Vedas: God's indelible message

The date of the origin of Hinduism cannot be fixed by anyone and so too are God's utterances in the form of the Vedas. These revelations, containing indelible rules relating to man's safe voyage in life are paramount, infinite and have no end. They can be compared to precious treasures which cannot be placed at the hands of children.

Forming the base of our culture, tradition and religion, they have continued to be transmitted from scholars well- versed in them, to groups of disciples, who in turn taught others. Such a process of learning required certain amount of physical and mental discipline.

Some may question why these secrets cannot be learnt by all. Even as an office assistant cannot handle a sophisticated machine for which only the services of technical personal are to be obtained, the Vedic message has to be conveyed to the qualified only.

The Vedas ought to be accepted by all. They reveal God's forms and commands. If a man breathes, it will naturally mean, he is alive. So too, if he should exist, he must continue to inhale and exhale. They are complementary acts and thus people who know the significance of the Vedas will admit the presence of the Almighty. The Vedic injunctions caution people to listen only to what is good and only to those statements which would make them lead a life of virtue.

Another message is that if charity is extended to an undeserving person, sin will accrue to the donor. God in human from has stated this in the Ramayana. The glory of this “All- comprehensive knowledge” (the Vedas) is mentioned in the Bhagavatham.

In one of His 24 manifestations as emperor Prithu, Mother Earth praised him for His able administration and pointed out that anyone of the later times who follows with faith and reverence, these expedients, found and taught by the ancient masters, would achieve the purpose of life and that those who disregard them would not succeed in their efforts.

When Prithu (a part-manifestation) stopped performing his 100 horse sacrifice, he was hailed. The Supreme Being (in all His splendour) who presides over yagas, appeared and explained to him how, pious souls who are possessed of good understanding will bear no illwill against their fellow beings. The awakened soul, knowing the real nature of this body would never get attached to it. Later, discarding all royal comforts, Prithu practised asceticism, Sri B. Sundar Kumar said in his discourse.
                                                                   March 8, 1991

Vedas, God's priceless gift to man

Man, the creation of God, has limitations in respect of all his functions. He possesses only a restricted amount of power and valour. He can live only for a few years. Still, with his short-comings, he can rise to the level of the Divinity by adopting procedures laid down in the spiritual laws and by properly shaping his personal conduct and by not violating the directions. The methods are contained in the Vedas, which are God's revelations.

These Vedic injunctions are permanent and cannot be altered. These priceless gifts of God should be preserved. The Vedic utterances govern all aspects of a man's life. The Vedas do not distinguish mankind as high or low. They can be followed only by human beings and so one should consider oneself extremely fortunate in having been caused to be born as a man.

People should depend on the grace showered by God and realise that not a blade of grass can grow if God so wills. We experience grief because we have lost the moral strength and drifted away from our spiritual moorings

Sri Manjakkudi Rajagopala Sastrigal in a discourse said, man, getting up from his bed should reflect on the pious deeds he had carried out the previous day. He should not have offended or caused mental injury to anyone. He should not have uttered falsehood.

Speaking Truth has been listed as the foremost among the several Divine commands. In the Bhagavatham this is reflected by the adoration by celestials that “Truth” is the highest means of attaining the Lord, and that He had existed since the universe (as known to mortals) appeared. He continues to manifest Himself now and He shall be present for ever, though He may not be seen by our eyes. But God will be pleased if we adhere to the guidelines laid by Him.

Even as we require a physician's help to get our illness cured, we should seek the guidance of the Vedic statements to lead an unblemished life based on virtue, by keeping our thoughts, words and deeds pure and alike. Many are now eager to know the relevance of the Vedas to modern days.
                                                                   September 14, 1991

Vedas contain guidelines for peace, harmony

God has provided a manual for mankind to maintain harmony in the world because human achievements are possible only when there is peace. It is called “Dharma Sastra,” which forms the first of the two major divisions of the Vedas, the other one being “Tathwa Sastra.”

There is a mistaken impression among some that the Vedas advocate asceticism only. Far from this, they ask all to enjoy material pleasures but impose a simple condition that they should be within the constitutional framework of virtue (Dharma).

Another erroneous notion that the Vedas may be of no validity now should also be dispelled. When they tell people to speak the “Truth,” there cannot be a change in its value whether uttered in the fifth century or in the present time. Not to utter falsehood is a norm that holds good for ever.

Indian culture is based on the fundamental scriptures known as the Vedas, whose traditions are timeless and have been passed on orally from the teachers to the disciples. Having thus a divine origin, they (also called Srutis) contain directives which sustain the activities of the universe in an organised manner so that there is harmony and peace. To help maintain this harmony, everyone should see eye to eye. Extended further, this need for united action, will have to be applied to family, society and the nation. Harmonious existence thus supports everything, from the individual to the cosmos.

