he has achieved. BLESSINGS FOR SUSTENANCE God showers his blessings on the mortal for his sustenance who seated in the fire of austerity and presents his gratifying homage to the resplendent god. It never fails the efforts resting on the truth. The more joyful becomes the result and the more purposeful is the effort. In achieving the goal of life every moment SADHANA becomes helpful. SADHANA is the saviour. Considering those as irrelevant, it is the real beauty that never fades by success or failure, profit or loss, honour or dishonor. The source of supreme joy is meeting the aim of SADHANA. In the pleasure of physical senses joy of self is never experienced. As is the thought so is the SADHANA. The body gets more pleasure but it is not real joy when you feel it or decorate it. From Atma sadhana and austerity of soul, the true joy arises. By concentrating your mind ‘O’ man introspect your good self. Think that you are the possessor of the body but not the body. You are the house owner but not the house. Through practice and renunciation calm your restless mind. Like a child eagerly seeks for her, the universal mother will appear before you. Spurn the forms of ego and self conceit. That prepares you for joy and happiness. 174

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GIFT OF SPEECH “Never deprive us of the gracious gift of speech – ‘O’ Lord – the divine preceptor. Shower on us the delectable speech – may he be the giver of supreme wisdom. May that speech save us from all kinds of violence and envy”. He may be the source of communication of the faculties, both mental and spiritual – may the divine speech the purifier and bestower of knowledge, the recompenser of worship. May he be the fountain head of inspiration and accomplishment of all our organized benevolent acts”. LOVE HIM MOST Accepting Him as an innocent child pray to the Lord – ‘O’- men love Him most. As a mother does to her child make Him cheerful. In the language of a child converse with Him, to make Him happy laugh and dance. For the joyful child open your motherly heart, with the expectation of receiving something in return a mother does not serve the child only to provide for the pleasure of the child is her sole desire. In her gift, there is no self interest, ‘O’ – friends – in the form of the Lord you have to be of excellent nature to make the child happy. Leading a life of purity and simplicity be blessed devotees. For that extra ordinary child be an affectionate mother. The crooked sin of the world never touches a child who never envies others. That the world matters enter into his mind when he grows. But the supreme God is simple and pure eternally. Out of ignorance the child is sinless. The Lord is all powerful and all knowing. Yet He is free of sin. He is eternally pure even while spreading across the impure and unclean places. Even residing in the heart of the devil, He imparts noble advices. He is all pure and all pervading.

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In case his close friend is the very young resplendent god how so ever equipped by their own force. SADHANA AND SAMADHI INDU as Jivatma has been indicated and paramatma as INDRA in the Vedic incantation. When he totally surrenders to Indra Indu is illuminated. Indu lives in his body and uses it to purpose where as Indra is body less and all pervading. He feels the desire and passion of the body to be his own and due to ignorance he does not realize his identity. The child cannot see her mother when he sits on the lap of his mother with his back towards the mother. He cannot feel the Lord seated in his own heart likewise as the embodied soul is engaged in the organs of sense.

Momentary view of

Sama Veda (III)

The sense organs of the body are busy in acquiring pleasure out of the world in the waking state. Here and there mind travels. Although the senses take rest in the state of dreams the mind remains mobile. The functions of the mind and the senses remain suspended and there is scope of union of the god and the soul. But one dearest and closest to him, the ignorant soul cannot recognize.

DIVINE PRECEPTOR The gracious gift of speech has been gifted to us by the divine preceptor. May he be giver of supreme wisdom? He showers on us the delectable speech. From all kinds of envy and violence may that speech save us also our sons and grandsons.

After continuous and serious practice of yoga that the soul meets god and derives joy. Sadhana is tough and time taking. To realize god it is the real and only tool. CONCEPTUAL BEVERAGE

The source of communication of the facilities is the divine speech being mental spiritual, the purifier and bestower of knowledge. Let it be the fountainhead of inspiration and accomplishment for all our organized and benevolent acts.

Enjoyed by the divinely people Soma is a conceptual beverage. Of industry it is no produce. In his own consciousness there is his distillery. To exhilarate and enlighten his inner most complex he who gets a few drops of it is really fortunate. To contain and sustain the creation Soma flows. In the mortal to lead them to immortality it

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generates wisdom. Everything becomes sacred that soaked in Soma. Aspiration for excellence, wrath against sin, desire to beget good progeny are all induced by Soma. With high spirits Soma fills one. The highest yield of Soma is the sun. Child of Soma is fire. The products of Soma sacrifice are the earth and heaven, when drenched with the essence of Soma the divine forces derive glory and merit. The divine soma is the omnipresent life force and the generator of discriminating intellect.

our onward journey would you kindly indicate to us in clear words one such path which will lead us definitely.

JOURNEY COMING TO AN END ‘O’ traveler –The journey of this life is gradually coming to an end. You have passed already the mid-day of your youth. Afternoon of your age has gone already. Descending fast the evening of your life. But the journey has no end that you remember. Around an Endless life cycle you will have to travel birth after birth till you get liberated. All the relationship will cease with death. A new relationship starts after death. For your next birth get determined to rectify the mistakes of the present life that you have committed. The old age is not dark. Regarding the purpose of human life it illuminates your mind. If the human body is wrongly used one will go to the prison house of lower life. After the expiry of the period of punishment he regains the human body. Each life provides an opportunity to get closer to the Lord. The significance of the sandal tree has not been understood by an ignorant person. Hence he burns sandal wood and sells the charcoal. To enrich the rest of your life make efforts and be happy.

Various are the forms of the oblations prevalent amongst mankind ‘O’ bounteous self. Does the worshipper invoke you constantly? Favour us with the right path and may you keep away from us the evil forms. DIFFERENT STAGES OF LIFE The verse figuratively depicts the four stages of human life. The first stage of learning of the student is compared to Agni. Two basic needs for success in life are the fire that represents knowledge and strength. The young people return to the home of their parents after completion of education with austerity. A stage compared to dhenu or cow they get married and become householders. The cow yields nectar like milk by taking ordinary food like grass only. Leading a simple life of negation, he provides comforts to all. To a bird the third stage life is compared. Experience in the self service of society man moves like a free bird utilizing his knowledge. Every house has been visited by him and with joy problems are solved. The last stage is said to resemble the sun. He becomes blameless, pure and well wisher of everybody. Like the setting sun taking rest to rise again as a successful person in coming life purer sacred, he becomes free from lust. DIVINE VITALITY The treasure of immortal elixir is possessed by cosmic breath, placed in your celestial region. We may live long with a part of it please give us. Please give us strength so that we may live long. You are very close to us. You are our father and brother.

INNUMERABLE PATHS Beneath the celestial region for the guidance of all of us there are innumerable paths. To that spiritual height may our prayers rise. In 178

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have been produced by the celestial fire. Living in the minds the earthly fire inspired the living being to act. To raise an embryo in a woman otterprings are the product of a couple. Of any form and shape fire is the reason. In the Vedic texts it is therefore regarded, most adorable. In various spheres the preceptor and the disciple the husband and wife, the creator and the primordial matter, earth and heaven are all producers. EAGLE OF THE SKY You are the eagle of the sky ‘O’ celestial sun. You are full of might and light. Diverse forms and colours are given by you to this earth we live in. As you wish you put on golden raiment of your birth place. You put on different clothing of varieties of aurora in every season of your own choice. Since eternity, you beget the sacrifice that has been going on in this world. The seeds of manifold stuff are laid in waters because of you - ‘O’ sun – the great. There by multifold luster is added to everything on this earth – ever changing and fresh. To the midspace you have imparted greatness. Towards the glory of mighty god you are the great bestower of blessings. In which attraction of mankind is drawn.

A Bird’s Eye View of Vedas

PRAYER TO THE MASTER SOUL The five birds pray to the master soul. The sense organs of human body are like birds with wings that acquire sensation of the outer world. They are “seeing”, “Hearing”, “feeling”, “taste”, and “smell”. Essence of fire is accepted by eyes, the essence of sky is accepted by ears, essence of the air is accepted by the skin, essence of the water by the tongue, essence of the earth by the nostrils. Between the body and the outer world they establish the continuous relation. The sensations have been collected by them inspite of having ears, a soulless dead person cannot see even though having eyes nor can he listen inspite of having ears. To crave for listening uncivilized words there is bondage of the ears. To earnestly desire for seeing unholy sense there is bondage of eyes. ‘O’ soul we have no direct connection with you. To the mind we pass on each sensation because mind is your obedient servant. We pray you. Make the mind strong and stern and absolute so that it does not tempt us to receive polluted and unholy feelings of the outer world. EXTENDING FROM EARTH TO HEAVEN In regions extending from earth to heaven may my fame spread. From men of learning and men of power may I be a recipient of reputation. Amongst men of power may I be renowned. Amongst the people of wealth may I be recognized and may I be never deprived of myglory. Amongst the members of assembly may I have good name and may I be known for my eloquence. FIRE AND FAITH Through self discipline he who realizes god is given the title “KASHYAPA” by the Vedas. He who sees Brahma is “PASHYAKA” which is known as “KASHYAPA”. Seeing, listening and doing all

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these activities of life become extremely divine which is Brahma. He gets involved in his own thoughts and feelings rising from the external activities. He sees the self in all beings – and also all beings in the self itself.

harm. Miserliness is the other type of enemy which is an expression of cruelty. Unsociable, unkind, non-co-operation is a miser always. Standing back of a river a demon pushes a person into the river and all his belongings are looted away. One is wicked and the other is selfish terribly.

The divine fire that happens to be his father when such a person is well protected and that lemique fire sustains his mind actions and words. In the heart of his dear son, he bestows love devotion and compassion. She brings her son closer to truth and sraddha is the mother of the realized person. From the womb of sraddha Kashyapa is born. Such a person is sustained by the fire of determination and austerity born of truth. In the words of Vedas he is the poet. The future can be seen by a poet only. ‘O’ man – your parents are born of the divine and so you are the divine. Inner conscience as shraddha you have accepted where shraddha is the mother. The source of your strength and enlightenment are your uncommon parents. BE A HERO AND PROTECT Hero infuses new life into others as he himself is courageous. All sorts of in justice are faced by him. For wiping out the sorrow of others he has concern. In absence of heroic thoughts human heart becomes poor. ‘O’ “man be a hero protect the weak to give shelter to shelter less”. “To provide food to the hungry and to impart wisdom to the ignorant should be your motto”.s The heart will be dry with demon and miserly feelings. Peace and unity are destroyed by the demon and the progresses of others are abstracted by the demon only. The empire of terror and grave in justice are expanded by him. The jungle law is spread by him where might is right. To the society and mankind he does enormous 182

FIRE RITUAL By lighting fire devout sacrificer performs fire –ritual daily. He cherishers the hope that the burning fires of the sacrificial altar will one day ignite his soul. His thoughts will be exhilarated by the spirit of surrender. Life is inspired by fire ritual by helping the growth of self illumination. In the mind of the devotee it rouses auspicious and divine feelings. ‘O’ Lord –”I am lighting the fire of good thoughts in the altar of the self. In my heart, the spiritual dawn is emerging. All my evil thoughts will be killed by its shine. Of your divine creation may I be a part. As the pure alter saves fire may I myself be transformed. In me may divinity flow gradually. My body and mind may be purified. Meant for fire ritual may my body be transformed to a piece of sacred wood. After emitting fragrance in all directions may that be reduced to ashes. The spirit of dedication be echoed in every action of mine. May the rays of dedication sanctify all my organs of the body and the fire ritual purifies all corners. FIRE IS OMNIPRESENT Between two wooden sticks ready to be rubbed, the omnipresent fire lies hidden. In the body of a pregnant woman this cryptic fire appears as an embryo lovingly cared for when kindled. By the vigilant men the fire divine must be praised highly and exalted. Without efforts no fire is produced. To uplift the soul the divine fire causes the creation in the form of the will. The heavenly bodies 183

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Agni ruled over the earth (prithvi). Indra or Vayu ruled over the atmosphere (antariksha) and Surya ruled over heaven or dyuloka All other Gods were regarded as the manifestation of these three Gods. -

On earth all gods were identified with Agni.

