Soma in Vedas - R.L..Kashyap

Soma is an enigmatic deva. The Occidentals have treated Soma as nothing but a plant whose creepers, on being squeezed, yield a juice which is intoxicating. There are numerous passages where Soma occurs with the word  “suta” meaning pressed or squeezed. It is said that Indra drinking this juice becomes intoxicated and in his intoxication kills the adversary Vrtra. There are some references to Indra killing Vrtra after drinking Soma. The verses on Soma number more than 1,200, including all the verses in the entire ninth mandala of Rig Veda consisting of 114 suktas or 1,108 verses. Reading carefully all the epithets to Soma in these verses gives a completely different picture. Let us begin with what RigVeda has to say about whether the Soma is a herb or not, by quoting the famous verse (10.85.3) in the hymn titled, "marriage of Surya”.

We see double - entendre of RigVeda in (10.85.3).

Rig Veda 10.85.3:

“One thinks one has drunk the Soma
After one has crushed the herb;
None ever drank of the Soma
Known to the men of wisdom braahmana.”

Laymen or those addicted to rituals may regard Soma as a creeper which is crushed for getting its juice for use in the ritual. But to the wise poets of RigVeda, Soma is not something to be drunk.

The clue to its deeper meaning is indicated by common epithet for Soma, vanaspati, the lord of vana; vana means in Sanskrit both herb and delight. Kena Upanishad (4.6) uses vana in the sense of delight. Soma in the deeper sense is the Lord of Delight, the Delight of Existence. In RigVeda, every aspect of existence has an inherent delight, the idea popularized later in the Taittiriya Upanishad. Every action exerts a pressure on existence; this squeezing, suta, releases the Soma or bliss contained in that aspect of creation. We feel joy in work because of this released delight, Soma.

Here we recognize that action is done primarily by the devas and the humans are only subsidiary players; we should free the released Soma from our claim. This declaration, ‘“this is not mine' ’, is the way of purifying the Soma, purifying it of our attachment. This purified Soma is offered to the deva, especially lndra, the Lord of Divine Mind.

This delight exhilarates Indra who takes steps to destroy the forces of ignorance, like Vrtra and Vala, the kill-joys or misers who do not want the supreme knowledge go and the energies aapah (waters) from reaching all human beings.

We will quote some verses in RigVeda which bring out the power of Soma. Rig Veda speaks of Soma in (9.96) in the Vibhutiyoga style as in Bhagawad Gita :

"Brahman among devas, leader among the seer-poets,
Sage among the wise, the bull among the animals,
The falcon among vultures, the axe in the woods,
Soma sings over the purifier. " (9.95.3)

"By Soma are Adityas strong and by Soma the earth is mighty;
This Soma is placed in the midst of all these Constellations (nakshatra).” (10.85.2)

"Soma advances heroic with his swift chariots
By the force of subtle thought,
To the perfected activity of Indra. " (9.15.1)

“You are the ocean, you reveal everything;
Under thy law are the five places;
Thou transcends Heaven and Earth;
Purifier, there are the Lights, there the Sun. " (9.86.29)

“Giving birth to the luminous world of heaven
Giving birth to the Sun in the Waters,
The Brilliant one Hari clothes himself with the Waters and the Rays." (9.42.1){meaning God pervades in water and in knowledge etc}

"giving birth" means manifesting these energies in the human being.

Rig Veda 8.79.2: -

“ Soma clothes the naked, he doctors the sick; by his grace the blind see, the lame walk.”

Soma is connected to moon. The, “cool moon-rays  which cause delight among lovers’, is a common phrase.

"Those who are utterly perfected in Works ,
Taste the enjoyment of his honey-sweetness." (Rig Veda 9.83.4)

"His swift ecstasies foster the soul that purifies him;
He ascends to the high level of Heaven by the conscious heart.
This is the supreme dappled bull that makes the Dawn to shine out." (9.83.3)

We can combine all the different quotes and understand why persons who merely squeeze the Soma herb cannot know this delight. Only the person who has done tapas can release the delight. Delight encompasses everything. Delight makes the Sun shine as the Taittiriya Upanishad declares. Delight is the basis of everything. Soma denotes the delight released from works, Ananda refers to Delight in its entirety. Soma’s connection with Knowledge and Light is contained in many hymns.

"Soma, we know thee pre-eminently with our understanding.
You lead us along the straight path. " (1.91.1)

"You are the master of all-existence satpati.
You are the slayer of Vrtra and the auspicious will in action. " (1.91.5)

“‘Soma, thou hast generated all the delights Vana,
The energies aapah and the Light go.
You have dispelled the darkness with thy Light;
You have extended the vast Mid-world (in Man) “(1.91.22)

Rig Veda 9.83.1:-

He tastes not the delight who is unripe ( atapta tanu); And whose body has not suffered in the heat of fire(of Yoga).

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This is an extract from the book "Why Read Rig Veda" by scholar R.L.Kashyap.

This details and analyses the Vedic Soma and answers to the misconceptions regarding Soma.

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Theist , Atheist and Pseudo-theists

Theist , Atheist and Pseudo-theists

 

Space, Time and State continuums

(Dikkaala-avastha-pravaaha)

The world in which we live exists on three endless parameters : -

(i) The parameter of space (Dik) which continues to an infinite distance in all possible directions.

(ii) The parameter of time (kaala) which has no limits on either side, from and endless past, it would continue to exist to an endless future,

(iii) The parameter of state (Avastha) that is, the object of the material world are subject to decay, growth and the like from an unknown endless final state - always undergoing some type of change.

At the background of all these continuums is the existence of our Supreme Lord, who is not conditioned by the change of space, time or state, it is that within whom the causal matter and the objects resulting from it undergo changes in terms of space, time, and state. Einstein’s theory of relativity takes into account all these changes.

The supreme Self, our Lord or God, is different from matter, and since nothing could be outside the Supreme Self, all the changes pertaining to space, time and state take place within Him. Matter is in Him, and yet He is different from Matter. He exists as the first cause, whereas matter simultaneously has been existing within Him from the past eternity and would continue to exist in Him through the future eternity as the material cause (Upadana Karanatva). Here some of our philosophers have erred. They could not discriminate between the First cause,  the intelligent one, that designs and shapes,  and the material cause, Prakriti, which under His supervision, undergoes modulations and transformations.

