Professional Documents
Culture Documents
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PREFACE
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o u: z wus @@
O Goddess of land! You are my mother and I am your
son. The Adharva Veda says that any person who respects
and worships his Motherland must always recite the above
mantra.
Every country builds a progressive way for its people
to walk which is called as the culture of that country. Vedism
(following vedic dharmas) is not a religion. It is a culture
2
y Q |
Faithfully
Piratla Venkata Sridhar
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VEDAS - A DESCRIPTION
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G.Venkata Rao
Rtd. General Manager
(Vigilance)
Visakhapatnam Steel Plant
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Visakhapatnam
Thursday
th
16 Feb., 2006
PREAMBLE
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PRELUDE
EzG mz :
Vedas are very ancient and pre-historic in the field of
Indian culture and literature. The dharmas prescribed in
the Vedas are to be admitted as the knowledgeable paths
arranged by the ancient sages for enabling the people to
make themselves well disposed, civilized, well-connected,
well-mannered, and well-kept. The social insecurity,
peacelessness, unhappiness are the important hurdles of
today's society and the Vedas can give a secured remedy
for these hurdles. There is no doubt in saying that certain
powerful persons of selfish nature in the past have
concealed the vedic knowledge and ruined the vedic
culture of the Indian society.
Our country is a land of ritual actions(karmabhumi).
The Vedas say that the people must perform ritual actions
and experience the results. The experiences either good
or bad available to the people are the results of the actions
performed by them and the Supreme God has nothing to
do with that. Those who do not perform actions(karmas)
on the earth will always face misery and unhappiness.
Some people argue that the actions performed by the
people are according to the will of the Supreme God. This
11
: s uoz E
By performing righteous actions, a person born in
lower caste will attain higher caste. Lack of the vedic
knowledge is also a main reason for this strange situation
and every human being must study and follow the Vedic
rules and principles without thinking that some body will
come and help to avoid the prevailing situation.
As long as we follow the Vedic knowledge granted by
the Supreme God who is omniscient and who is the teacher
12
\u \uT|tu Tyu
With a hope that the readers will understand and digest
the essence of this book,
Piratla Venkata Sridhar
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VEDAS-1
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BHARATIYA SAMSKRUTHI
m| \ Q wq u\oz
oz: u o z uYNyuo
Two birds having equal qualities and connections are
dwelling on a tree. One bird is eating the fruits of the tree
enjoying the taste. While the other bird without eating
the fruits has enlightened as a witness. From this it can be
14
wusoz\zN Nz
utTn uFuo um
Thus the entire substance in creation is divided into
nine different natures by the sages. The relation between
Jeeva and Eswara in the above hymn is very ancient. Eswara
is the employer and Jeeva is the employed. "Chaithanyam"
or "movement" and "Gyana" or "wisdom" are the two
common features of Jeeva and Eswara. The wisdom of
Eswara is unlimited where as the wisdom of Jeeva is limited.
The main duty of Jeeva is to render a whole hearted
service to the omniscient Supreme God. The Jeeva and
Eswara dwell on the same tree. Here the tree denotes nature
that is subjected to many changes.
Similarly, the nature is a combination of "Trigunas"
15
| Y{ o | No
The above Yajurveda hymn is recited as part of
Sandhya Vandanam. It means that the Supreme God
created the sun and the moon like the suns and the moons
of previous creations. The human being who is
spontaneously knowledgeable tries to perform with certain
precepts the process of doings viz., Karma, Gyana and
Upasana for reaching the Supreme God and it has been
happening since ages. It is known from the history that
the Indians had no prayer halls or temples in the earlier
times. But they followed yogic acts like Pranayama,
Agnihotram etc., individually for the realisation of supreme
God who is indweller (Antaryami).
The vital strength of Vedism lies in its culture. As long
as the Indians do not forget their Vedic knowledge which
16
Y q Y { { Yo: : o zN
l Sz tz: Ty:
The above Yajurveda hymn says that the famines and
miseries will be very distant from the people of the country
as long as they follow and make other people follow the
Vedic culture with greater interest and devotion.
The people of India will have patriotism, unity and
culture following the Vedic dharmas and obtain the
abilities of acquiring Gyana and doing Karma with equal
interests in all Sastras. Hence, it is the duty of all Indians
to learn the ancient grandeur of their country to make
their future shine with brightness.
nr u y Gz oYuum E oz
o|: y N \zo
When a woman without the consent of her
husband abstains from food and starves in the name
of religious observances, will not only decrease the
longevity of her husband, but also experiences misery.
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VEDAS-2
BHARATIYA SAMSKRUTHI
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EuT| uo o
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|Y{ o s |No
The Rigveda says that the supreme God, in the
beginning of the creation, brightens in the hearts of the
sages the hymns having fine notes and efficacies for creating
interest in doing good acts and in abdicating evil acts to
achieve salvation in the way how he creates the nature
consisting of egoism and glory. Those hymns have occurred
to the minds of the sages when they sat in Samadhi and as
a result they have become the inventors of the hymns, but
not the creators of the hymns.
tz N \y|uo
Because Veda is godly pronunciation, it neither has
death nor decay. It is a folly thing to suspect the existence
of wisdom with a reason that the people are incapable of
knowing it.
