The Vedas are books of revealed knowledge, a knowledge that cannot be acquired through sense perception using logical and reasoning intelligence of the mind. This knowledge was revealed to the Rishis (seers) in the state of deep meditation (Tapas). This knowledge is super-rational and intuitive which forms the basis of all mystical or spiritual knowledge.
The Rig-Veda is divided into four parts, viz., Samhita, Brahmana, Aranyaka and Upanishad. The Rig-Veda Samhita has 10,552 Mantras contained in 1,028 Suktas (collections of hymns) which are spread over 10 Mandalas. Each Mantra is in a particular meter and associated with a deity and a Rishi to whom the Mantra was revealed.
A Mantra is a mystical formula that embodies the very form of a deity and carries the power of the deity in it. A Mantra contains sacred syllables which, when chanted with proper intonations, brings into awareness the wisdom and workings of the deity. A Mantra is infused with the power of the Tapas of the Rishi to whom it was revealed. A Rishi is a Mantra Drasta who has had a vision of the deity through Tapas. These Mantras were received by Rishis through revelation of knowledge from the supreme heaven called Parame Vyoman. Thus, the Vedas are not composed by human beings and hence called Apaurusheya. Dristi (super-sensuous perception) and Shruti (super-sensuous hearing) are the two fundamental characteristics of the Vedic Mantra.
The Vedas are without a beginning (Anaadi) because these Mantras abide in the supreme ether eternally. It is said, "अनन्तो वै वेदाः - the Vedas are infinite". It is not possible for any human being to acquire this infinite knowledge of the Vedas. The message of the Vedas is not limited to any particular caste, creed or religion. This message is universal and eternal.
The Rig-Veda Samhita is considered as a repository of spiritual knowledge. The mystery of creation is more lucidly revealed in the Rig-Veda than any other system of knowledge. This entire creation emerges from one Supreme Being called Purusha (Consciousness). This is the irrefutable doctrine of Rig-Veda. The Aghamarsan Sukta of the Rig-Veda (10.190) affirms that Ritam and Sathyam are the fundamental basis of this creation. According to the Vedic Theory of Creation, this creation passes through three states, viz., Causal, Subtle and Gross. The Consciousness which presides over these three states is called Iswara (Prajna), Hiranyagarbha (Brahma, Taijasa), and Virat (Prajapati, Vaishvanara) respectively.
The Causal sate is an unmanifest state of Consciousness that is bereft of any activity. This state is characterised as Age of Darkness or Apraketam Salil. This state is best described in the Nasadiya Sukta of the Rig-Veda (10.129). Then commences the Primordial Age of gods wherein Iswara-Consciousness projects many divine intelligences (gods) for governing the various aspects of creation.
This Consciousness becomes manifest because of the Real Idea of creation and takes the form of Hiranyagarbha. This is the Age of Radiation wherein intelligence becomes radiant because of the Power of Vaak. This state is also called Supraketam Salil which is pervaded by Agni. The Asya Vamiya Sukta of the Rig-Veda (1.164) vividly describes this process of manifestation of the unmanifest. The Hiranyagarbha Sukta of the Rig-Veda (10.121) describes the various powers of this mighty deity called.
Hiranyagarbha. Then commences the ancient Yajna (Cosmic Sacrifice) for bringing out gross creation to be presided over by Virat-Purusha (Prajapati).
This ancient Yajna was performed by Prajapati with the help of several divine principles like Devas (gods), Sadhya (vital-currents), Angirasa Rishis, etc., for bringing out elementary creation which results in the formation of five spiritual elements (Pancha Mahabhutas). The Savita Sukta of the Rig-Veda (1.35) describes the various higher worlds established by God Savita. The Devagana Sukta of the Rig-Veda (10.72) describes the formation of stars and galaxies. The Vishvatah Tantubhih Sukta of the Rig-Veda (10.130) further elaborates the role of Angirasa Rishis and seven Metres in weaving creation-web through this Yajna. The Purusha Sukta of the Rig-Veda (10.90) describes the emergence of mind, life and cosmic senses form this Yajna. Virat-Purusha got transformed into cellular life with the assistance of Praana (Sadhya) and cosmic senses (Rishis). Life gradually emerged in various forms, from plants to fish, to amphibians, to avis, to mammals, and to men. Life form changed from quadrupeds to bipeds. According to Modern Cosmology, this entire process of creation takes several billion years.
This book presents the Sanskrit text, English translation, and commentary on the few selected Suktas of the Rig-Veda. An attempt has been made to present the Vision of the Seer in these Suktas. A few sketches have also been provided for a clear understanding of the topic. The readers will find that the knowledge revealed in these Suktas is very profound.
Vedas (1182)
Upanishads (493)
Puranas (624)
Ramayana (741)
Mahabharata (354)
Dharmasastras (165)
Goddess (496)
Bhakti (242)
Saints (1503)
Gods (1290)
Shiva (370)
Journal (187)
Fiction (60)
Vedanta (362)
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