Since nothing can be outside God, all His creativity as an artist and creator, is within Him. His is the singular illustration of this type. All the tiny little souls exist within Him and the entire flux (time-space-state changes) is within Him. Unable to grasp this little-subtility, many of us think that God or Brahma is also the material cause of this creation, as if the world is His modification. The world is not His modification, it is His art in which He is the first intelligent cause only, whereas the substance is provided by the prakriti. Moreover, the entire art of this Great Artist is to provide an opportunity of fulfillment to the numberless souls, the jivas.

Theist :

What is a theist? Some essential concepts that would decide whether a person is theist, other than pseudo-theists.

(i) A theist is one who believes in the reality of the world, in the reality of his own existence, and then establishes his relation to the creator Lord.

(ii) A theist loves the creation as a divine art of our lord;  the creation is orderly, meaningful and purposeful.

(iii) A theist believes in God and in His creation, and the divine knowledge give to him in two ways,
a>  knowledge which one derives from creation which includes sciences,
 b> and the knowledge which he receives from our Lord as revelation (in a form which we call Shruti, Veda and by various other names).The verbal divine knowledge and the sciences do not stand in contradiction to what is revealed as shruti.

(iv) A theist believes in one God, infinite, personal, omniscient, omnipotent, kind, just, blissful, the creator of the world, the source of knowledge, and to whom alone, we offer our prayers, the ultimate shelter of ours in time of distress, and despair, and the one who awards the fruit of our actions for our own benefit.

Athiest :

One who does not surrender himself to this benevolent Infinity, and who thinks that the universe is devoid of law or order and exists as a matter of chance, depending on trial and error or as a self-working machine with no purpose and objective is an atheist.

Pseudo-theists :

Some of our pseudo-theists are also, in fact, atheists.

For example:

1> Such thinkers (though infinitesimal in all essential potential), as have the haughtiness to assume that they are the supreme Brahman, or who think that this creation is non-existent, a dream, a myth, and illusion or an apparition.

2> Such persons as claim for themselves the divinity, or prophet hood or an incarnation of the Supreme Lord are also in delusion. They and their followers are pseudo-theists.

Anti Nationalist and a terrorist admirer fooling innocents through his speech.

Such usurpers, claiming for themselves as possessing extra-ordinary miracles, do not only put themselves into hallucination, they corrupt and deceive the society also to the worst extent.

Primitive pseudo-theism assigns Godhood to even the inanimate objects. This has given rise to the worship of trees, rivers, tombs,idols, walls, dargah and the like. People belonging to this category are worse than such agnostics and atheists, who have not been able to convince themselves as regards the presence of  a benevolent and universal personality which shapes the destiny behind the events.

All the idolators are pseudo-theists, whether the idols are of Rama or Krishna, Buddha or Mahavira, or Phyllum of Siva, or of an incarnation or of a mythological concept or of a guru or a preceptor.

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Courtesy : Foreword to the book "Vedic Concept Of God" of Swami Vidyananda Saraswati by Satyaprakash Saraswati

Links To External Websites :

Please do read these :

1> http://agniveer.com/vedic-god/

2> http://satyagni.com/kaba-or-idol-worship/

3> http://agniveerfans.wordpress.com/2012/04/08/ajmer-2/

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ಕಲ್ಲು ದೇವರಲ್ಲ , ಆದರೆ ಗೋಡೆ ಮಾತ್ರ ದೇವರು!

/* Based on a real incident in my life.
Names are changed to hide the identity and also as a measure of security. */

ಆಗ ತಾನೇ ಐ.ಟಿ ಕಂಪನಿಗೆ  ಕೆಲಸಕ್ಕೆ ಸೇರಿಕೊಂಡ ನಾನು, ನನ್ನ ಮಿತ್ರರಾದ ಬಾಗೂರಪ್ಪ ಅವರ ಸಲಹೆ ಕೇಳಲು ಹೋದೆನು. ಅವರು ಐ.ಟಿ. ಯಲ್ಲಿ ಬಾಳಬೇಕಾದರೆ ನೀನು "ಯಾರೇ ಏನೇ ಕೇಳಿದರೂ ಒಂದಕ್ಕೆ ಹತ್ತರಷ್ಟು ಸೇರಿಸಿ ಹೇಳು" ಎಂದು ಬೋಧಿಸಿದ್ದರು. Training ಮುಗಿದ ನಂತರ Project selectionಗಾಗಿ ಬಂದವರು ನನ್ನ ಜೊತೆ ಟ್ರೈನಿಂಗ್ ಗೆ  ಬಂದಿದ್ದ ಎಲ್ಲಾ ಮಿತ್ರರನ್ನೂ ಒಂದೊಂದು ಪ್ರಾಜೆಕ್ಟ್ ಗಾಗಿ select ಮಾಡಿಕೊಂಡು ಹೋದರು. ಆದರೆ ನನ್ನ ಹಾಗು ನನ್ನ ಮಿತ್ರ ಮಂಜಪ್ಪ ಅವರನ್ನು ಮಾತ್ರ ಯಾರೂ ಸೇರಿಸಿಕೊಳ್ಳಲಿಲ್ಲ.

