Vedic knowledge

VEDA VIGNAANAM: (Tamil-Sanskrit) Srikrishna Premi Swamigal (R. K. Sastri); Vaidika Paripalana Trust, 1, Murthy Street, West Mambalam, Chennai-600033. Rs. 200.

THE WORD, Veda, signifies knowledge. The knowledge of the Lord can be known from the Vedas, the holy scriptures. The Lord is omniscient because He has created the universe. The scriptures therefore have become His breath, for He has also created the world with their help. They are also known as Sruthi, Aamnaaya, Nigamam and Thrayee. They came to be known as Sruthis as the scriptures are imparted by one to another by listening. They are called nigama because they prescribe the ``do's and don'ts'' for leading one's life. To enable the seeker to study and understand, the Vedas have been divided into four main parts with different subdivisions therein.

It is to be noted that no man has authored the Vedas. Many sages, by the power of their penance, had grasped various spells. The language of expression had become Devabhaasha, i.e. Sanskrit. The scriptures prescribe a code of conduct for human beings. The Vedas forbid covetousness, homicide, alcoholism, adultery and falsehood. According to the scriptures, the Lord had created the five elements and He Himself had entered them. Worshipping nature, therefore is only worshipping God.

To the world, rain is indispensable. Water is absolutely essential for the growth of humanity, flora and fauna. But rain can be had only at nature's will. Even for artificial rain, rain- bearing clouds are the prerequisite. According to the Vedas, sacrifice should be performed to propitiate Devas like Indra to get rain at the required time.

The Vedas are real treasures and are capable of providing rare insight into culture, religion, character, profession, education, labour, music and Ayurveda. The real knowledge vis-a-vis the scientific knowledge share a common sphere. The author of the book under review, a Vedic scholar and an exponent of Sri Krishnabhakti, is affectionately called by his disciples as ``Krishna Premi''. He has carved a niche in the hearts of numerous devotees by his erudite lectures and soulful rendition of devotional songs. He has taken enormous pains to compile this book, from the research works of Wilson, Max Mueller, the commentaries of Sayanacharya, Bhattabhaskara and Mahidhara, and from the expositions of Dayananda and Aravinda.

The book has 10 chapters covering various aspects mentioned in the Vedas, including treatment of the subjects from the commentaries on the four Vedas, the Ramayana, Mahabharata and the Bhagavata, the aphorisms of Manu, Bodhayana, Aapasthamba, evidencing a scholarly exercise. One point which is to be noted is that the Vedas do not discriminate between Vishnu and Siva, nor posit that one is greater than the other. They praise one or another according to the Prakarana. The Mantra ``Kesi vishasya patrena'', according to Sayanacharya's commentary, refers only to the Sun.

There is no doubt that this book is a veritable treasure for devotees, scholars and students doing research in the Vedas. The author's effort is laudable.

P. V. SIVARAMA DIKSHITAR

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