An introduction to Rig Veda.

तन्नों मित्रो वरुणो माम-हतां-मदिति सिन्धु पृथिवीं उत धौ 

Mithra, varuna, devas, aditi, rivers, earth and heaven, all grant the wish

Continued..

 1-116-9: Mention of building a canal by Ashwinis to carry water to dry places for irrigation and drinking.

1-116-10: Ashiwinis are master physicians and biologist. We know Chyavanprash. This richa is the source of chyavanprash. It mentions that Ashwinis invented an anti-ageing concoction for very old sage Chyavan who wanted to regain his youth, marry and procreate, and thus this concoction today known as ‘Chyavanprash’. Even 1-2-04, speaks about the fact that Ribhu brothers made their parents young again.

1-116-15 : Mention of artificial limb created and fitted by Ashwinis, onto queen Vishpala.

1-116 & 117.: These two suktas are very potent stutis of Ashwini Brothers and can be chanted for removing many hurdles of life and curing ailments.

1-125-6 : Mantra for giving “Dakshina”. To be recited while giving.

1-127-3 : The God of  this richa is Agni- Fire. The richa describes usage of fire for destroying mountains/hard rocks and cutting iron akin to modern day use of explosive and gas cutting/welding. Note that these richas were compiled 8500 years ago, yet we say explosive and gas cutting and welding are the inventions of 20^th century!

1-131-7 : Prayer to Indra for destroying our enemies and those wicked people who constantly conspire against us.

1-155-3 : This richa mentions of Lord Vishnu covering earth sky and space in his three steps, a precursor to the puranic story of similar act by Vaman, 5^th incarnation of lord Vishnu with King Bali who offered him land worth his four steps. Vaman covered earth, sky and Space in 3 steps and Bali offered his head for his fourth step.

1-161-13 – Richa says that rays from every part of the sun illuminates the earth once in year, suggesting that 8500 years ago sages knew that earth revolves around the sun and it takes a year for a full circle

1-162- full: This entire sukta is code for animal sacrifice in literal meaning. Richas 1-7 is about sacrifice of goat and richa 8 onwards it lays down the code for Ashwamegha Ygna..sacrifice of Horse.

1-92-8: Richa mention of hiring/keeping servants or help- ‘Dasa’- as wealth or privilege.

1-164-20, 21& 22 : These richas mentions the root knowledge of basic human construct of aatmn and parmaatmn both residing in body..one, the aatmn - soul enjoying the fruit of worldly pleasures while the parmaatmn watches him enjoy but dosen’t indulge and remains aloof. This knowledge goes on to become the base of all yogic discourse in hindu philosophy.

1-164-23: There are 3 basic and main ‘chhand’- meters- in which majority of the hymens are composed. These are ‘Gayatri’, ‘Tristubh’ and ‘Jagati’. This richa mentions their original residing (location) place, earth, space and sky, respectively.

1-164-27, 40, 41: These richa confirms the supreme devotion to cows and its importance in the lives of Hindus. These richa are dedicated to cows. Here she is declared “avadhya’ – means ‘never to be hurt’ or slaughtered. The same thought has been re-emphasised in 8-101-15. Though these richas are especially devoted to cows, Rig is full of praise of cows as goddess, wealth, knowledge, light, Indra and life source. It’ is further elaborated in Sukta – 6-28.This entire suka is dedicated to cows. As per Rig most of Indra’s wars were for freeing up cows captured by Asura, especially the ‘Vritra’.

1-164-30: This richa is the root of another very important yogic fact: Soul is immortal, body is mortal. Once freed from body soul can move about anywhere and everywhere.

1-164-35: This richa establishes the importance of Ygna. Here the havan kund is described as end of world, place of yagna as centre of earth and Som, the sacred liquor is the source of power of the gods. In 9-10-8 Soma is describes as navel of Ygna.

1-164-38 : Another significant philosophical theory – separation of body and soul, one mortal and another immortal- has been established in this richa. This richa very explicitly mentions about these two separate entities – body being mortal and soul residing into it. Richa further says that people know the body but don’t know about the soul.