In atmosphere all Gods were identified with Indra or Vayu.

In heaven all Gods were identified with Surya.

YASKA – a commentator on the Vedas who lived around 800 B.C. had given the above version in his own way. Apart from the above there are two other versions also as well. 1.

One held that the various Gods were manifestations of the same unified supreme God head. This monotheistic point of view found in the Upanishad particularly. An alternative point of view subscribed to polytheism. This held that all the various Gods could not be identified as they were distinct.

From place to place, even within Vedas, number of Gods varies. In some places, there are only three Gods. One ruling the earth, second on the atmosphere and the third on the heaven. -

The earth, the atmosphere and heaven were known as Lokas (regions), thus there being three Lokas only.

- But in some places, there were eleven Gods from each Loka so that there were thirty three Gods in all. In some places there are references to 3339 Gods in all. But when we come to the age of PURANAS. The number of Gods increased to 33 crores.

Partial view of

Jajur Veda (I) Without any admixture of contents of later Brahman text that the sukla yajuh is purely a Veda which is generally considered. Yajur Veda is otherwise known as karma kanda. Original verses are mixed up with explanatory passages in Krishna yajuh, on the other hand. For performing rituals yajur Veda is regarded as a guide book. It contains all facets of life. From the creation it is made available to common man the knowledge gained by the seers.

Many scholars have suggested the Gods of the Vedas are nature Gods. Forces of nature have been so humanized that their original

This Veda covers domestic services, scientific inventions, educational activities, the apparatus of government, charities and symbolic rituals.

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To the supreme Artist yajna is an approach through His supreme Art. Spread over forty adhyayas, the yajur Veda is a collection of 1975 verses.

In different sakhas or schools every Veda was taught. The teaching

That there were four classes of priests who were required at any sacrifice or yajna – is very important to understand.

the legend that goes.

of one school or shakha often varied from that of another. To four of his disciples, Veda Vyasa taught four Vedas according to

1. PAILA – was taught Rig Veda

First Class 2. Vaishampayana –Yajur Veda I.

Officiating Priests or ACOLYTES or HOTRI: 3. JAIMINI – SAMA Veda By reciting mantras these officiating priests invoked gods and preferred the sacrificial ground and the altar by pouring out libations. The hymns of the Rig-Veda are for this class of priests.

II.

III.

IV.

4. SUMANTU – AtharvaVeda Yajur Veda was taught to twenty seven different pupils. This Veda was branched into different schools over time subsequently.

Second Class:

The first one was the taittiriya which is black yajur Veda. The second

These priests consist of choristers (UDGATRI) who chanted the sacred hymns of SAMA Veda only.

one was the VAJASANEYI – often referred to white Yajur Veda.

Third Class:

because both the samhitas and Brahmans portions are mixed up

These priests consisted of the reciters (ADHVARYU) who carried on sacrificial hymns of the Yajur Veda.

here.

Fourth Class:

parts where the Brahmin part being known as satapatha Brahman.

These priests consist of Brahman overseers, who supervised the sacrifice and hymns of the Atharva Veda are for this class of priests.

This is partly metrical and partly in prose. The prose passages are

The Yajur Veda samhita consists of formulae and verses to be uttered by theADHVARYU who are mainly entrusted with manual work to be performed at the time of yajna.

The taittiriya samhita is called black as it is impure. It is impure

The Vajasaneyi samhita clearly demarcates the samhita & Brahman

known as yajus. The Gods of the Vedas: Without some sort of understanding of Gods in the Vedas it cannot be really be appreciated. In nature and character the Gods of the Vedas were different from the gods that one encounters in the epics

The liturgical Yajur Veda is partly metrical. From the hymns of Rig Veda, most part of it is extracted. The remaining part is in prose.

or in sacred texts known as puranas.

The word “Yaj” means to sacrifice. The name of Yajur Veda is derived from this only. 186

vayu and Surya.

There are three major Gods in the Vedas. They are Agni, Indra or

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Dyou, chandrama and nakshatra. The word Aditya signifies a son

elemental form is sometimes impossible to detect. This is known

of Aditi, the mother of all Gods.

asAnthropomorphism. There are also abstract deities with whom

A Kamadhenu is a cow which gives whatever fruits one desires. There are three Kamadhenus:

no forces of nature can readily be identified, besides. That the Gods of the Vedas can’t easily be compartmentalized into

The first is full of life span.

The second is the power to perform all actions.

pantheons of monotheism or part of polytheism. It is also important to realize and discus. W hat is more commonly found is kathenotheism. That is, there are more than one God.

And the third is the energy that is the nurture of everything.

There is more than one god. But whenever a hymn is addressed to

The implications are as follows for these three Kamadhenus:

a particular god, the god comes to be ascribed with all the divine

Some men strive for a long life.

qualities. In course of the hymn, the god in question is regarded as the supreme god head and all other gods come to be regarded as

Others attain fame through their actions.

his manifestations.

And still others seed union with the energy that is the

Under three different headings the god of the Vedas can now be cataloged.

paramatma.

Gods of heaven (dyuloka) gods of the atmosphere (antriksha) and the gods of the earth (prithvi). According to Vedas the chief gods of heaven are dyouspite. A Mitra/ Varun / Surya / sabita / pusha / Vishnu the two Ashvinis: Usha and Chandrama Dyouspite: is regarded as the father of the Universe. Prithvi being regarded as mother. Dyouspite and the earth are together addressed as dyavaprithvi Dyouspite seems to have been a personification of the sky the gods Mitra and Varuna are almost invariably addressed in unison. With the day Mitra seems to have been identified where Varun is identified with the night. With Surya Mitra is also identified. Varun came to be regarded as the lord of ocean in the period of epics and puranas. 192

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At the time of Vedas, this was not the case at all. Sun god is surya, sabita is manifestation of surya at specific period of time as well as pusha.

A Bird’s Eye View of Vedas

The maruts are also wind Gods and are regarded as off springs of Rudra. Close companion of Indra is Maruts.

Agni, Brihaspati, Brahmanpati, Soma and Saraswati are the chief

In the Vedas Vishnu is a minor god. There are indications that Vishnu was also regarded as manifestation of Surya.

Gods of earth. The main God is Agni. He is the Fire God. There are three different types of fire.

The physicians of Gods were two Ashvinis sharing a common wife named Usha or dawn these two Ashvinis are closely associated with Surya in the Vedas. They may very well have been stars (nakshatra) identified in the morning and evening. “Nasatya” is another name of these Ashvinis. Usha is also addressed as Dakshina (Sacrificial fee).

a. AHAVANIYA, b. DAKSHINAGNI, c. GARHAPATYA

That priest began sacrifices at the time of dawn and received the fees. Chandrama is the moon God and He is a minor God, with the God SOMA He is closely identified. The Gods of the atmosphere are Indra, Aj a EKAPADA, MATARISHVAN, VAYU, VATA, PARJANYA, RUDRA, and the Maruts.

A. AHAVANIYA: to offer oblations to Gods, Ahavaniya Agni is used. B. DAKSHINAGNI: is used to make offerings to the ancestors. C. GARHAPATYA: is the fire that continually burns in any household. By rubbing two pieces of stick (ARANI) together fire was ignited in the age of the Vedas. These are known as Uttararani and Adhararani. It is not entirely clear whether Brihaspati or Brahmanpati is indeed

The most powerful of all Gods is Indra in the Vedas. He killed the VRiTRA (the dawn). Accordingly he is addressed as VRITRAHA. PURANDARA is another name of Indra.

God. He seems to have been more like a chief priest, often regarded

herb, although he is identified with chandrama.

AJA EKAPADA is a minor God and is probably a manifestation of either Agni or Surya.

MATARISHVAN, Vayu, Vata are all Gods of the wind.

Parajanya has a close relationship with them and is a personification of clouds. Parjanya thus rules over herbs and rains. The Rudra of the Vedas is not the Rudra of the Puranas and epics. In the Vedas, Rudra is God associated with the wind. He is identified with Agni alternatively. 190

as the Lord of all the hymns. It was only in a later period that Brihaspati came to be identified with a nakshatra. SOMA is really a

In the Vedas saraswati is not the Goddess of learning. She is a river and also known as Bharati. The creator of all beings is the God Sabita as pronounced by Veda. In this context, although the hymn is addressed to Sabita probably Sabita does not mean a manifestation of Surya. The world is probably used to signify the supreme God head Paramatma. The vasus are gods and there are eight of them. The eight vasus are sometimes identified as Agni, Prithivi, Vayu, Anteriksha, Aditya, 191

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have in mind. Formulated by Him, He is the supreme upholder of the eternal laws as His every action is governed by such laws. Without wound, without sinew, faultless and unpolluted by sin, He is bodiless. What god is not, this version explains. God is supreme, all-pervasive, omniscient, pure, omnipotent, far sighted and selfexistent, in all propriety for all times to come He creates the objects. SHELTER OF SPEECH The prose verses take refuge in the mind depicting the excellent actions in life for which yajur Veda is made known. The poetic verses of the praise take the shelter of speech for the interpretation of RigVeda. By understanding the inner meaning of the syllables and significance of accents one will gradually be adept in the RKS. To enjoy a life of activity, discipline your mental faculty first, but with detachment. Your vital breath is to be strengthened for the lyrical songs of devotion in order to commune with Sama Veda. By training it properly your spiritual ecstasy is to be evoked. In drops let the fluid of ecstasy be trickled and let it flow as stream. Acquire the vigour of hearing from expert teachers of science both physical and meta physical in order to interpret Atharv Veda. The enlightened says-‘’I am the RK I am yajuh and I am the SAMA’’ Inspiring all the five categories of institutes he has become an erudite scholar. The five categories of institutes are as follows-the self, the family, the society, the nation and the world. REVERENTIAL SALUTATIONS To the creator, protector of the endless cosmic creation of the mysterious universe, the verse begins with reverential salutation while the poetic Rig-Veda revealed knowledge in the first text of the source book. When the opening words of the next divine text yajurveda starts with spontaneous invocation of food, vigour and 196

Partial view of

Jajur Veda (II) EXCELLENT PERFORMANCES Within a glittering cover, truth is hidden. The concluding verse of Yajurved is this: In the opening verse of the text, Yajna is expressed as the excellent performances of noble actions. Arousing Creative thoughts and actions, the whole of yajur Veda is the divine guideline. ‘’Through sacrifice, may your longevity be secured’’ (XXII.34) ‘’The three divinities namely the divine culture, the divine speech, and the divine intellect may be established in your heart’’. -

With the effulgence of the moon and with the glare of the fire-‘o’ man – you may be bathed. 193

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Let the desire be fulfilled to live a hundred years in this mundane world engaged actively with righteousness getting sweet water wind, herbs of your choice.

From the mortal man, the face of truth is hidden by the allurement of the tempting world posing as truth just as the Shining brass mistaken to be gold.