19
ao Y n Yy oz\o
Vedas are the origin for all dharmas. When human
beings follow the Vedic dharmas, they will obtain wisdom
which is very high, powerful and strong. It is by doing
Vedic Karmas only one can cross over the sea of life and
mingle with the Supreme God who shines beyond the
universe. Salvation means happiness that cannot be defined
and it has no connection with all the worldly pangs.
Happiness obtained in the presence of God is unparalleled,
invisible and eternal. Many self realized persons are born
in this great Aryavartham which is the birth place of Vedic
dharma, a causeway for the attainment of salvation. The
ancient sages give a call to the people to obtain wisdom
from such great self-realised persons.
Loz o NtT\:,
n n Yu uqz wus |:
If we look at the history of the world, we come to
know that a good number of virtuous, learned, heroic and
meditatives who are the symbols of country's splendour
are born no where in the countries of the world but this
country. A person born in this great country feels that it is
his motherland and a gracious one and when he feels that
20
lo uztz: Ewo:
Ez tu utuoo
zt: zo o
Eutnm| o: oo
The dwellers of the divine world! O sons of Glory!
Please see the supreme God who shines beyond the
darkness called ignorance. Realisation of God is the only
way to reach the goal of attaining salvation and there is no
other way to achieve this goal.
uoz t Tu:
uZoz |:
qyoz Y N|um
ou bz z
Every human being requires truth. His mind always
requires the experience of truth. A person when experiences
the truth in thought and action, will get rid of all his
doubts, frees himself from all attachments and realises the
Supreme God.
21
zqo uNno
Vedas and Sastras have emanated to enable the
mankind to attain the Supreme God - the supporter or
cause of the entirety. Vedas and Sastras are meant for the
well being of the mankind.
E u {u zoo u:
| uoz EuNz uz: z|m y u:
Adi Sankaracharya narrates through the above sloka
that the qualities of acquiring food, getting sleep and fright
and generating progeny are common between a man and
22
NzVz uo Nzut
The Yajurveda says that those who eat food without
following dharma are none other than those who eat sins.
Bhagavadgitha also says that those who eat food without
recollecting the deities from whom they acquire food are
none other than thieves.
1.
2.
Bhuthasya Jathaha Pathihi Eka Asith.
God is only one for the entire mankind.
z oY Y | utuoeuo
There is only one God for all beings.
u u: Eouq t{ Eu Euo:
The earth, the space between the earth and the sky
and the world of radiance, all are within him.
o z|uo Y oN
The sun, the moon and all the stars are shining
because of His kind grace and they cannot shine without
the grace of the Supreme God who is the dictator and the
creator of this world.
GRUHASTASRAMA DHARMA
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ztun ut{ zt u N
Euo Y| Two uo:
A student must study four, three, two or at least one
Veda completely duly keeping up his chastity and character.
When he completes his studies, he will reach the state of
householder ship duly marrying a pious woman as narrated
by Sastras.
A person who is in the state of householdership must
as a husband, perform his duties to his wife and as a father
to his children. He must lead his life performing Vedic
Karmas and safeguarding the welfare of the society. The
following Vedic hymn states how a father should be.
H\| uo: u: z
EVzzm Yquzm
Tw{u tz
uuoo
An ideal householder earns wealth with a great vital
strength in the body, intelligece, affection, bears no anger
and is always peaceful in mind and gives a great delight to
all his family members. Nobody in the family is afraid of
him and they show great reverence to him.
It is the duty of the householder to frame his home
and make it like heaven. The Vedas clearly explain the
qualities, which are necessary for a householder to frame
a real home akin to heaven.
26
H\| uo: u:
This world is a battlefield. It may also be named as
the ocean of domestic life full of hills and rocks. One
needs tremendous strength to traverse this life. The Vedas
say that persons who have fairness in all organs of their
bodies; keep themselves away from all ailments and get
rid of deceitful nature, will lead a blissful life. The persons
of timid and weak nature cannot perform domestic duties.
When a person has strength and vitality, he can overcome
hatred. Whereas, when a person is sick, he lacks strength
and as a result, he will become angry and weary even for
small things. Therefore, a person who wants to be a perfect
householder must overcome sensual enjoyment to make
his body a centre for strength and energy. The householder
must also be an intellectual because intellectualism is a
symbol for having Gyana which avoids brutality and
ignorance.
The role of a father in householdership is very
prominent. He is the person to have noble purposes loftier
than Himalayas and also to spend all his time and
happiness for the sake of the family. Though hard in
behaviour for a while, he gives a venerable treatment and
lends a friendly hand to his fellowmen.
EVzzmuuzm Yq
The Vedas describe the householder as a person with
27
Vwoz Yqwo
The above Vedic hymn describes the idealism of a
father. There must be affection in his looks and purity in
his speech.
Practice of the four objects of life Viz., Dharma, Artha,
Kama and Moksha is very important in everyone's life.
