Leela Kaivalya Vahini
Original in Telugu
Sadhaka: Swami! You said the Veda is known by nine other names. Has it got more?
Sai: Ah! Can it be designated by only nine? It has many more names. For example, it is known as Prishni, also as Prathamaja, and by many more such names in reverence and honor to the context and character of the teachings.
Sadhaka: Prishni? What does it mean?
Sai: Parameshwara (Almighty) is Prishni-garbha (He, who contains all clarity and wisdom). Prishni connotes purity, clarity, sanctity. So, the word indicates that the Almighty has the Buddhi (Intelligence), devoid of taint of any kind. The Veda is the concretization in words of that Wisdom. Rishis (Sages), who are Mantra-drashtas (Seers of the sacred hymns) and possess purified and clarified intellect, win the grace of Brahma (the Creator). Brahma prompts them and blesses them with the vision of the origin of the Mantras (hymns and sacred syllables) in their deep meditative spiritual exercises. Even the Mantra-drashtas recognized and described God as Prishni-garbha.
Such Rishis, who had the vision of the Mantras, were not bound by the consequent coils of Karma (actions, deeds), and thus they are not born again and again. They are created by Brahman (the Cosmic Self) only at the beginning of the Kalpa (cycle of creation and dissolution). So, they are hailed as Aja (Unborn). The Veda acclaims them thus. Their very nature is immaculate purity. Therefore, they too are called Prishni. For divine grace, they engaged in Tapas (penance) and yearned so agonizingly, that in the Tapas-samadhi (state of Super Consciousness), Brahma manifested to them out of self-will and awarded them the vision of Brahma Yajna.
Sadhaka: What is Brahma Yajna?
Sai: Brahma Yajna is Swadhyaya, that is to say, intense study and observance of the Veda. The Rishis, who are Aja (Unborn) and therefore authorized by Brahma to transmit the Truth, formulated, according to the vision they earned, the Yajnas or sacrificial rites, designed to promote peace and prosperity in the world. The Vedas acknowledge as Rishis only those, who visualized the Mantras and who treasure in their hearts the awareness of the supreme Vedic Truth, and of the meaning and significance of Brahman (the Cosmic Self) and Dharma (the Laws of Social Harmony and Individual Duties and Rights). The ritual sacrifices formulated by such Rishis, based on the Vedas, are called Yajnas.
The yearning for Truth is Tapas or Asceticism. Since Brahmatvam (Knowledge of the Self) is won through Tapas, it is referred to as Tapoja (Attained by Tapas), and the response from Brahma to the Tapas is described as Deva-vak (the Word of God), Deva-vani (the Voice of God).
Tapoja literally means “Born of Tapas”; but, this does not imply that it was non-existent, until Tapas brought it forth! Veda-vani is ever-existent. It has no Beginning. Time does not affect it. “Born of Tapas” means that “It revealed Itself to the person, who underwent the Tapas.” It ever IS. It has willed to be so. It projected Itself as the Vak, the Divine Word. The Word is the Mantra of the Veda. So, the Almighty is described in the Veda as Mantra-krit (the Designer of Mantra), Rishi-krit (the Creator of Rishis), besides the names that occur at some place or other, like Svayambhu (Self-emergent), Tapoja (Born of Tapas), etc.
I mentioned the name Prishni-garbha. That is a very meaningful name for the Almighty. It signifies Annam (food), Jalam (water), Amritam (immortalizing nectar), and the wisdom of the Veda. Since the Almighty Brahman (the Cosmic Self) has all these in Him, in the garbha (womb), so to say, He is named Prishni-garbha. Brahman is thus declaring His own Reality as the Veda-rupam (Form of Veda).
Sadhaka: Swami! Prathamaja is another name you mentioned. What does that word mean?
Sai: Trayi (the Three), that is to say, the Veda, is extolled as Prathamaja in the Veda; “Upasthayi Prathamajam”—this statement reveals the belief that Vidya (Higher Learning) could be attained by the Upastha (Revered study) of Prathamaja or the Primal-born. Unless one studies with humility, the sacred Veda-vak (the Word of Veda, the Word of God), one cannot master Brahma-vidya (knowledge of Brahman). This requires not only the verbal recitation of the Veda, but also the constant “service,” the conscious worship of the Veda with full awareness of what the word means and commands. This has been made plain in that statement.
Sadhaka: In which Veda, Swami, does the name, Prathamaja, occur?
