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Hyperbole in the Vedas: A Study in

Arthavada

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Hyperbole in the Vedas: A Study in Arthavada

Article of the Month - April 2012

Even for the most ardent follower of the Veda, it is difficult to reconcile
to some seemingly exaggerated statements, which cannot be
substantiated by any means of knowledge available to us. Even
immense faith is not sufficient to explain away such sentences, some
of which are downright unbelievable. What then is the traditional
method of understanding these portions of the Veda? What is the
general purpose of such statements? To answer these questions, let
us first take a look at some of the sentences which perplex the
followers of the Veda.
1). The face of one who knows how to perform sacrifices shines up
brightly. (Tandaya Mahabrahman 20.16.6)
Objection: This is not always the case. We do not always see the faces
of knowledgeable people to be bright. Rather, in case they are not
shown proper respect, many of them are seen with sucked up cheeks,
the exact opposite of what is implied above.
Resolution: No. It is not to be understood in this way. We should first
understand that any sentence can convey its meaning in either of two
ways: either literally or through an indirectly stated intended meaning.
The latter is known in Sanskrit as Lakshana, and is the most important
tool in grasping the ultimate purport of the scriptures.
Here actually what we are witnessing is an appreciation of knowledge.
The true purport here is to make us realize that if the mere knowledge
of a sacrifice can make ones face glow brightly, then imagine what
immense benefit can be gained from actually performing the sacrifice!
Thus in an indirect manner this statement is an intended praise for
performing Vedic sacrifices. This method of indirect communication is
known as Arthavada (statement of an intended purpose). Indeed,
without a working knowledge of Arthavada, it is impossible to make
any progress in the study of Vedic scriptures.
2). Who knows whether there is a world beyond or not. (Black
Yajurveda, Taittriya Samhita 6.1.1.1)
Objection: The whole Vedic philosophy operates on the basis of the
fact that there is a world beyond the present one. In fact, the very

aim of most Vedic sacrifices is to gain heaven for the performer. The
above statement hits out at the very foundations of our Vedic beliefs.
Resolution: During a Vedic sacrifice, a particular space is marked out
for its performance. Such an enclosure is known as Yajna-shala. While
the sacrifice is going on, this enclosure gets filled with smoke, which
makes it difficult for the Brahmins chanting the Mantras to breathe. In
order to provide some relief, the Vedas order that we make a door
acting as an outlet for the smoke.
Now, the purpose of this Vedic sacrifice is to gain heaven for the
master of the ceremony (Yajamana). However, this heaven is to be
gained only after we die; but here, in this sacrificial ground, by
inhaling the smoke through our mouths and nostrils, we are sure to
meet death here and now itself (even before completing the sacrifice).
Hence an outlet for the smoke should be constructed.
The above statement does not actually cast an aspersion on a wellentreched Vedic belief, but rather, through the criticism of the long
term result, jolts us into performing what is of immediate necessity.
It must clearly be understood that taken by itself this Arthavada
statement holds no meaning; i.e. we cannot deduce here that the
Vedas are sometimes postulating the existence of heaven, and at
another time doubting it. This Arthavada reveals its intended meaning
only when it is combined with the injunction to build a gate in the
sacrificial enclosure, the purport being to show us the importance of
this doorway to relief.
3). By performing the final offering of the sacrifice (Purna Aahuti), the
performer fulfills all his desires. (Taittriya Brahman 3.8.10.5)
Objection: If just by performing the complete offering at the end of a
sacrifice, the performer gains all that he wants, what then about the
Vedic injunction that one should perform sacrifices as long as one
lives?
Resolution: This Arthavada supports the Vedic dictum that one should
invariably perform the Purna-Aahuti at the end of a sacrifice (PurnaAahutim Juhuyat). This action has been praised as fulfilling all the
desires of the sacrificer.
However, the intended meaning of the statement is as follows: When
it is said in daily life that feed all Brahmins, it does not mean that we
feed all Brahmins in the world. Rather, it implies the feeding of all
Brahmins present there. Thus the fulfilling of all desires by the PurnaAahuti indicates only those desires which the Yajamana was supposed
to fulfill through that particular sacrifice. The implication being that no