Purity must be observed in the practice of the four objects
of life. Especially, when 'Kama' or Desire involves purity,
it can be regarded as one of the four objects of life.
However, when there is no purity in 'Kama,' it occupies
the first place in the 'Arishadvargas' or six sinful foes of
human life. To maintain purity in 'Kama,' the father must
control his senses and mind. When the father is unable to
have a control over his senses and mind, the life he is
leading as a householder may weaken all his powers and
may cause an early death. A control over the senses and
mind strengthens human powers and enables the human
will to perform their domestic duties efficiently.
It may be admitted that the householder having
28
control over his mind and senses can give birth to virtuous
children who indeed can give bright future to the country.
H us s Yz | Yu
All human beings must have noble knowledge and
walk on a graceful path guided by Dharma, like the sun
and the moon, in a regulated way without any deviation.
N| z uu: q oo
|To : un rz uouso
All the Vedic Dharmas and Vedic karmas
are made known by the supreme God who is
eternal in nature and who pervades all over.
That Supreme God is staying in our daily
Vedic performances.
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INDRIYA NIGRAHAM
uu|o Tg Fqz
L uN zN N uoeuo tzu
Just as there is butter mingling with the milk, jaggery
mingling with the juice of sugar cane, the strength and
vigour of any living being is situated in the semen, which
can be considered as the life bearing fluid in the body.
Just as the milk and sugar cane are churned for making
butter and jaggery, the entire body must be shaken
violently for the discharge of the semen from the body.
The milk becomes strengthless after the butter is churned
and the sugar cane becomes lifeless after the juice is
squeezed out. Similarly, the human body also becomes
impotent when it lacks semen. The entire nervous system
in the body, when semen is lost, becomes feeble; and
strengthlessness will take place in each organ of the body
as said in the Ayurvedic manual of Susrutha. The Siva
Purana also says that loss of semen will lead to down fall
of the body and stable maintenance of the semen in the
body will lead to longevity.
m utoz \y utm
otuo oz Noz utm
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Twmuoz {Tn o n
\tub|: Tz E|
O Kalyani! I am receiving you as my wife for the
fulfillment of glory, knowledge, wealth and Dharma. Thus
the groom takes oath. The marriage life of any human
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\ ws:
O Man! You should not die before the old age. Let
this Vedic narration become true.
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SABHYATHA-SANSKARAMU
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H oo o \z u:
[zuoo: sz q u Nwo
Em o \zTm E:
| \ t{ \
People performing gyanic karmas, must follow the
principled movement of the Sun God, who is the ruler of
the world. They must protect the Vedic culture walking
on the path prescribed by the Vedas. They must have divine
qualities of speaking truth and avoiding untruth.
All human beings must live together and they must
affectionately think and converse with one another. They
must be one both in thinking and deliberation. The Veda
suggests that how the ancient learned men worship the
supreme Lord must be inevitably followed.
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n o u o o nu uY
wo o L |: o:
One must always speak truth and the truth he speaks
must be beloved, dear and useful to the welfare of the
society. In other words, it should not cause disagreeableness
and inconvenience to the welfare of the society. The truth
that causes harm and inconvenience to the welfare of the
society should not be spoken. It means to say that if a
blind man is addressed as blind, it causes pain to him. To
say that he is blind, though a fact, should not be spoken
on his face. Similarly, untruths should not be spoken for
the pleasure and satisfaction of others. Those who commit
wrong deeds should not be flattered as good persons.
In one context, Vidura said to Dhrutharastra that
there are many people in the world who flatter for the
pleasure and satisfaction of others. But the number of
people who speak good words though not beloved are very
less and the number of people who listen to such words
are also very less.
Good persons must always reveal the faults of others
in their presence only. Similarily, they must be ready to
accept their faults when revealed by others in their
presence.
Bharthruhari says that to be a companion of pious
and learned persons is one of the best ways for obtaining
knowledge.
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nTuo: N Ny Nzuo
V N|
To have a friendship with persons who are well versed
with the Vedas and Sastras, who are charitable in nature
for getting virtuousness and wisdom and also to be far
away from bad natured persons can be termed as
Satsangam.
Of all the living beings created by the Supreme God,
the human body is the best one. Such an excellent human
birth must be utilized for getting divinity by way of
performing holy actions. Having friendship with people
of good conduct, listening to the speeches of virtuous and
learned persons and having trust in the Vedas and Sastras
etc., come under the qualities of satsang as narrated by
Sages.
z yoz | ZtTuu
uz obo T| F{y@
This world is a heaven for the person who can
control his children, who satisfies himself with what
is available and whose wife always obeys him in all
respects.
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AGNIHOTHRAM
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wzqo uNno
The Vedas are pronounced for the welfare of human
life. Of all dharmas to be followed by the human beings
for the efficacy of their lives, the most important dharmas
to be followed are 'Pancha Yagnas.'
The word Yagna is derived from the word "Yaja." It
has three meanings: Daana, Sangathi Karanam, Deva pooja.
