Bharat's Glorious Vedic Heritage

There is no greater eye than knowledge. 
There is no greater penance than Truth. 
There is no worse misery than greed. 
There is no greater happiness than sacrifice.

Knowledge is the real eye. Truth is real penance. Penance does not consist in forsaking food and drink and roaming in a forest. Seeking the eternal Truth is real penance. Desire is the main cause of grief. Desire will go on multiplying. As and when one is fulfilled, it gives rise to another and this goes on endlessly. True Bliss consists in controlling desires. Sacrifice gives the greatest and lasting happiness. That is why the Vedas have declared that it is not by work, progeny or wealth, but by sacrifice alone, one can get immortality.

Sacrifice is the life-force of a human being. The Veda teaches Tyaga, Yoga and Bhoga (sacrifice, spiritual practice and material pleasure). The word Veda itself has many meanings. It means intelligence, knowledge, awareness, etc. To lead a meaningful life man has to follow certain Niyamas (regulations of discipline). It is also necessary to know one’s own Inner Reality. Mere intelligence and acquisition of knowledge are not enough. Knowledge should foster wisdom leading to awareness. This is what the Veda teaches. The word Jnana, which is translated as wisdom, contains two syllables! Jna and na. That which is not true at all times, past, present, and future, cannot be termed Jnana. Adwaita Darshanam (Awareness of oneness) is the real Jnana.

The Truth is one, it is infinite and it is Brahmam. Sathyam Jnanam, Anantam, Brahma," is the Upanishadik declaration.

Vedas Confer Security On Humanity

The Veda should not be treated as mere Mantra. It helps to realize full knowledge and wisdom. The sages in ancient times had the inner vision and experience of the Divine and they gave expression to this revelation through the Vedas. They are applicable to entire humanity for all times. They confer security on humanity and show the way to happiness and peace. The goal of human life is to sacrifice desires and realize the Divine.

Since the Vedas are Anantam (infinitely vast), it is difficult to master them within the short lifespan of human life. That is why Veda Vyasa divided them into four sections. He compiled the Riks into one part and called them Rik Samhita. He put all the Yajus together and named the collection as Yajus Samhita. All the Sama hymns were presented in the Sama Samhita. Other mantras were compiled in a fourth section termed Atharvana Samhita. The Yajus Samhita was further divided into Shukla Yajur and Krishna Yajur Veda, bringing the actual number of Veda Samhitas to five.

The Division Of Veda Samhitas

Each Samhita was further divided into three parts, namely, Brahmana, Aaranyaka, and Upanishad. The first part is full of mantras for rituals, and for doing acts of charity, and other shastric rites. Mantra has Life-Force in it and, when properly interpreted, every mantra is related to Divinity. The second part, Aaranyaka, relates to the chanting of mantra during Vanaprasthashrama, when one finishes his Grihastha-ashrama (family life) and retires to the forest to lead a life of austerity.

The chanting of mantras should always be synchronized with the practising of the prescribed Karma. By such practice one can realise the Divine. By merely listening to mantras and failing to practice, one can never get happiness or peace. In order to realize the Divine, you have to practice the precepts prescribed in the Vedas. No doubt, even listening to the recitation of the Vedas is itself capable of purifying your mind. It is Shabda Brahman. Sound is the first attribute of God. Veda Shabda is all-pervasive.

Today a great deal of wickedness, troubles, and turmoils are prevalent in the world because of the decline of the influence of the Vedas. Water, air, food, noise are all tainted by pollution. We are forced to lead a polluted life. When the air we breathe is itself polluted, how are we to lead a pollution-free life? The environment and the elements should be pure to ensure purity of heart. The cause of this pollution lies nowhere else except in our own actions. Whatever words we utter, they spread to the entire atmosphere. We can purify the atmosphere of the world by chanting the Vedas and singing the glory of God.

Cherish The Vedas For Sublimating Your Lives

The Rishis in ancient times used to move to forests and chant the powerful Vedic Mantras to purify the atmosphere of the whole world. These Vedas are neglected today. The people of this great country of Bharat have not understood the infinite potency of the Vedas. It is a pity they have not tasted the sweetness of the Vedas. The Vedas should be cherished for sublimating life and not to earn a living.

