Vedas are the foundation of Hinduism. They are unarguably the oldest texts of humanity. It is the root from which other supporting texts of Hinduism stem from. They are highly protected texts, so much so that there are several restrictions on its usage. For example, Vedas cannot be either written or read, but can only be transmitted orally. For this reason, it is called Śruti - the one that is heard. It cannot be translated, nor can it be taught to the general audience. It can only be taught to selective people. Also, there is only one way to recite them, with specific intonations and notes.
Background:
There are 14 pramānās, or means of knowledge specified in Hinduism. In some cases, 4 more are added making them 18 in total. They are:
4 Vedas [Rig (Ṛg), Yajur (or Yajus), Sāma, Atharva]
6 Angas [Śikṣā, Candas (pronounced Chandas), Vyākaraṇa, Nirukta, Jyotiṣa, and Kalpa]
4 Upa-angas [Mīmāmsam, Nyāya, Purāna, Dharma Śāśtra]
4 Sa-anga-upa-angas (also called Saangopaanga) [Āyurveda, Arthasāstra, Dhanurveda, Gandharvaveda]
All except the last 4 are directly used for purifying the mind and helps in spiritual uplift. The last 4 relates to worldly affairs, which are only indirectly helpful. Out of them all, the Vedas have the primary authority. All others are only supporting texts.
Origin:
It has been mentioned that the Vedas are originless, and are not written or composed by anyone. For this reason, they are called Apourusheyam (Not of a human/ impersonal/ authorless).
How can this be true? Everything must have an origin, isn't it?
All the mantras (hymns) clearly mention a Ṛṣi (pronounced Rishi), to whom it is attributed. These Ṛṣis had the superhuman ability to bring the mantras to human-perceivable form - as sound vibrations. It should be noted that these Ṛṣis are mentioned as mantra dṛṣṭa (meaning, the one who 'saw' the mantras) and not mantra karta (meaning, the one who made/composed the mantras). It has been said that these mantras appeared to them after intense meditation. This is something similar to that of the discovery of America, gravity, or relativity. Although the explorers/scientists are credited for the discoveries, they did exist before.
Does that mean the Vedas originated along with the creation?
Again, if this should be the case, it should still not be claimed as originless, as it clearly originated along with the creation of the universe. Also, it has been mentioned in the scriptures that Lord Brahma created the universe using the Vedas. Thus, the Vedas seem to have been existent even before creation. This implies the existence of Vedas even before time.
There is only one other entity that we know of that is originless. This is none other than Iśvara - The God. This still implies, Iśvara could not have created the Vedas. Thus, there are two entities without origin. Certainly, they must have a relation. It has been said in the Vedas themselves that the Vedas are the breath of Iśvara. Thus, the relationship is as that of life and breath.
Volume:
The Vedas are infinite, similar to the laws of nature, and what we know of them is only a fraction of it. Thus, the Vedas are infinite and timeless.
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| Bharadwāja was a Ṛṣi who spent three lifetimes in learning and practicing the Vedas. Pleased by his austerity Iśvara appeared before him and granted him another span of a lifetime, and asked him what he was planning to do with it. Bharadwāja Ṛṣi replied that he will continue to learn the Vedas. No matter how many lifespans one takes, it is impossible to learn all the Vedas. To make the Ṛṣi understand this, Iśvara took pity and created three large mountains in the surrounding. He showed him a small mud lump and mentioned that the amount of Vedas he had learned thus far equals to the lump, while what is yet to be learned is as big as the surrounding mountains. |
Out of the fraction that we know, the Vedas have been compiled into four by a Ṛṣi named Bādarāyana, famously known as Veda Vyāsa (Lit. Compiler of the Vedas), who also happens to be the author of the great epic - Mahābhārata. Sri Veda Vyāsa compiled the Vedas into Rig (Ṛg), Yajur, Sāma, and Atharva. All put together, there are over 20,500 mantras, with over 1000 śākās (branches).
Each Veda comprises of several śākās. Each śākā has 3 segments, viz., Samhita, Brāhmana, and Āranyaka. Samhita, which mainly consists of mantras, is considered to be the core part of the Vedas by the mainstream scholars.
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| Taxonomy of the Vedas |
Rig (Ṛg) Veda:
Ṛg (pronounced Rig) means praise. Thus, Ṛg Veda Samhita consists of mantras, each called ṛc, in praise of Devatas or divinely beings. There are 10170 ṛcs spread over 1028 sūktas. Overall, this Veda is subdivided into 10 mandalas or 8 aṣtakas (Similar to cantos or chapters). The Samhita starts with Agni (fire) mantra and ends with another Agni mantra. This has led some to speculate that the subject of the Ṛg Veda is fire worship. Metaphorically, fire also means the light within. The last sūkta in Ṛg Veda is a special one, whose status has been elevated to the level of International Anthem. It states "May all the people unite, be with one mind, have a common goal, and prosper". Being considered the first among the four Vedas when being listed, Ṛg Veda takes a special position among the Vedas.
