Yajur Veda-2

A PARTIAL VIEW OF YAJUR VEDA

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

PART-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.

-          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.

THE MYSTIC REMEMBRANCE WITH FAME

In the brahminial and upanishadic texts god came to be popularly known as prajapati atman and Brahman. Each referring to a particular function, the supreme self is addressed by numerous names. He was spoken of by yajur Veda as Agni the adorable, to Aditya (as infinite), vayu as pervading and vital, sukram as primeval seed and in various other names.

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 which is avyaya.

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

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

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

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 favorite

With the fulfillment of your aspiration and may your wish be fulfilled’’.

A divine code is constituted that inspires man in all walks of life for his personal and social good as the first course of knowledge. Like the sun rays wind and water, anything godly and divine becomes the legacy of each man and woman

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

When there were no geographical boundaries of land, at the earlier times they were given to us.

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

The knowledge of the god is impeccable and absolute. His power and glory are infinite. Hence they elude the grasp of Human mind defining god which is beyond the limited knowledge of men, God is the architect of the creation, sustenance and dissolution of the 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 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 self-existent, 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 Rig-Veda. 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 is stream. Acquire the vigor 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, vigor and sound body organs that state the divine formulae of excellent performance.

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

The harmonious combination of stuti, Prathana and Upasana seen in the verse is the last part.

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

THE GREAT PROTECTOR

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.

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 feeling 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 savior-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 millions – millions to billions and then to trillions in the next world as well as the present one.

VASTNESS AND IMMEASURABILITY

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 -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 are the only vital force in the universe. You are the strength, you are the lasting vigor – 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 color

b)      For the summer – White

c)       For the rain season – Black                                                                             may be secured                               

d)      For autumn – Red

e)      For Winter – Spotted thick

f)       For extreme winter – Orange colored 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.

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

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.

WISDOM AND ACTION

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 for your success realizing your own value 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.

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’ – vigor bestowing furrow, being filled with moisture.