ಕಡೆಯದಾಗಿ ಒಬ್ಬರು ಅವರ ಪ್ರಾಜೆಕ್ಟ್ ಗಾಗಿ ಸೇರಿಸಿಕೊಳ್ಳಲು ಬಂದರು. ನನ್ನ ಹಾಗು ಮಂಜಪ್ಪನವರನ್ನು ಕರೆದು ಪರಿಚಯ ಮಾಡಿಕೊಂಡರು. ಅವರು ತಮ್ಮ ಹೆಸರು "ನೂರ್ ಅಹಮದ್" ಅಂತ ಹೇಳಿದರು. "ನಿನ್ನ ಹೆಸರು ಹೇಳು?" ಎಂದು ಅವರು ಕೇಳಿದಾಗ ನನಗೆ ನನ್ನ ಮಿತ್ರ ಬಾಗೂರಪ್ಪನವರು ನೀಡಿದ ಸಲಹೆ ನೆನಪಾಯಿತು . ಎಲ್ಲದಕ್ಕೂ  ಹತ್ತರಷ್ಟು ಸೇರಿಸಿ ಹೇಳು ಎಂದಿದ್ದು ನೆನಪಾಗಿ "ಈತ ನೂರ್ ಅಂದರೆ ನಾವು ಅದಕ್ಕೆ ಹತ್ತರಷ್ಟು ಸೇರಿಸಿ ಸಹಸ್ರ ಲೆಕ್ಕದಲ್ಲಿ ಹೇಳೋಣ ಎಂದು ಲೆಕ್ಕಾಚಾರ ಮಾಡಿ , ಸಾಬ್ರೆ ನನ್ನ ಹೆಸರು ಸಹಸ್ರಾಕ್ಷ ಎಂದೆನು." ಇದನ್ನು ಗಮನಿಸಿದ ನನ್ನ ಮಿತ್ರ ಮಂಜಪ್ಪ ನಾನೇನು ಕಮ್ಮಿ ಎಂದು "ಸಾಬ್ರೆ ನನ್ನ ಹೆಸರು ಅನಂತ ಕೋಟಿ ನಾರಾಯಣ" ಎಂದು ನುಡಿದರು. ಅದಕ್ಕೆ ನೂರ್ ಅಹಮದ್ ಅವರು ನುಸುನಗುತ್ತ "ನಿಮ್ಮಿಬ್ಬರನ್ನು ನಮ್ಮ ಪ್ರಾಜೆಕ್ಟ್ ಗೆ ಆಯ್ಕೆ ಮಾಡಿರುವೆ . ಬಂದು ಸೇರಿಕೊಳ್ಳಿ" ಎಂದರು .

ಮರುದಿನ ಅವರ ಬಳಿ ಹೋದಾಗ ಅವರು ಸ್ವಲ್ಪ ಕಾಲದವರೆಗೂ ನಾವು ಯಾವ ರೀತಿ ಕಾರ್ಯ ನಿರ್ವಹಿಸಬೇಕೆಂದು ಕಲಿಸಿಕೊಟ್ಟರು. ಹೀಗೆಯೇ ಸ್ವಲ್ಪ ದಿನಗಳು ಕಳೆದವು. ದಿನಗಳೆಯುತ್ತಾ ಹೋದಂತೆ ನೂರ್ ಅಹಮದ್ ಅವರು ಒಬ್ಬ ಮತಾಂಧ ವಾಹಬಿ ಮುಸಲ್ಮಾನ ಎಂಬುದು ನಮ್ಮ ಅರಿವಿಗೆ ಬಂದಿತು . ನನ್ನ ಮಿತ್ರ ಮಂಜಪ್ಪನವರೂ ಹಿಂದುತ್ವವಾದಿಗಳು, ಆದರೆ ಅವರು ನೂರ್ ಸಾಬ್ರಷ್ಟು ಮತಾಂಧರಲ್ಲ. ನೂರ್ ಅಹಮದ್ ಅವರು ತಮ್ಮ ಮುಲ್ಲಾ ಅಯೋತುಲ್ಲ ಖಾನ್ ಸಾಬರ ಮಾತನ್ನು ಶತಪ್ರತಿಶತ ನಂಬಿದ್ದರು. ಅವರ ಪ್ರಕಾರ ಇಡೀ ಭೂಮಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಎಲ್ಲರೂ ಮುಸಲ್ಮಾನರಾದಾಗಲೇ ಅವರಿಗೆ ಸ್ವರ್ಗ ಸಿಗುವುದು. ಅದಕ್ಕಾಗಿ ಬೇರೆ ಮತದವರನ್ನು ತಮ್ಮ ಮತಕ್ಕೆ ಮತಾಂತರ ನಡೆಸಬೇಕು, ಇಲ್ಲವಾದರೆ ಆಗಾಗ ಅಲ್ಲಿ-ಇಲ್ಲಿ ಪಟಾಕಿ ಸಿಡಿಸಿ ಇತರ ಧರ್ಮದವರ ಜನಸಂಖ್ಯೆಯನ್ನು ಕಡಿಮೆ ಮಾಡಬೇಕು ಎಂಬುದಾಗಿತ್ತು. ಅವರು ಎಂತಹ ಮತಾಂಧರೆಂದರೆ ಬಿನ್ ಲಾಡೆನ್ ಸತ್ತ ದಿನ ಒಬ್ಬ ಮಹಾನ್ ಸೇವಕ ಸತ್ತು ಹೋದ ಎಂದು ಕಾಫಿರರನ್ನು ಶಪಿಸುತ್ತಾ ಗೋಳಾಡಿದ್ದರು.

ಇಂತಹ ಮತಾಂಧ ನೂರ್ ಸಾಬರು ಒಂದು ದಿನ  ಮಂಜಪ್ಪನವರನ್ನು "ನೀವು ಯಾಕೆ ನಿರ್ಜೀವ ಕಲ್ಲನ್ನು ಪೂಜಿಸುತ್ತೀರಾ" ಎಂದು ಕೇಳಿಬಿಟ್ಟರು. ಇದಕ್ಕೆ ಕುಪಿತಗೊಂಡ ಮಂಜಪ್ಪನವರು "ನೀವು ಪೂಜಿಸುವ ಗೋಡೆಗೆ  ಮಾತ್ರ ಜೀವವಿರುವುದೇ? ಕಲ್ಲು ದೇವರಲ್ಲ ಎಂದರೆ ಗೋಡೆ ಮಾತ್ರ ದೇವರೇ ?" ಎಂದುಬಿಟ್ಟರು. ಅವರಿಬ್ಬರ ವಾದ-ವಿವಾದ ಅತಿರೇಖವನ್ನೂ ಮೀರಿತ್ತು.. ಮಂಜಪ್ಪನವರು ಕ್ರಿಸ್ತರು, ಮುಸಲ್ಮಾನರು ನಂಬಿರುವ "Mother Mary" ತಮ್ಮ ಗ್ರಾಮ ದೇವತೆಯಾದ "ಮಾರಿ ಅಮ್ಮ" ಅವರೇ ಎಂದು ಎಲ್ಲಿಂದಲೋ ಎಲ್ಲಿಗೋ link ಕೊಟ್ಟು ಹಾಸ್ಯಸ್ಪದವೆನಿಸಿಕೊಂಡರು. ಮಂಜಪ್ಪನವರು ನೂರ್ ಅವರಿಗೆ "ನೀವು ಜನರನ್ನು ಕೊಂದರೆ ಸ್ವರ್ಗ ಸಿಗುವುದು ಎಂದು ನಂಬುತ್ತೀರಲ್ಲ ಅದು ಎಷ್ಟರ ಮಟ್ಟಿಗೆ ಸರಿ?" ಎಂದು ಕೇಳಿದರು. ಅದಕ್ಕೆ ಆ ಮತಾಂಧ ನೂರ್ ಅಹಮದ್ ಇದು ನಿಜಕ್ಕೂ ಸತ್ಯವೆಂದು ಅದಕ್ಕೆ ಸಮರ್ಥನೆ ನೀಡಿದರು.