A Bird’s Eye View of Vedas

Auspicious speech is addressed including administrator’s workers and intellectuals with producers of wealth. ‘’To the divine words-may your kins men and strangers listen carefully. Of the learned ones, may you become favourite With the fulfillment of your aspiration may your wish be fulfilled’’. A divine code is constituted that inspires man in all walks of life for

THE MYSTIC REMEMBRANCE WITH FAME

his personal and social good as the first course of knowledge. Like

In the brahminial and upanishadic texts god came to be popularly known as prajapati atman and Brahman. Each referring to a

the sun rays wind and water, anything godly and divine becomes

particular function, the supreme self is addressed by numerous names. He was spoken of by yajur Veda as Agni the adorable, to

As a son of mother earth and the celestial father, the Vedas treat

Aditya (as infinite), vayu as pervading and vital, sukram as primeval seed and in various other names.

When there were no geographical boundaries of land, at the earlier

the legacy of each man and woman.

the mankind.

times they were given to us. Names like visnu, Siva, iswara etc became popular much later in the puranic period. In itself ‘OM’ embraces all the attributes of god. Lord is signified by ‘OM’ only where as all other names may mean other objects as well. Having no change in number, gender, person or case ‘OM’ is indeclinable.

Truth and harmony are their core commitment. Not to a particular nation, creed or sex, they belong to the common heritage of mankind. For universal fraternity, they always stand just like rocks. ABSOLUTE AND IMPECCABLE

A+U+M is ‘OM’ l these three letters together are the integral limits of sound which are used by us in our language

The knowledge of the god is impeccable and absolute. His power

‘’A’’-Supreme self, U=Lower self, M=Primordial nature.

defining god which is beyond the limited knowledge of men, God is the architect of the creation, sustenance and dissolution of the

In the beginning of every verse this mystic name ‘OM’ is recommended to be used and at the end of the Vedic texts also ‘’OM’’ is known as pranava and udgitha AT THE DAWN OF CREATION VEDAS REVEALED For all and sundry, at the dawn of creation Vedas have been revealed, to all men and women, the

and glory are infinite. Hence they elude the grasp of Human mind

universe that has been convinced by human thought. For the action of man and revelation of the source of knowledge the Vedas cannot be comprehended even by the great soul for guidance of mankind with the divine acts like confirming reward or punishment. That the Almighty is capable of doing anything arbitrarily, it is wrong to think about. Out of nothing He can create the world or He can liquidate Himself or can create another God is also foolishness to

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are the only vital force in the universe. You are the strength, you are

sound body organs that state the divine formulae of excellent performance.

the lasting vigour – you are the radiance. May all the aforesaid facilities be bestowed on me. ‘O’ –lord – ‘O’ God, ‘O’ Almighty. SYMBOLS OF CONSECRATION For different seasons may you for your delight secure different colours as follows a)

For the spring season – Smoke colour

For the summer – White

For the rain season – Black may be secured

For autumn – Red

For Winter – Spotted thick

For extreme winter – Orange coloured ones

As per Vedic verse – fresh grass roots are the symbols of consecration – germinated corns are the symbol of excellent possession – with honey of spiritual bliss and baked paddy of delight. MIGHTY COSMIC – MAN The mighty cosmic man is all – pervading and all – knowing with sun like luster. He is far beyond the darkness of the physical realm. One can overcome the miseries of death by knowing Him. To reach the final destination, there is no other way.

When applied for individual & social development, this is quite natural as true knowledge achieves. A sound body and a firm mind have been demanded by Noble action. ‘’for the attainment of prosperity and eternal bliss may the soul, your master protect you’’. GAYATRI One single verse stands prominent and significant out of about twenty thousand and odd verses revealed in all the four texts. It is called the ‘’Maha- mantra’’ –the great verse. This maha-mantra has been described as the soul of the Veda where as it has been glorified as Veda mata by the Vedas. ‘’It is known as gayatri’’ because its thoughts provoking chanting protects the chanter from all evils. In the name of ‘’Savita’’ the devotee eulogizes the supreme soul here, known as foremost inspirer. Hence the verse is called as ‘’Savitri’’. Gayatri evokes intellect as the choicest effulgence of the divine creator which is imbibed by us as this is essence of Mahamantra. The true and comprehensive name of the Almighty God is ‘OM’- or ‘pranava’. Each denotes one of His attributes, All other names are mere adjectives of ‘OM’. In brief ‘OM’ means all protecting and all pervading. Bhuh, bhuvah and svah, Being Becoming and bliss are the second

In the sacred cave of their hearts, enlightened men realize the great, Almighty. The whole universe finds a common nest in Him only. At the moment of dissolution, all forms visible merge in Him. During the time of creation they spring forth from Him again. Woven like

part known as Vyahati – this is another way of addressing the great

the warp and woof in all the creatures, He is omnipotent and omniscient. 200

in the verse is the last part.

Almighty. The harmonious combination of stuti, Prathana and Upasana seen

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To divine splendours on which the devotee meditates is the word ‘’Bhargah’’ in the verse.

millions – millions to billions and then to trillions in the next world as

THE GREAT PROTECTOR

VASTNESS AND IMMEASURABILITY

Heart-touching is the spirit of prayer and the chronology. Sincere gratitude to the lord of creation has been offered by the devout aspirant. That he may elevate himself and do good to others with a long life, which should be an Ashirbad on him by the god only. If laggard and inactive, long life is a Burden, for invigorating his breath he should invoke the lord who incessantly blows medicinal balm in to his body.

In all the four text of the Vedas with some alterations, the significant of the purush sukta is established. 16 verses are there in Rig-Veda

The sincere servant that cleans the body selflessly is the breath. The power of hearing & seeing has been strengthened by the fervent prayer. All the sense organs of the body are typified by these two only that maintain harmony between the physical structure of the body and the vast universe. The speech organ is there for him to communicate the feelings which is next in order which is a privilege for man. Wandering mind is the next in order which is to be disciplined. To guard his soul is the ultimate prayer which is within man in whom he dwells an immortal prototype. “’O’ great protector-supreme saviour-protect the out-breath, preserve the vision, strengthen the speech preserve the audition, guard the soul”. SCIENCE OF MATHEMATICS Our ancestors have been inspired to develop the science of mathematics that depends on numerical. Capable of linking to cosmic and ephemeral planes, the Vedic style of expression is cryptic in nature. The coveted milk cows may grow to ten - from ten to hundred from hundred to thousand - from thousand to lakhs – Lakhs to 198

well as the present one.

-22 in Yajurveda, 5 in Sama Veda and 16 in Atharvaveda. In the form of a living creature, the hymn visualizes lord with millions of heads, millions of eyes, millions of feet. His vastness and immeasurability is displayed in the hymn with his heads, eyes and other limbs etc. His greatness and glory have been described verily in the texts. Of the Supreme Being whatever we are acquainted with, is only an insignificant and infinitesimal manifestation. SAMBATSAR The first year is known as sambatsar, the second year as parivatsar the third year as vatsar in a five year cycle. The names of the twelve months of the year are as follows. They are mentioned as MADHU, MADHAVA, Sukra, Sucy, Nabhas, Nabhasys, ISA, Urja, Sahas, Sahastya, Tapas, and Tapasye. Much later the months are named as Vaisakha, Jyestha, etc, which are in vogue. LORD OF PURIFICATION May the lord of the mind, lord of the speech purify me with holeless strainer of the sun’s rays, may the creator purify me. ‘O’ my dear lord of purification – please enable me to achieve the desire of my heart so that I shall purify myself. ‘O’ lord – you are the conquering power. Kindly on me, the conquering power may be bestowed, kindly bestow the vital force on me as you 199

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While keeping himself ever busy with beneficial activities a true devotee craves for dynamic peace. People never enjoy real peace who are cowardice and fainthearted. The bounties of nature are peaceful. “May such place come to me– I pray”. DIVINE VIRTUES Endowed with divine virtues, the mind of an awakened person moves far and high. In the same way mind reaches far and wide when a

A Bird’s Eye View of Vedas

VALOROUS ADVENTURE With valorous adventure the brilliant and daring army chief routs the opponent army. With terrible force. He crushes the enemy clans. He is pitiless and quick to take offence by being victorious in the battle. He ever protects his army being a vanquisher of opponents and a matchless hero. With spirit of the warriors, our flags be held up in the sky – may the speed and din of our winning chariots be kept up with weapons to be raised with joy.

person moves asleep, being the soul enlightener of all the lights in WISDOM AND ACTION

the mind. “Hence I pray – may the mind of mine be always guided by the best of intentions”, which is the speediest of all. The body organs such as eyes and ears behave likewise when governed by the mind just as the horses behave when held in by the reins. This is an upanishadic metaphor. MIND IS AN ORGAN After all, mind is an organ. Under the shadow of the self it plays. It usurps the claims of the self as a player only. The perceptible shift is in the mind through the resolution that has come in the self. That is the mind which resolves on what is good or evil in the common parlance. Due to guidance of the lord alone strength is acquired to allow the mind to resolve on what is good. As if it is a conscious entity mind functions through born of matter. The mind works under the instruction that comes from the self. Three facets of the mind are intelligence, emotion and activity. After learning the self approaches god through three types of process namely intellectual, action – oriented and emotional. Mind is a great complex organ. We are 204

With two divine wings the soul is blessed. They are wisdom and action. Action imparts strength and wisdom bestows light. Provided in the human body there are two distinct sets of organs. They are the two wings of the master soul. One of them is executive and other is sensitive. By the noble deeds backed with knowledge, in the world there is no such difficult work which cannot be accomplished. With the right knowledge and right action, there is no such critical situation which cannot be faced and solved. ‘O’ – soul – you may meet many demoniac forces on the way in your endless journey to liberation. The noble causes may be obstructed and frustrated by negative elements on the way. You can successfully overcome all barriers with your great wisdom and courage. Proceed f or your success realizing your own v alue and determination. To the balanced development of the head, heart and hands, please give due attention always. To eradicate the devilish power that hinders the progress of life, the industrious and intelligent person is able to do the needful. 201

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YOKES ON THE BULLOCKS Having made the furrow and putting yokes on the bullocks sow the seeds in it, binding the traces of ploughs. May the stalks be crowned with the well developed grains and may the ripened harvest come close to our sickle with the sweat of the cultivators. By the grace the bounties of nature, may be furrow be irrigated with sweet water with health promoting winds. You may provide us plenty of juice food. ‘O’ – vigour bestowing furrow, being filled with moisture.

Partial view of

Jajur Veda (III) ATTAINMENT OF SOCIAL AND PERSONAL PEACE. With numerous massive bodies revolving the celestial sphere ever remains peaceful. In this vast creation all that is activated and energetic maintains peace. Man pollutes his surroundings unfortunately and creates turmoil instead of peace by misusing his intellect endowed with. For the attainment of personal and social peace, there should be pursuit of Vedic wisdom. One surrenders to false hood if he has not enjoyed fearlessness. In the Vedic hymns, the peace invoked is not static peace. 202

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Property of others may never be snatched by us unjustly.

To the adorable deity, may we dedicate each and every work in His name.

A Bird’s Eye View of Vedas

unable to know, to do and to feel through this organ only. These three are mentioned as – RK_yajuh and Saman-. LIVE THE LIFE OF AMITY

What has been offered to them may the members of the household respectfully enjoy in full.

For the soul human body is an effective, mysterious and illustrious tool. It can help him to attain the highest bliss.