sacrifice is complete unless one has made the Purna-Aahuti (the full
and final oblation at the end of a sacrifice).
Actually, any Vedic sacrifice which has been begun needs to be taken
to its conclusion. A Vedic Karma leads to fruits only if it has been fully
completed, including all its subsidiary parts (Angas). An incomplete
Yajna is fruitless. Offering Purna-Aahuti after all the other parts of the
sacrifice have been duly performed indicates the successful completion
of the exercise. Therefore, a Purna-Aahuti is decreed to be performed
at the end of all sacrifices.
Thus the statement praising the Purna-Aahuti as the giver of all
desires is an Arthavada implying its necessity for the successful
reaping of the fruits of any Vedic sacrifice. For example, when the Gita
extols to live our lives as a Yajna, at the end, when our mortal body is
consigned to fire, it is our own Purna-Aahuti.
4). The sacrificial fire should not be set up in the sky or in the
heavens, and neither should it be established on the earth. (Black
Yajurveda, Taittriya Samhita 5.2.7.1) Doubt: If we should not set up
the sacred fire on the earth, then where should we establish it? Also,
what is the need of prohibiting the sky and heavens for setting up of
the sacrificial fire when in any case it is impossible to do so?
Resolution: This Arthavada prohibiting the laying down of the sacred
fire in the sky, heaven or earth actually supports the following Vedic
injunction:
The sacred fire should be established on a support made of gold.
(Black Yajurveda, Maitrayani Samhita, 3.2.6)
Thus the purported meaning of the Arthavada passage turns out to be
as follows: Just as the laying of fire is known to be impossible in the
sky or heaven, so also is it on the bare ground, without the support of
gold. Hence the sky and heaven denote impossibility, while the word
earth denotes bare earth. Therefore, the actual meaning of this
Arthavada lies in inspiring us to establish the sacred Vedic fire on a
plate of gold rather than on the bare ground itself.
5). The mind is a thief, and speech a liar. (Black Yajurveda, Maitrayani
Samhita, 4.5.2)
Doubt: As per the Vedas, the mind and the speech are the most
significant organs in the body. In fact, all sense organs are said to
follow the mind only. According to the maxim of the Gita, the lesser
ones follow what the great ones do (3.21). So would this not imply
that the other sense organs too would resort to these negative traits?

If yes, it would then contradict the universal Vedic principles Never

steal and Never lie.
Resolution: The above Arthavada statement deprecating the mind and
speech supports a particular Vedic injunction which concerns gathering
water from a river during the performance of a sacrifice. It is decreed
there that one should collect water holding a piece of gold in ones
hand. The criticism directed at the two sense organs operates in a
secondary sense (Gauna-Vritti), meaning that it should not be taken in
literal terms; rather as an intention to praise the hand as the best
means for holding the gold. This is its one and only meaning.
The secondary sense means describing one object in terms of another,
due to some similarities in qualities (Gunas). Thus the mind is called a
thief because like the latter it too operates hidden from sight. The
speech is called a liar because it is but true that human speech often
lies.
To more fully understand this Arthavada, we need to first understand
how any action is performed in our daily lives. Ordinarily, whenever
some action has to be performed, what we first do is to form a
determination in our mind to perform that particular action. Then we
can also express it by speech, which may or may not present the true
picture. Afterwards, we actually perform it with our hands. In this
sequence, we realize that it is only the actual performance of the deed
that is of the most consequence. Whatever we may have thought or
said about the action pales in significance to its actual performance,
which is the only thing that matters. This particular example holds a
great relevance even in a general sense in as much as it stresses that
whatever we say or think is of secondary importance compared to
what we actually set out to do with our hands. Here specifically it
lauds the actual action of holding the gold piece in our hand.
Conclusion:
The reconciliation of the above Vedic statements is enlightening in its
method and inspirational in its impact. In the process we get a
panoramic view of the traditional and most authoritative way of
interpreting the Vedas, which clears away all our doubts, making us
relish the nectar of the Vedas in all their inspiring and sweet glory.
(This article is almost entirely based on Shabara Swamis Commentary
on the Mimamsa Sutras of Jaimini and Sayanacharyas Introduction to
the Rig Veda. Without these towering giants it would have been
impossible for anyone to get to the true import of the Vedas).

References & Further Reading:

Chattopadhyaya D.P. and Pandurangi K.T. Purvamimamsa from

an Interdisciplinary Point of View Delhi, 2006
Chinmayananda, Swami. The Holy Geeta (8th ed.): Mumbai,
2002.
Dange, Dr. (Mrs.) Sindhu S. Vedic Beliefs And Practices Through
Arthavada (2 Volumes) Delhi, 2005
Gajendragadkar A. B. & Karmarkar R. D. The Arthasamgraha of
Laugaksi Bhaskara (tr.) Delhi, 2007.
Jha, Ganganatha. Kumarila Bhatta Tantravarttika (A
Commentary on Sabara's Bhasya on the Purvamimamsa Sutras
of Jaimini) Delhi, 1998.
Mimamsak, Yudhishtara (tr.) Mimamsa Shabar Bhashyam
Translated into Hindi (7 Volumes): Sonepat, 1987.
Musalgaonkar, Dr. Gajanan Shastri (tr.) Shabar Bhashyam (Ist
Adhyaya): Varanasi, 2004.
Pathak, Jagannath. Sayana's Introduction to the Rig Veda
(Sanskrit Text with Hindi Translation): Varanasi, 1995.
Peterson, Peter. Sayana's Preface to The Rg Veda Bhasya:
Poona, 1974.
Sandal, Mohan Lal. Mimamsa Sutras of Jaimini (2 Volumes):
Delhi, 1980.
Saraswati, Kevalananda. Mimamsa Kosha (7 Volumes): Wai,
1992.
Shabar Swami. Commentary on the Mimamsa Sutras of Jaimini
(7 Volumes) Pune 1981
Sivananda Swami. Yoga Vedanta Dictionary Shivanandanagar,
2010.

This article by Nitin Kumar.

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