ನೂರ್ ಸಾಬರು ಈ ರೀತಿ ನುಡಿದರು: " ನಮ್ಮ ಅಜ್ಮಲ್ ಕಸಬ್ ಕಾಫಿರರನ್ನು ಕೊಂದನು. ಅದಕ್ಕೆ ಅವನಿಗೆ ಸಿಗಬೇಕಾದ ಬಹುಮಾನ ಸ್ವರ್ಗಸುಖ.ಅದು ಅವನಿಗೆ ಭಾರತದಲ್ಲೇ ಸಿಗುವಂತೆ ನಮ್ಮ ದೇವರು ಮಾಡಿದ್ದಾನೆ.ಇದೇ ನಮ್ಮ ನಂಬಿಕೆಯನ್ನು ಇನ್ನಷ್ಟು ಬಲವಾಗಿಸಿದೆ.ಆತನಿಗೆ ಸಿಗಬೇಕಾದ ಎಲ್ಲ ರಾಜ ಮರ್ಯಾದೆ ಈ ಕಾಫಿರರ ನಾಡಿನಲ್ಲೇ ಸಿಗುವಂತೆ ಮಾಡಿರುವ ನಮ್ಮ ದೇವರ ಶಕ್ತಿ ಅಪಾರ" ಎಂದರು.

ಆ ಮಾತಿಗೆ ಉತ್ತರವಿಲ್ಲದೆ ಹೋದಾಗ ಮಂಜಪ್ಪನವರು "ಅದು ಏನೇ ಇರಲಿ ನಮ್ಮ ದೇವರೇ ಶ್ರೇಷ್ಟರು" ಎಂದರು . ಇದಕ್ಕೆ ಪ್ರತಿಯಾಗಿ ಅಹಮದ್ ಅವರು ನಮ್ಮ ದೇವರೇ ದೊಡ್ಡವರು ಎಂದರು . ಅಲ್ಲಿಯೇ ಇದ್ದ ಜಾನ್ ಅವರು "ನಮ್ಮ ದೇವರೇ ನಿಜವಾದ ದೇವರು" ಎಂದರು. ಈ ಮೂರು ಜನ ನಮ್ಮ ದೇವರೇ ಶ್ರೇಷ್ಟ ಎಂದು ಜಗಳವಾಡಿ, ಅಲ್ಲಿ ಕೋಮು ಗಲಭೆ ಎದ್ದಿರುವುದನ್ನು ಗಮನಿಸಿ ನನ್ನ ಆಪ್ತಮಿತ್ರರಾದ ಸಚಿನ್ ಅವರನ್ನು ಕರೆದೆನು. ಸಚಿನ್ ಅವರು ಎಂತಹ dangerous situation  ಕೂಡ handle ಮಾಡುವ ಚಾಣಾಕ್ಷ. ಅವರು ಈ ಮೂವರ ಜಗಳ ನಿಲ್ಲಿಸಲು ಹೋದಾಗ, "ಮೂವರು ಸೇರಿ ಯಾರು ನಿಜವಾದ ದೇವರು ಎಂದು ಕೇಳಿದರು ? " . ಅದಕ್ಕೆ ಸಚಿನ್ ಅವರು "ನಾನೇ ದೇವರು" ಎಂದರು . ಇದನ್ನು prove ಮಾಡುವಂತೆ ಆ ಮೂವರು ಕೇಳಿದಾಗ ಸಚಿನ್ ಅವರು "ನೀವೆಲ್ಲರೂ ಒಬ್ಬೊಬ್ಬರಾಗಿ ನಿಮ್ಮ ನಿಮ್ಮ ದೇವರನ್ನು ಪ್ರಾರ್ಥಿಸಿ ಈ ಕ್ಷಣವೇ ಮಳೆ ಬರುವಂತೆ ಕೇಳಿಕೋಳ್ಳಿರೀ" ಎಂದರು. ಮೊದಲು ನೂರ್ ಸಾಬರು ದುವಾ ಮಾಡಿಕೊಂಡರು;ಆದರೆ ಮಳೆ ಬರಲಿಲ್ಲ. ನಂತರ ಜಾನ್ pray ಮಾಡಿದರು;ಆಗಲೂ ಮಳೆ ಬರಲಿಲ್ಲ. ನಂತರ ಮಂಜಪ್ಪನವರು ತಮ್ಮ ದೇವರನ್ನು ಪ್ರಾರ್ಥಿಸಿದರು;ಆಗಲೂ ಮಳೆ ಬರಲಿಲ್ಲ .

