Post by radha on Jun 19, 2016 11:45:55 GMT 5.5
OM SRI GURUPYO NAMAHA RESPECTFUL PRANAMS TO SRI KANCHI MAHA PERIVA.
Vedic Heritage - An Introduction
by Dr.Shashi Tiwari (Retd.), Sanskrit Department, Delhi University
1. Meaning of the 'Veda'
The word 'Veda' means 'knowledge' because it is derived from the Sanskrit root ‘vid' to know'. Then secondly, the term denotes works containing knowledge (Vidya), the most sacred and authoritative knowledge. Veda is therefore, a Book of Knowledge. The word 'Veda' does not refer to one single literary work, but indicates a whole great literature, which arose in the course of many centuries and has been handed down from one generation to another generation by verbal transmission.
'Veda' is also called ‘Shruti’ meaning what is heard, as opposed to what is composed, written or remembered. According to Indian traditional thoughts 'Veda' is regarded as revealed scripture, self-evident, and self authoritative. It is not composed by any human authors. The Vedic hymns (Suktas) or verses (Mantras) are seen and only spoken by the seers (Rishis). These seers are neither author of the Mantras nor are they responsible for the contents of the Mantras. Yaska, the oldest expositor of Veda, has distinctly said that these seers received the sacred knowledge or knowledge was revealed itself to them, who handed it down to descendants by oral instruction. As opposed to the Shruti, there is Smriti literature or traditional works of human origin.
The great Vedic commentator Sayana has given a definition of the
Veda-
‘Ishtaprapti-anishtapariharyor-alaukikam-upayam yo grantho vedayati sa vedah.’
It means: The scripture, which describes the divine method for obtaining what is desirable and for giving up what is undesirable, is called Veda. This definition presents the purpose of the Veda.
According to another definition, 'the Veda is the name given to the
Mantras and the Brahmanas’.
‘Mantra-brahamanyor-vedanamadheyam.’
This definition describes the form of the 'Veda' because it could be divided mainly into these two great divisions--the Mantras and the Brahmanas. Accordingly, Mantra part is the main part of the Veda and whatever is not Mantra is Brahmana. Here it is interesting to know that many ancient definitions of Veda, showing its significance, form or contents are given in ancient Indian texts but there is no adequate definition of the Veda. Generally speaking the word 'Veda' signifies highest, sacred, eternal and divine knowledge as well as the works containing that knowledge.
2. Importance of the Veda
The significance of the Veda is acknowledged due to many facts. Some of them are discussed here in brief:
The Veda is the earliest available literature of humanity. The antiquity of the Veda is beyond doubt. It contains the earliest recorded poetry and prose literature of the human race.
The Veda has been regarded as authoritative knowledge, mostly for the entire Indian thought and religion. Its authority is not to be questioned and it is the last tribunal in matters of dispute whether in religion or philosophy or social customs. The term 'Aastika' is used for those systems of Indian philosophy, which have faith on the authority of the Veda and the term 'Naastika' is used for those systems of Indian philosophy which do not have faith on the authority of the Veda.
The religion and culture of the Hindus are rooted in the Veda. Till date, their worship, sacrifice, rites and attitudes are influenced by the Veda.
The Veda contains the highest spiritual knowledge (Paravidya) as well as the knowledge of the world (Aparavidya). We find here description of various aspects of the different subjects such as sciences, medicine, political science, psychology, agriculture, poetry, art, music etc.
The Veda is unique in its purity and sanctity. The text of the Veda is preserved in its pure and original form without any alteration or interpolation even after thousands of years. The Veda is the only unadulterated treasure house of true knowledge.
The Vedic language is marked by extreme economy of expression. Many times it seems to carry some deep hidden meanings indicating mystical truths. Often it makes symbolic impression. The wise men, from the immediate successors of the Vedic seers right down to our times, have searched for and discovered the revelation of the deepest truth in the Vedic texts differently. That is the reason many commentaries and reference- books are written by the ancient and modern scholars for understanding the Veda and the Vedic concepts. This vast reference material further establishes the importance of the Vedic texts.
3. Preservation of the Veda
Despite being oldest, the Vedas have been preserved in their true form up till now. F. Max Muller, a renowned European scholar, has admitted that, the text of the Vedas has been handed down to us with such accuracy and care that there is hardly any change in the words, or there is any uncertain aspect in the whole of Vedas. The credit for this goes to Vedic seers (Rishis) who devised means of protecting and preserving the text of Vedas letter by letter, with all their accessories. Vedic mantras have accents (Swara) which preserve its original form of word- construction.
There were eight ways i.e., Vikritis of memorizing Vedas. These are Jatapatha, Malapatha, Shikhapatha, Rekhapatha, Dhvajapatha, Dandapatha, Rathapatha and Ghanapatha. Among them Ghana Patha is most difficult and the longest.
