Yajur Veda-3

A PARTIAL VIEW OF YAJURVEDA

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

PART-III

ATTAINMENT OF SOCIAL AND PERSONAL PEACE.

With numerous massive bodies revolving the celestial sphere ever remains peaceful. In this vast creation all that is activated and energetic maintains peace.

Man pollutes his surroundings unfortunately and creates turmoil instead of peace by misusing his intellect endowed with.

For the attainment of personal and social peace, there should be pursuit of Vedic wisdom. One surrenders to false hood if he has not enjoyed fearlessness. In the Vedic hymns, the peace invoked is not static peace.

While keeping himself ever busy with beneficial activities a true devotee craves for dynamic peace. People never enjoy real peaces who are cowardice and fainthearted.

The bounties of nature are peaceful. “May such place come to me – I pray”.

DIVINE VERTUES

Endowed with divine virtues, the mind of an awakened person moves far and high. In the same way mind reaches far and wide when a person moves asleep. The soul enlightener of all the lights in the mind.

“Hence I pray – may the mind of mine be always guided by the best of intentions”. Which is the speediest of all.

The body organs such as eyes and ears behave likewise when governed by the mind just as the horses behave when held in by the reins. This is an upanishadic metaphor.

MIND IS AN ORGAN

After all minds is an organ. Under the shadow of the self it plays. It usurps the claims of the self as a player only. The perceptible shift is in the mind through the resolution that has come in the self. That is the mind which resolves on what is good or evil in the common parlance.

Due to guidance of the lord alone strength is acquired to allow the mind to resolve on what is good. As if it is a conscious entity mind functions through born of matter. The mind works under the instruction. Comes from the self. Three facets of the mind are intelligence, emotion and activity. After learning the self approaches god through three types of process namely intellectual, action – oriented and emotional. Mind is a great complex organ. We are unable to know, to do and to feel through this organ only. These three are mentioned as – RK_yajuh and Saman-.

LIVE THE LIFE OF AMITY

For the soul human body is an effective, mysterious and illustrious tool. It can help him to attain the highest bliss.

Amidst the bounties of nature, live the life of amity and harmony. Even to those who envy you, show cordiality to them and help the needy wherever possible.

“O man – both heaven and earth within you. The vast mid space is in you. Hence do good to others”.

About the richness of the body aitareya Upanishad speaks. Taking the form of speech, fire enters in to the mouth. Assuming the form of the sense of smell air enters the nostrils. As the sense of sight, the sun enters in to the eyes. By becoming the sense of hearing the directions enter in to the ears. In the form of hairs, the herbs and trees enter into the skin. In the shape of the mind, the moon enters in to the heart.

With radiance of the brain and the distinguishable face the top of the human body represents the celestial region. With the brightness of compassion, love and devotion, the middle portion is the symbol of mid space comprising the infinite sky of the heart. The firmness of earth is the lower part that portrays.

The man realizes the splendor of his body which he possesses and he also becomes conscious of his duties and destination of life.

WISDOM AND VALOUR

Where wisdom and velour work in full harmony with each other, one will realize fully the virtuous world with the enlightened obey the rules of eternal earth.

Where there is never any scarcity of food nor will misery in any form man realize the virtuous world where the ruler and ruled work in full harmony with each other.

DESIRE OF THE SOUL

Desire of the soul should be strong where strength and wealth are my two arms. Two hands up resent heroism and activity and where the weak should be defended as breast.

Overcoming power on evils which should be my companion where sweetness is my tongue. Speech should be my might, self – respect should be sovereignty, finger should be delight, limbs should be sports, mind should be my inspiration.

Splendor should be my vision, greatness should be my hearing, glory should be my head, fame my face, valour my hair, beard moustache and mastery constitutes my breath.

MOBILE TEACHER

The teacher instructs where as the orator inspires who is a mobile teacher.

‘O’ – Orator-sublimity be encompassed by your thoughts. May you make your audience free from doubt, being purified by the rays of enlighten. May the dirts from the minds of your listeners be washed away by your creative thoughts like the sunshine which cleanses the wind.

To them may your manners speak aloud.

‘O’ lord of the creation – bless the orator guiding him properly. Kindly make our orators just and honorable so that their words and deeds be in harmony.

By the bounties of nature, may the teacher be blessed.

A DIVINE BOAT

A divine boat has been provided by the providence for us to embark on our journey. Our physical body is the remarkable boat which is well protected. It is leak-proof, flawless, specious, active, bright, full of comforts, well designed and magnificently built.

In our body seven seers are working. They are mind intellect and five sense organs. With constant attention, they are even alert & guard the body all the time. For the self seven vital winds function. There are two selfless life bestower namely the incoming and the outgoing breath protecting and sustaining life that never take rest.

SUPREME HOUSEHOLDER

The unique house has been built and preserved by the adorable Almighty by His cosmic laws – that is the universe – which is His house. ” ‘O’ supreme householder by your kind grace – may I be also a good house holder. From any negligence may the household functions of both of us be free & good. Your eternal “eye” is the ‘sun’ may I be permitted to follow the path of the sun”.

Countless in numbers, the orderly celestial bodies speak of his unerring household ship.

To keep my house disciplined – may I observe the oath – ‘O’ upholder of vows.

-            The virtues of love and charity may be obeyed in my house by each one of us.

-          To meet all his favor & needs in full – as per his full capacities may he work and use his share.

-          Common property & common goal may be possessed by all the members of the household as per your grace and kindness.

-          Property of others may never be snatched by us unjustly.

-          To the adorable deity, may w dedicate each and every work in His name.