The Upanishads, which are termed as Vedanta or the concluding part of the Vedas, detail the method of achieving the Purusharthas (four fold goal of life), namely Dharma, Artha, Kama and Moksha. These can be achieved by one’s own efforts through Vidya (acquisition of right knowledge), which is of two types: one is Para Vidya (the Higher Knowledge) and the other Apara Vidya (lower knowledge). Para Vidya shows the way to Moksha (Liberation), while Apara Vidya deals with worldly pursuits, which cause bondage.

For acquiring spiritual wisdom this worldly education is not necessary. Sathyadrishti (the vision of Truth) is the only requisite for spiritual pursuits. Since ancient times Bharatiyas have taken to spiritual pursuits as their goal in life.

Nine Different Appellations For The Vedas

There are nine different appellations for the Vedas. They are: Sruti, Anusmara, Trayee, Aamnaya, Samaamnaya, Chandhas, Svaadhyaya, Nigama and Agama.

Sruti: The Vedas were taught by teacher to disciple by oral recitation, adhering to the right swara and tune. There were no gadgets such as tape recorders or gramophone records in those ancient times. The students used to learn the text only by constant repetition with intense devotion day and night and get mantras by heart. Even if the words are missed the swara or tune of the chanting should be without the slightest blemish, since swara is its basis. Hence it is called Sruti (that which is learnt by hearing).

Anusmara: Since the Vedas were learnt by memorizing and constant chanting, they got the name of Anusmara.

Trayee: Originally there were only three Vedas Rig, Yajur and Sama, which formed the basis of all rituals, the mantras for Yajna and musical notes. Hence they were termed as Trayee (the three).

Aamnaya: It means practice. The practice of chanting and memorizing was followed even in the dream state and deep sleep state, apart from the waking state. So it is called Aamnaya.

Samaamnaya: As the Veda is preserved in the heart of the students it is called Samaamnaya.

Chandhas: The Sama Veda lays down the basic meter for the Vedic mantras, meter which is Chandhas. Hence the Vedas are termed as Chandhas.

Swadhyaya: The Vedas were learnt by son from father or disciple from teacher. Thus it was passed on from generation to generation, from grandfather to grandson. Since it is preserved only by constant self-study and practice after learning, it is called Swadhyaya.

Nigama and Agama: As the study of the Vedas is related to inhalation and exhalation, it is called Nigama and Agama. For example, when one inhales the air the sound is “So”, while exhaling, the sound is “Ham”. With every breath this Soham meaning, “I am He,” is being repeated. This goes on 21,600 times per day. This is verily the practice of the Mahavakyas of the Veda, “You are That” - “Tat Twam Asi.” This goes on all through life by every human being in the breathing process. When breathing stops life will be extinct.

Transcend Body-consciousness To Realise Inner Self

Many sages and saints did penance for realizing Divinity. They said, “Vedahametam Purusham Mahantam” (We have seen God Almighty). Where did they see Him? “Aditya Varnam Tamasah-Parastat” (We have seen God beyond the darkness, of ignorance). This darkness is the identification of oneself with the body and attachment to the senses. To realize the Inner Self you have to transcend the body consciousness and attachment to sensual desires. Veda teaches many things with emphasis on unity and purity. Some say that the Veda discriminates between people, declaring only some that are qualified to chant the Veda. This is totally wrong.

In the Shanti Shloka, the Veda says, “Sahana Vavatu; Sahanau Bhunaktu Sahaviryam karava Vahai, Tejasvinavadee Tamastu; Ma Vidvishavahai.” What is the meaning of this? “Let us grow together; let us live together, let us study together, let us develop knowledge together, without conflict, with friendship, with broadmindedness.” While this is the teaching of the Veda how can anyone say that it discriminates against some? The Veda teaches a subtle form of equality and equanimity.

Only A Fraction Of The Vedas Remain Now

Each Veda has many branches. The Rig Veda has 28 branches, of which 26 have faded out of memory and only two remain now. The Yajur Veda had 17 branches out of which only two are in vogue, while the Sama Veda had 1000 branches of which 998 are lost. Even with this fraction of the original Vedas existing now, the world is progressing at least to the present extent. Imagine how powerful this planet would have been if all the branches of the Vedas were in vogue now!