ಆಗ ಸಚಿನ್ ಅವರು "ಈಗ ನೀವು ಮೂವರು ಸೇರಿ ನನ್ನನು ಮಳೆ ಬರುವಂತೆ ಮಾಡಲು ಪ್ರಾರ್ಥಿಸಿ" ಎಂದರು. ಮೂವರೂ ಸಚಿನ್ ಅವರನ್ನೂ ಪ್ರಾರ್ಥಿಸಿದರು.ಆಶ್ಚರ್ಯವೆಂದರೆ ಆಗಲೂ ಮಳೆ ಬರಲಿಲ್ಲ. ಅದಕ್ಕೆ ಸಚಿನ್ ಅವರು " ಈ Experiment ಇಂದ ನಮಗೆ ತಿಳಿಯುವುದೇನೆಂದರೆ ಅವರೂ ಮಳೆ ಬರಿಸಲಿಲ್ಲ , ನಾನೂ ಮಳೆ ಬರಿಸಲಿಲ್ಲ. ಆದ ಕಾರಣ ಅವರೂ ದೇವರು , ನಾನೂ ದೇವರು.ಇದನ್ನೇ ನಾವು ಅಹಂ ಬ್ರಹ್ಮಾಸ್ಮಿ ಎನ್ನುತ್ತೇವೆ " ಎಂದು ಎಲ್ಲರನ್ನೂ ಸಮಾಧಾನ ಪಡಿಸಿ ಅಲ್ಲಿ ಕೋಮು ಸೌಹಾರ್ದವನ್ನು ತಂದರು.

ಇದಾದ ನಂತರ ಎಲ್ಲರೂ ಸುಮ್ಮನೇ ಇರುವುದನ್ನು ಕಂಡು ವಿಷಯ ತಣ್ಣಗಾಗಿದೆ ಎಂದು ಅರಿತ ನಾನು, ಮಂಜಪ್ಪನವರಿಗೆ "ರೀ ಮಂಜಪ್ಪನವರೆ. ಬನ್ನಿ ಕಾಫಿ ಕುಡಿಯೋಣ." ಎಂದೆನು. ದಿನವೂ ಮಂಜಪ್ಪನವರ ದುಡ್ದಲ್ಲೇ ಓಸಿ ಕಾಫಿ ಕುಡಿಯೋ

ನನ್ನ ಜಾಯಮಾನವನ್ನು ಅರಿತ ಮಂಜಪ್ಪನವರು ಅದರಿಂದ ತಪ್ಪಿಸಿಕೊಳ್ಳಲು "ನಮ್ಮ ಮನೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಯಾರೋ ನೆಂಟರು ಹೋಗಿಬಿಟ್ಟಿದ್ದಾರೆ. ಅದರ ಸೂತಕ ಇದೆ. ನೀವು separate ಆಗಿ ಹೋಗಿ" ಎಂದು ಜಾರಿಕೊಳ್ಳಲು ನೋಡಿದರು. ಅವರು ರಂಗೋಲಿ ಕೆಳಗೆ ತೂರಿದರೆ,ನಾನು ಮೋರಿ ಕೆಳಗೆ ತೂರುವವನಲ್ಲವೇ? ನಾನು ಮಂಜಪ್ಪನವರಿಗೆ "ಮಂಜಪ್ಪನವರೇ ಈ ಸೂತಕ ಎಲ್ಲ ನಮಗಿಲ್ಲ. ದೇವರು ನಮ್ಮೆಲ್ಲರ ಆಪ್ತ ಬಂಧು(ನೆಂಟ) ಎನ್ನುವರು. ಅವನು ನಮ್ಮ ಪಾಲಿಗೆ ಎಂದೋ ಸತ್ತು ಹೋದ. ಅದರ ಸೂತಕವೇ ನಮಗಿಲ್ಲ ಎಂದ ಮೇಲೆ , ಇವು ಯಾವ ಲೆಕ್ಕಾ ? ಬನ್ನಿ ಕಾಫಿ ಕುಡಿಯೋಣ" ಎಂದು ಬಲವಂತವಾಗಿ ಕರೆದೆನು. ಅದಕ್ಕೆ ಮಂಜಪ್ಪನವರು "ದೇವರು ಇದ್ದಾನೋ?ಇಲ್ಲವೋ?ಅದು ಮುಖ್ಯವಲ್ಲ. ಅವನು ನಮ್ಮ ಪಾಲಿಗೆ ಇದ್ದಾನಾ ಎಂಬುದಷ್ಟೇ ಮುಖ್ಯ ಈ ಚಾಂಡಾಲನಿಗೆ" ಎಂದು ಮನಸ್ಸಿನಲ್ಲಿಯೇ  ಮಂತ್ರೋಚ್ಚಾರಣೆ ಮಾಡಿಕೊಂಡರು.

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Vedic Concept of Yoga Meditation - by Shri Devendra Kapoor

Divine mind in its waking state,
Arises in far off distant places,
And does the same in sleeping states,
Weaving in dreams, so wonderous images.
Unique light amidst lustrous objects,
Which swings far off in different places,
That my mind may develop so perfect,
To reflect our noble images.



Motivated by mind, the thoughtful pious,
Remain steadfast, above all vice,
And offer themselves as a sacrifice,
In struggles of life as oblations so nice.
A luminous entity amongst all senses,
An unheard of divine master of senses,
That my mind may always reflect,
Noble thoughts and deeds so perfect.

Equipped with all the special wisdom,
Consciousness and holding power,
This mind is the luminous tower,
Among all the senses and their kingdom.
Without whose touch no sense can work,
May that my mighty mind inspire,
All noble deeds and thoughts so pure,

Immortal mind ever attached to God,
Attains lofty heights through Yogic perfection,
Then present, past and future knowledge,
Unfolds itself to its divine perception.
Who motivates the seven entities,
Of mind, intellect and five senses,
To lit the inner sacrificial fire
To elevate life above all mire.
That my mind may ever inspire,
Noble reflections to lead higher and higher.

As the spokes are fitted in the nave of a wheel,
So all wisdom lies in the mental keel,
In the mind are placed Rig, Yaju and Sama,
Vedic wisdom divine, so cooling a balm,
Deep in the layers of conscious mind,
Are lying impressions of all tension,
They agitate and cause all tension,
All affliction in human mansion.
May that my mind be ever divine,
Reflecting thoughts all noble and fine.