Swami Paramatmananda in a lecture pointed out that what was required was not the creation of harmony but making people lead lives which do not disturb this already available God-given gift. Man has the powers to use or misuse it and so can disturb harmony because animals and plants will not indulge in this act. God has given this manual to man, as he alone requires it, since one cannot talk of values to animals. Without giving an option, the Vedas direct him to follow the path of righteous conduct.

At the same time, the Vedas never say that men should not enjoy life, but they add “Let this be in keeping with Dharma.” The Vedas are not against material welfare. Hence, the view among some that the Indians are not progressive because they are against materialism, is wrong. As people become more and more mature, they will realise that these worldly pleasures are of no consequence and discover that there is something more profound and of higher value.
                                                                   October 24, 1992

Uniqueness of Vedic religion

Unifying people at all levels is an arduous task but it is necessary for the progress of human civilisation; otherwise, only the law of the jungle will prevail. One of the rare contributions of the Vedas is the insistence on unity among all. Achieving it should be based on the acceptance of diversity also. While collectivism is human culture, animals believe in isolationism. Man's common prayer is “Let the people of entire universe prosper.

Unity in diversity at the world level is the favourite theory of the Vedas. Even enemies should thrive but their wickedness should turn to goodness. A criticism often directed against the Vedas is that their prayers and rituals are aimed only at the prosperity of a particular race or caste. It is not a fact. They are intended for the welfare of the entire humanity. Though Vedic seers lived in forests, their thinking related to the prosperity of the people at large. Their ideas originated from a divine source and hence they were uncontaminated by any prejudice based on race, caste, country or creed.

Aswamedayaga was aimed at bringing the whole world under one flag without bloodshed or war. The superior power, however, never exploited the minor kingdoms for political or economic considerations. The emperors upheld the dictum “All must live.” The Vedas similarly recognised the multitude of languages, different habits of food, clothing and other customs which varied from country to country. A Rig Veda mantra urges all people to be good, in all walks of life.

Sri Agnihotram Ramanuja Thathachariar said no religion other than Vedic religion tolerates the existence of another. It never claims any exclusiveness; nor does it destroy other religions by adopting authorised or unauthorised ways. As the fundamental theory is that God is one, it becomes necessary to tolerate other religions. The Gita followed the idea of unity from the Vedas and applied it later to Hinduism only.

The Vedas advise people to approach God in any manner, by giving names and forms, so that He may become accessible to all. The pathways to God, according to them, are numerous but they all ultimately lead to the same goal. Renouncing fanaticism, the Vedas look at problems of the world with a broad outlook, which serves as the unique greatness of the Vedic religion.
                                                                   October 28, 1993

Upholding righteousness, message of the Vedas

The oldest religion, Hinduism, has its source in the Vedas which are God's revelations. They contain directives to make a man's life happy and urge him to abide by the Law of Virtue. They prescribe a code of ethics and religious practices. The day-to-day life of the Indian people is controlled by the various injunctions contained in this Law which broadly points out how righteous methods should be adopted.

Though the Vedas are without a beginning in terms of time, yet since they are divine in nature, they have kept in mind, man's needs and aspirations, his quest for peace and the link that ought to be established between God and an individual soul.

Knowledge and wisdom are enshrined in 14 sacred texts: the four Vedas, the six Vedangas (auxiliaries), Meemamsa (interpretation of Vedic statements), Nyaya (logic), Puranas and Sastras. To these 14 are to be added four upangas (appendices to the Vedangas). (They are Ayurveda, Arthasastra, Dhanur Veda and Gandharva Veda). The well-being of the world is possible only by the operation of this good Law of governance. The commandments in these texts spell out gradual lessons to enable aspirants to ascend step-by-step. A study of this founthead of spiritual knowledge will not only elevate man's thoughts, making him a pious and God-minded person, but see that he helps build a noble society.

In ancient days, those who preserved the Vedas and propagated them were respected by the rulers and were kept above want with gifts of lands and even villages. Even in the very first of the ten incarnations, God retrieved the Vedas, stolen and kept hidden by a powerful enemy.

The most vital message of the Vedas is that we should zealously uphold righteousness, said Sri Vijayendra Saraswathi of Kanchi in a lecture. The present-day turmoil and confusion  arise because rules which if followed would make us contented, have been ignored in the wake of advancement in various fields. But study of technology and spiritual education could go together. Because our forebears safeguarded the Vedas, India was described as a “Land of piety”.

Only the observance of the guidelines contained in the scriptures would promote discipline. To know what these are, the Epics and Puranas are being expounded in temples and other places, so that all could know their significance. Listening to them also indicated besides people's rights, their responsibilities too. Spiritual education should hence be imparted at various levels.
                                                                   November 20, 1993