For the household’O’ god – ‘O’elders – in reverence we bow before you to gain wholesome and continued happiness.

Amidst the bounties of nature, live the life of amity and harmony. Even to those who envy you, show cordiality to them and help the needy wherever possible.

‘O’ supreme householder – supreme authority, please give us your gracious assistance to help others in full. DEVILISH AND DIVINE The law which is law abiding, is victorious, progressive and divine. But the person who is backward is devilish and ruined ultimately. In other words – that which is straightforward is divine and the reverse is demoniacal who is violent, false and crooked. Divine is all that is honest & without pretension. It is against naturality to have an attempt to take food through nostrils which is abnormal. In proper direction and fixed speed the celestial bodies move in the sky. This sort of straightforwardness indicates divinity. Let us pray –”May the benevolent wisdom of wise sages be ours who are straightforward. May the lord bestow happiness and be auspicious on us. For us, may the bounties of nature be the healing elements. Always for our well being may the lord Almighty continue to be our guardian”. THOUGHT AND SPEECH Of the enlightened ones, thoughts reflect in the speech truly. Because they have established the proper link between the mind and the tongue. 208

“O man – both heaven and earth within you. The vast mid space is in you. Hence do good to others”. About the richness of the body aitareya Upanishad speaks. Taking the form of speech, fire enters in to the mouth. Assuming the form of the sense of smell air enters the nostrils. As the sense of sight, the sun enters in to the eyes. By becoming the sense of hearing the directions enter in to the ears. In the form of hairs, the herbs and trees enter into the skin. In the shape of the mind, the moon enters in to the heart. With radiance of the brain and the distinguishable face the top of the human body represents the celestial region. With the brightness of compassion, love and devotion, the middle portion is the symbol of mid space comprising the infinite sky of the heart. The firmness of earth is the lower part that portrays. The man realizes the splendour of his body which he possesses and he also becomes conscious of his duties and destination of life. WISDOM AND VALOUR Where wisdom and valour work in full harmony with each other, one will realize fully the virtuous world with the enlightened obey the rules of eternal earth. 205

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Where there is never any scarcity of food nor will misery in any form man realizes the virtuous world where the ruler and ruled work in full harmony with each other. DESIRE OF THE SOUL Desire of the soul should be strong where strength and wealth are my two arms. Two hands up resent heroism and activity and where the weak should be defended as breast. Overcoming power on evils which should be my companion where sweetness is my tongue. Speech should be my might, self – respect should be sovereignty, finger should be delight, limbs should be sports, mind should be my inspiration.

A Bird’s Eye View of Vedas

A DIVINE BOAT Divine boat has been provided by the providence for us to embark on our journey. Our physical body is the remarkable boat which is well protected. It is leak-proof, flawless, specious, active, bright, full of comforts, well designed and magnificently built. In our body seven seers are working. They are mind intellect and five sense organs. With constant attention, they are even alert & guard the body all the time. For the self seven vital winds function. There are two selfless life bestower namely the incoming and the outgoing breath protecting and sustaining life that never take rest. SUPREME HOUSEHOLDER

Splendour should be my vision, greatness should be my hearing, glory should be my head, fame my face, valour my hair, beard

The unique house has been built and preserved by the adorable Almighty by His cosmic laws – that is the universe – which is His

moustache and mastery constitute my breath.

house. “ ‘O’ supreme householder by your kind grace – may I be also a good house holder. From any negligence may the household

MOBILE TEACHER The teacher instructs where as the orator inspires who is a mobile teacher. ‘O’ – Orator-sublimity be encompassed by your thoughts. May you make your audience free from doubt, being purified by the rays of enlighten. May the dirts from the minds of your listeners be washed away by your creative thoughts like the sunshine which cleanses the wind.

functions and both of us be free & good. Your eternal “eye” is the ‘sun’ may I be permitted to follow the path of the sun”. Countless in numbers, the orderly celestial bodies speak of their unerring household ships. To keep my house disciplined – may I observe the oath – ‘O’ upholder of vows. -

The virtues of love and charity may be obeyed in my house by each one of us.

To meet all his favour & needs in full – as per his full capacities may he work and use his share.

Common property & common goal may be possessed by all the members of the household as per your grace and kindness.

To them may your manners speak aloud. ‘O’ lord of the creation – bless the orator guiding him properly. Kindly make our orators just and honorable so that their words and deeds be in harmony. By the bounties of nature, may the teacher be blessed.

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by the illustrious character of the purohita whose devout voice,

As per the verse, for the harmony between thoughts & speech there is a necessity. To this dictum, may the blessed children of immortal lord listen carefully. For four grades of human speech the text speaks. They are “PARA”,-”PASYANTI”, “Madhyama” and “Vaikhari”.

auspicious chanting and magnanimity of nature are an ideal before the sacrificer. The Purohita moulds the benign manners of the sacrificer and guides him in his action. With self confidence the Vedic priest or Purohita declares as follows. “From all fear and enjoyment. I remain away, valour is my morality. & character is my strength. Weapon is my spiritual wealth. Sharp and sound are my sense organs. The hidden voice of the people is heard by me and I can perceive the future”. A PARTIAL VIEW OF YAJUR VEDA

The two foremost sources of communication of knowledge are the mind & speech. Whatever there is in the mind, man may speak out. Let us listen to the brave people who have attained harmony of thought & speech. LORD OF JUSTICE

PART-IV

In this new life from dishonorable evils, may the lord of justice protect me. For the soul in the present life grant us to realize him so as to

A FULL TERM OF LIFE

recall bliss –”‘O’ illuminating intellect”.

Set up by the bounties of nature, may we look at the bright sun rising in front of us for a thousand autumns.

There are two paths of mortals to follow that have been heard – one that of the elders who perform normal charity. On the common path they usually tread. On austerity and wisdom, the other of the enlightened ones established the higher and the nobler path.

May we engage ourselves in your praises, enjoy with strong body and sound limbs, a full term of life dedicated to God.

unimpaired.

By either of these two, all humanity who exists between the sky and the earth have to go. “’O’ lord of justice” – ‘O’merciful god – I may be permitted to tread ever on the joyous and enlightened path please”.

For a hundred autumns may we speak clearly.

SAFETY TO THE ANIMALS

In a life span of hundred autumns, may we never be indignant

“’O’ god protect our quadrupeds”. May you grant safety to animals & happiness to our progeny. The priest in a fire ritual is known as “Adhvaryu” one who maintains non-violence during the ceremony in letter and spirit.

With sun eyes may we see what is beneficial. -

For a hundred autumns, may the power of hearing remain

even much more than that. -

What is beneficial may we listen with our ears clearly ourselves

In your praises – ‘O’-god-may we engage day and night.

May we live for a hundred autumns 212

Advara is yajna, the supreme non-violent thought & action mentioned in the Vedic texts. In the earliest times animals were not meant for killing or for immolation. 209

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Earth is called the barren goat in cosmology. In the terrestrial realm PASU also means an animal. Air fire and finally the sun were manifested in the cosmic creation. Planets and satellites are named as PASU.

May this fire be the friend of the virtuous householders and bestow on us power and energy.

A particle of rice is called Asva – aja is old paddy, mansa is fruit juice. Denoting heavenly bodies horse (Asva), cow (gau) and goat (aja), sheep (avi) belong to mid space. Pasu yajna is not animal sacrifice. With earthly animals such symbolic terms are not to be confused. DEVOTION IN BENEVOLENT DEEDS In benevolent deeds – be engaged with devotion always. Keep the sacrifice ever alert ‘O’ soul – and be watchful. For the justice of the lord – always be grateful. Control your senses and body organs with a mind filled with determination. Your vital breath should be regulated. ‘O’ sovereign body – abide by law of the divine.

May this fire be the donor of the lasting riches and lone invigorator of our duties. NATURE OF CULTURE Without any need for modification, the nature of culture remained the same in millenniums of years. Finer and newer objects have been discovered by science & technology on the other hand. To the present civilization this gives newer dimension. Whereas material objects diminish in quantity when used, but cultural elements like truth compassion, love are enhanced with use. Having sown the seed of culture in human heart, you are the true friend and guide of man – ‘O’ lord”. Civilization is an indicator of physical advancement where as culture is the index of development of man’s inner qualities. Culture is what we are where as civilization is what we use.

That may last long. May the lord settle in your kingdom. At a time face successfully a thousand opponents. To enjoy eternal bliss, may you ultimately reach the sorrow-less world. For illuminating the highest realm with bright splendour may you carry the fire of sacrifice to the bounties of nature.

Mercy, devotion, self-restraint, love and other noble qualities are pointed out by culture only, the social condition of transport, apparel, education, communication etc. are denoted by civilization. In course of times, civilization changes the nature of culture which does not need any change.

With fresh vigour – may you move gloriously and spin out the traditional thread of off springs with wisdom.

“His never-exhausting wealth nourishment like water, sun, rays, wind, land, etc. has been bestowed by the Almighty to the mankind. Elements of culture have been inserted by the great god into the hearts of men. This is the first and excellent culture. Hence He is the first friendly, adorable and venerable”.

MASTER OF THE HOUSE Master of the house is the sacred fire. He is the source of all prosperity and the respectable guest.

THE PUROHITA Full to the brim with clarified butter carryout oblations and magnify our benefits. May the sacrificial fire be fully contented. In all directions, may the divine fragrance spread over.

By the unblemished character and ideal manners of the Purohita,

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With the help of the parents the child grows beautifully and meaningfully. To raise the household to heavenly abode be a swift horse and be a racer. TONE OF THE VEDAS With balanced diet strengthen the organs of the body with exercise and good habits. Sleep is to be regulated. Keep them strong as rock and be free of diseases. The prevailing tone of Vedas is self dependence. The Yajur Veda furnishes sermons in this way. With devotion “O” man – may you yourself perform the work entrusted to you and you may enjoy yourself. By anyone other than you your grandeur cannot be achieved. To seek the strength of your soul equips yourself with sound body and resolute mind. Let your two eyes, two nostrils, two ears, two arms, head, chest, stomach, two feet, mouth and sex organs beautifully develop and grow. If someone else worships and meditates on your behalf never think soundly that you will be benefitted. How Krishna’s body shall be sound and nourished if Rama eats good food? For his sustenance it is only the idle that depends on. By some body’s intelligence – you cannot be wise. Work hard and gain sweet joy and jubilation. If someone works for you, you cannot acquire sweet joy. You alone will serve yourself and you are your real friend and also you are your own foe of your own destiny. You are the maker of your own destiny. With the support of someone else you cannot be strong They are all dear to Almighty who do not depend upon others. YOU ARE THE MYSTERIOUS GIVER With many virtues you have been blessed with ‘o’ woman-by the creator. 216

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SPECIAL CREATURES OF MYSTERIOUS SHAPE Regarding Deva – there are wrong notions – in the Vedic texts- – it is often mentioned. Moving about in the sky Devas are often described as special creatures of mysterious shape, form and colour. To propitiate them, man sometimes performs rituals and offer prayers. For their worship it is believed that the Vedic hymns provide certain rules and regulations. To attain superiority – it is also said – there is competition and rivalry among the Devas. The true meaning of Vedic terms is not understood by the common man and it is for this reason incoherent and poor interpretations are coming out by illiterate people as a result people do not understand the qualitative word Deva. Deva is all splendours and imparts splendour to everybody who gives and never expects to take anything in exchange. The sun, the moon, the water, the wind, the earth all come within this category of Deva as they only provide life force to living creatures. Likewise teachers, father and mother belong to this category also. Indeed a qualitative word is deva purely. The aforesaid Devas derive power from the creator god who alone is to be worshipped. God and Deva are not synonymous. The Aryas we came with first manu from swarga to this earth are called Devas as their mother tongue is Deva Bhasa which is Sanskrit. They have addressed each other as Deva only. ADORABLE GOD Satya is God which is adorable. Upholder of vows has determined to observe a vow. “O” God – with success may I be able to accomplish it. Let me embrace truth by renouncing falsehood. Stage by stage vrata leads to satya which leads to higher and higher truths once attained. On an endless journey with austerity pursuance 213

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of truth continues. Throughout the cycles of life this process goes on and on.

wealth gifted. It amounts to stealing, if you enjoy the fruit of the

The knowledge of truth comes through faith only and by efficacy he gains faith. Efficacy is gained by consecration which leads to vow only.

individual only.