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tzz t ty zo E s
According to the Nirukta Sastra of Yaskacharya,
Devatha means to donate, to shine and to brighten.
yu ooo o
\uo: zbuuoyo
There are 33 deities in total. They are
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Prajapathi or Brahma
b) Moon
c) Stars
d) Earth
e) Water
f ) Fire
g) Air
h) Sky
b) Apanamu (Anus)
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b) Kurma (Tortoise)
c) Krukala (Chameleon)
d) Devadatta (Conch shell)
e) Dhanunjaya (Fire).
These five are the sub-lives.
Jeevatma(Individual Soul). Five lives + Five sub-lives
+ Jeevathma = 11 in total. When they leave the human
body, they create lamentation for the living beings.
3. Dvadasadityulu: a) Indra
b) Dhata
d) Twashta
e) Pusha
g) Bhaga
h) Vivasvat
j) Amsuman
k) Varuna
c) Parjanya
f ) Aryamam
i) Vishnu
l) Mithra.
\uo: zbuuoyo
The Supreme God is the ruler, presiding deity and to
be worshipped by all. The Supreme God has supreme control over all the above deities. Every human must recollect
the above 33 deities daily. This recollection is known as
'Deva Yagnam.' All these deities, having co-operation with
each other, are helping the existence or living of the mankind. So it is the duty of every human being to be a sincere partner in the arrangement of creation by way of remembering and recollecting these deities daily.
In one way we are utilizing these deities for our benefits. In another way we are making them impure through
the soiled, impure and waste substances that are released
from our bodies through the process of the constituent
elements from one to the other. The godly creation that is
becoming impure through the human bodies, must be
rectified by them and they are bound to make it pure again.
The herbs, sweet materials, milk and ghee etc., must
be collected, purified and cast properly in the fire through
Homas(offering to agni). The materials so cast in the fire
become minute, blend with the air and purify the air and
the rainy water.
EuT{| tz Q
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NzVz uo Nzut
One should not eat alone. He must eat
sitting together with all. All must have this
feeling. They must also have broad out look
and charitable mind. They must sympathize
with others who are in wretchedness and
problems.
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DHARMA PATHAM
mo | Fn:
z| oz \:
When dharma wears people, people wear dharma. It
means to say that people follow dharma and dharma
follows people. The righteous course of conduct by which
the human being is not attached to materialism is known
as dharma.
oz oo Y tuo Y tuo
oo N|m Nzuo o N|m Nzuo oo Eu oz
What is thought in mind will be spoken out through
speech. What is spoken out through speech will be
physically performed by the materialistic senses. What is
physically performed by the materialistic senses will be
experienced by the body. From this it is understood that
what a human being performs with his materialistic senses
will be experienced by him. If he performs Satkarma, he
will get good results. If he does Dushkarma (evil deeds) he
will get evil results. So, it is clear that the living of a person
always depends upon his attitude and thought. If the
thought is noble, the attitude will be noble and he will
perform satkarmas. Therefore, nobility in thought always
enables a person to commit good acts and thereby to
become a Gnani.
[zuoo: sz q uNwo
The above sacred hymn as narrated in Rigveda says
that the teachings of learned sages must be preserved for
all times. The ancient sages constructed certain paths of
45
: z|mu T: Nz Ezto
A person must perform the Karmas dictated by his
Guru and become virtuous by obtaining Gyana. No other
person except parents and teacher can give upliftment to
the children in their lives.
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s u|uN o uoz ow
The place of women in the society is very high and
women take a large part in the lives of their husbands and
children. They are obedient to their husbands and perform
their duties to them. Similarly, they perform their duties
to their children. The woman from the time she gives birth
to her children till the time they complete their education,
goes on explaining to the children the value of truth,
obedience and good behavior is really noble and great.
Similar is the role of teachers in the society.
N: Yuo ou N: oz \:
N: oz \Tuo| Nz u tuo N:
(Y II y)
Time digests all living beings. Time destructs
all people. Time always remains the same even after
the destruction of all beings and material. Decidedly,
nobody can overcome time.
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MATRUDEVO BHAVA
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oz [oz o
The above sloka says that a woman who is venerable and
who can be worshipped is called 'Matha' or mother. The
word "Matru" is derived from the Sanskrit dhathu,
'MAIMANE SAABDECHA.'
uyoz uo | o
The mother who is completely merciful always wishes
the happiness and uplift of her children. That is why she
is called 'Matha.' The ancient sages describe the mother as
'The First Goddess' or 'Prathama Devatha.' Devatha or
Goddess means a person with divine nature. To have
Divine nature means to utilize the corporeal, mental and
soulful energies for the welfare of other beings. As the
mother uses all her energies for the safety and welfare of
her children, the Vedas declares her to be the 'Prathama
Devatha' and also the equal of 'Supreme Being.'
Fu z uoo o: Eu\o o Y z Y t:
z n z
O Lord ! You are greater than my father who nourishes
me and you are greater than my brothers who do not
nourish me. But when I compare you to my mother, you
seem equal to her. That is because you both are the persons
to grant me this body and to bless me with health and
wealth. You both wish my uplift in life. I do not find any
49
o u|o uo
She becomes great through the acts of cherishing her
children, making them worthy and virtuous. She makes
them the participants in the safeguard of the Vedic culture.