This sacred land of Bharat, which was reputed to be the Tyaga Bhumi (land of Sacrifice) and Yoga Bhumi (land of Spiritual communion), has now become a Roga Bhumi (land of diseases). The reason is people are turning to Bhoga (worldly pleasure) forgetting Yoga and Tyaga. People should learn to live in Yoga.

The Vedic injunctions have infinite meaning. All may not be able to comprehend the inner meaning of the teachings. The truth that the earth has a gravitational force was there since the world was created. But it was discovered only by Newton after some experiments. Similarly, the truth hidden in the Vedas was perceived by the Rishis after intensive penance and Sadhana. They have given to mankind the Eternal truth which was revealed to them. The vibrations of their spiritual Sadhana have spread throughout the Universe. They are not limited to Bharat or any particular place.

This can be practiced anywhere in the world, whether in America or Australia. This is Sathya Swarupa (Embodiment of Truth). It cannot change according to time or place. It is beyond time and space; that is why it is called the Transcendental Reality. Some people think lightly of the Vedas and even make fun of them.

Learning The Vedas give Immense Benefits

Embodiments of love! Even if you cannot chant the Vedas, if only you listen to the sounds with devotion they will elevate you to a higher level. Though the child does not know the meaning of the lullaby sung by its mother, it is induced to sleep hearing the tune. Similarly, listening to the chanting of the Veda with undivided attention will give you immense benefit. If you ruminate over it and practice it in your life, you can imagine the magnitude of the bliss you will attain. The hymns of the Vedas constitute Nada Brahman (God in the form of sound), which is highly potent. Devotees who go to a temple ring the bell. The general belief is that it is intended to attract the attention of the Deity. Does it mean that God is asleep and you have to awaken Him by ringing the bell? God is always awake and is listening to the prayers of everyone. It is just like a visiting card which you present to any important person whom you want to meet for any favor or help. Ringing the bell is only to draw the attention of the Lord towards you. The sound of the Veda is also like ringing the temple bell.

Omkara Is The Correct Address Of The Lord

Sound emanates from the Primordial Pranava, which consists of the three syllables A, U, and M. The correct address of the Lord is Omkaram. The sound of the bell and the sound of the Vedas also radiate Omkara nada. The uttering of Omkara should be done in a sweet and smoothly progressive way starting with the sound of “A” which should come from the navel, and then the sound “U” from the throat, and finally conclude with “M” from the lips. It should resemble the sound of an airplane when it is far off, gradually increasing in volume as it approaches the aerodrome and finally subsiding after landing. (Swami demonstrated the correct way of chanting the Omkara). The Veda teaches this very clearly.

The Vedas lift the individual to higher levels. People are not realizing this truth. Many Vedic scholars send their wards to convent schools and seek to impart to them a secular education without caring to pass on to them the sacred legacy of the Vedas, which will protect them. Because of lack of encouragement and proper propagation and promotion, knowledge of the Vedas is declining day by day in this great country, which is the home of this sacred treasure. Swami expects the people to foster the Vedas and is showing the way by making all the thousands of students of the Sai educational institutions, right from the primary school, to learn Veda chanting. You have watched the children of the primary school, ranging from 5 to 8 years, chanting the Vedas at the commencement of this meeting. There is actually no compulsion to learn the Vedas. All the students willingly come forward on their own to learn Veda chanting. There are Veda pathashalas (Vedic schools) elsewhere where they impart this teaching, but the students discontinue the chanting later on. You should make the children learn the Vedas with enthusiasm, without compulsion. They should be made to realize the greatness of the Vedas by sweet persuasion.

The Vedas have protected our country from ancient times. Since the Government has not cared to realize the beneficial influence of the Vedas in contributing to the welfare of the nation, the country is facing a lot of troubles. The propagation of Vedas should be taken up by the people. The essence of the Upanishads is given in the Bhagavad Gita and the Brahmasutra. Several saints have related stories to explain clearly the import of the Upanishadic truths. The Eashavasyopanishad is the first among the Upanishads. It declares that God pervades the whole universe. Because people have neglected the study of Sanskrit they are unable to enjoy the treasures of knowledge contained in the Upanishads.

Inaugural Discourse in the Purnachandra Auditorium at the Veda Purusha Saptaha Jnana Yajna, on 18-10-1993.