SPIRIT OF SACRIFICE

gloriously ahead, he has to forsake the path in every step as the

To the offerers of oblation and performers of sacrifice there should be reverence as per the instruction of Yajur Veda. For charity and material help a hermit or a student has no scope. By the householder and his wife their sustenance is looked after. The fire of sacrifice from the sacred altar of marriage has been carried by the wedded couple in their hearts. The couples are selfless performers of their new home as it becomes the centre of all benevolent activities. With the spirit of sacrifice – may both of you unite. For the welfare of others, be of the single object of offering yourself – or be pleasing to each other.

labour of others. The world belongs to all – and is not meant for an

Considering the same to be his own, One suffers when he craves and tries to possess all the wealth of the world. If he wants to move path is not his permanent dwelling place. Hence gracefully enjoy and then renounce for others. In this universe all what-so-over exists is pervaded by God the supreme. Do not be greedy-enjoy it. You should know it will have to be renounced one day-fully well by you. Do enjoy but do not stick to the enjoyment. LARGEST ORGANISATION On earth household is the largest organization. In this household all types of people take birth. In other words household is a laboratory. Here finer qualities of man like love, kindness, affection and devotion

May non violate the sacrifice – nor injure the sacrificer.

are learnt and applied. Therefore there is good significance for

May both of you be of one thought – be propitious for us and free from sin.

domestic science.

Towards us may both of you be of one mind.

by the celestial bodies may all follow the righteous and honest path.

With the abundance of food and vigour be pleasing to each other by residing together.

NON-ADDICTION TO PLEASURE

Let the householder be protected by the bounties of nature. Adopted May the house be ever pious and delighted with blessings all round. “O” child – through your mother, you are majestic – and mighty through your father. Mother is fully dedicated to your welfare ever since you come from the mother’s womb. Your body and mind have

To get abstained from enjoyment does not mean sacrifice. Nonaddiction to pleasure it signifies. With limitation take delight in the beauty and pleasure of the world. When you will have to sacrifice everything, Enjoy with the mental conviction that a day will positively

been shaped by the food she takes and the thought she possesses. Remember in life the more austere she is, the more virtuous you become. You achieve manners and courage with the education and protection given by your father.

come. Gifted by the lord, enjoy with the knowledge that you use the 214

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behaviour of the snake. Be simple, kind and ever joyous. Before

O woman you give joy to all like moon. At the critical moments of

injuring others, the cruel person injures his own heart.

the family you console everybody with a smiling face. As the bright

SOURSE OF INSPIRATION To the householders of the land you are the source of inspiration. ‘O’ ruler- in purity you are swan seated. In the mid space you are wind seated. On the sacrificial altar let the priest be seated along with the guest in each house. You are the ruler of the land, water, sky etc. as you are the truth and executer of eternal law, may you be seated in the hearts of all the people of the world. Being the preacher of divine speech. You are the promoter of vegetation and dispenser of justice. To discharge your duties may you be crowned “O” –ruler. TEMPATION AND TREACHERY Between the soul and the body look at the business. To the body the soul imparts desire and inspiration and puts life in to it. For the soul the body provides activities and efficiency. Soul is invalid where as body is blind. Really heart touching is the co-operation of these two. The blind cannot see where as the invalid cannot work. The invalid sits on the shoulder of blind during the journey and shows the way. The blind keeps walking, thus, becomes easy and fruitful the journey they have. Each buyer and seller should alter his share and sacrifice to some extent according to ability It never remains permanent any business done by treachery and temptation. On faith mutual exchange and credibility the success of business is verily founded. Noble Ahuti or Svaha comes from honest dealing leads to happiness. Let everyone hold each other times of need and happiness. 220

lamps do, you illuminate the house as you are the Jyoti. By giving birth to sons and daughters, you maintain the tradition of the family as you are Aditi. With intellectual acumen you give excellent advice timely as you are sarasvati. Of the knowledge of creation you are the mysterious giver. By bestowing glorious children you become famous as you are “vismrti”. Even if you commit grave mistakes by virtue of your feminine power you are saved on as you are “AGHNYA”. You are the builder-saver, sustainer of the human race in the creation of the supreme Almighty. When such a woman is dishonored, nations and families are destroyed. For the good of others you sacrifice your own comfort as you are “Havya”. You are kamya as man craves your appearance and company. You are sweet and tender. SOUL OF SACRIFICE Soul of sacrifice is svaha. In each oblation, this is the last and essential part of the incantation. Self sacrifice is svaha. At the cost of one’s comforts, if one does good to others – it is known as svaha. Oblation of all bounties of nature offering life energy to living beings when the sacrificer takes the view of the sky with Ahuti” To serve all creatures, the sun burns itself. Offerings for living beings, light from the sky, food from the earth are the gifts of oblation. Due to sacrifice and generosity of nature, the universe exists. With joy the heart of a devout sacrificer throbs. The monsoon showers “Ahuti” in the form of rains almost everywhere collecting the vapour of the ocean. For the welfare humanity, likewise, 217

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one should spread out and utilize his physical and mental strength.

forward by remembering the resplendent heaven that protects you.

The divine rains of peace should be showered on the parched heart

Inspired by the blessings of the illumined sphere travel with joy and

of the earth. The spirit of Ahuti is surrendered for the welfare of others as ambrosia by sun, moon, wind and cloud regularly.

jubilation thinking that the entire earth is your house, with the feeling

SORROW LESS WORLD

Like the sky expand your soul. Like the fathomless ocean may your

Sorrow less world is the world of bright and light. In order to attain

life of dedication be deep. Enemies may obstruct your path and you

perfection and prosperity, Man should move like a shift horse. To

may be tempted by allurement. Be cool and solid always when you

reach the goal and to be noble one has the privilege to aspire. A

face such attractions of pleasure. Any enjoyment you consider as

slow mover generally is deprived of fortune. In efforts and in work,

illness. Sacred duties of the world citizens are to be done by you.

one should be engaged auspiciously every moment. From the very

This should be your feelings always. In the heart of everyone

place you stand on the earth and dig out the fire. While digging fire

between play of passion and self control, a ceaseless conflict ever

from her breast. You may be favoured by the mother earth with the

goes on.

fire of wisdom and strength in the shape of perseverance and

By strong determination only you can overcome all obstacles and

firmness.

this well help you to crown you with victory.

Her glory may be perpetuated. Facing the dazzling sun in the sky

PATH OF RIGHTEOUSNESS

may the fortune fly aloft with the illustrious flag of earth. May we be inspired by the sun and the earth. In surveillance of the mighty sun sovereign of men may dig up the brilliant fire from the lap of the earth shining with imperishable lustre which is the quick dispeller of darkness. For fortune may we utilize our mysterious body and rise up to heaven. With spiritual fire in our heart may we proceed to the sorrowless world that admits no misery and sorrow.

that all the living beings are your dear and near and kith and kin.

May your path of righteousness be sanctified by streams of purified butter. On the path of piety and simplicity may you move towards your destination. The symbol of dishonesty and crookedness is the snake. Man becomes evil minded if he follows the snake. The symbol of cruelty is the tiger. To cause sufferings to others is his nature. By that he is happy. In human society, the people who follow tiger and snake spread

THE HUMAN VALUES

cruelty and violence. Non-violence and simplicity are nectar. Only

To protect the human values, the fortunate men travel across the

for enjoyment, the body other than that of a man is born. For sacrifice

world in order to ugrade the downtrodden and help the poor. With a

it is unsuitable. To vices and lust the children of passionate parents

view to relieve the burden of the suffering of mankind, without any

become addicted. W hen the sensuous desire of passion is

hindrance may your long journey be fruitful. Fearlessly proceed

unfulfilled, anger grows. The nature of the tiger is born from the

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EARTH IS OUR MOTHER We are the sons of the mother earth. But the interpretation of the verse is different. All cannot be considered as the sons of the earth that take birth on the earth. Those are true sons of the soil who have love for humanity and act for the mankind and those who uphold the honour and the ideal of the mankind. For the welfare of all on the surface of the earth we must work always. ADITI is another name of earth. The meaning of ADITI is “not poor or helpless”. But our mother earth cannot be considered poor or helpless as she gives birth to heroic souls always. To noble paths through friendship love and benevolence they guide the treacherous and cunning people. They are the true sons of the

Transient view of

mother land. The great enemies of the earth are “Asuras” who tread on the path of the selfish interest.

Atharva Veda (I)

Earth is indivisible hence it is Aditi. But people divide it-sub divide it again and again as per their selfish interest by fighting among themselves. To fulfil the aspirations of the cultural and linguistic groups for the sake of national objects there is nothing wrong in

BEYOND OUR COMPREHENSION The enlightened soul realizes the Lord as the one and only one acceptable. Neither second nor third not even the fourth is He said to be. He oversees all. God is the creator and is the original alone of this Universe. He is not assisted is his supremacy by anyone, second or third or fourth. Leading to liberation the purpose of creation is the betterment of souls. To build the universe the creator shapes the primordial matter which is His multi dimensional canvas. Beyond our comprehension is His art. Protected by undecaying eternal devices it is sustained by infinite principles. 224

demarcating the land. Out of ego if conflict arises with greed and violence, then it hinders the progress of the land. Thus, the mother earth is defamed. LACK OF FAITH Root cause of miserable status is the lack of faith in oneself. The rays of hundreds of suns are less powerful than the light of confidence and true knowledge. By the splendour let the soul be illumined and take bath in the water of love. Let the soul intellect and invisible mind be aroused. The visible ones are always shaped and influenced by the invisible. With the effulgence of the self always let it be manifested. Let the innate splendour be regained. You do 221

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not fall a prey to sinful thoughts and action if you feel the presence of Almighty God everywhere.

the second virtue. The soul power will be purified by the pure food having clean thoughts. One should be a courageous fighter of inner and outer evils-is the third one. One should be cheerful, enthusiastic, dynamic and sportive always.