She is gracious and tactful in looking after the family affairs
and in keeping the house pure and clean.
o u|Ny o uoz ow
When a mother perceives the signs of pregnancy, a
ceremony will be observed. The ceremony so observed is
50
t uu: uu \Nn\
Ez Eby uu TXZoo s Q
O Lakshmana! You treat Sree Ramachandra as your
father. You treat Sita as your mother. You treat the forest
as Ayodhya and go to the forest happily. The preaching of
Sumithra to her son is indeed the best example of her
customary knowledge.
If one salutes the feet of his father and mother daily,
he will be blessed with longevity, education, health and
fame. The duties of children to their father and mother
who are the living deities are too many. May God grant
ability to the father and mother having knowledge in all
respects to prepare their children to have high degree of
values and nobility in thoughts and action to make them
idealistic and useful to the nation.
n o uo r z o t
uo: uo q : gzoz :
Truth is like a mother. Wisdom is like a father.
Virtuousness is like a brother. Mercy is like a sister.
Peace is like a wife. Patience is like a son. These
six are soul's close relations.
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GAYATHRI
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Q \z|uo: wu uuum
The substance, which owns splendour and which
pervades all the moving and non-moving materials, is
Gayathri only.
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Ty Ft | o o Ft uNY
The entire universe consisting of all beings is Gayathri
and it contains six kinds of divisions as narrated by sages.
z Yo ug Ty
Those six divisions are 1) word (Vakku) 2) Earth
(Prudhvi) 3) Body (Sareeramu) 4) Being (Bhuthamu) 5)
Life (Pranamu) 6) Heart (Hrudayamu)
T o Y oz Fuo Ty
The Gayathri Manthram, when it is sung, will grant
protection. Therefore, we must upasana(worship) the soul
of universe as demonstrated through the bright,
knowledgeable and formless Gayathri.
Gayathri means the preaching of Paramatma. The
sacred syllable of 'OM,' preceding the Gayathri Manthram,
enables all the Pranas in the body to travel upwards. One
must fix his mind by limiting those Pranas and thereby
taking the mind under control to upasana Gayathri
Manthram.
Gayathri is the sole support of the entirety consisting
of all knowledge. The word 'SAVTHA,' one of the three
55
H Ez : Noz ouo:
Eotz Eyo Gut:
tzz s tut wz
E z uqoz utz utz
O supreme God! bless us to perform the best
actions always. Let those actions be fortunate,
auspicious, mettlesome and encouraging to us. Let
the virtuous thoughts always save us form all
directions.
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DHARMA IN MAHABHARATHAM
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o: Et uz : uu: |:
In 'Vaiseshika Darsanam' written by Kanaada sage, it
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\u | uz wu \u E| uz uwu
I know Dharma. But I do not follow it. I know
Adharma. But I do not leave it. Thus reveals Duryodhana
his nature to the world. Duryodhana becomes so brutish
due to lack of supervision and discipline of his father and
mother.
Father, mother and acharya are the three persons to
discipline the children as narrated in Sathapadha
Brahmanam. This is confirmed by the Vedas, teaching
discipline is the primary duty of mother, father and
acharya. As an elder man in the race, Bhishma failed to
preach at least this simple aspect to Gandhari.
Mahabharata is a Kavya consisting of many important
60
o: No|:
A person is independent or free to perform any action.
But the point to be observed here is that he must take
Sastra as a measure for doing any thing. Lord Krishna
confirms this in the Bhagavadgita.
u: rz uo
Mind becomes purified when it obtains Gyana. So
the principles prescribed by Sastra should be discussed
while performing any actions. If any thing is noticed contradictory in Sastra, the Vedas should be taken as a measure as said by Dharma Sastras.
Yzt qmz|: |:
The main feature of Dharma is to investigate.
Investigation is possible only when Dharma is strictly
followed.
In response to a question put by Dharma Raja in one
context, Bhishma says that those persons who lack good
conduct and character, who have no good principles and
discipline and maintain sexual relationship with the
women of other classes become short lived and ends up in
hell. Dharma Raja who is devoted to truth and who does
not step back to follow good principles is honoured by
all. Such an upright man also gives a statement of false
nature in the interest of victory in the war because of which
he visits hell. But what is it that makes him give an untrue
statement?
Dronacharya is honoured as the commander in chief
for Kuru Army and nobody except Pandavas is fit to defeat
him in the war. Lord Krishna knows that there is an
elephant in Kuru Army and the name of the elephant is
Aswathama. Bhima kills the elephant with the advise of
Lord Krishna. Dharma Raja speaks in a high voice that
Aswathama is killed and further says in a low voice that it
is an elephant. Hearing what Dharma Raja says loudly,
Drona believes that what is said by Dharma Raja is true.
62
H Em mz Y|u \o
II \ II
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VIDYARDHI
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: n tuo uN :
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n uton | uto
owtzz, uowtzz, EY|tzz, Euou tzz
The students should not leave truth and virtuousness
by negligence. They should not be careless in respecting
their parents. They must respect their parents, preceptors
and guests as they respect the learned persons. They must
always practice speaking truth and perform charitable acts.