1-164-39: The real essence and power of Richas is clearly spelled out here. It says richas are immortal, omnipresent and have enveloped the world and space since the beginning of universe. Richas inherit all the divine powers of the gods-‘devas’. This is the reason Vedas are called “shruti”, means compiled by hearing.

1-164-46: -[ekam sat, vipra bahudha vadanti ] This richa is another root construct of Hindu philosophy. It says..ulitmate truth or God is one but people see/say it differently. This phenomenon is further emphesised and detailed in 3-55-Full and also in 10-114-5.

 1-164-48: This richa speaks of 12 astrological signs and speaks that it takes a full 360o rotation of earth in a year for sun to be seen traversing these signs.

1-178-full: This sukta codifies the right sexual conduct of married couple. This is in form of dialogue between sage Gautam and his wife Lopamudra.

1-191-full: Entire sukta (the last sukta of 1^st mandala) is about venomous creatures, viruses, bacteria (i.e invisible & micro creatures – adrishta) and their poisons and also the mantras for their treatment. It’s amazing to note that 8500 years ago sages knew of viruses and bacteria and the harm they cause to human being.

अदृष्टानहन्त्यायत्यथो हन्ति परायती । अथो अबघ्नाति हन्तय्थो पिनष्टि पिंशति ||2|| 

एत उत त्ये प्रत्यदृश्नप्रदोषम तस्कराइव ।  अदृष्टा विश्वदृष्टा प्रतिबुद्धा अभूतन ॥ 5 || 

The word “Adrishtta” in both the richas means invisible. #5^th Richa mentions that we can’t see these invisible venomous creatures but they can see us all the while and strike at will, stealthily, suggesting about harmful micro organism.

Entire suka is classified as ‘ Vishaghna-opnishad’, literally meaning science of treating poisons and venom.

Mandala  -2

2-25-1: Richa explains the use of fire as weapon to fight and kill enemy. It explains one of the usage as lightening fast sharp burning arrow..suggesting bullet fired from a fire arm, and as bombs.

2-28-10: This richa is mantra for protection from nightmare and removal of its ill-effect.

2-38-6: This richa explains that no work, however important should be done after sunset. Likewise army and soldiers should stop fighting after sunset and wait for the dawn to resume fighting.

2-42-16,17 & 18: These three richas are Saraswati Stuti.

Mandala  -3

3-1-14: This richa mentions of another scientific fact – the water cycle, triggered by Sun, evaporation of sea water, and transportation of vapor by wind/clouds to distant place and raining. Can we really say modern science has evolved just in last 400 years?

3-20-2: The richa mentions of 3 classes of fire by type of material its burn on, very similar to modern day classification..another example of modern science drawing from vedic knowledge.

3-26-4: Mantra, pleading rain gods for enticing rain.

3-26-7: Fire god’s self declaration or rishi’s ultimate oneness with fire.

3-31-1&2: These two richas describe the basic construct of patriarchal society, where son inherits the father’s property and daughter is supposed to be the bearer of family honor. She is ordained to be honored.  Also Richa 1 of this sukta approves the adoption of daughter’s male child as own son and inheritor incase one is not having any male child.

3-33-1 : This richa mentions of river Vyas and Satluj giving impression that land between these 2 rivers was the place of residence of sage (Vishwamitra).

3-33-2-13: Stuti of river Satluj and Vyas by sage Vishwamitra. He prays the rivers and pleads them to allow him to cross by receding to which rivers oblige. However it is not clear whether he was crossing from east to west towards Afghanistan or from Afghanistan’s sides to Punjab.

3-55-full:  Entire sukta repeatedly emphasise the fact that the source of power of all deva is the same and they are all the same except for their manifestation.

मह्द्देवानाम्  सुरात्वमेकं |

3-62-10: This is one of the most recited, and revered richa of Rig and one of the most sacred, potent, and important mantra for Hindus- the world famous Gayatri Mantra. (One of the reasons it’s called Gayatri is that it is set in Gayatri chhand).