An elevated position has been reserved for you to get up the downtrodden. With pure and clean water purify your body. By the force of truth, strengthen and purify your distressed body with austerity. Let your soul be invigorated. ASPIRATION OF THE PEOPLE May we be ever vigilant and watchful in the State. This should be the aspiration of the people of a nation, May we remain firm and unyielding. May the Rastra never fall. Rich in learning and illustrious for sacred knowledge may such persons be born to our nation – ‘O’ supreme lord. Skilled in welfare states men capable of ruling the people may there be born. Men of defence heroic and skilled archers may there be born as brave men. Oxen good at carrying and cows good at yielding abundant milk may there be born. May there be born virtuous women and valorous men. Marching gloriously in the forefront, impressive in assemblies may our sons and daughters be ever victorious. May we have timely rains. Let other power of acquisition and preservation be always remain at our security with us. SUCCESSFUL HOUSEHOLDER ‘O’ householder-seek always to know your potentiality and utilize the same to build an ideal and good home with an illustrious society. The assertion of the successful householder lies here in full. First of all, a householder should have self confidence which will bring laurels for him. It will bring defeat in case of less confidence and loss of belief. A sound body is really fragile if he cannot attain soul power. The beneficial intake in to the body through the mouth, eyes and ears is 222

He should be an excellent performer of his duties – at length. Standing apart with rare distinction such a person is a triumphant householder. FRUITS OF KNOWLEDGE-WORLDLY AND SPIRITUAL There is a difference between spiritual knowledge and worldly knowledge. Those who pursue only spiritual knowledge will sink into darkness of gloom in comparison of the people who follow only worldly knowledge but the people who pursue both overcome death by worldly knowledge and gain immortality through the spiritual path. WHO IS AN IDEAL RULER Of an ideal ruler - there should be minimum seven characteristics. One - owner of soul power, two -highly intellectual, three - protector of destitute, four - liberal in charity, five - radiant among people, six - provider of comforts, seven - son of endurance. A good and worthy ruler should not be coward, foolish, miserly, selfish, unkind, intolerant and lustreless. He should get up from bed before sunrise and keeps himself ready to review the condition of the subjects. He should regulate his life style in such a manner so that he will be the ideal of the land. Between heaven and earth he should shine like the sun and the moon. He should be bestower of happiness to all his people. He should be the fulfiller of aspirations of all kinds of people in his country and the land. 223

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By whom the inbreath and out breath have been woven with the diffused breath? Within man who is the deity that has set the equalizer breath?

From the earliest stage of civilization to this day man has been striving hard to know about the working of this great divine Architect.

WONDERFUL CREATION Within this man which was the sole deity that reposed the sacrifice? Within him who placed the untruth and truth? Where from both the death and immortality come? Who put the earth in order? Who has set the sky so higher up? By whom the mid space above and spreading crosswise has been put? Who has spread the waters around? How he made the day so shining? How the dawn is enkindled? How the advent of the evening has been granted? PROCLAIMED ETERNAL To be eternal, they proclaim Him. Again and again He may become new every day. Day and night are reproduced each one from the two forms which the other wears. It takes out the full from the full. The full is impregnated with the full. Where from that gets impregnated May we know today. IN FIRE RITUAL WOMEN SHALL PARTICIPATE Of the household the fire ritual forms a daily duty which is a symbolic dedication. Right from the marriage altar the wedded couple carry a portion of the sacrificial fire. They solemnly promise to launch that represents the new household. They together kindle the sacred fire which they consider as extra ordinary guest of the household with reverence each morning wife and husband hence forth.

EARTH IS THE COW The earth is described as the cow by the Brahmans who are great intellectuals with disciplined behaviour. It is supported by righteousness. By penance and by toil it is created. Enveloped with glory it is covered by truth and enclosed with fortune. Standing firm in the offering and glorious in life cycle it is set up by strength surrendered by faith and guarded by consecration. This is as per the chapter XII hymn 5. The ruler is condemned by the last two verses of the hymn scathing the enlightened people of the land there by the happiness, heroism, and good fortunes are lost. FRAME OF CREATION In Vedic terminology the frame of creation is “Skambha”. As the main pillar of creation it is regarded also. An enquiry into the nature of Brahma is nothing but an enquire about “Skambha”. Two verses of chapter X and hymn 7 may be referred to in this connection. There is penance (tapah) within Skambha the support of the universe. As the resplendent lord, it is manifested in complete shape. That have sprung from the nonexistent great are those bounties of nature. As per the wise men, that non-existent is just a part of Skambha which is Skambha Brahma. NO MALICE AGAINST ANYBODY

In the marriage ceremony the father of the bride declares with delight – my daughters are pious, pure and conversant with ceremonial rites. With deep devotion they chant the sacred hymns. In the hands

Let them be pregnant with noble thoughts by becoming accordant to each other in intents and performances. Against another brother, let no brother should cherish malice.

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May you be firmly knit in your family blessed by the elders and without hatred against each other. Do not fall apart from lovable and sweet life.

empress there is no leisure even for a moment. The house is an ashram, the place of diligent duties. For pleasant time pass no time is available in the Ashram.

Desired by the father, may the son shape according to the pattern by being of one mind with the mother? As honey may be the wife talk to her husband in words by bringing peace to the house hold?

In this empire ‘O’ – bride – your subjects need different types of service. In the past some of them were house hold emperors and empresses. In future some may achieve the position. Impartially serve all of them with the spirit of humility sweetness and ownness. Of the birds and animals domesticated you are also the service provider – which you remember. To your love and affection they look forward eagerly.

SUPREME SELF IS OMNIPRESENT Within everything the god exists. Beyond Him, there is nothing. God is so close that one does not see Him. His art never decays nor dies. The tiny little self, the soul, gets warmth from the supreme self. To get over the shivering cold, it basks in the divine sunshine. That the soul cannot go beyond god as He is very close. It is within Him but sees Him not. As is the verse – ‘O’ man’- visualize the art of the Lord with humility so that you would approach the Artist. Through His art artist can be seen only and a sculptor through creative activity. The divine Artist is the god and through His art only one can meet Him. Leave the artificial house you have built and see stars in the blue sky. Then admire the marvellous creation of the creator. In the craddle of snow-clad mountains through which the divine Artist sings listen to the music of the flowing streams. Look at the petal and the flower and the tiny little filaments. The everlasting glory of the divine Artist will be admired by you surely. The divine art continues untarnished and it is immortal. It is eternally new and never dies. BE A COMPANION You have not come to the house of your husband as a guest ‘O’ newly wedded bride. A unique empire is the house itself and of that house you are the empress. To the husband you are a companion, be a wife, an adviser and manage the house smoothly. For the 226

The watchword of your administration may love be ‘O’ bride – render service to the elders and affection for juniors. Co-operate with your husband and extend compassion for birds and animals. Be duty conscious to your mother – land and for the world harbour beneficial thoughts. Towards the guest your oneness is to be acknowledged. To the supreme god make complete surrender. May these be your duties as an empress. THE MALTIPARAMETER CREATION Into the principles governing the multiparameter creation the seers and scientist proceed with their enquiry – That is why the creation is purposeful and orderly functioning in a fixed order. There are organs both exterior and interior in the complex we call man. Through His divine thread of unified law the Lord weaves the entire creation. By this great principle the whole of the universe is sustained and protected by the unflogging device of protection. The creation is balanced by the lord only by holding it in equilibrium. Seven orifices who pierced in the head are two eyes, two ears, two nostrils, and the mouth? The quadrupeds and the bipeds move on the path of the victory in whose multiple grandeur? 227

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UNIVERSAL CART The universal cart is drawn by time is known as the fast horse. Tied with the quick steed, the seven lands the seven breaths all the seven spheres the seven learning revolve round. The mightiest horse is running ever young with no beginning point is unbiased and valorous. Fastened to this massive creature and deadly frightened of him, Countless are the suns, the earths and the mortals. The wise win over time and the ignorant are won over by him. Expert riders have successfully reached their destinations mounting on him. Their presence in our mind exhilarates us although physically absent. As beacon guiding the journey of our lives they shine. The radiant time is born mighty. Of the just He is the slayer of the wicked and upholder. He alone pervades them thoroughly sustaining all the beings. There is no other power superior to Him surely. He is called “KALA” the primal deity face to face with all the beings. Sages with keen vision mount on time. But all the living beings are at its wheels. Time draws the cosmic chariot having seven reigned horse with thousand eyes unaging and prolific.

A Bird’s Eye View of Vedas

of the pious learned men I place them safely. My oblation may be accepted by the resplendent god. In all corners with no bias and distinction the fragrant materials offered to the sacred fire are magnified in quantity and quality to be spread out. Each day the mistress of the house hold leads the rite. With the auspicious rite her daily routine begins which inspires her duties, of the day. As a sacrificial fire the Vedic texts extol women that give birth to virtuous progeny. NOURISHMENT AND RICHES The earth, the mid space, the space all are milch cows. Earth can be termed as milch cow. The fire divine is her calf. As food may she yield milk to me with the fire divine as her calf for the fulfillment of my desires long life and riches with nourishment and offspring. The mid space is a milch cow with wind her calf. May she yield milk to me as food vigour and for fulfillment of my desire long life, off springs nourishment and riches. The space is also a milch cow with sun as her calf. May she yield milk as food and other necessary things as mentioned above. MAN AS DVIJA Among all beings for man the Vedas prescribe two births. The first from the mother and the second and more significant from the mother of learning. To behave and to live in a certain way without reasoning and training man is born as a being of instruction where as the other beings live on mere instinct which is their natural tendency. The second birth entitles man to be twice born. Through learning to earn the highest prize of liberation he gains capacity. Tacking the freshly admitted student in his charge the spiritual teacher makes him an embryo within three nights he bears him in his belly. To see him born all the divine entities gather unto him.

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By the teacher in his belly for three nights the new entrant called

arrogance even the wicked and arrogant opposes a righteous cause. For him he foresees a good fortune.

Brahmachari is delightedly borne. In the verse these three nights revealed to the three fold ignorance of the student that encircle him. The three fold knowledge imparted to him are:- of god with nature and of soul with nature and of god to soul. ELEGANT PRAYERS All round and whole protection on me may be bestowed. -

On me may you bestow vision

On me may you bestow audibility?

On me may you bestow longevity?

On me may you bestow strength?

On me may you bestow endurance

On me may you bestow Endeavour

SAFETY AND SECURITY From friends and from the unfriendly people safety and security be

The creator Lord is in constant touch and surveillance of your thoughts being seated in the precinct of your heart. On the right He responds to the prayers whose minds are bent. Of virtuous persons He is the guardian. He destroys evil through his supreme valour apparent and latent. He delightfully accepts his homage guarding the sincere seeker of truth in his pursuit. In the interest of the rightful devotee, He destroys the exploiter and humiliates the former’s stronghold. SALUTATION TO PRAN A “jiva” breathes out, breathes within the womb. Then he is born again. Salutation to breathe the pran who has been the Lord of all in whom all stand firm and in whose control the universe remains safer. The herbs you have made for us all fragrant, verily you have extended our life span being fed with rain that breathes into voice.

ours.

SOME ANIMALS POSSESS INHERITED KNOWLEDGE

Fearlessness and security may be granted to us by the mid-space.

For the treatment of various diseases some animals possess inherited knowledge. To get rid of sufferings they approach trees and plants. For sustenance of their lives the animals living on grass type products never eat flesh.

