Magnifying Glass of the Vedas

[Guest guest]

Jgd, reading on dharma veds and purans and more, sgd, Win.

 

..

 

..

 

The Puranas are the magnifying glass of the Vedas. The principles and rules of

dharma that are briefly dealt with in the Vedas are enlarged or elaborated upon

in them in the form of stories. A subject briefly touched upon may not make a

deep impression on the mind. If the same were told as an absorbing story it

would at once make an impact on the mind of the listener or reader.

 

The Vedas urge us to speak the truth ("Satyam vada"). How one becomes exalted by

remaining truthful at all costs is illustrated by the story of Hariscandra.

"Dharmam cara" (Follow dharma, live a life of dharma) is a Vedic injunction

consisting of just two words. The importance of the pursuit of dharma is

explained through the long story of Dharmaputra [Yudhisthira] in the

Mahabharata. "Matr-devo bhava" and "Ptir-devo bhava" ("Be one to whom the mother

is god" - "Be one to whom the father is god"): these two admonishments are

enlarged on, as it were, through the magnifying glass in the story of Sri Rama.

Such dharmic virtues as humility, patience, compassion, chastity, which are the

subject of Vedic ordinances, are illustrated through the noble examples of men

belonging to ancient times, women of hallowed reputation. By reading their

stories or listening to them we form a deep attachment to the virtues and

qualities exemplified by them.

 

All these men and women whose accounts are contained in the Puranas had to

undergo trials and tribulations. We keep commiting so many wrongs. But consider

these Puranic characters who had to suffer more than we suffer. Indeed some of

them had to go through terrible ordeals. However, by reading their stories we do

not form the impression that adherence to dharma means suffering. On the

contrary, etched in our minds is the example of men and women of great inner

purity who in their practice of dharma stood like a rock against all

difficulties and challenges. At the same time, we moved by their tales of woe

and thereby our own inner impurities are washed away. Finally, the glorious

victory they achieve in the end and fame they achieve help to create a sturdy

bond in us with dharma.

 

..

 

..

 

http://www.kamakoti.org/hindudharma/part14/chap1.htm

 

 

 

 

 

Tax Center - forms, calculators, tips, and more