ATHARVA VEDA-1

TRANSIENT VIEW OF ATHARVA – VEDA

PART-I

BEYOND OUR COMPREHENSION

One the enlightened soul realizes the Lord as the one and only acceptable. Neither second nor third not even 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.

From the earliest stage of civilization to this day man has been striving hard to know about the working of this great divine Architect.

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

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.

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.

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?

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 impress 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.

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.

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 quadruped and the bipeds move on the path of the victory in whose multiple grandeur?

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?

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 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.

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 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 nonerishment and riches.

The space is also a milch cow with sun as her calf. May she yield milk as food and other necessary thing 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.

By the teacher in his belly for three nights the new entrant called 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 ours.

Fearlessness and security may be granted to us by the mid-space. 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 me.

SUCCESS FOR VICTORY

Each claiming that he is right two rivals confront for success. Denouncing his opponent as dishonest thoroughly and deceptive each of them justifies his stand as reasonable. With the hope that god is in their favour both the groups pray for victory. Out of arrogance even the wicked and arrogant opposes a righteous cause. For him he foresees a good fortune.

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 of him 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 us all fragrant, verily you have extended our life span being fed with rain that breathes into voice.

SOME ANIMALS POSSESS INHERITED KNOWLEDGE

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.

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.

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.