Just as a charioteer drives deftly,
The horses towards the cherished goal,
So does the mind push cleverly,
The senses towards their coveted poles
As a turbulent horse is ever controlled
Through powerful reins by an adept driver,
So impetuous senses are ever controlled
By a strong mind, a motivated driver.
Seated in heart and ever young,
With topmost speed and swiltest swing,
That my mind may ever sing
Melodies sweet of noblest wings.

Source : Vedic Concept of Yoga Meditation by Shri Devendra Kapoor

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Science and Spirituality - Acharya PT Dharmadev Vidyamartand

Modern age is the Age of Science. No doubt the miracles of science have not only astonished the people but also added a great deal to their convenience and comfort. But at the same, let us not forget that the invention of poisonous gas, atom bomb, hydrogen bomb and other weapons of destruction, is also pushing the world towards total annihilation.

It is, therefore, all the more important in the modern age to establish unity between the science and spirituality .But some so called intellectuals think that science being materialistic and atheistic does not have anything to do with spirituality, However their view has been contradicted by a large number of reputed thinkers, spiritualists and also scientists themselves as would be shown in this chapter. .

Before we discuss science and spirituality and their mutual relationship, we must try to analyze some workable definitions of the two.

Dr Paul Carus in his book "Religion of Science’ thus defines science:-

"Science is the methodical search for Truth and Truth is a correct, exhaustive and concise statement of facts. "

(Asserting that "The religion of science is not atheistic but theistic  he states: “while Science does not speak of God it teaches God, for every law of nature is a part of God’s being”)

And spirituality has been defined thus by the world renowned yogi Sri Aurobindo :-

“The Divine perfection is always above us, but for man to become Divine in consciousness and act and to love inwardly and outwardly Divine, is what is meant by spirituality. All lesser meanings given to the word are inadequate, humbling or impostures. "

Explaining this further, the Mother of Pondicherry Ashram, says :-

"True spirituality is not to renounce life but to make life perfect with Divine perfection. This is what India should show to the world. "

And here is Vinoba Bhave’ s definition of spirituality-

"Spirituality demands that one should have faith in absolute moral values, not relative moral values, sometimes, truth and sometimes falsehood - this is only an opportunists way of thinking. This is not the way spirituality will look at human life. It should be based on some basic principles, some values which cannot be changed; they will be absolute: To me the second and third ingredients of spirituality are unity and sanctity of life and also continuity of life after death. "

In the words of Swami Yogeshwaranand, Founder of Yog Niketan, Rishikesh, "Spirituality teaches us control over our senses, to saddle them, to make sure that they do not overpower us. The more restless, volatile and licentious are the senses, the more miserable will be our lives. "

Spirituality also tells us to identify our true self : what is my real form? Am I only the body or something more? If more, then what exactly is it and from where does it come?”

Spirituality also tells us who is the creator of this sun, the moon, the satellites and the stars which are continuously engaged in doing good to us? "

Far from being contradictory, these definitions are complementary, and highlight the following features of spirituality: -

·          leading a pure and divine life dedicated to the pursuit of absolute moral values.

·         Belief in the existence of God and worshipping and surrendering oneself to Him with full faith.

·         belief in the permanence of soul and the birth and death of the body.

These features of spirituality are highlighted in the vedas through a number of mantras, some of which are being quoted here by way of illustration.

Vedas and purity

The following two mantras, for instance, show the importance the Vedas attach to purity :-

 (May the Master of Hearing Purify us!

 May the Master of Speech Purify us!

 May the Creator of universe Purify us.)

(Never to be conquered or destroyed O God purify me.

Purify me, O Purest of all,

For uplifting my life,

Energizing my body

And facilitating

My spiritual growth)

Vedas and God

The vedas are full of mantras which tell us beyond doubt that God is not  only Supreme but also is One and has no form :-

 (Praise the lord O man, praise Him, God is One and only One; The Almighty and Omniscient Lord of all beings)

His formlessness has been mentioned in the following mantra too: -

 (There is no image of God nay, it exists not anywhere; Worthiest of all and most revered He is present everywhere And is most renowned l)

Vedas stress on worshipping God along with our progeny: -

Worship God, O lovers of wisdom, Worship Him with all reverence! Let your sons also worship Him Establishing His kingdom on earth Worship Him-He is Almighty Immutable and full of piety!

Vedas and soul

The following three mantras from the Rigveda, when read together , give a fairly clear and comprehensive picture of soul called “Jiva” in Sanskrit.

The main characteristics of the soul as they emerge from these mantras are:-

·         Soul is different from the body.

·         It is eternal and everlasting.

·          It is the controller of mind and senses.

·         It is conscious and provides consciousness to different parts of the body.

·         residing in the heart, it is the origin of all light within.

·         It has desire and hatred.

·         It keeps coming again and again to this world and changing its body in accordance with its good or bad actions.

·         it is very minute but can be viewed by the men of knowledge through power of contemplation.

Vedas and life-death cycle

The concept of the cycle of life and death has been unmistakably enunciated in several  Vedic mantras.  ln fact it is a very vital part of spirituality.

The existence of birth and rebirth cycle is evident from the following mantra in which prayer is offered to God for a debtless life in “this, next and the life to come":-

(“May we be free from all debts in this , the next and the life to come!  Threading the path of our ancestors May we live a debtless life! “)

Scientists and God

Sir lssac Newton, known as father of modern science, writes in his book, ‘Principia’-

"All this universe is the handiwork of one Omniscient and Omnipotent Creator"

Talking about the qualities of God he further writes-

" We are, therefore, to acknowledge One God, infinite, Eternal, Omnipresent, Omnipotent, the Creator of all most wise, most just, most good most holy"

"This Being governs all things as Lord over all and on account of his dominion is wont to be called Lord. God or Universe Ruler, The Supreme God is a Being, Eternal, Infinite, Absolutely Perfect From His true dominion, it follows that the true God is Active, intelligent and Powerful Being and from His other perfections that He is Supreme or Most Perfect We admire Him for His perfections, but we revere and adore Him on account of His dominion, for we adore Him as his servants. "

Lord Celvin, one of the reputed scientists of the 19th century, affirms:-

“‘Science positively affirms creative power. We are absolutely forced by science to believe with perfect confidence in a Directive Power in an influence other than Physical or Electrical Forces. "

Thomas Edison, a famous American scientist, expresses his belief in God in the following words:-

“‘Too many people have got a microscopic idea of the Creator. If they  would only study His wonderful works, as shown in nature herself, laws of universe, they would have a much broader idea of the Great Engineer . One thing is certain. The universe is permeated by intelligence. l tell you, no person can be brought into close contact with the mysteries of the nature or make a study of chemistry without being convinced that behind all, there is Supreme intelligence. I am convinced of that.’"

