SAMA VEDA-1

MOMENTARY VIEW OF SAMA VEDA

PART-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.

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.

‘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 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.

THE BEST GUIDE

As your mortal devotees for our fortune we chase the Divine. You are the best guide and imperishable life-force. You are the inspirer of benevolent deeds. You take us across all miseries we pray you always.

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 get fulfillment in life you should be able to get a valuable experience in life.

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.

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.

MASTER SOUL TO BE PRAYED

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.

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.

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 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. It shines through the entire firmament.

DIVINE FIRE

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.

‘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.

“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. 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

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.

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

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 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, 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.

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 and blessing him in his endeavors”.

For 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.   

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 they 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.