-          What has been offered to them may the members of the household respectfully enjoy in full.

-          For the household’O’ god – ‘O’elders – in reverence we bow before you to gain wholesome and continued happiness.

‘O’ supreme householder – supreme authority, please give us your gracious assistance to help others in full.

DEVILISH AND DIVINE

The law which is law abiding, is victorious, progressive and divine. But the person who is backward is devilish and ruined ultimately. In other words – that which is straightforward is divine and the reverse is demoniacal who is violent, false and crooked.

Divine is all that is honest & without pretension. It is against naturality to have an attempt to take food through nostrils which is abnormal.

In proper direction and fixed speed the celestial bodies move in the sky. This sort of straightforwardness indicates divinity.

Let us pray –”May the benevolent wisdom of wise sages be ours who are straightforward. May the lord bestow happiness and be auspicious on us. For us, may the bounties of nature be the healing elements. Always for our well being may the lord Almighty continue to be our guardian”.

THOUGHT AND SPEECH

Of the enlightened ones, thoughts reflect in the speech truly. Because they have established the proper link between the mind and the tongue.

As per the verse, for the harmony between thoughts & speech there is a necessity. To this dictum, may the blessed children of immortal lord listen carefully. For four grades of human speech the text speaks. They are “PARA”,-“PASYANTI”, “Madhyama” and “Vaikhari”.

The two foremost sources of communication of knowledge are the mind & speech. Whatever there is in the mind, man may speak out.

Let us listen to the brave people who have attained harmony of thought & speech.

LORD OF JUSTICE

In this new life from dishonorable evils, may the lord of justice protect me. For the soul in the present life grant us to realize him so as to recall bliss –“‘O’ illuminating intellect”.

There are two paths of mortals to follow that have been heard – one that of the elders who perform normal charity. On the common path they usually tread. On austerity and wisdom, the other of the enlightened ones established the higher and the nobler path.

By either of these two, all humanity who exists between the sky and the earth have to go. “’O’ lord of justice” – ‘O’merciful god – I may be permitted to tread ever on the joyous and enlightened path please”.

SAFETY TO THE ANIMALS

“’O’ god protect our quadrupeds”. May you grant safety to animals & happiness to our progeny. The priest in a fire ritual is known as “Adhvaryu” one who maintains non-violence during the ceremony in letter and spirit.

Advara is yajna, the supreme non-violent thought & action mentioned in the Vedic texts. In the earliest times animals were not meant for killing or for immolation.

Earth is called the barren goat in cosmology. In the terrestrial realm PASU also means an animal. Air fire and finally the sun were manifested in the cosmic creation. Planets and satellites are named as PASU.

A particle of rice is called Asva – aja is old paddy, mansa is fruit juice. Denoting heavenly bodies horse (Asva), cow (gau) and goat (aja), sheep (avi) belong to mid space.

Pasu yajna is not animal sacrifice. With earthly animals such symbolic terms are not to be confused.

DEVOTION IN BENEVOLENT DEEDS

In benevolent deeds – be engaged with devotion always. Keep the sacrifice ever alert ‘O’ soul – and be watchful.

For the justice of the lord – always be grateful. Control your senses and body organs with a mind filled with determination. Your vital breath should be regulated. ‘O’ sovereign body – abide by law of the divine.

That may last long. May the lord settle in your kingdom. At a time face successfully a thousand opponents. To enjoy eternal bliss, may you ultimately reach the sorrow-less world. For illuminating the highest realm with bright splendor may you carry the fire of sacrifice to the bounties of nature.

With fresh vigor – may you move gloriously and spin out the traditional thread of off springs with wisdom.

MASTER OF THE HOUSE

Master of the house is the sacred fire. He is the source of all prosperity and the respectable guest.

Full to the brim with clarified butter carryout oblations and magnify our benefits. May the sacrificial fire be fully contented. In all directions, may the divine fragrance spread over.

May this fire be the friend of the virtuous householders and bestow on us power and energy.

May this fire be the donor of the lasting riches and lone invigorator of our duties.

NATURE OF CULTURE

Without any need for modification, the nature of culture remained the same in millenniums of years. Finer and newer objects have been discovered by science & technology on the other hand. To the present civilization this gives newer dimension. Whereas material objects diminish in quantity when used, but cultural elements like truth compassion, love are enhanced with use.

Having sown the seed of culture in human heart, you are the true friend and guide of man – ‘O’ lord”.

Civilization is an indicator of physical advancement where as culture is the index of development of man’s inner qualities. Culture is what we are where as civilization is what we use.

Mercy, devotion, self-restraint, love and other noble qualities are pointed out by culture only, the social condition of transport, apparel, education, communication etc. are denoted by civilization. In course of times, civilization changes the nature of culture which does not need any change.

“His never-exhausting wealth nourishment like water, sun, rays, wind, land, etc. has been bestowed by the Almighty to the mankind. Elements of culture have been inserted by the great god into the hearts of men. This is the first and excellent culture. Hence He is the first friendly, adorable and venerable”.

THE PUROHITA

By the unblemished character and ideal manners of the Purohita, the sacrificer is inspired. The life style of sacrificer gets transformed by the illustrious character of the purohita whose devout voice, auspicious chanting and magnanimity of nature are an ideal before the sacrificer. The Purohita moulds the benign manners of the sacrificer and guides him in his action.

With self confidence the Vedic priest or Purohita declares as follows. “From all fear and enjoyment. I remain away, velour is my morality. & character is my strength. Weapon is my spiritual wealth. Sharp and sound are my sense organs. The hidden voice of the people is heard by me and I can perceive the future”.