An introduction to Rig Veda.
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...