Yajur Veda:
The word Yajur comes from the root word yaj, which means to worship. Thus, this Veda Samhita comprises of mantras which specifies the worshiping ways and their practical application of the mantras. This Veda specifies all the karmas (Actions/Rituals) for spiritual progress.
Yajur Veda has two versions, namely, Krishna (black) Yajur Veda, and Śukla (white) Yajur Veda. Śukla Yajur Veda came known to us through the famous sage Yājnavalkya.
The story goes as follows. Due to a misunderstanding between him and his Guru, Vaisampāyana, the former was asked to vomit what was taught till date. Yājnavalkya did so. To avoid the vomit to touch the ground, Vaisampāyana ordered all his other disciples to take the form of Tittiri (Partridge) birds and eat them. Later, after much penance, Yājnavalkya was taught the Śukla Yajur Veda from Surya - the Sun God. Thus the name Śukla (White/Clear) was tagged, and as against this, the one followed till then (through Vaisampāyana) came to be known as Krishna (Black).
Yajur Veda hosts many sacrificial rituals. The popular 'Rudram' that is chanted in praise of Lord Shiva belongs to this Veda. It also boasts the fact that the first and the last of the 10 principal Upanishads are from this Veda. In the present day, the majority of Vedic practitioners belong to this Veda.
Sāma Veda:
The word Sāma means to appease. As mentioned earlier, intonations are particularly important when reciting the Vedas. The Ṛg and Yajur Vedas have 3 notes (pitch), called svaras. Sāma Veda, on the other hand, has 7 musical notes or svaras, also known as Sāma Gāna. The present-day music as we know it is derived from these notes. As the name suggests, the purpose of this Veda is to appease the Devatas with a combination of praise and musical notes. Many of the mantras are the ṛcs from Ṛg Veda. However, there is freedom here to extend the meter along with its associated svara.
There are actually two types of mantras in Sāma Veda. First is called the Archika, which are the ṛcs from Ṛg Veda. The other is called Gāna, which are of four types, 1. Grāma Gāna, 2. Aranya Gāna, 3. Ūha Gāna, and 4. Uhya Gāna.
Sāma Veda is considered the best of the Vedas. Lord Krishna in Bhagavad Gīta (Ch.10, verse 22) has mentioned
वेदानां सामवेदोऽस्मि
vedānām sāma-vedo 'smi
Meaning: Among the Vedas, I am Sāma Veda.
Similarly, in Lalita Sahasranama Stotra (verse 168), Goddess Lalitha (Shakti) is referred to as
सामगानप्रिया
sāma gāna priyā
Meaning: One who loves Sāma Gāna (Sāma Veda).
Atharva Veda:
Atharva means purohit or priest. There was also a Ṛṣi by the same name. This Veda got its name of this Ṛṣi as it was only through him it was known to this world. This Veda has mantras to free oneself from dangers, destroy enemies, and the like. The mantras here are in both prose and poetry form. Apart from the regular Vedic deities, Atharva Veda hosts many others which are more fierce, including spirits and other paranormal entities. Notorious māntrikas, like voodoos, come from Atharva Veda.
Atharva Veda also comprises of mantras with the highest philosophies. Three out of the ten principal Upanishads belong to Atharva Veda. Lord Brahma being the presiding deity of this Veda adds a special value to this.
Brāhmana:
The above elaborates mainly on the Samhita portion of the Vedas. Apart from those, there are Brāhmanas and Āranyakas.
Brāhmanas discuss the various karmas (rituals) and their associated procedures. They also discuss the meaning behind the Vedic mantras when associated with rituals. In short, this is the guide-book for putting the Vedas into practice.
Āranyaka:
Aranya means forest. As the name suggests, this part of the Veda must be practiced in the forest. It is also speculated that these were compiled by the Ṛṣis dwelling in forests. In no other part of Vedas, it is mentioned that one must go to the forest, leaving all material life behind. In fact, the majority portion of the Vedas directs us to practice the karmas while still leading a material life. In contrast, Āranyakas discuss philosophies. The philosophical meanings behind the Vedic mantras are explained here.
Upanishads:
The end of the Āranyakas constitutes the Upanishads. They are hence called Vedānta, meaning the end portion of Vedas. If Samhitas is a tree, Brahmanas are its flowers, Aranyakas is raw (unripe) fruit, and Upanishads is the ripe fruit. In other words, one bears the fruit of the Vedas when one gets the grasp of the Upanishads. The philosophy of the highest form, explaining the non-difference between the knower and the known, is discussed here. Contrary to the other parts of the Vedas, which focus on the rituals (karmas), Upanishads stress to abandon the karmas and elevate oneself to the highest level.
Conclusion:
Vedas are the most ancient and primary source of knowledge. Although the Vedas are many, and the rituals followed by their practitioners are diverse, all of these converge to a unanimous philosophy. As opposed to "this is the only way", Vedas are a practical example of "many ways for one destination".
Reference:
Deivathin Kural (Voice of God) Volume 2, Compiled by R.Ganapathy, Vanathi Pathippakam
Simply superb!
ReplyDeleteA very good analytical contribution. Those who really want to know about sanathana Dharma, would be impressed and appreciate this constructive effort! Carry on.
Best wishes!
Thank you.
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