From both heaven and earth may the security be ours. From the back may the security be ours. From the front from the height and from below security be ours. By night and day security and safety be ours. Be all the quarters and regions friendly to us. SUCCESS FOR VICTORY Each claiming that he is right, when two rivals confront for success. Denouncing his opponent as dishonest thoroughly and deceptive each of them he justifies his stand as reasonable. With the hope that god is in their favour both the groups pray for victory. Out of 230

The plant is known by the boar. The medicinal herbs are known by mangoose. Those who call upon to save the man, the herb which the serpents and the sustainer of the earth know. The divine herbs that sparrows know, the herbs that are known to the birds and the swans and to all the winged ones, the herbs with sapful limbs that eagles know and the medicinal plants that are known to the deer these are all to save the mankind. 231

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The five ingredients of the holy fig tree mounted on Sami tree are as follows. They are root, bark, leaf, flower and fruit. When these five ingredients are powdered and administered with milk to a woman, this strengthens retention of a male child in her womb. With sublime thoughts the pregnant woman shall live disciplined life. To enrich the semen of the husband Vrsamedha Asva, Rsabha are generally used in those days. For erecting the penis ‘O’ medicinal herb we dig you that helps for the purpose. The potency of the medicinal plant “VUSA” may you put in the man which has the strength of the bulls and the virility of men. Chapter VI and hymn 2 prescribes this. CHARMING APPEARANCE Invoked from the earliest times, may heaven and earth be for our happiness. With charming appearance may the mid space be for our happiness. The herbs and forests may be for our happiness

Transient view of

always. May the Victorious God of the distant regions be favourable to our felicity. For us may the wind blow in happiness? For our happiness may the

Atharva Veda (II)

sun warm up? To us may the days be full of happiness and may the night bring happiness for us. With happiness for us may the dawn brighten up? JANGIDA What is known as remover of splitting pain in shoulders the seers have given Jangida uttering the name of the resplendent Lord out of which the enlightened ones have prepared a medicinal remedy from the very beginning?

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ARMOUR IN THE FORM OF DIVINITY Assuming bodily form and shining in the sky what armour those bounties of nature put on their bodies. May that protect us from all sides what the resplendent self makes armour for ourself. Heaven and earth may be my armour – the day may be my armour – the sun may be my armour. All bounties of nature may be my armour. May any calamity never reach me.

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In the mid space whatever He who is the Lord of the universe and the Lord of the creatures breathing has been made an armour for

Having killed the germs we overpower the flesh – eating worms who are foremost among the glittering ones born from the ocean.

all His creatures.

THE ALL BEARING

May all these be my ample defence.

Let that earth whose master is the resplendent Lord assign us wealth bearing the universal fire, firm standing gold embedded reposer of moving things. Let that earth set us in first drinking on whom the ocean, the rivers, the lakes appear all that breath and the things that stir with food grains came into being.

EARTH THE MOTHER Earth as our benefactress has been described in the Atharv Veda covering the first hymn in chapterXII with sixty three verses. From the dawn of creation man has his social and cultural roots grounded on the earth from his very birth, with which he associates himself. To the mountains and the lakes he gives glory and honour. And to

The earth is the mother and Jivas are her sons and daughters. The cloud is the father that drenches the earth with rain.

the rivers and forests amongst which he has grown up in life.

STREAMS OF WEALTH

Originally occurring in the Vedas the concept of earth the mother

“Overflowing with milk as the cow calls to her calf let the earth tranquil, fragrant, pleasant with sweet drink in her udder and rich in milk call unto us”.

later reminded man of sentimental feeling towards the mother land. As per the verse – ‘O’ mother earth – in concord with heaven do you kindly set me down and well established – ‘O’ sage do you set me in fortune and prosperity. Determination devotedness great truth formidable righteousness are the virtues of the people who sustain the earth to be great and willingness to sacrifice one’s individual interest for social good and happiness. GLITTERING ONES

‘O’ mother earth. In concord with the divine bliss do kindly set me down well established. Do show the path of prosperity –‘O’ preceptor. Yield me a thousand streams of wealth as the cow yielding milk stands steady and unresisting while milching. “In concord with the divine bliss – ‘O’ mother earth, do kindly set me down well established – ‘O’ preceptor do show the path of prosperity.

banish the perpetual bewailers. For us the pearl shell is all healing

As the cow yielding milk stands steady and unresisting while milching yield me a thousand streams of wealth bearing people of divergent speech and diverse customs according to their localities.

panacea. From evil may the pearl protect us.

HOLY FIG TREE

As the sun is born from the covering cloud the pearl jewel is born

In begetting a son Asvattha helps when administered to a woman and thus male child birth is assured. Holy fig tree is known as Asvattha.

With pearl shell we banish disease as well as ignorance also we

from the ocean. From the weapons of the enlightened ones and of the evil ones may that glittering jewel protect us from all sides.

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With the power of divine supreme desirable deed has been

The crushing pain of Lumbagos the bursting pain of arthritis and

performed. With that favour may the bounties of nature protect

the consumptive cough with the disease of the ribs known as pleurisy

me here from which treasure the sacred knowledge of Vedas

may be made powerless by Jangida by curing fever affecting every autumn.

has been lifted up. DEVOTIONAL SYMPATHY With devotional sympathy a trained physician is supposed to utter these words for the treatment of the patient as follows. “Like thunder

May the Jangida protect me all through from sky, from the earth, from the mid space and from each and every quarter. Me from the present and me from the future also.

of the cloud powerful is my voice. I drive it away from you with

SIX VIRTUES

formidable words. That power of his with me as it has been seized

Six virtues of the people that keep up and sustain the earth have

by me. In the entire hymn V.15. Containing eleven verses that are associated

been enumerated by the hymn 1 and Chapter XII. They are great truth, devotion, hard labour or persev erance irresistible,

with the treatment of snake poison. In three verses peculiar names

righteousness determination and sacrifice.

of the snakes have been given. All the snakes are not venomous.

The citizens of any country are inspired by these virtues. For the

Panic of possible danger makes the injured sick with devotional

sustenance of the country truthfulness in thought speech and action

sympathy for the treatment of the patient a trained physician is supposed to utter these words.

of citizen is the bed rock. In abiding by the law of the land their correct conduct keeps the country safe from falling. To follow the

In the hymn unidentified antidote of snake poison called TABUVA

prescribed rules, this becomes possible when the inhabitants are resolute in their normal duties.

and TASTUVA find place. MASTER OF SPEECH An adept in both the physical and spiritual sciences the word Atharv is the name of a great yogin. With a fervent prayer of the student to the master of speech the Atharv text opens which inculcates in him the mysterious ingredients that form the creation. Over the successful deliberation of knowledge between the two in which the

When its occupants possess a strong will and work very hard a country becomes strong keeping in view the prosperity of the land as a whole. For the progress of the country self confidence and control of senses of the ruler and the ruled are the prime requirements. TWO DOGS GUARDING THE PATH

blessings upon the preceptor and the student the concluding verse

That a dying man shall soon meet his death if nearby the dogs bark. This is the speculative idea commonly prevalent. It is an

shows satisfaction. ‘O’ preceptor and student. Your work deserves

aberration of a beautiful thought of a Vedic verse although the notion

wonder and praise. Rule the earth mid space and heaven.”

is without logic.

supreme Lord and the bounties of nature had bestowed their

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Sent-out by the controller Yama two dogs guarding the path, not seize you. To the further side stay not here with your inclined mind. Do not be ill tempted towards the dogs which may be black or bridled.

To the world of light devotion is the dependable carrier where

The two dogs day and night are metaphorically described. They do not see each other out of envy.

Farther into the psychic and spiritual planes the act of uninterrupted

In Vedic texts Yama refers to the eternal time whose day and night are standard components caused by the rotation of earth and these two are said to be faithful messengers of Yama. To benevolent person they are obedient like dogs but they bark and bite the wicked ones.

gains a pure mind that enables him to feel all beings in the self itself

Alike in course of time all the virtuous and the vicious on earth breathe their last. The honest accomplish good deeds. A malignant one causes grief in the hearts of the people. Dragged by time, they leave their physical abode at the end.

with the joyous company of resplendent Lord. When he reaches

For the welfare of the people the wise use to utilize their time purposefully.

By some scholars it is the plant identified as “auchyranthes aspera

RAJANI

devoted with the cures rendered by it.

Cure of leprosy by a plant called “Rajani” is indicated in the hymns 23 &24 of chapter I. this is to be pulled out from earth.

Chronic diseases are sweeped away by Apamarga. Stingy and

‘O’ herb – you are night born – dusky cloudy and black in hue – ‘O’ Rajani.

this herb.

Your place of repose is darkness; your dwelling space is dark. You make the skin uniform. You make every spot disappear.

away germs of diseases, unpleasant dreams and unwholesome

Due to your touch man becomes natural in appearance.

THE BOON GIVING MOTHER

FROM THE BACK OF TRUTH

Veda is the boon giving mother, “This is praised by all alike including

“To the mid space I have ascended from the back of truth. I have ascended to heaven from the mid space. I have reached the world of light from the top of heaven the sorrow less world”. 238

sacrifice performed with humility. Who so ever has succeeded to reach the goal has used the instrument of dedication.

deep meditation moves the austere devotee as per the verse. He and the self in all beings bereft of evil desires. When all the knots of the heart disappear he wipes off delusion and sorrow. To the mid space this is the ascent from the earth. Where in the supreme self dwells, he visualizes his real nature then. He enjoys heavenly bliss the world of light a spiritual dawn engulfs the cavity of his heart. APAMARGA That which cleanses and wipes out is the word Apamarga means. “. To the herb “Apamarga” hymn 17-19, chapter IV of Atharv Veda is

malignant witchcraft, black magic terrors are all sweeped away by

As the queen of healing remedies this herb is glorified by driving living. It is the sovereign of all plants and an army of archers.

me. May she go to the world of divine supreme bestowing on me long life, progeny, cattle, glory, vital, breath, intellectual lustre and material prosperity”. 239

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You will not die fear not. To reach old age I make you able. I have drawn out all the wastes of your limbs with my utterings.

DISTRESSING WORMS AND DIFFERENT FORM OF FEVER

SURPASS YOUR EQUALS

worms and different forms of fever in an unique way.

After attaining superiority surpass your equals ‘O’ ruler. Of the missile you are the weapon. You are the bolt of the thunderbolt.

We hereby wipe out the worm that one moves with his two eyes

‘O’ ruler you are the prime mover and dynamic. To the evil you are the counter point.

various shapes and forms the succeeding verse speaks of worms

‘O’ ruler you are blazing and bright. You are light and illumination.

In chapter V and hymn 22 and 23, there is a description of distressing

and one nose and the one that goes to the midst of his teeth. Having there are various types of worms like “YAVASA”, “EJATKA”, “KASKASA” etc where investigation is required.

You pollute the polluter – ‘O’ ruler come up and rise to the occasion.

All types of fever are enlisted below.

Do your best for the humanity and for the country.