तत्सवितुर्वरेण्यं भर्गो देवस्य धीमहि | धियो योनः प्रचोदयात ||

Mandala  -4

4-4-4: This richa is very potent prayer to agni for destroying those who are creating obstacle in our growth and pulling us down.

4-18-15: this is one exceptional richa in the sense that it propagates night worship of Indra by offering him Som as libation in the night and Indra giving immeasurable wealth to the devotee for this night offering.

4-22-4 : This is richa is another vedic knowledge which the modern science has confirmed – Sound requires a medium to travel to the ears.

4-26-1,2,&3 : This richa is self declaration of Indra by proclaiming his various manifestations as Manu, Aditya (sun), Kuts and Usna rishi.

4-42-1: This richa explicitly mentions about ‘Kshatirya’ – the ruler-warrior community. Before this, all richas just mentions collectively as ‘Panchjanya’ -five people/communities – assumed to be Brahmins, Kshatirya, Vaisya, Shudra and Nishads (forest dwellers).

4-57-4 to 8: Mantra for field ploughing, seeding and agriculture.

4-58-11: Very touching stuti of omnipresent God, enumerating his various manifestations. Also in the same richa it is mentioned that in water, he resides as electricity, amazing! Seems, sages had the knowledge of Hydro electric.

To be Continued... 

 

An introduction to Rig Veda.

तन्नों मित्रो वरुणो माम-हतां-मदिति सिन्धु पृथिवीं उत धौ 

Mithra, varuna, devas, aditi, rivers, earth and heaven, all grant the wish

Rig veda is the oldest of all 4 vedas and major source of subject matter of other 3 vedas. Rig is the oldest and living compilation of knowledge of human race. This is not for a particular religion but for the human kind. Exact time period is not known for its compilation but various assumption based on different methods suggests a time period between 10000 to 6000 years BC. B G Tilak propounded that it got compiled at least 8500 yars ago, basis comparison of current placement of astronomical bodies with what is mentioned in the Rig. However it was a continuous endeavor of many generations, many suktas could older than 25000 years ago as it mentions sea in place of Himalyas and mention advent of Himalyas from sea.   Though Rig proclaims it’s richas are immortal and existed even before universe came in existence and will continue to exist even after universe is no more (1-164-39). This is the reason it is called sanatan (immortal), and all who follows it, Sanatanis (Hindu). Rig and other Vedas are called Shruti – (heard), because no one created the verses but sages visualized/realized the richas through meditation.

Yes, Rig was definitely compiled in India. It list places and all major rivers of north India, from Sindhu, Ravi, Chenab, Vayas, Satluj, Sarawati, Kabul, to Ganga, Yamana and Gomati. All 5 Rivers of Punjab and Sindhu finds mention is first mandala itself.

Rig refers its human subjects as “Arya”, not sanatanis or hindus. So all the rishi-muni sages and devas are Arya, so are the populace who does the yagna. Basically Vedas are compiled and followed by Aryans. Indra destroys all non-arayan who creates nuisance in ygna or creates trouble for Aryans. Entire population of Indian subcontinent, including all 5 verna (Pancha janya) (forest dwellers included) is referred as Arya.

It gives the glimpse of the rich life Indians were leading then. Society of peaceful had all sorts of professions, from warriors to artisans. There were salaried employees as well. Traders and business class were also there. Kingship was both appointed and inherited. Great Sages were guiding gurus of Kings and were instrumental in maintaining checks and balance in the society.People used to live in pucca houses having 3 stories. Gold was abundant. Barley was the staple food. Goat and Horse were sacrificed in Ygna (horse was especially sacrificed in Ashwamegha Ygna). Coinage were of both gold and silver. Even then there were gamblers and sex cheats! Gambling even then was decried.

