THE VEDAS – A BRIEF INTRODUCTION

[Guest guest]

prof laxmi narain (prof_narain)

 

Source and courtesy: Sri Ramana Kendram, Hyderabad

This article was published in Sri Ramana Jyothi,

monthly magazine of the Kendram

 

The Rig Veda which is the oldest and the most voluminous, is

assigned the first place among the four Vedas. This Veda is wholly in

the form of verses addressed to gods such as Agni, Varuna, Usha,

Savitur, Mitra, Maruti, Vishnu and so on. This Veda has 1017 poems

called Suktas ( ) which means `well said'. Each of the

Suktas has a number of verses called Riks ( ) which

means `hymns in praise'.

 

The authors of this Veda were great seers and Risis( )

which means `the great poets'. They sang of the powers of the nature

in the language that was known to the ordinary men and which could

be understood by them. For example, Maruts, sons of god Rudra, are

handsome, and decorate themselves with various ornaments. The Asvins

are a pair of gods always together in a chariot. They are also

physians.

 

The Rig Veda is essentially Nature poetry. Among the objects of the

nature, cows and rivers are very prominent. The Vedas also describes

the ways of social living. The marriage rites have been created on

the pattern of the marriage of Soorya's daughter, which it details.

This Veda has reference to very large number of stories that must

have been current among the people at that time. The stories relate

how gods came to the rescue of men in response to their appeals. The

largest number of the stories centre round the twin gods Asvins. Then

there are stories about Indra and how he helped men against their

enemies in battles.

 

This Veda begins with a Sukta on Agni and also ends with it. The

Sukta though pertaining to Agni has a universal appeal: Let all men

meet and think with one mind. Let all hearts unite in love. Let the

goals be common. May all live in happiness with a common purpose. A

sample of riks from this Veda is annexed.

 

The Yajur Veda is entirely a work of rituals. Its name comes from the

root `Yaj'( ) which means `to worship'. The

Veda describes various acts that go with the rituals. The Veda has a

large number of short passages related to yajna. For example: O Agni,

be though wakeful; I offer to thee with devotion, protect us; Be

united with our prayers; O wise one, be an unfailing guardian to this

folk; Drive apart the foes with all thy strength. A large number of

stories and anecdotes explain the value of the various objects and

acts that come within the rituals. Yajanas like Somayagna

( ), Vaajapeya ( ),

Rajasooya ( ) Ashvamedha

( ) are made known to us in all their

procedural details.

 

The Saama Veda is a collection of chants: the word saaman means to

chant. All mantras in this Veda, except 75, are from Book VIII and IX

of the Rig Veda. These have been put to music. The music is greatly

conducive to the spiritual evolution of the self and seeking grace of

God. This being the special virtue of this Veda, Lord Krishna says in

the Gita, " Amongst the Vedas, I am Saama Veda. "

 

The Atharva Veda. It is named after the great rishi Atharvan, who is

said to be the eldest son of Brahma. Some of the main chapter heading

in this Veda are: Charms to cure diseases and possessions by demons

of disease; Prayers for long life and health; Hymns to goddess earth;

Glorification of the sun; Prana – life or breath, personified as the

supreme spirit; Prayer to Kala (time) personified as primordial

power; Charms to secure prosperity in the household, field, business,

etc.

 

The above refers to the main text of the Vedas called Samhita

( ). In addition, each Veda has a part called Braahamana

( ), which mentions a number of rituals and how they

should be performed. This is followed by the part known as Aaranyaka

( ), which was talked about in the forest. It

enlightens us about the obscure and distant imagery contained in the

Vedas. Upanishads ( ) come towards the

end of the Aaranyakas. Being the end portion of the Vedas they are

also called Vedanta ( ), anta – final part of the

Veda. Their main theme is philosophical enquiry into the nature of

the Self or Atman. Of the 12 major Upanishads, two which form part

of the Rig Veda include Aitareopnishad

( ), five which belong to the Yajur

Veda include, Brahadaranyaka, ( ) Ishovasyopnishad

( ) and Kathopnishad ( ),

two which pertain to Saama Veda include Kenopnisad

( ) and three which are attached to

the Atharva Veda include Mundakopnishad. The word Upanishad means to

sit down near (upa- near, ni-down, sad-sit): the instructions

contained in these scriptures were learned by being close to the

Guru.

 

Annexure – A sample of mantras from the Rig Veda

 

May we imbibe in ourselves the choicest effulgence of the Divine

Creator. Let Him activate our intellects and direct our t thoughts

aright.

 

Let the Creator of the universe take away all our evils and miseries

and whatever is bliss may come to us.

 

Lord of creation existed in the very beginning. He is the sole Lord

of creation. He supports earth. Sun and heaven. There is no other

than Him, worthy of our worship.

 

He is sole being and dispenser of life and strength. He is worshipped

by the whole world and everybody obeys His command. Immortality and

death are His shadows. Which God other than Him should we worship?

 

He is the sole being of the breathing, living and the moving world

by His greatness. The Lord who rules over the two-footed and four-

footed creation alone is worthy of our worship.

 

He who holds the earth and the sun, He who is responsible for all the

pain and pleasure, He who is the Creator of universe alone is worthy

of our worship.

 

O' Lord, nobody else is greater than You. You only surround all the

created things. May we be more prosperous and happy?

 

( Source: Survey of Sanskrit Literature by C. Kuhan Raja, The Vedas

by Chandrasekharendra Saraswati, and Internet.)