E tzY Y Tzub zY
oo Y Eun os nuTnzY
Loz{ o tz: : t uu| o:
The are seven evil qualities that any human being
should get rid of in his life;
1. Delay, which means idleness either in mind or body.
2. Intoxication, which means to have attachment to
worldly things other than education.
3. Wantonness, which means to waste the time without
having any concern or responsibility.
4. To have desire to listen to the conversations not
related to him,
5. To have haughtiness or self-esteem or ego.
6. Miserliness
7. To put a stop to education due to lack of interest.
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u uN XZ To
u zTNu : Nu u Tm T:
u \z utz Tz u tzo
u \[oz u u uy: :
Education is everything to a man. It is the hidden
wealth. Education gives all comforts, fame and happiness.
Education explains everything like a teacher and it helps
as a host even in foreign places.
Education is God. Education can be honoured even
by Kings but not money. A person who is not educated is
a brute.
Therefore, all students must learn one thing. Just as
the brightness and fragrance brings luster and hue to gold
and flowers. Similarily, practice of good principles brings
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WOMEN IN VEDAS
z| L \: |: quo
People protect one another with the help of dharma
or righteousness. The ordinances and principles are
constructed on the basis of dharma, but not dharma on
the basis of principles and ordinances. If we observe
dharma sastra, we may notice that the saga Manu says the
following in respect of women.
o um o T{zmuounoz
The mother is one thousand times more honourable
than the father. The mother bears the child in her womb
for nine months begets the child and changes her blood
into milk to feed the child. She pays her entire attention
to the well being of her child. Children are getting healthy
growth, good conduct and prosperity in life because of
their mother's industrious efforts. That is why it is said in
the Vedas - "Mathru Devo Bhava." The role of mother in
bringing up her children is very great. She tries to develop
the noble qualities of unity, honour and charity in her
children. She makes them sit at her knee and teaches them
the significance of brotherliness of Rama and Lakshmana
in Ramayana and Pandavas in Mahabharata.
In the battle between Rama and Ravana, Lakshmana
happens to faint due to injuries. The great Hanuman starts
to bring the 'Sanjeevani Rock' for relieving Lakshmana from
faintness. On the way, he meets Bharatha. When Bharatha
knows that Hanuman is a great devotee to his brother
Rama and is going for medicated rock to save the life of
Lakshmana, he becomes very glad and invites Hanuman
to the presence of his mothers. The mothers Kausalya and
Sumithra ask Hanuman about the welfare of Rama, Sita
and Lakshmana. Hanuman stays with them for a while
and when he starts to get back, both Kausalya and
Sumithra convey separate messages to Rama through
Hanuman.
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Eo: uo: z o o :
[nz oy Y to uo
The above Rigveda hymn says that an ideal son is
one who practices the dharmas practiced by his father. He
must obey the instructions of his mother. An ideal wife
must always use agreable, sweet and tranquil words while
speaking to her husband. An ideal mother must act as a
bridge between her husband and son. The highness of the
children always depends upon the idealistic nature of their
mother. She can make her relation permanent with her
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Ez: uoTwmyo oy u:
E z T| n: o toto
The above Yajurveda hymn says that the women must
study medical and other scientific courses so that they will
know the medicines that can destroy diseases and protect
pregnancies. They can make their children relieve from
ailments. Whatever inconveniences in health the family
members may have, whether they are atmospheric or some
other, the mistress in the house will have the knowledge
of using suitable medicines.
The woman is very complacent, vigilant and tactful
in keeping the house and also in dealing with the
household transactions. She keeps the house very clean
and pure. She is temporate in spending money and cooks
items which are not harmful to health. She serves all the
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DHARMA SADHANAM
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nu: zn :
To die or leave the body means to take re-birth. The
actions performed without desiring the result do not throw
us into the state of attachment. It means to say that the
actions performed without attachment to the results will
not have any influence on our hearts and as such there is
no scope for rebirth. In that way, we can escape the cycle
of births and deaths. That is why it is said in Vedas that the
actions performed without attachment to the result will
grant salvation to the human beings.
The Bhagavadgita taught by Lord Krishna to Arjuna,
when the latter falls into ignorance leaving the principles
of his Kshatriya dharma, is the essence of the Vedas and
that essence is also called as the theory of Nishkama Karma
or action performed without attachment to the result.
Ez E b~z \: Fz
Euou z \o
The Kshatriyas must have the good qualities of
valour, bravery and boldness. They must acquire skill
of using various weapons and thus become great
warriors possessing the ability of fighting single
handed against 11000 bowmen to safeguard the
country and people from enemies.
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ARYAVARTHA VAIBHAVAM
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Nwloz u E|
Rigveda says that the entire world must consist of
people with good nature and good qualities. The above
Vedic hymn says that because majority of people possessing
good nature and qualities lived in this country, it is named
as Aryavartham. When we observe the history of the world,
we come to understand that a good number of sages, saints,
76
u | Nwuoz|tz
Vedas are the spontaneous standards of truth. All the
works of other sages are written on the basis of the Vedas.
