Part – IV, A Glimpse of Rig – Veda.

Part – IV A Glimpse of Rig – Veda

(Copy right protected by Dr. G.S. Tripathy)

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

Two ways of classification are given below:

1. Mandala, SUkta and Mantra.

2. 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.

1. 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.

2. 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.

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.

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.

4. 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’ “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”.

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

5. 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 a Vipasha or Beas. There were seven rivers including Sindhu known as Saptasindhu originally.

- But nine rivers are mentioned here.

6. 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.

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

7. 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.

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.

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 being 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.

9. 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 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.