The state of Veda Pãtasãla Today! - I

-- Sri Sri Swamiji

>> Part-II

The very fundamental of our Sanãtana Dharma is the Vedas. The innumerable religions in the world that were born, those that are still in existence as also those that have perished till date have each a Holy Text. It is possible, with certainty, to point out the time of birth of these Holy Texts and their authors. But our Maharshis have declared that the Vedas has not been authored by anyone ('apourusham'). Many who had acknowledged the Vedas had, with research bent of mind, tried to investigate the era of the Vedas. But all their attempts have been in vain. They have not been able to fix the time of the Vedas. Even the Buddhist Religious Texts, which do not accept the Vedas, have not refuted the timelessness ('anãdi' - without beginning and end) of the Vedas.

When an atheist authors a 'granta' (book) it would reflect only his atheistic views. Thus, a 'granta' generally reflects the author's own opinion that is invariably biased. However, the Vedas remains unbiased, as it has not been authored by anyone. The doubt, 'if the Vedas have not been authored by anyone how did it come into the world?' might arise. The 'ever-existent' may remain hidden but never does it face destruction. Thus, there is no destruction to the ever-existent Vedas. It seems hidden sometime and yet at other times shines out brightly.

'Veda shabdas' (the sound of the Vedas) always exists in space. None has ever doubted the superhuman power ('amãnushya shakti') of our Maharshis. The Vedas exist till date only because such Maharshis have, with their Divine power, grasped the 'Veda shabdas' and founded 'sishya parampara' (passing on the knowledge to disciples). In spite of this, the 'Veda bhãga' that remains (amongst us) now in our Age is but a very little part of the Vedas. The Ramayana, the Mahabhãrata, Srimad Bhãgavatam are the basic Epics of our Sanatana Dharma. Vãlmiki, the author of the Ramayana, calls it (the Ramayana) 'Veda upabrahmannãrthaya' - that is, the Ramayana was born only to explain in detail the matters contained in the Vedas. Vyãsa Muni, the author of the Mahãbhãrata, calls it 'Panchamo Veda' - that is, verily the fifth Veda. The same Vyãsa Muni (who authored Srimad Bhãgavatam) refers to Srimad Bhãgavatam as the fruit born in the 'Veda Vruksha' (tree of Vedas).

The 'charitra' (life history) of Harischandra elucidates the one word 'Satyam vada' (speak the Truth) uttered by the Vedas. Likewise, the 'charitra' of Dharmaputra illumines the word 'Dharmam chara' (walk on the path of Dharma), to the end. Ãdi Sankara, Rãmãnuja and Madhwachãrya who founded the three philosophies of Advaita, Visishttadvaita Dwaita, respectively, established them with the Vedas as their base and not with their intellectual deliberations. Though worship of Form, the Formless, various philosophies, festivals and religious rites are found in all Religions, worship through 'Agni' (Fire) is found only in this 'Veda Mata' (Religion of the Vedas).

Any genuine matter found in any Religion of the world is contained in the Vedas. But that which is not in the Vedas cannot be found anywhere else. Even today many in our Bhãrata desa, who call themselves atheists, while arguing against any issue in a debate quite naturally question, "Are these the words of the Vedas?"(!) We thus understand the glory of the Vedas! Many foreigners including Max Muller and Wilson have conducted research on our Vedas and have authored number of books on the subject. In our own country, too, such great ones like Aurobindo Maharshi, Bãlagangãdara Tilak, Dayãnanda Saraswati had involved themselves in researching on the Vedas.

The Vedas speak openly on some issues and very subtly on some others; some seem like riddles while others are lucid. For example, the Vedas describe the 'Paramãtma Swaroopa' (the form of the Supreme) as One with thousands of hands and legs and that the citizens were born from 'It'. The critics explain it as, 'the Hindus have a God who has thousands of hands and legs. This God gives away his hands and legs to each child that is born.' This is not the Truth. What the Vedas mean is that just as every child bearing resemblance to its parents is inevitable, so too, the semblance of the Lord in each one of us who are His child is inevitable. Therefore, instead of being skeptic if we have faith and hold reverential attitude towards the Vedas, the Divine Grace would be invoked and the true import of the Vedas comprehended.

The Vedas is classified into three groups ('kãnda'), viz. Karma, Upãsana and Jnãna. The Karma kãnda details 'sroutha', 'smãrta' karmas; Upãsana Kãnda details the various prayers and their Mantras for the various gods; the Upanishads wholly speak of Jnãna mãrga. The scientists earlier criticized many matters contained in the Vedas. However, as science is making its progress the scientists look with wonder at the many things spoken in the Vedas. The Scholars say that the Vedas even speak of aircrafts, modern vehicles and atom bombs! But, the fact is, as many 'sagãi' (branches) of the Vedas have become extinct it is not possible to illustrate these with what is available today.

While delving into the matter regarding which came first in Creation - Form or Sound - Scholars, have arrived at the conclusion that it is verily Sound that preceded Form. And that Sound is verily the Vedas. Just as a man who desires to construct a house draws up a plan, so too, did Bhagavãn draw up a plan before 'srishti' (creation). The Vedas is verily that plan. Therefore, though the import of the Vedas is very great and of high purpose it is the Sound that is significant. So long as the Sound of the Vedas fills the world its (the world's) welfare is protected. Thus, in Sanskrit the Vedas is called 'Sruti' (that which is heard) and in Tamizh it is called 'Ezhudãkilavi' (unwritten words). The Vedas were until recently kept alive through word of mouth.

Though, in society, all are equal, it is the Brahmins who were held in reverence as they had the Vedas. When Bharata visited Rama during his (Rama's) sojourn in the forest, Rama asked him, "Do you stay away from worshipping the worldly minded Brahmins?" From this, it can be comprehended that Brahmins were held in high reverence in the Society only because they had the Vedas. The repeated invasions on our country by the Muslims as also attacks by other foreign rulers had badly affected our culture. In spite of this our ancestors have, with great difficulty, saved the Vedas for us.

to be continued...

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