Sai: In the Rig-veda. Understand that Prathamaja and another similar expression, Purvaja indicate the impossibility of discovering when the Veda was first revealed. It is beginningless. It is for this reason that Sage Valmiki has praised this Veda-vak as the Agra-vak (First, imperceptible, mysterious Word) in Ramayana. The first concretization of the Cosmic Will was the Cosmos or the Hiranya-garbha (Cosmic Womb), i.e., the one in whom consciousness shines from within; that, too, is Prathamaja. Knowledge of the Impersonal and its projection as Personal (i.e., Brahma-vidya) is also Prathamaja, the Primal Awareness, according to the Veda. “Brahmadevanam prathamah”. Both Brahma Deva and Hiranya-garbha are sometimes referred to as Prathamaja.
Sadhaka: Of these two, which is preeminent - Hiranya-garbha or Para-brahmam?
Sai: Of those two, Para-brahmam is preeminent and hence Para-brahmam is extolled as Prathamaja, the very first. Prathamaja means the first revealed Vak, that is Veda-vak and it is beginningless. It emanated from the source of Para-brahmam. Just as the appellation Prathamaja is very apt for the Vedas, so too, the appellation Arsha is another apt name for Vedas.
Veda is the source of Dharma, moral life, righteous behavior. Those who enquire and observe the norms relating to duties and taboos as laid down in the Veda and as interpreted by the various schools of philosophy like Mimamsa, deserve the name Dharmaja, Dharma-adherents. Those who do not enquire and observe, as interpreted by various schools of philosophy like Mimamsa, are said to be Adharma-adherents.
Sadhaka: Arsha? What does that mean?
Sai: Vedas are called Arsha, not only because they were related to Rishis, but also they were received (during deep contemplation) and expressed by them. The Vedic Mantras are the precious treasure, garnered and possessed by Rishis (for liberating man). Thus, sayeth the Rig-veda.
The Brahman concept of the Vedas is also denoted by the word that has sa as the end syllable. Veda, for this reason, means Dhanam (wealth), Jnanam (wisdom), and Paramaishwaryam (the highest potency). The wealth here indicated is distinct from worldly gains and possessions. It is the means, by which the Supreme Goal can be attained. In other words, the wealth acquired through the Grace of Veda-mata (Mother Veda), is the most potent Wisdom itself. This wealth helps in attaining the experience of the Brahman, the embodiment of Vedas. For this reason, the Vedic Rishis prayed thus: “God! You are the very embodiment of the Veda. Fill me with the worldly wealth of cattle and children, or with the Wisdom that is the source of Paramaishwaryam. I shall be fully content with that wealth. And since such wealth is capable of being utilized for Your service, You, too, will be glad, when I have it.”
Brahmam, Rishis and the Study of Vedas
Original in Telugu
Sadhaka: Swami! You said the Veda is known by nine other names. Has it got more?
Sai: Ah! Can it be designated by only nine? It has many more names. For example, it is known as Prishni, also as Prathamaja, and by many more such names in reverence and honor to the context and character of the teachings.
Sadhaka: Prishni? What does it mean?
Sai: Parameshwara (Almighty) is Prishni-garbha (He, who contains all clarity and wisdom). Prishni connotes purity, clarity, sanctity. So, the word indicates that the Almighty has the Buddhi (Intelligence), devoid of taint of any kind. The Veda is the concretization in words of that Wisdom. Rishis (Sages), who are Mantra-drashtas (Seers of the sacred hymns) and possess purified and clarified intellect, win the grace of Brahma (the Creator). Brahma prompts them and blesses them with the vision of the origin of the Mantras (hymns and sacred syllables) in their deep meditative spiritual exercises. Even the Mantra-drashtas recognized and described God as Prishni-garbha.
Such Rishis, who had the vision of the Mantras, were not bound by the consequent coils of Karma (actions, deeds), and thus they are not born again and again. They are created by Brahman (the Cosmic Self) only at the beginning of the Kalpa (cycle of creation and dissolution). So, they are hailed as Aja (Unborn). The Veda acclaims them thus. Their very nature is immaculate purity. Therefore, they too are called Prishni. For divine grace, they engaged in Tapas (penance) and yearned so agonizingly, that in the Tapas-samadhi (state of Super Consciousness), Brahma manifested to them out of self-will and awarded them the vision of Brahma Yajna.
Sadhaka: What is Brahma Yajna?
Sai: Brahma Yajna is Swadhyaya, that is to say, intense study and observance of the Veda. The Rishis, who are Aja (Unborn) and therefore authorized by Brahma to transmit the Truth, formulated, according to the vision they earned, the Yajnas or sacrificial rites, designed to promote peace and prosperity in the world. The Vedas acknowledge as Rishis only those, who visualized the Mantras and who treasure in their hearts the awareness of the supreme Vedic Truth, and of the meaning and significance of Brahman (the Cosmic Self) and Dharma (the Laws of Social Harmony and Individual Duties and Rights). The ritual sacrifices formulated by such Rishis, based on the Vedas, are called Yajnas.