It is only through the ways of life of people mentioned in
Vedas that the Vedic duties and observations are understood
as the natural wealth granted by the God. It is learned
form the history that the ancient people recognised gyana
as form of god through practice of Vedic karmas, study of
Vedas and following dharma.
Loo tz o No ET\:
n n Yu uqz wu | :
O people of the world! The Manudharma Sastra says
that the true knowledge which is necessary for peace and
happiness must be known from the ancient knowledgeable
sages of this graceful land. The noble sages of ancient times
who wished worldly prosperity only without thinking of
other things have delivered this call during the ancient
times itself. The culture of our country was largely derived
from Vedic literature.
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Nwuo u :
The Vedic culture is the very first guide for the worldly
way of life. The feelings and sentiments marked on the
heart of a person are always according to the actions
performed by him. The Supreme God who is gracious
and most holy has directed in the Vedas, the actions and
prescriptions to be performed by the mankind. By
performing the Vedic Karmas as narrated in Yajurveda, a
person will have purity in mind and heart and he will also
acquire truthful knowledge, truthful behaviour and
upright conduct
H rz r E\o tz:
ou |um
oz N u: Yo
z| : uo tz:
II \ II
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BRAHMACHARYA MAHIMA
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tqm ul oyN :
oz z Y|z yV|n o t
Great thinkers are those who have great thoughts
of having strength and development. God has established
virility in the seminal fluid. That is why the people must
retain the seminal fluid in their bodies for the development
of virility, brilliance and longevity.
The children of this graceful country have played with
lions at the age of 5 years and have crushed the rocks to
powder with their feet. A good number of great and
virtuous persons like Rama, Krishna of ancient times and
Gandhi of the present time were born in this country and
such a great country has now become impotent and lost
its vigour. The youth in lakhs are becoming feeble under
the evil influence of media. They are being affected with
horrible diseases and finally make their parents and family
members live in a state of destitution. The humanity,
which is to get divinity, is now in a state of ruin due to the
lack of good practice, precepts and control of passions.
The mankind can get rid of this state by consecrating
themselves to the noble principles of Brahmacharyam.
Violation of the principles of Brahmacharyam is the main
cause for a decrease in the span of life as said in the Ayurveda
Sastra written by sage Susrutha. The production of the
seminal fluid must be known to us in advance. This body
is a combination of the seven great principles of nature.
80
o O ooz z: \oz
zz usooz , : N :
The food we take into our bodies changes into Rasam
(juice). The Rasam changes into Raktam (blood). Which
further changes into Mamsam (flesh). This flesh inturn
changes into Medha (mind). The mind changes into Asti
(bone). The bone changes into Majja (marrow) and from
marrow it finally changes into seminal fluid. That seminal
fluid with the form of a great splendour pervades the body
and it is the support for life.
N { uso uS ubN wo
T| y\ : z \y:
The seminal fluid is gentle, white, thick, strong and
a seed for pregnancy giving vitality and shelter to the body.
So the youth having perfect control over the senses without
allowing them to follow the sense objects must safeguard
the seminal fluid in the body through the practice of Yoga
and Pranayama. The reply of the Vedas for the question as
why to follow the Brahmacharyam is as under.
\o N: N GzTz uo
u Nwmnz| L Eu|oz
One who lives in lust and sensual enjoyment will
never get complete happiness. Human desires will
automatically increase with sensual enjoyment, but they
never decrease as narrated in Manudharma Sastra. To have
control over the senses is the only way for obtaining perfect
satisfaction and it requires knowledge of self. Just as a lamp
in a saucer lightens with the help of oil, the self in the
body shines with the strength of seminal fluid. So the youth
of the country must control the senses with the help of
their wisdom and intellect like a charioteer who controls
the horses with the help of a bridle. Then only they can
safeguard Brahmacharyam and become the foundation
stones for the future of the nation.
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DHARMANUSTANAM
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o: Et uz : uu: |:
An action from which prosperity, excellent happiness and
salvation can be acheived is known as 'Dharma.' The materials in the creation are said to have 'dharmas or duties'
only when they have the qualities to indicate their existence. For example, the quality of fire is to give heat and
brightness. It cannot be called fire when it lacks the above
two qualities. It means to say that the fire loses its respect
when the above two qualities are lost in it. Similarly, a
person cannot be called a human when he lacks virtuous
practices and good qualities. All the human being must
be bold enough because the most essential quality for committing virtuous actions is boldness. That is why the
'Dhruthi' meaning boldness is first recommended by sage
Manu.
wuoqtzoz {YuuuT
y: u nNzz tN | qm
One must have equal vision for the things having
different qualities. It means to say that he must be
indifferent to both pain and pleasure. He must treat the
qualities of blame and praise, happiness and unhappiness
alike and experience them in a similar way. He must always
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E u {u zoo u:
|uoz EuNz uz: z|y u:
The meaning of the above sloka is that those who are
not virtuous or who do not follow dharma are none other
than beasts. The persons who follow dharma wish in their
daily prayer that.
