Part-VI A Glimpse of Rig-Veda.

Part-VI A Glimpse of Rig-Veda

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

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.”

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

Those who incessantly make efforts, to acquire knowledge Rig-Veda 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.

Devotional music of Samaveda is the support and solace since devotion to work is essential to get peace, joy 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 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.

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

“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 good man which should be followed by one and all are sympathy, charity, help & service for others.

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.

2. The sedatives are Somavati.

3. The energizing are urjabati.

4. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.”

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 splendor of resplendent God is enshrined in the sun who always cherish beauty and piety. The glorious fame of the sun spreads a 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.”

The desire of Lust:

Man is deaf and blind with the desire of lust. The symbol of lust is swan. With wealth, power, youth and beauty man always becomes 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:

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 disease – dispelling medicaments so that the mankind may live long to enjoy the bright sun.

Like Animals the Drunken Lies Naked:

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.

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.

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

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.

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.