THE VEDAS
Religion means Dharma. Dharma is that which,
if we follow, will make us contented and happy.
The 14 Dharma-Pramaanas
To these 14, Four more Upaangas can be added - Aayurveda(Science of Life), Artha Shaastra(Science of wealth/Economics), Dhanur Veda(Weaponry/Warfare), Gaandharva Veda(Fine Arts-music, dance, drama etc.)
The 4 vedas form the core of our Hindu Religion. From these are derived the 6 Vedaangas and the 4 Upaangas. They should be studied together.
Vedas are called 'Anaadi' - without a beginning in terms of time.This means it has existed at all times.
It is said that Rishis gave the Vedas. Vedas contain Many 'Sooktas' (Words of Wisdom) attributed to several sages. If Rishis have composed the Vedas, they cannot be 'Anaadi'. So, they have not composed them. Rishis are only Drishtas (Discoverers), not Kartas (Creators). They have just discovered, just as Columbus discovered America. Ishwara (God) and the Vedas have co-existed. Even Ishwara has not made Vedas.
Brahadaaranyaka Upanishad says that the 4 Vedas are Ishwara's breath.
Vedas are called 'Shruti'. Ear is called 'shrotra'. System of complicated recitations was devised to preserve the purity of the word, sound, intonation, pronunciation, accent and sound combinations of the Vedas. 'Pada Paaddam' is essential.
Vedas are without end (Anantam). Mantras are revelations to the Rishis, who performed deep Tapas. Veda Mantras, properly recited, produce the necessary emotions in the mind, which ensure well-being to the person reciting as well as to the world. It is the duty of a brahmin to chant the mantras. There is a prescribed method for chanting. One must have intellect with humility.
The Power of the Vedas :
Of the various merits of the Vedas, Yajna or performance of vedic rites is one important aspect of it. Ritualism is not found in other faiths. Since it is based on Vedas, ours is called 'Vaideeka Matham'. Yajna is mainly 'Homam'. Yajnas are to please all Devatas, so that they will bestow blessings to us. Yajna is sacrifice, with a spirit of selflessness.
Benefits of Yajna
The 14 Dharma-Pramaanas
4 Vedas - Rig, Yajur, Saama, Atharva.
6 Vedaangas - Siksha(euphony/pronunciation), Vyaakarana(Grammar), Chandas(Metre),Nirukta(Etymology), Jyotisha(Astronomy), Kalpa(Procedure).
4 Upaangas - Meemaamsa(Interpretation), Nyaaya(Logic), Puraana(Mythology), Dharma Shaastras(Codes of conduct).Knowledge and wisdom are enshrined in these. Hence, these 14 are known as Vidhyaa Sthaanas.
To these 14, Four more Upaangas can be added - Aayurveda(Science of Life), Artha Shaastra(Science of wealth/Economics), Dhanur Veda(Weaponry/Warfare), Gaandharva Veda(Fine Arts-music, dance, drama etc.)
The 4 vedas form the core of our Hindu Religion. From these are derived the 6 Vedaangas and the 4 Upaangas. They should be studied together.
Vedas are called 'Anaadi' - without a beginning in terms of time.This means it has existed at all times.
It is said that Rishis gave the Vedas. Vedas contain Many 'Sooktas' (Words of Wisdom) attributed to several sages. If Rishis have composed the Vedas, they cannot be 'Anaadi'. So, they have not composed them. Rishis are only Drishtas (Discoverers), not Kartas (Creators). They have just discovered, just as Columbus discovered America. Ishwara (God) and the Vedas have co-existed. Even Ishwara has not made Vedas.
Brahadaaranyaka Upanishad says that the 4 Vedas are Ishwara's breath.
Vedas are called 'Shruti'. Ear is called 'shrotra'. System of complicated recitations was devised to preserve the purity of the word, sound, intonation, pronunciation, accent and sound combinations of the Vedas. 'Pada Paaddam' is essential.
Vedas are without end (Anantam). Mantras are revelations to the Rishis, who performed deep Tapas. Veda Mantras, properly recited, produce the necessary emotions in the mind, which ensure well-being to the person reciting as well as to the world. It is the duty of a brahmin to chant the mantras. There is a prescribed method for chanting. One must have intellect with humility.
The Power of the Vedas :
- They are without a beginning.