There are other three Pathas for memorizing Mantras most commonly known as:
1. Samhita-Patha - in which Mantra remains in its true form.
2. Pada-Patha- in which each word of a Mantra is separately spoken.
3. Krama-Patha- in which two words of a Mantra are spoken jointly as Ka-kha, kha-ga.
Another step was to prepare treatises known as Anukraminis in which the names of Rishi, Devata, Chandas are mentioned in reference to each hymn of the Vedas. Brahmanas and Vedangas have preserved the inner sense of the Vedic hymns. A.A. Macdonell has rightly observed in his 'History of Sanskrit Literature'-‘ since that remote time, the text of the Vedas has suffered no change whatsoever with such a care that history has nothing to compare with'.
4. Apaurusheyata of the Veda
As has been told earlier according to Hindu conception the Veda is not the creation of any human being. It is divine and only visualized by the ancient seers, and that is why it is called Apaurusheya . All other works or words of great luminaries fall under the category of Paurusheya and that is why they are known by their respective names. The Rigveda describes the Veda as eternal and Apaurusheya-
‘Vachaa virupa nityataa’ – Rigveda 8.76.6
Main systems of Indian philosophy such as Vedanta is worth- mentioning which states that ' Vedas are just like expiration ( Nihshvaasa) of that great Brahman'. They are 'breathed out' by the Brahman. So the
Veda is eternal just as Brahman is eternal. Even Brahman is not its creator;
hence it is His expiration (breathing out).
5. Age of the Veda
No one now doubts that the Rigveda is the most ancient document of the human beings, but fixing the age of the Rigveda or the Veda is most difficult task. This issue has many problems, such as-
1. There is no outside evidence available as inscription, seals etc.
2. Dates are not mentioned in the Vedic texts.
3. The doctrine of 'Apaurusheyata' proves the Veda as eternal.
4. Vedic astronomical accounts found in Vedas are not very clear.
5. View of the Indian and Western scholars differ on this subject.
On the question of the age of the Veda, the only source that remains is the literary evidence on which are based the so-called literary or linguistic theories. Other theories are based upon some assumptions which have yet to be proved conclusively. Max Muller has rightly exclaimed in his book 'Physical Religion' (P.18), "Whether the Vedic hymns were composed in 1000 or 1500 or 2000 or 3000 year B.C., no power on each could ever fix."
Certainly Vedic knowledge is beyond age and time as it is eternal and universal. When we talk of the age of the Vedas, we mean to determine the period of arrangement and composition of the main Vedic texts. Boghazkoi inscription (1400 B.C.) found in Asia Minor refers to four Vedic deities, so we may consider the latest limit of the Vedic age before 1400 B.C. But the final word has yet to be said on the age of the Vedas.
Vedic Heritage Portal
SRI KANCHI MAHA PERIVA THIRUVADIGAL CHARA
Vedic Heritage - An Introduction
by Dr.Shashi Tiwari (Retd.), Sanskrit Department, Delhi University
1. Meaning of the 'Veda'
The word 'Veda' means 'knowledge' because it is derived from the Sanskrit root ‘vid' to know'. Then secondly, the term denotes works containing knowledge (Vidya), the most sacred and authoritative knowledge. Veda is therefore, a Book of Knowledge. The word 'Veda' does not refer to one single literary work, but indicates a whole great literature, which arose in the course of many centuries and has been handed down from one generation to another generation by verbal transmission.
'Veda' is also called ‘Shruti’ meaning what is heard, as opposed to what is composed, written or remembered. According to Indian traditional thoughts 'Veda' is regarded as revealed scripture, self-evident, and self authoritative. It is not composed by any human authors. The Vedic hymns (Suktas) or verses (Mantras) are seen and only spoken by the seers (Rishis). These seers are neither author of the Mantras nor are they responsible for the contents of the Mantras. Yaska, the oldest expositor of Veda, has distinctly said that these seers received the sacred knowledge or knowledge was revealed itself to them, who handed it down to descendants by oral instruction. As opposed to the Shruti, there is Smriti literature or traditional works of human origin.
The great Vedic commentator Sayana has given a definition of the
Veda-
‘Ishtaprapti-anishtapariharyor-alaukikam-upayam yo grantho vedayati sa vedah.’
It means: The scripture, which describes the divine method for obtaining what is desirable and for giving up what is undesirable, is called Veda. This definition presents the purpose of the Veda.
According to another definition, 'the Veda is the name given to the
Mantras and the Brahmanas’.
‘Mantra-brahamanyor-vedanamadheyam.’
This definition describes the form of the 'Veda' because it could be divided mainly into these two great divisions--the Mantras and the Brahmanas. Accordingly, Mantra part is the main part of the Veda and whatever is not Mantra is Brahmana. Here it is interesting to know that many ancient definitions of Veda, showing its significance, form or contents are given in ancient Indian texts but there is no adequate definition of the Veda. Generally speaking the word 'Veda' signifies highest, sacred, eternal and divine knowledge as well as the works containing that knowledge.
2. Importance of the Veda
The significance of the Veda is acknowledged due to many facts. Some of them are discussed here in brief:
The Veda is the earliest available literature of humanity. The antiquity of the Veda is beyond doubt. It contains the earliest recorded poetry and prose literature of the human race.
