- Talk-Thought - Shishir Ramavat
- To understand humanity and take life to a progressively higher stage is to approach our Vedas-Upanishads. Do not be afraid of the Vedas-Upanishads, cultivate friendship with them patiently.
Remember Shyam Benegal's memorable TV serial 'Bharat Ek Khoj' telecast on Doordarshan in 1988-'89. It was an excellent show based on Jawaharlal Nehru's book 'Discovery of India'. People especially remember its title song - 'Srishti Se Pahle Sat Nahi Tha...' The song describes the pre-creation state of the universe. These days this song is in the news so let's get it. The song is actually a wonderful Hindiization by Vasant Dev of a mantra from the Nasadiya Sukta of the Rigveda.
What is sukta? The Vedic Shias first imagined a god and then composed mantras or hymns for his worship. This structure means Sukta. The sukta or mantra we are talking about starts with the word 'nasad' (not asad) hence it is called nasadiyya sukta. Here is the mantra:
Nasdasinnno Sadasittani Nasidrjo Novyoma Paroyat.
Kimavariv: kuhaksya sharmanambah: kimasid ghanangabhiram.
Before proceeding further, let's fully enjoy the Hindi composition of Vasant Dev explaining the meaning of this mantra:
Before the creation there was no existence,
Not even a lie
not even space,
The sky will not be wet.
hide where, where,
Cover the kiss.
Us pal to agam, atal
Where is the water?
Death from not
Not even immortality.
Not day, not night
Not even air.
Sans to Swayamev Fir Bhi,
Nahi tha koi, kuch bhi.
Apart from Paramatattva, Ya Pare Bhi.
Andhere me Andhera, Munda Andhera tha,
Jal Bhi Keval was formless Jal Tha.
Paramatattva, the creation is full of work
Oche jal se dhira.
Wahi apani tapasya ki mahima se abhara.
Param Mind me seed first if it grows,
Kam Bunkar Wah Jaga.
Go to poets, intellectuals
Recognizing the close relationship between asat and sat.
First of all, the relationship or the beam is flickering.
Paramatattva us pal up or down.
Wah tha bata hua,
Man and woman are made.
Above donor flow consumer
Vasudha Swadha Ho went down.
Srishti ye bani kaise, kise
I Hai Kahan Se
Anyone know where?
Bata Sakta Hai?
The gods are unknown
Ve ae creation or after.
Srishti Ko Racha Hai Jisane,
Urge, mana kiss.
Srishti Ka Kaun Hai Karta,
Karta hai v unkarta?
I lived high in the sky,
Always became the chairman.
I knew so much
Ya Nahi Bhi Janata.
Hi Kisi Ko Nahin Pata,
don't know
Nahi Hai Pata.
Truly, this is a mesmerizing masterpiece. Also, it is so self-evident that it does not even need to be simplified. This Nasdiya Sukta deals with ten vadas or ten schools of thought, viz., sat-asat vada, ambhavavada (water was the essence of creation and from it all creation), amrit-mrityavada, ahoratravada (night after day, day after night), skepticism. , kamism etc. Jagdish Shah has written in the book 'Veda Vishka', 'Gveda is not a book of 'darshan'. Paramatattva is not discussed in Gveda as it is in Upanishads. But one thing is certain that the seeds of many philosophical ideas that came into existence later are definitely in the Gveda... The origin of the creation, its creator, origin etc., the beginning of the ideology is found in various beautiful suktas of the Gveda. That is why these are known as 'philosophical suktas'.'
The extract of the Vedas, the best part of the Vedas which reaches the Veda Parakaa, is named 'Vedanta'. Vedanta means not the end of the Vedas, but the summit of the Vedas. Vedanta is also called Upanishad. Bhagavad Gita has got the status of Upanishad. Gveda not only contains mantras to worship gods and various forms of nature, some of its teachings directly touch our living life.
In the fifth Ashtaka of Gveda it is said (instead of quoting Sanskrit mantras, let us quote the literal meaning of each mantra):
'He who is aware and is always on guard against laziness and indolence, he gets knowledge and science in this world, he gets peace and he is called Mahapurusha.' (Gveda, 5 - 44 - 14)
Our energy, our time is wasted in places that we often don't even know about. Such 'leakage' of energy should be prevented.
Gved has said that one should always be active to avoid idle talk. Today, social media has become the biggest platform for spreading nonsense. It consumes a lot of our time if we are not careful. Today in the twenty-first century, the market for 'motivation' is hot, but the roots of this motivation are buried in our Vedas, which were formed thousands of years ago. Look at these two verses-
'The sea is of no use, yet many rivers flow into it. Similarly, Lakshmi is always present in the service of a business man. It means that one who works hard never suffers from lack of money.'
(Gved, 6-19-5)
'O humans! Your power of confidence is very strong. No one can erase your determination. What's the point of simple obstacles when obstacles as big as mountains can't block your path? O humans! You are stronger than the sun.'
(Gveda, 10-27-5)
There are no less verses in other Vedas that provide enthusiasm and inspiration. See this mantra contained in the fifth octave of the Atharvaveda:
'Human beings should not be distracted by conflict. Instead of worshiping God, make your soul and body strong and powerful, so that no one in the world will dethrone you.' (Atharvaveda, 5-3-1)
We generally see the Vedas in a spiritual-spiritual light, but many Vedic mantras deal with physical strength and health. like-
'O humans! You don't have to be satisfied with the status quo. You have to go ahead and be manly with body and soul.' (Atharvaveda, 8-1-4)
The first relationship of self-strength and power is with our womanhood, with the inner world, with thoughts and tendencies. Read this mantra:
'I will always keep my evil thoughts away from me. I will not let it destroy me. The strength and power of my mind is immense. I will not let it go.'
(Gveda, 10-164-1)
Here it is said that 'I' will keep my bad thoughts away from 'me'. That is, my thoughts and 'I' are not one. To discern, understand and maintain the distance between these two, one needs self-knowledge, continuous practice. And see the gist of a beautiful verse:
'O human beings, just as the charioteer of a ten-horse chariot walks under control of his horses! You also control the ten senses through your mind. You have to be determined for that.' (Yajurveda, 34-6)
If we remain like weak feathers, the wind of thoughts and tendencies will blow us this way and that. Following instincts only became animal life. It is like approaching our Vedas-Upanishads to understand humanity and take life to a progressively higher level. Do not be afraid of the Vedas and Upanishads, cultivate friendship with them patiently.