1. Constant, 2.Autumnal, 3.tertian, 4.intermittent, 5.incold, 6.cold winter, 7.pertaining to skin eruption 8.Summer 9.during the rains. BODY AS A PURPOSEFUL WONDER Constitution of human body as a purposeful wonder has been described in the chapter X, hymn 3 very nicely in 31 verses. That cannot be overcome by force as it is named as “AYODHYA”. It has the capacity to resist all attacks. To the first group of men the Vedic knowledge was revealed. They found themselves surrounded with unfamiliar things which had no names till then. For the appropriate names those seers hunted out. They ascribed names for the Vedic word with ingenuity. Thus Vedic AYODHYA is no historical city. With nine gates or portals impregnable having eight circles the castle is enlightened. Conductor to the world of bliss encompassed by brilliant light there in lies the golden chest. Having three spokes and three supports there is a mighty being as its soul with the golden chest. The controller of the body is the soul where eight circles are famous. They are “MULADHARA”, SVADHISTHANA”, Manipuraka, Anahata, visudha Lalana, ajna and sahasrara discovered by the

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yogins. The nine gates are – two eyes, two ears, two nostrils, one

A Bird’s Eye View of Vedas

COLOR

QUALITY

THOUGHT

mouth, the urinary track and the anus. PSYCHIC TREATMENT BY TOUCH The psychic treatment by touch and pass has been prescribed by the Atharv Veda in it chapter IV hymn 13. With wisdom selflessness and benevolence the expert physician is an ascetic. Systematic touches and passes with sympathetic words impart strength to the tissues and vigour to the mind of the diseased person by fingers on different parts of the body. Read as follows the last two verses of chapter IV. This left hand of mine is a disperser of disease and the right hand of mine is ever more disperser. This auspicious hand has got a benevolent touch is verily a panacea the all healer. The tongue becomes fore runner of speech for the hands having ten branches. To make you disease free. I touch your body all over with such healthy hands that cure all ills. The wasting disease will be driven away by the formidable strength bestowed. May you restore him to life again with the gracious bounties of nature. PROTECTOR OF THE EARTH The flag bearing the symbols of the inspiring sun has been prescribed by the Vedas for human beings that invigorate the external and internal vision of a human being. He pervades all times and climes being the protector of the earth. Shining in the limitless sky the eye of the Lord has been burning himself from time immemorial to sustain all life on the earth. May we conquer the evil forces having the symbol of sun as banner. Single minded. Let the rays of the sun Carry vigour and leadership with respective virtues. The solar light has seven colours. 242

GREEN

ADDS TO INTELLACT

Intelligence

BLUE

ADDS TO STRENGTH

Power

SKYBLUE

ADDS TO SPLENDOUR

Splendour

ORANGE

PURIFIER

Purity

YELLOW

HELP DIGESTION

Digestion

VIOLET

ADDS TO PATIENCE

Patience

On the earth with the sun flag the world citizen marches as the symbol of his mission to establish fraternity peace and power among his fellow men. CLEAR CHANTING OF DIVINE VERSES To the sick person sublime thoughts along with correct and clear chanting of divine verses bring benefits. The diseased person becomes mentally strong by listening to the comforting words of the physician. Addressing the sick person one well wisher physician recites a Vedic verse. “Forsake fear and doubt ‘O’ the diseaseman” under my treatment you are safe. With joy my hearty thoughts are inspiring your hearts. By my consolatory words symptoms of your disease are vanishing. In you the vigour of life is manifesting. Slowly your pain is getting less and less slowly. Address yourself like this – “o sick man” get away from me – ‘o’ disease, in my path do not be an obstacle. To accomplish great tasks. I have been chosen. To have health and cheerful life, I therefore need your help. In eradicating most of the apprehension of the diseased person the pleasing thoughts and divine touch of all noble physicians will help many a times. 243

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SELF CONCEIT IS EGOISTIC OR PERCEPTION The cause of all sins is the ego. Self conceit is egoistic perception. Of the crazy person the craving to benefit one’s own self alone brings the downfall. Disgusting is always self advertisement. Instant friendship and reverence will always be by the projection of a modest opinion with a touch of humbleness. In every corner the donor wind blows downwards. In exchange of its life giving support it does not demand anything. Shining downwards the sun distributes heat and light. To keep the earth alive it burns itself always. While yielding milk the milch cow is quiet and happy. To give nectar like milk to us she consumes only dry grass. What a sacrifice which could not be thought of. By nature a benevolent person is modest. That turns him to be proud and arrogant is his ignorance. Even to an insect who does not know how to praise you, you lend all support – ‘O’-God who finds fault with your benevolent creation you never even restrict comforts to an ungrateful devilish man. To be humble in our life may you bless us.

Transient view of

Atharva Veda (III)

BENEVOLENT GUARDS With the organs of sense seated side wise, it is a miracle, indeed, that the best and foremost part of the human body exists in inverted shape. Of the human body there are seven benevolent guards. They are the holes of ears, eyes, nose and mouth. Wealth of the body gets lost when these guards become careless and useless. Engaging them in their duties under the control of the mind men should keep them alert, pure and strong. The two eyes are named as visvamitra and jamadagni, two nostrils as vasistha and kashyapa, two ears as Goutam and Bharadvaja and mouth as Agni in the cryptic language of the Vedas. 248

TRISANDHI TRISANDHI is the three jointed thunder bolt by which enemies are destroyed and smashed. Iron mouthed, needle mouthed, combs with sharp teeth flesh piercing swift as strong wind missiles are designed for fighting. Let the white footed columns of army tie together. From four corners let them encircle the enemy. With trisandhi may you be equipped with and be the cause of their alarm.

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With smoke keep the enemy enveloped by confounding pain of

In the hymn 5 with 26 verses of chapter XI the life of a Brahmachari

eyes and ears. When the victor raises the flag let the yonder host keeps in terrible state.

is extolled. In the hymn the glory of simplicity purity and endurance

WASTING DISEASE TO BE PLUCKED OFF

as if on the surface of the sea and bathed, brown and ruddy shining

“Your wasting disease is to be plucked off out of your heart out of your intestine, out of your kidneys, out of your lungs, out of your two sides, out of your lever and out of your spleen”.

is narrated . He stands performing penance shaping the manners brilliantly on the earth. ABODE OF ALL BLISSFUL DEITIES As cows in a cow-shed, for all the deities are enshrined in him, one

Your wasting disease is to be plucked off out of your marrow, out of your bones, out of your blood vessels out of your sinews, out of

who knows man thinks indeed is no other than Brahma. As a cow-

your fingers, out of your two hands and out of your nails.

places the cows enter the cow-shed. To drag them to the poles it

With the scattering and healing rays of the sun whatever all pervading wasting disease has penetrated in each and every part of your limbs and in every joint and in skin that wasting disease is hereby plucked off.

shed human body has been described. Occupying their assigned does not become necessary. As if they have fixed their own living space they quietly and quickly run to their respective posts. For their settlement similarly the divine forces of creation favour the human body. Without taking anything in exchange they are divine as they provide the life powers. Having entered the mouth fire has

BRAHMACHARYA

taken shape as speech. All the divinities find their home in the organs

Brahma means the great. Charya means movement. In Vedic culture the concept of Brahmacharya is an astounding discovery. Towards becoming great through a movement is Brahmacharya. Of human beings it signifies physiological and spiritual development, control over sex-life means physiological. In the ruination of health unbridled sexual indulgence ends. If absorbed in the body semen recreates vigour which creates life. Through a biological instinct sex life realizes unlimited energy that can be utilized for over all development if channelled to higher purposes.

of human body in their respective places.

In the precincts of his preceptor the student is known as Brahmachari. He puts forth all his efforts to the acquision of knowledge avoiding a life of luxury. Making the student lead a full life the teacher imparts the knowledge of Brahma which is the divinity.

‘O’ man – because the soul is the dweller in the temple of god-

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The medical plants in the skin in shape of hairs, air as vital pran inside the nostrils, moon as mind in the heart, sun as vision in the eyes water as semen find their home inside the organs of the bodies of human beings. Thus the body will become the abode of all blissful deities of the universe. The body is a small scale copy of the Universe. These divine forces follow him, when soul leaves the body which is the vital spirit.

head practise purity in thought speech and action. Throughout your life adore the divine protectors who sustain and save till death.

A Birdâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Eye View of Vedas

aside a barren cow the verse recommends to throw away the highly emotional desire. He remains poorest of the poor ever for a person falling prey to insatiable desire. His thirst is never quenched amidst the ocean of prosperity. The wealth of contentment has been deprived of by him. Finer values of life do not find place in a tormented mind as water do not stand on a ridge. It increases all the more by enjoyment just as fire by repeated oblations never indeed a desire is pacified by enjoyment. That thirst for pleasure does not decay. It is said that thirst for pleasure does not decay but we ourselves are decayed.

A Birdâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Eye View of Vedas

The bony frame work of the head containing the brain and the centre of the nervous system has been installed in the uppermost part of every human being as skull. In an inverted pot the brain finds a place. Brain is the most powerful organ of the skull and it is safe and sturdy. On the sideways and bottom upwards, this is a bowl with opening where glory of all forms is deposited in it. There are seven seers as seven body guards who have become protectors of the great and important organ. Brain is the centre of the nervous system. This is a bowl with opening on the side ways and bottom upwards. Glory of all is deposited in it. About this inverted pot it has seen described in chapter X, hymns 8 and verse 9 metaphorically. EVIL COMES BACK Out of earth evil is born. It reaches up to sky and then it reverts from there. On the very doer it falls miraculously by turning back. Sin is born in the mind. It is a crime when an evil thought is carried out by organs of the body. Sin is invisible but crime is visible and therefore it spreads. In his surrounding a criminal is dreadful. Others are tormented by his power and wealth. As irresistible he is considered. He himself is anxious and suspicious. A firm hole on him is made through fear and uncertainty. He remains a terror outwardly. As per the verse evil committed by him ultimately turns back and falls on the evil doer. Just as the gravitational pull. He reforms himself if he gets a good company. Otherwise he repeats his crimes. Certainly his fort of might will be crushed one day

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A Bird’s Eye View of Vedas

instruments of violence will never succeed. It will get his feet and fingers injured instead which is harmful for him.

FOUR QUARTER GUARDS Four quarter guards have been posted in the four quarters of the human body. Anus the westerns, mouth the eastern. In the bony joints of the skull there is a hole which is northern and the procreating organ the southern, gate keeper. With devotion to the remarkable quarter that guards man who should offer oblations so that they diligently take care of their functions as per the verse. Eastern guard is the mouth. It has the gate pass to allow agreeable food and drink to enter the stomach. Systematically the intake has to be regulated. ‘O’ Man, to the mind and body may your food be beneficial regularly. By honest means, earn your bread daily. By regular exercise may the food be digested, with efficiency the western gate should function regularly. The eastern guard has the control over the speech which shall have the truth and only truth. Northern door is the hole in the skull. Procreating organ in the southern door. In the womb through the northern door the soul enters into the body of the babe. To exit through the same the yogis allow their soul. Both the doors are interconnected. Man should worship the northern guard with good thoughts and southern guard by observing the discipline of sex. INSTRUMENTS OF VIOLENCE In his doing good to those who do harm to him where the greatness of a virtuous person lies. It is a normal work to do good to the benefactor. One’s life is worthy on whom many others depend to live even a crow fills the stomach with its beak. As you sow, so you reap. He is never released from fetters of the wretchedness whenever a fool gets furious. Who so ever has used 250

That a malevolent person causing hurt to others gets his fingers and feet injured. Which is the idea of saying? This only indicates that a violent person loses the effectiveness of his organs of execution by which he has injured others physically. Of just actions man is a doer. For that he has been endowed with five efficient organs for execution. To be mindful of the organs of the body, the Vedas have exhorted upon man. To carry on a glorious life, man has been blessed by the divine. BLAZE WITH SPLENDOUR Pleasing chariot of immortality is to be ascended till your old age by spreading acquired knowledge in order to enlighten others. Journey should be upward always but not downwards. ‘O’ man blaze with splendour shining with a graceful form. A faultless chart has been granted for your wondrous body. Your birth right is to move upwards. You are the immortal child of the god. Attain the highest sphere of liberation with your good growth. In the battle of life be a champion. On the earth you are the up holder of truth. You try to exhilarate yourself by invigorating your limbs and enlightening the mind. To transform your mantel sheath into the intellectual you have been endowed with strength and spirit. Which other beings have been denied realize the glory and grandeur. May your chariot move fast and smooth. With noble thoughts satiate your heart. On the earth mobilize your faculties to maintain righteousness. UNSATIATED IS ABOMINABLE It saps out the sweetness of mind like a parasite creeper in a tree. Desire that is ever unsatiated is abominable. Like a strong bull putting 251