Chapter XI
Values in Vedas
Knowing, knowledge, is Veda (Vetthi ithi Vedah). That is, from the
Vedas, one can know the code of right activity and the body of right knowledge.
The Vedas teach one’s duties from birth to death.
Rig Veda
Of the Vedas, the first is the Rigveda. It is generally considered to
be composed of ten sections. In the first nine sections, hymns in praise of God
under the names Agni, Indra, Maruth,
etc. are found. Historians and re- searchers have suggested certain theories to
explain how these hymns of praise arose. People in those days realized that
fire (agni), air (vayu), wind (maruth), etc. were far more powerful than them, so they described
their divine qualities and propitiated them.
Yajur veda
The second Veda, the Yajur-veda, has two recensions
(reviews): the Krishna (black) Yajur-veda
and Sukla (white) Yajur-veda. This Veda refers to the
river Ganga (Ganges) and its region. It is the source of the later (uttara) Mimamsa school of thought and
interpretation. The people had by then demarcated the forest areas from the
cultivable areas around the villages and had taken to habitation in the
villages.
A prominent reason prompted the
separation of certain portions of the Veda into the Yajur-veda. The Yajur-veda
had seven sections called forest texts (aranyakas),
indicating by that very name that they referred more to disciplines and
spiritual exercises that can be practised only in the seclusion and silence of
the forest.
Sama veda
The third Veda is the Sama-veda. Many of the hymns (riks) of the Rigveda are repeated in it, but with additional musical notes so
that they may be sung during Vedic rituals and ceremonies. So the Sama-veda is mainly musical
notation.
The Sama-veda
is also referred to as the Bell Veda (Ghana-veda)
in order to highlight its musical nature. All musical schools are derivatives
of the styles that are marked out by the Sama-veda.
All tones and notes are embedded in that Veda.
Atharva veda
The fourth is the Athar-vana or Atharvaveda.
It has been described in many diverse ways. Some have even denied it the status
of a Veda. Others say that it is made up of what remained after the collation
of the rest.
In the other Vedas, the might and
mystery of the Gods are described. But this Veda mentions the possibility of
acquiring certain powers and mysteries by one’s own effort and exercises. This
is its speciality. Hatha-yoga (the yoga of postures), the skill of rendering
oneself invisible by repeating certain mantras, the eight parts of yoga or communion
(ashtanga-yoga) —these are made
available for humanity only in this Veda. Of course, by winning the grace of
God, one can acquire even skills that are otherwise impossible to attain.
In short, it must be realized that the
Vedas are very important and that they cover the entire range of knowledge.
They are the source and spring of Indian (Bharathiya)
culture. They are the recordings of visions and divine experiences; their
source is not someone definite person.
They were revealed by God Himself, of
His own innate mercy. The Vedic inheritance has been preserved pure and
unsullied even to this day, because it was handed down from master to disciple
in regular succession. Since it is timeless and author less, it is worthy of
acceptance. No one can afford to neglect or deny its value.
Love.
