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 VEDAS – A BRIEF INTRODUCTION

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.)