Sir Oliver Lodge, one of the greatest scientists of his time and President of the British Association of the Advancement of Scientists, in one of the scientific papers written by him observes:-

"We are deaf and dumb to the infinite grandeur around us unlike we have insight to appreciate the whole and so to recognize in the woven fabric of existence flowing steadily from the loom in an infinite progress towards perfection, the ever growing garment of a transcendent God "

Says Dr B Moore in his hook "The Origin and Nature of Life" :-

“The orderly beauty of the world and nature suggest an infinite intelligence with powers of action such as no man or other creature possesses "

During the Science Week, Prof Holming in his lecture entitled, The Supreme Intelligence in and above Nature, observes :-

"Scientific study most certainly shows us the presence in this physical universe of an order stability directive power and intelligibility. These qualities are not spontaneously produced . They do not come by chance. The universe is not merely a thing. lt is a thought and thought implies and necessitates a thinker. Hence there is in this universe a Supreme Thinker or intelligence of which our own intelligence is but the faint copy."

David Star Jordan, another famous scientist, corroborating with the views of Prof Holming, states:

"The infinite expanse of the universe, its growth through immeasurable periods of time, the boundless range of its changes and the rational order that pervades it, all demand an infinite intelligence behind the manifestation. Modern Science has no kinship with atheism ."

The above observations by top scientists prove that faith in God (which is one of the integral part of spirituality,) elicits no opposition from scientists who are rather supportive of the concept of God.

Scientists and soul

Belief in the immortality of soul, which is also indispensable part of spirituality is fully supported by scientists proving that there is no dichotomy between science and spirituality.

Sir Oliver Lodge, one of the top scientists of the United Kingdom, for instance observes:

“lt is unreasonable that soul should jump out of existence when the body is destroyed. I say on definite scientific ground that we shall continue to exist. We shall certainly survive. Survival of existence is scientifically probable by careful scientific investigation. "

Dr Paul Carus also supports the existence of soul and its immortality:-

Science rejects the assumption of a ghost soul, but it establishes at the same time the reality of the continuance of man’s soul after death. "

In his book "What do we know about the Beyond", French scientist M Camille Flamarion observes:

“Long observation has shown clearly that there exists in us something unknown which has been systematically denied upto the present, in all scientific theories and that this something survives the disintegration of our earthly bodies and the transformation of our material molecules which by the way, from a purely scientific point of view, are also indestructible. Whether we call it a principle, element, psychic, atom, soul, or spirit, there is no denying that this unknown something does really exist."

CONCLUSION

Dr Alexis Carrel, in his book "Man, the Unknown" has given a very disappointing picture of what life is today in absence of spirituality: -

" We are unhappy. We degenerate morally and mentally. We are the victims of the backwardness of the Sciences of Life over those of the matter. The only possible remedy for this evil is a much more profound knowledge of ourselves. The science of man has today become the most necessary of all sciences.  “

We may conclude this chapter with the following words of wisdom from the first President of lndia, Dr. Rajendra Prasad: -

I hope that attempts will continue to be made to bring about rapprochement between science and spirituality because without this rapprochement, there is no doubt that there is a real risk of mankind being,  not destroyed at any rate, greatly crippled by the use of nuclear powers and other devices which have been now achieved by Scientific Technology.”

"lt is necessary to emphasis that this rapprochement between science and spirituality should be worked out, so that the knowledge that has come into man's possession may be utilized for his good and not for his destruction. “

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DRINKING AND MEAT EATING - PT . Dharmadev Vidyamartand ji

Drinking

Mahatma Gandhi once said that if he were given the free reigns of lndia even for an hour he would enforce prohibition without any compensation to anyone. This statement shows the father of the nation’s very strong sentiments against drinking. He considered drinking to be the worst kind of evil because, in his opinion, it gave rise to many other evils.

Alas the Mahatma’s dream has remained unfulfilled and there is no likelihood that it will ever be realized. ln fact, things have turned so bad that even teenagers and women have fallen victims to this habit. Bars, discotheques, private parties and restaurants are all overflowing with liquor. Drinking has become an ‘in-thing’. Parents usually have no moral authority to dissuade their children from drinking because they are themselves addicted to it. Moreover they are too busy to give attention to what their children are doing. lt is only when their children get involved in some scandal, brawls or shoot-outs that they take note of it and obviously by that time it is too late.

Drunkenness has always been condemned by many great thinkers, philosophers and reformers besides several top experts from the medical profession.

Seneca, a western philosopher, describes drunkenness as “Nothing but voluntary madness  “.

Another reputed thinker Penn says :-

Drunkenness is an ill of the worst sort. lt reveals secrets, is quarrelsome, lascivious, imprudent, dangerous and mad. He that is drunk, is not a man, because he is void of reason that distinguishes him from the beast.

And here are the comments of T. Adams, a writer:

"A drunkard is the annoyance of modesty, the trouble of civility, the spoil of wealth, the distraction of reason. He is his wife’s woe, his children’s sorrow his neighbour’s scoff his own shame. In short, he is a spirit of unrest, a thing below a beast and monster of a man. "

Says poet Chaucer:

For drunkenness is very sepulcher of man s wit and his discretion.

Poet Dafoe describes drinking as, "darling favourite of hell.” 

lt is natural, therefore, that something which so affects reason and thought,should have disapproval of the vedas, which lay so much emphasis on these qualities.

Drinking has been placed by the Rigveda (6, 70, 1) along with meat eating and gambling and all the three are stated as debilitating as sex with a woman : -

Almost similar sentiment is expressed in the following mantra from Rigveda (7.86.6), which places drinking along with other evils like lust, gambling,ignorance, attachment and anger which are injurious to man's character:-

Taking a clue from the above, Satpath describes drinking as  “Anrutam paapmaa tamaha suraa(Shatapata Brahmana 5,1,2,10), meaning that it as an untruth, a sin, a dark spot.

