Messages in The Vedas

Messages in the Vedas

I. Overview

• Foundation of Sanatana Dharma: The Vedas are the foundational source for Sanatana Dharma and its practices.
• Rituals: Major component includes rituals to propitiate deities (Devatas) as described in Brahmanas.
• Diversity: Contain diverse topics, including prayers for peace and prosperity, insights on the origin of universe, the nature of existence, societal values, marriage, health and well-being, and the purpose of life.

II. Key Themes and Messages

A. Peaceful Coexistence

• Universal Prayers: Invariably include all living organisms, not just humans.
• Harmony: The message is that all beings must peacefully coexist.
• Example: Prayers to bless "ashtapathi" (eight-legged) and "navapati" (two-legged, four-legged, etc.) beings.

B. Societal Values

• Oneness of Truth: Although articulated differently, truth is one. There should not be any fight or hatred among religions.
• Openness to Noble Thoughts: Encourages gathering noble thoughts from all over the world.

C. Origin of the Universe

• Nasadiya Sukta: Explores the origin of the universe (Rigveda, 10th Mandala).
• Hiranyagarbha sukta: Deals with origin of the universe
• Purusha sukta: Deals with origin of the universe and living beings
• Found frequently in the Vedic corpus.

D. Atharvaveda (Focus on the Here and Now)

• Themes:
  • Bhaisajyani: Mantras related to medicine and diseases.
  • Ayushyani: Mantras for long life.
  • Paustikani: Mantras for agriculture, house construction, and commercial transactions.
  • Prayashcitta: Mantras to deal with bad and inauspicious matters.
  • Strikarmani: Mantras related to the lives of women (marriage, love, child welfare).
  • Rajakarmani: Mantras with political notions.
  • Brahmanyani: Mantras for philosophical speculation.
• Relevance: Addresses issues people face in life and activities they undertake.

III. Upanishads (Focus on Self-Knowledge)

A. Prashnopanishad

• Organized around six questions posed by students to a guru about knowledge of life.

B. Kathopanishad

• Story of Nachiketa, who journeys to explore the truth about death and immortality.

C. Brihadaranyaka Upanishad

• Extensive Upanishad with many interesting conversations.
• Features a prominent discussion between King Janaka and Yajnavalkya.

D. Mundaka Upanishad

• Mentions "Satyam Eva Jayate" (Truth Alone Triumphs), India's national emblem.
• Describes Para Vidya (ultimate knowledge) and Apara Vidya (relative knowledge).

E. Taittiriya Upanishad

• Contains a convocation address from a guru to students passing out of a Gurukula.
  • Advices related to living with reference to self and society.
    • "Sathyam Dharma Chara Dharmam"
  • "Sathyam Vada Dharmam Chara"
  • "Acharya Devo Bhava", "Atithi Devo Bhava" etc
• Addresses:
  • One's relationship with elders and teachers
  • Attitude toward the learned and wise.
  • Guidance on giving.
  • Remedies for doubts, duty, and conduct.
  • Handling being falsely accused.

IV. Conclusion

• The Vedas contain a vast and diverse body of knowledge.
• Examples shown give us a sense of the teachings in the Vedas.