The Veda has been regarded as authoritative knowledge, mostly for the entire Indian thought and religion. Its authority is not to be questioned and it is the last tribunal in matters of dispute whether in religion or philosophy or social customs. The term 'Aastika' is used for those systems of Indian philosophy, which have faith on the authority of the Veda and the term 'Naastika' is used for those systems of Indian philosophy which do not have faith on the authority of the Veda.
The religion and culture of the Hindus are rooted in the Veda. Till date, their worship, sacrifice, rites and attitudes are influenced by the Veda.
The Veda contains the highest spiritual knowledge (Paravidya) as well as the knowledge of the world (Aparavidya). We find here description of various aspects of the different subjects such as sciences, medicine, political science, psychology, agriculture, poetry, art, music etc.
The Veda is unique in its purity and sanctity. The text of the Veda is preserved in its pure and original form without any alteration or interpolation even after thousands of years. The Veda is the only unadulterated treasure house of true knowledge.
The Vedic language is marked by extreme economy of expression. Many times it seems to carry some deep hidden meanings indicating mystical truths. Often it makes symbolic impression. The wise men, from the immediate successors of the Vedic seers right down to our times, have searched for and discovered the revelation of the deepest truth in the Vedic texts differently. That is the reason many commentaries and reference- books are written by the ancient and modern scholars for understanding the Veda and the Vedic concepts. This vast reference material further establishes the importance of the Vedic texts.
3. Preservation of the Veda
Despite being oldest, the Vedas have been preserved in their true form up till now. F. Max Muller, a renowned European scholar, has admitted that, the text of the Vedas has been handed down to us with such accuracy and care that there is hardly any change in the words, or there is any uncertain aspect in the whole of Vedas. The credit for this goes to Vedic seers (Rishis) who devised means of protecting and preserving the text of Vedas letter by letter, with all their accessories. Vedic mantras have accents (Swara) which preserve its original form of word- construction.
There were eight ways i.e., Vikritis of memorizing Vedas. These are Jatapatha, Malapatha, Shikhapatha, Rekhapatha, Dhvajapatha, Dandapatha, Rathapatha and Ghanapatha. Among them Ghana Patha is most difficult and the longest.
There are other three Pathas for memorizing Mantras most commonly known as:
1. Samhita-Patha - in which Mantra remains in its true form.
2. Pada-Patha- in which each word of a Mantra is separately spoken.
3. Krama-Patha- in which two words of a Mantra are spoken jointly as Ka-kha, kha-ga.
Another step was to prepare treatises known as Anukraminis in which the names of Rishi, Devata, Chandas are mentioned in reference to each hymn of the Vedas. Brahmanas and Vedangas have preserved the inner sense of the Vedic hymns. A.A. Macdonell has rightly observed in his 'History of Sanskrit Literature'-‘ since that remote time, the text of the Vedas has suffered no change whatsoever with such a care that history has nothing to compare with'.
4. Apaurusheyata of the Veda
As has been told earlier according to Hindu conception the Veda is not the creation of any human being. It is divine and only visualized by the ancient seers, and that is why it is called Apaurusheya . All other works or words of great luminaries fall under the category of Paurusheya and that is why they are known by their respective names. The Rigveda describes the Veda as eternal and Apaurusheya-
‘Vachaa virupa nityataa’ – Rigveda 8.76.6
Main systems of Indian philosophy such as Vedanta is worth- mentioning which states that ' Vedas are just like expiration ( Nihshvaasa) of that great Brahman'. They are 'breathed out' by the Brahman. So the
Veda is eternal just as Brahman is eternal. Even Brahman is not its creator;
hence it is His expiration (breathing out).
5. Age of the Veda
No one now doubts that the Rigveda is the most ancient document of the human beings, but fixing the age of the Rigveda or the Veda is most difficult task. This issue has many problems, such as-
1. There is no outside evidence available as inscription, seals etc.
2. Dates are not mentioned in the Vedic texts.
3. The doctrine of 'Apaurusheyata' proves the Veda as eternal.
4. Vedic astronomical accounts found in Vedas are not very clear.
5. View of the Indian and Western scholars differ on this subject.
On the question of the age of the Veda, the only source that remains is the literary evidence on which are based the so-called literary or linguistic theories. Other theories are based upon some assumptions which have yet to be proved conclusively. Max Muller has rightly exclaimed in his book 'Physical Religion' (P.18), "Whether the Vedic hymns were composed in 1000 or 1500 or 2000 or 3000 year B.C., no power on each could ever fix."
Certainly Vedic knowledge is beyond age and time as it is eternal and universal. When we talk of the age of the Vedas, we mean to determine the period of arrangement and composition of the main Vedic texts. Boghazkoi inscription (1400 B.C.) found in Asia Minor refers to four Vedic deities, so we may consider the latest limit of the Vedic age before 1400 B.C. But the final word has yet to be said on the age of the Vedas.
Vedic Heritage Portal
SRI KANCHI MAHA PERIVA THIRUVADIGAL CHARA