The yearning for Truth is Tapas or Asceticism. Since Brahmatvam (Knowledge of the Self) is won through Tapas, it is referred to as Tapoja (Attained by Tapas), and the response from Brahma to the Tapas is described as Deva-vak (the Word of God), Deva-vani (the Voice of God).
Tapoja literally means “Born of Tapas”; but, this does not imply that it was non-existent, until Tapas brought it forth! Veda-vani is ever-existent. It has no Beginning. Time does not affect it. “Born of Tapas” means that “It revealed Itself to the person, who underwent the Tapas.” It ever IS. It has willed to be so. It projected Itself as the Vak, the Divine Word. The Word is the Mantra of the Veda. So, the Almighty is described in the Veda as Mantra-krit (the Designer of Mantra), Rishi-krit (the Creator of Rishis), besides the names that occur at some place or other, like Svayambhu (Self-emergent), Tapoja (Born of Tapas), etc.
I mentioned the name Prishni-garbha. That is a very meaningful name for the Almighty. It signifies Annam (food), Jalam (water), Amritam (immortalizing nectar), and the wisdom of the Veda. Since the Almighty Brahman (the Cosmic Self) has all these in Him, in the garbha (womb), so to say, He is named Prishni-garbha. Brahman is thus declaring His own Reality as the Veda-rupam (Form of Veda).
Sadhaka: Swami! Prathamaja is another name you mentioned. What does that word mean?
Sai: Trayi (the Three), that is to say, the Veda, is extolled as Prathamaja in the Veda; “Upasthayi Prathamajam”—this statement reveals the belief that Vidya (Higher Learning) could be attained by the Upastha (Revered study) of Prathamaja or the Primal-born. Unless one studies with humility, the sacred Veda-vak (the Word of Veda, the Word of God), one cannot master Brahma-vidya (knowledge of Brahman). This requires not only the verbal recitation of the Veda, but also the constant “service,” the conscious worship of the Veda with full awareness of what the word means and commands. This has been made plain in that statement.
Sadhaka: In which Veda, Swami, does the name, Prathamaja, occur?
Sai: In the Rig-veda. Understand that Prathamaja and another similar expression, Purvaja indicate the impossibility of discovering when the Veda was first revealed. It is beginningless. It is for this reason that Sage Valmiki has praised this Veda-vak as the Agra-vak (First, imperceptible, mysterious Word) in Ramayana. The first concretization of the Cosmic Will was the Cosmos or the Hiranya-garbha (Cosmic Womb), i.e., the one in whom consciousness shines from within; that, too, is Prathamaja. Knowledge of the Impersonal and its projection as Personal (i.e., Brahma-vidya) is also Prathamaja, the Primal Awareness, according to the Veda. “Brahmadevanam prathamah”. Both Brahma Deva and Hiranya-garbha are sometimes referred to as Prathamaja.
Sadhaka: Of these two, which is preeminent - Hiranya-garbha or Para-brahmam?
Sai: Of those two, Para-brahmam is preeminent and hence Para-brahmam is extolled as Prathamaja, the very first. Prathamaja means the first revealed Vak, that is Veda-vak and it is beginningless. It emanated from the source of Para-brahmam. Just as the appellation Prathamaja is very apt for the Vedas, so too, the appellation Arsha is another apt name for Vedas.
Veda is the source of Dharma, moral life, righteous behavior. Those who enquire and observe the norms relating to duties and taboos as laid down in the Veda and as interpreted by the various schools of philosophy like Mimamsa, deserve the name Dharmaja, Dharma-adherents. Those who do not enquire and observe, as interpreted by various schools of philosophy like Mimamsa, are said to be Adharma-adherents.
Sadhaka: Arsha? What does that mean?
Sai: Vedas are called Arsha, not only because they were related to Rishis, but also they were received (during deep contemplation) and expressed by them. The Vedic Mantras are the precious treasure, garnered and possessed by Rishis (for liberating man). Thus, sayeth the Rig-veda.
The Brahman concept of the Vedas is also denoted by the word that has sa as the end syllable. Veda, for this reason, means Dhanam (wealth), Jnanam (wisdom), and Paramaishwaryam (the highest potency). The wealth here indicated is distinct from worldly gains and possessions. It is the means, by which the Supreme Goal can be attained. In other words, the wealth acquired through the Grace of Veda-mata (Mother Veda), is the most potent Wisdom itself. This wealth helps in attaining the experience of the Brahman, the embodiment of Vedas. For this reason, the Vedic Rishis prayed thus: “God! You are the very embodiment of the Veda. Fill me with the worldly wealth of cattle and children, or with the Wisdom that is the source of Paramaishwaryam. I shall be fully content with that wealth. And since such wealth is capable of being utilized for Your service, You, too, will be glad, when I have it.”