Rig praises mainly 33 Devas, all representing different powers of Nature. Chief among them is Indra. Others are Agni (fire), Varuna(Water), Mitra/Aditya (Sun), Vishnu,  Usha, Ashwani Brothers, Marut Ganans (air/wind/Cloud), Vasus, Aditi - Mother of All Gods, Saraswati - the rever, devi and Mother and Soma (the sacred nector - intoxicant) etc.

Aryan ethos of life is very well summarized in Rig. It’s based on leading a fulfilling, healthy, prosperous and long life, obtain highest knowledge and all good thing in life, live peacefully, protect the nature, fight bravely and protect the dharma, marry and procreate, do ygna for welfare of society, do good deeds, and at the end strive for salvation. In short, all 4 endeavors of a man – Dharma (Education/Knowledge/duty), Artha (wealth/prosperity), Kama (fulfillment of desires/lust), Moksha (salvation) and Rig is full of ways and means to achieve these goals.

Rig is not a religious book in stricter sense. It’s a compilation of whole range of knowledge, modern human race need to survive and thrive peacefully, from arithmetic, algebra, astronomy, astrology, surgery, medicine, chemistry, engineering, space, philosophy, economics, war-science, sociology, history, geography, sex and what not. Yes, it is also the main source of Sanatan (hindu) religious fundamentals, philosophy and rituals. Rig is the main source of almost entire Sanskrit sanatan treatise comprising more than 1000 books from Ayurveda to Kaama Sutra. It is the source of most chanted and highly revered Gayatri mantra (3-62-10) and Maha Mritunjay mantra (7-59-12).

Though various other sources mentions Rig having more that 40000 richas and 21 samhitas (compilations/versions), but currently only 1 samhita, Shaakal samhita having only 10000+ richas, grouped in 10 Mandalas. Mandala contain suktas, comprising one to, even more than 50 richas.

Here is the listing of some of the useful and magnanimous richas of the Rig Veda. These are on various subjects and cover multitude of aspects and touches every aspect of human life. Mostly I’ve lisated only those richas which one can relate with in today’s world and modern science have reached the same conclusions about. This proves that we Indian knew almost everything and much more then, which western science is finding now. I’ve also listed some of my observations here, which I felt is the underlying meaning of the richas. Most of the meaning here are literal, taken as its.

 

1-50-11 : - This is the mantra for curing heart disease. Sun is the god invoked here. The richa is very explicit in meaning that sun to be pleaded for curing “Hridya Roga”. It also means that the sages then, some 8500 years ago, were fully aware of this ailment.

1-50-12 & 13 :  Surya mantra for curing sundry diseases.

1-56-1: Richa sets the guideline for experts and learned (scientist/engineers)-‘mayavi’- that they would respect the laws of nature and their work should not be harmful to environment and detrimental to living beings and that they would not exploit the natural resources selfishly. Almost similar thoughts have been repeated in 4-18-1. Environment protection was important and known then.

1-85-13 : There is a story in puranas that Indra’s vajra (thunder-bolt) is made from the bone of sage Dadhichi..This richa is the source of that story as this fact is clearly mentioned here.

1-89-10 : Beautiful stuti of Devi Aditi – mother of all gods.

1-90-6,7&8 : Madhumay Stuti.. Perhaps the precursor of Lord Krishna’s madhuri stuti.

1-108-4 : The richa mentions of  pungent -‘tikshna’  Soma, consumed after mixing with water….suggests something?

1-116-2 & 4: The richas speaks of fighter plane owned and operated by Ashwinins. The interesting fact about the Ashwini brothers (twins) is that they are mentioned in verity of forms in the different richas..They are the physicians and chemists dispensing off treatment and conducting surgeries, they are the engineers and inventors creating all sorts of gizmos and weapons, constructing dams and bridges and buildings, they are the bravest of the warriors and close friend of Indra. They are also depicted as boyfriend/consort of ‘Usha’ – the dawn (daughter of Sun/Apollo), as it is mentioned that she liked them and happily boarded their chariot to stay with them.(10-85-8 mentions about the formal marriage of Usha with Ashwinis). Ashwini’s chariot is described as having three wheels, precursor to today’s three wheelers!

 

To be continued...