85
Eoz , oz [zuoT|,
wnz| EwoT
O Supreme God! Please keep us away from
committing evil acts and make us walk on the path of
dharma. Please remove the darkness of ignorance and make
us acquire the supreme knowledge (Gyana).
O Supreme God! Please relieve us from the gripping
distress (abhinivesha) called death and grant us eternal
nature.
All the human beings must behave in the way they
pray for. They must ponder over the Supreme God daily
and try to the extent they can better their intellect. One
who has this quality will become righteous and one without
will become unrighteous.
Any human being in the world, be it a male or a female
can have these qualities. When the animosity in connection
with caste, class and religion which are increasing day by
day vanish, the human life will be happy. Each person
having the ability to realise the self must have strong
determination and he must recognise the real form of each
material. It means a person should be able to differentiate
a movable material (chetanam) from a non-movable
material (jadam). Also, one must learn to utilise a material
in its original form.
One must not lose prudence becoming arrogant and
thinking negatively. The qualities of Veda, Eswara, Muki,
86
Euo ou \|t : ro uo
\|: r: N| :
All the living beings are born because of the
food that we take daily. The food is born because of
the rains caused by Parjanya or Varuna. The clouds
are born because of Yagnas or Havans. The Yagna or
Havan is possible due of Vedic Karmas only.
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2.
3.
4.
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SWADHYAYAM
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{Y oz o: F| umu u
One must have the strength to face the ups and
downs, which he comes across in achieving the internal
and external purity, self-satisfaction and the four objects
of life. He must study the four Vedas and discussions
relating to the Supreme God. He must also have the
knowledge of the Supreme God who is the maker of
creation, existence and destruction. He must concentrate
his mind always on him. The Upanishads says that one
should not neglect Swadhyaya and to disseminate the Vedic
Dharmas.
92
arise in the brain. He must lead a pure and clean life with
high intellect.
z m \:
To recite and meditate Omkaram also comes under
Swadhyaya. A devotee sitting alone must recite Omkaram
repeatedly. 'Om' means the saviour. Of all the names of
the Supreme God, the most excellent name is 'Omkaram'
which is a combination of 'Akara' 'Ukara' and 'Makara'.
All the phonetics are contained in 'Omkaram.'
The Word 'AUM' is made up three letters a,u,m, each
of which signifies a number of God's names. 'A' stands
for, "Virat", "Agni" and "Viswa" ; 'U' for 'Hiranyagarbha',
'Vayu', and 'Taijasa' and 'M' represents, 'Eswara', 'Aditya',
and 'Prajna'.
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AHIMSA SIDDHAMTHAM
n yuo N|um
The human being will take a deep thought before he
commits any action and that is why he is called a 'Manava'.
o uNoz oo N|:
That which is done is known as 'Karma' or action
All actions will not be considered as karmas. The
sastras admits only those actions which are in accordance
with the Vedic principles. These actions will be of three
kinds.
They
are
1)
Nitya
Karmas
2) Naimithika Karmas 3) Kamya Karmas.
Nitya Karmas are those which we perform daily as
per Vedic principles. Naimithika Karmas are those which
are performed occasionally. All the actions like Yagas and
Yagnas come under this kind. Kamya Karmas are those
which are performed for specific results.
TXZ t zu \o
Walk together and speak together. Be one in all your
suppositions.
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Eq{|ty: ! T yy !
Eu yy ! E\ yy !
yy, | ou !
The Vedas have put a ban on gambling and violence.
It has taught the people not to torment animals like cows,
goats or any living being because all the banned actions
prescribed in the Vedas are harmful to the society. Violence,
theft, speaking lies, committing adultery etc will cause
harm and lack of peace to the society. Any human being
becomes eligible for salvation only through non-violence.
That is why the sage Pathanjali says in his 'Yogadarsanam'
as under.
ou noz
Y| EuT:
Nonviolence is the very first action to be performed
among all the vows.
|t | |ou Euz: Eu
To be away always from the feeling of enemity towards
all the beings is called non-violence.
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H woz w u Yq |um ou
yqo u Yq |um ou yqz
u Yq yqz
O form of all learning! O controller of all Dharmas!
Just as all the beings in the world are seeing us with a
merciful and friendly look, we also see them in the similar
way. Please grant us the ability of having mutual feeling
of friendliness for each other.
Man is a social creature. He depends on the society
in which he lives and the society too depends on him. As
both are inter dependent they must perform their daily
duties keeping in view of this fact. A person is able to
become a yogi through the practice of pure and virtuous
actions linked with wisdom. We pray God daily as under.
Euz Nwmzu:
O Almighty! Please keep us away from hatred.
Even in the evening prayer, we should worship God
as under.
z E zub uoz \z t:
Let both who scorn us and whom we scorn may get
rid of the feeling of such scorn and increase mutual
reciprocation among us for the happiness of our lives in
the society. This country comprising of various dharmas
and languages is like one house and we are all the members
of that house. When we improve this feeling by leaving
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EzG z u m:
z n|
Fz wuo:
z um: GJN:
z mz oz :
nz nq u
nz nq utu J o utu
n utu oo oo Oo
Eo Eo O
EzG uo: uo: uo:
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