It further observes that a drunkard blabbers like a mad man:

lt also adds that after drinking a man becomes hard hearted:-

So when you drink, you do it at your peril.

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Eating meat

Slaughter houses have proliferated everywhere in the country and are prospering as well. The sale and distribution of meat products is also ever increasing.

The only silver lining is that there is also, at the same time, a greater awareness among people than ever before about the benefits of vegetarianism, Mlore and more people are opting for it, though vegetarians are still outnumbered by their non-vegetarian brethren.

Likewise, it is heartening to note that, there is an increasing number of hotels and restaurants in the advanced countries like the USA and Great Britain that serve vegetarian food, though not exclusively and they are doing well. lt must be said, however, that non-vegetarian food, especially from countries like China and Thailand, is even more popular.

ln this context, it is unfortunate that five-star hotels in India serve beef to the rich and the affluent and their customers include people from VIP families, the vociferous demands by some of the Hindu organizations and groups for a ban on such sale notwithstanding.

Vedas and meat eating:

Vedas, with their stress on non-violence and compassion for animals as part of universal brotherhood, are naturally against meat eating. In their view, meat eating defiles the mind, body and soul and is detrimental to one’s spiritual uplift.

Vedas say that vegetarian diet is the best for all humans. It keeps the being pure and is conducive to the achievement of higher consciousness. When humans take to vegetarian eating, it becomes easier for them to meditate; and meditation sharpens the memory and makes the body active and agile.

Says Rigveda (8.72.3), the knowledgeable persons, who wish to realize God in their hearts, must eat only food grains and fruits (that is, not meat).

Besides vegetables and fruits, other foods suggested in Atharvaveda (6.14.2) include rice, barley and sesame seeds.

A mantra in the same Veda extols rice and barleyas foods with curative value and for keeping bad impulses at bay.

The Upnishads, which are commentaries on the vedas, also establish a close link between dietary habits and spiritual progress. "The purity of our heart depends upon the purity of our diet; and the purity of heart sharpens the intellect. This in turn, facilitates meditation. And when the state of meditation is achieved, all ignorance disappears and one is free from all the worldly bonds:-

Vegetarian diet, says Atharvaveda, bestows upon a man strength, purity and divine splendour:-

The vedas consider the non- vegetarian diet fit only for the Pishacha (Demons); the other adjectives used for them are Krayada, Asutrapnah,Garbhada. And it is suggested that if they do not give up meat eating they should be punished :-

We must remember what Satpath has said in the following Sloka (11.6.1.3):-

"The man who eats the meat of an animal in this birth, is eaten away by the same animal in the next birth "

Says Mahatma Buddha in Dhammapad,  : -

“Considering everyone as one self a man should refrain from either killing or getting anyone killed".

Thinker and writer Tolstoy writes:

"Meat eating multiplies gross thoughts. lt produces lust and induces drinking and adultery, This is sheer truth ..., It is impossible for a meat eater to be morally good. "

A great scholar and thinker Pandit Gurudutta writes in his article entitled Righteousness and Unrighteousness of Flesh eating:

" We assert that flesh eating is an immoral, unrighteous and a sort of an action for which he is amenable to society”.

Medical experts and flesh eating

Dr Prof Sims Woodhead , M.D.of the Pythlogy Department of the Cambridge University, asserts:

"Meat is absolutely unnecessary for a perfectly healthy existence and the best work can be done on a vegetarian diet"

Sir Henery Thompson, M.D, F.R.C.S, observes in his book "Diet in relation to Age and Activity” :

"lt is vulgar error to regard meat in any form as necessary to life All that is necessary to the human body can be supplied by the vegetable kingdom. The vegetarian can extract from his food all the principles necessary for the growth and support of the body as well as for the production of heat and force .... l know how much of the prevailing meat diet a source of serious evil to the consumer is "

Dr. Josiaold Field, MRCS, IRCP former head of Bromlay’s Lady Margaret Hospital says,

"There is little needy for wonder that flesh-eating is one of the most serious causes of the diseases that carry of 99 per cent of every 100 people that are born "

Dr Alexander Haig, MD, FRCP asserts:

"Seventy five per cent of the most terrible diseases which we suffer (they are not, in fact, diseases at all, but poisonings by the unnatural foods),our increasing insanity, our increasing cancer, our debility and our deterioration, may be due, not improbably, to the neglect of Nature’s teaching that man is a firgivorous and not a carnivorous animal."

Dr Johnwood, MD, on the basis of his several years of medical practice, observes:

"As a medical man, I maintain that flesh eating is unnecessary, unnatural, and unwholesome".

Sir Benjamin Richardson, MD, FRCS, corroborating the view of his several other medical colleagues, says:

"lt must be honestly admitted that weight by weight, vegetable substances, when they are carefully selected possess the most striking advantages over animal food in nutritive value .l should like to see the vegetarian fruit living plant brought into greater use and believe it will be "

The ill effect of flesh eating on mind has been related by Dr E.R.Rost,OBE, MRCS, LRCP in his book The Nature of Consciousness" in the following words:

‘“The functioning of mind is affected by the food. There are certain kinds of food that supply the correct material for activating the mental process.  Generally speaking, the mind works best on a mild diet, without meat, and containing fresh vitamins and inorganic constituents, rich in calcium phosphates. "

Let us conclude this discussion with the most authoritative remark made by Metellick, a Nobel Laureate, published in one of the souvenirs of the World Vegetarian Congress:-

"lt must be admitted that of the objections urged against vegetarianism, not one can withstand a loyal and scrupulous enquiry. l, for my part, can confirm that those whom I have known to submit themselves to this regimen, have found its results to be improved or restored health, marked addition to strength and the acquisition by the mind of cleverness, brightness, well-being such as might follow the release from some loathsome, detestable dungeon. "

It is clear then that the position taken by vedas with regard to drinking and meat eating, is consistent with science and the precepts of greatest minds in all the diverse cultures since then.

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