- They are without end.
- They have no human authorship.
- They are at the root of all creations.
- The sound activates our nerve centres and atmosphere, resulting in individual and collective well being.
- Collective well being is not limited to humanity. It extends to animals and plants also.(sham no astu dvipade sham chatushpade).
- No other religious text emphasises the well being of animals and plants as much as the vedas.
- It emphasises well being of shrubs, trees, mountains and rivers- in fact all creations.
Of the various merits of the Vedas, Yajna or performance of vedic rites is one important aspect of it. Ritualism is not found in other faiths. Since it is based on Vedas, ours is called 'Vaideeka Matham'. Yajna is mainly 'Homam'. Yajnas are to please all Devatas, so that they will bestow blessings to us. Yajna is sacrifice, with a spirit of selflessness.
Benefits of Yajna
- To ensure well being for self and those around us in this world.
- To live happily after death in the Deva Lokam.
- To lead the self to Jeevan Mukti (Realised Soul).
Vedic Literature
Deals with Rituals and Rites.
This has 4
Samhitas- (Rig Veda, Yajur Veda, Saama
Veda, Atharva Veda).
Commentaries of Mantras, called
Braahmanas.
Also referred as Poorva Meemaamsa
Deals with Knowledge-
spiritual and philosophical parts.Consists of
Aranyakas and Upanishads.
Also referred as Uttara Meemaamsa
Rig Veda
It is in verses. Each verse is called 'Rik' or a hymn in praise. Each Rik is a Mantra. A number of riks constitute a 'Sookta'. Rig Veda contains 10,170 Riks, out of the total of 20,500. It is divided into 10 Mandalas and 8 Ashtakas.
Here Agni means Light-(Aatma Chaitanyam). The last Sookta contains verses of universal appeal. " Let all men meet and think as with one mind. Let all hearts unite in love. Let the God be common. May all live in Happiness with a common purpose".
Rig Veda contains hymns in praise of all Devatas. It describes the ways of social living better than others. Marriage rites have been created on the pattern of the marriage of Soorya's daughter. Dialogue between Purooravas and Urvashi also find a place. The portions dealing with 'Ushus'(Goddess of Dawn) is a masterpiece of poetic composition.
Yajur Veda
'Yajus' spells ritualistic procedure of Yajna. It has 2 main branches- Shukla Yajurveda and Krishna Yajurveda. Shukla Yajurveda Samhita is known as "Vaajasaneyi Samhita". Rishi Yaajnavalkya has brought this. It is common in North India. In South India, Krishna Yajur Veda is common. "Sree Rudram" comes in this. Yajur Veda deals with all yajnas - Daasa Poornamasa, Somayaga, Vaajapeya, Raajasooya, Ashwamedha etc.
Taittiriya Samhita is in Krishna Yajur Veda.Brahadaaranyaka Samhita is in Shukla Yajur Veda. Yajur Veda is of special significance to Advaities.
Any 'Sidhaanta' should contain the following- Sootra(Aphorism), Bhaashya(Commentary) and Vaartika(Explanatory Note). In Advaita Sidhaanta, the word 'Vaartikakaara' refers only to Sureshwaraachaarya, disciple of Adi Sankara.
Saama Veda
Saama means to bring 'Shanti' (Peace) to the minds- or to make mind find happiness in peace. Among the prescribed 4 methods (Saama, Daama, Bheda, Danta), Saama is first - ie. to conquer the enemy by love and conciliatory words. Here the Riks are set to music in melodious hymns. Mantras are same as in Rig Veda. Saama Gaana can be said to be the basis and source of "Sapta Swaram", fundamental to Indian music systems.
Atharva Veda
Atharva means 'Purohit'. There was a Rishi by that name. In Atharva Veda are found Mantras, which pertain to Devatas not mentioned in the other Vedas. There are many types of Mantras to ward off evil and hardship and to destroy enemies. The hymn which extols the wonder of creation called the "Prithvi Suktam" appears in this Veda.
The pride of this Veda is that Brahma, who supervises the conduct of yajnas, is representative of Atharva Veda. Prashna, Mundaka and Maandookya Upanishads are part of this Veda. For a 'Mumukshu' or seeker after Truth, Mandookya Upanishad alone can ensure Moksha. The importance of Atharva Veda can be judged from this.
Gaayatri, the greatest of all mantras, is said to be the essense of the 3 Vedas - Rig, Yajur and Saama. Gayatri has 3 Paadas to represent the 3 Vedas. Atharva has a separate mantra. So, a separate Upanayanam is done for studying Atharva Veda. Atharva Vedins are very few and found in Gujarat, Sourashtra and Nepal.
No Veda says ' this is the only way'. No other religion advocates pursuit of diverse paths. This is the greatness of Vedas.
The Braahmanas list what the vedic karmas are and explain how they should be performed. Braahmanas serve the purpose of a Guide-book.
The Aaranyaka portion of the Vedas are meant to explain the inner meaning (the doctrine of philosophy), contained in the Samhitas as Mantras and in the Braahmanas as karmas. Aaranyakas explain the reasons why Yajnas are performed.
Upanishads.
If the Samhita is the tree, Braahmanas are its flowers, Aaranyakas are its fruits- Upanishads are the 'Ripe Fruits'. Only Upanishads help for Moksha.
The following Mahaavaakyas are contained in the Upanishads shown against each:
(Supreme Knowledge is Brahman)
(I am Brahma/God)
(You are That/Brahman)
(This indwelling Self is Brahma)
Acharya Sankara prescribes 5 shlokas for spiritual aspirants in his "Sopaana Panchakam".
Thus Upanishads contain the ultimate message and purpose of the Vedas. They are, therefore, called 'Vedaanta'- the end of Vedas.
- Study and recite the Vedas
- Perform various rituals
- Be guided by the Mahaavaakyas.
- Meditate on them constantly.
- Reach the state of Brahman.
Upanishad has the same conclusion as modern science: viz. Casualty is the result of the play of time and space. Science presents this as a postulate based on experiment. On the other hand, the Upanishad says that this realisation can be achieved by self experience. This is the final message of the Upanishad, which is the crown jewel of the Vedas.
Veda Saakhas
Every brahmin has to learn, study and practice a Veda Saakha, which is one of the branches of the Vedas. A Saakha consists of the Samhita, Braahmana, Aaranyaka and the Upanishad. This will enable him to attain self-realisation.
The Saakha details the duties of a brhamin from his birth to his death. First is the 'Adhyayana' of the Samhita.Then, performance of the prescribed yajnas with the help of the mantras, as described in the Braahmanas. Then the Aaranyaka which bridges the gap between external action and internal experience, that has to be cogitated upon. Then the contents of the Upanishad, which deals only with the internal truth, have to be digested. Lastly Moksha.
Even one Mantra is sufficient for an evolved soul to realise the truth. But, a normal soul has to resort to a multitude of karmas, observances, chanting and meditation to reach that state.
It is the duty of brhmins to obtain the grace of Gods for the benefit of society. The Mantras which he recites and the vedic karmas he performs are meant for the benefit of all people and not for him alone.
In addition, a brahmin has to master the arts and sciences and the mode of work for others, so that he can educate them on their duties. Teaching alone is his job. He should not practice any crafts. He has to keep himself scrupulously clean in outlook. He has to remain humble and totally selfless. That is why 40 compulsory 'Samskaaras' are prescribed for him, so that his kinks are removed and angularities smoothened out .
Men in ancient times were endowed with great mental and physical ability. The decay started in a big way with the departure of Lord Krishna from this world. Kali Yuga started. It is not possible for the Vedas to shine brightly during Kali. To keep the Vedas alive, Sage Vyaasa was born. He was Krishna Dvaipaayana; also called Baadaraayana. It is Vyaasa who codified the Vedas into the 4 groups:
Rig Veda - for worship or prayer - 21 saakhas
Yajur Veda - for rituals, yajna.- 109 saakhas
Saama Veda - hymns in musical form- 1,000 saakhas
Atharva Veda- performance of yajnas- 50 saakhas
Since Kali Yuga men are weak, Vyaasa prescribed only one saakha for a person. He assigned duties to his disciples:
Rig Veda - Paila
Yajur Veda - Vaisampaayana
Saama Veda - Jaimini
Atharva Veda - Sumanthu
Today, we have only 7 or 8 saakhas available, out of the total 1180.
In South India, only Taittireeya saakha is available in Krishna Yajur Veda.
Major Upanishads
