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Social Message of the Upanishads

by Sanchita Kundu | 2020 | 29,269 words

This study deals with the ethical principles of human society as gleaned from the Upanishads: a category of ancient Sanskrit philosophical texts dealing with spiritual insights and meditation. Their teachings deal with gaining control over one’s senses in order to find and attain the ultimate goal of life. The universal vision of these Upanishads p...

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Chapter 2 - Vedic Corpus

It is often said�

''cāturvarṇya� trayo lokāścatvāraścāśramā� ṛt󲹰 /
ūٲ� 󲹱ⲹ� 󲹱ṣyñ vedāt prasidhyati //''
[1]

The four castes, the three worlds and four stages of human life are all known from the Veda.

Veda is the treasure house of all knowledge and all Śٰ. It is eternal asset of India. The word Veda is derived from the root vid. The root vid has got four meanings and four types of formation.

''vetti veda vida ñԱ vinte vida vicāraṇe /
vidyate vida sattāyā� lābhe vindati vindate //''
[2]

Curiously enough all these four meanings of the root satisfy the meaning of Veda. ⲹṇa

''vidanti jānanti vidyante bhavanti vinte vicārayati vindate labhante sarve Գṣy� sattvavidyā� yairyeṣu tathā vidvāṃsaśca bhavanti te .''[3]

By ṣaṇ� or indication Veda means the book which is identical with eternal knowledge.

Veda is the root of all Dharmas.

Dharma here does not mean any religion. Dharma is explained in the Ѳٲ

''dhāranād dharmamityāhu� dharmo dhārayate .''[4]

The quality of mankind which brings in stability and unity in the society, which ensures peace in the society and leads people to the attainment of supreme goal is dharma.

These qualities are to be imbibed in order to remain honest.

''屹� 𱹾ٲ� sadbhirnityamadveṣarāgibhi� /
hṛdayenābhyanujñāto yo dharmastannibodhata //''
[5]

The Veda, tradition, righteous conduct of honest persons and practice and self-satisfaction of noble person are considered to be the source of all dharma.

''vedo' khiladharmamūla� smṛtiśīle ca tadvidām /
ācāraścaivasādhūnāmātmanastuṣṭireva ca //''

It is believed that Veda is eternal. Sages have not composed Veda. They have only realized the truth. It has been said by the great commentator ⲹṇa

''Na hi vedasya 첹� ṣt� sarva eva hi.''[6]

Ѳٲ

''yugānte' ntarhitān Vedān setihāsān maharṣaya� /
lebhire tapasā pūrvamanujñātā� ⲹܱ //''
[7]

Veda has been revealed before sages. The derivative meaning of the word Ṛs is one who visualizes mantra. The derivative meaning is ''ṛṣati paśyati iti''. The word Ṛṣ is formed by adding suffix kit to the root Ṛs. The rule is ''Igupadhāt kit''.

As we see things having colour and shape with eyes in the similar way, mystery of the world is revealed to all conscious creatures through Veda.

''pitṛdevamanuṣyaṇāṃ vedaścakṣu� sanātanam /
aśakyaṇcāprameyaṅca vedaśāstramiti ٳ󾱳پ� //''
[8]

There are four Vedas, Ṛk, Yajus, , Atharvan. Vedic literature has four stages�Mantra, 󳾲ṇa, Āṇy첹 and 貹Ծṣa. Mantras and 󳾲ṇas are related with sacrifice.

Subject matter of Āṇy첹 and 貹Ծṣa is supreme knowledge.

In Ā貹ⲹñ貹ūٰ it is said ''Գٲ󳾲ṇaǰ岹峾ⲹ''.[9] Sāyaṇācārya has said in ṻ岹bhāṣyabhūmikā ''mantrabrāhmaṇātmakaśavdarāśiveda�''. Thus it is shown entire Vedic literature has two stages mantra and 󳾲ṇa. Mantra and 󳾲ṇa are known as 첹ṇḍ while Āṇy첹 and 貹Ծṣa are called ñԲṇḍ. Since

󳾲ṇa part is concerned with sacrificial rites hence some says 󳾲ṇa part of the Veda is 첹ṇḍ and ṃh only is ñԲ첹ṇḍ. Some maintains ñԲṇḍ consists of Mantra, Āṇy첹 and 貹Ծṣa.

According to Winternitz there are three stages in the gradual development of Vedic literature. First stage is Mantra, second stage is 󳾲ṇa and the third stage is Āṇy첹 and 貹Ծṣa. Since both ĀԲⲹ첹 and 貹Ծṣa deal with supreme knowledge these two belong to single stage. i. e. the third stage.

The first stage of Vedic literature is Mantra. The word mantra is derived from the root man. says in Nirukta Գٰ� Բ. With mantras sacrificial performances are possible.

Through mantras eulogy of Gods are done. Mantras are applied in the sacrifice. Mantra is known as ṃh which means collection of ѲԳٰ.

Ṛk, 峾 and Yajus are three groups of mantra. Characteristics of these three groups of mantras are like this�

''teṣāmṛk yatrārthavaśena pādavyāvasthā. ''[10]

''gītiṣu sāmākhyā.''[11]

''śṣe ⲹ� ś岹�''.[12]

ṃh is collection of mantras. Thus collection of mantras of Ṛk is Ṛk ṃh whereas collection of 峾mantras is 峾 ṃh, collection of Yajurmantras is Yaju� ṃh, collection of Atharvamantras is ٳ󲹰ṃh. Thus there is a total of four ṃhs.

ձ岹 has divided Veda into these four types�

''avatīrṇo mahābhāgo 岹� cakre ٳܰ�.''[13]

In the ṃh, mantras are related to sacrificial rites. These mantras are of two types ٳܳپū and ś岹ū. By mantras known as stuti name, features, function of God and their relation with human being are known. In the ś岹ūmantra we get prayer for happiness.

That Veda is not written by somebody and that it is 貹ܰṣeⲹ has been established through inference by Āǻ𱹲 in his ī峾Բⲹś�

''vedādhyāyana� � gurvadhyayanapūrvakam /
vedādhyāyanasāmānyād yathādhunādhyanam //''
[14]

Disciple learns Veda from preceptor. That disciple also teaches Veda to his disciple. Hence it is known that Veda is always heard by this gradual process of preceptor and disciple. Thus the other name of Veda is Śܳپ. Thus it is established that the Veda is eternal in the form of continuous flow and it has not been created by somebody. Traditional view is that the Veda is revelation of truth.

Entire Vedic literature is believed to be the indivisible aggregate of knowledge. 첹 �

''Գٰ� Բ''.[15]

The root is mana ñԱ which belongs to the group 徱徱. It may be mana avabodhane, the root belonging to ٲ徱 group. The word mantra has been formed with the suffix ṣṭ. Scholars have acknowledged the meaning of mantra as shown in Nirukta. Over and above this meaning they maintain mantra is that with which sacrifices are performed and Gods are eulogized. They maintain mantras have supernormal power. Synonyms of mantra are ṃh, Ṛk, speech expressed in metrics. Ā貹ٲ says in Yajñaparibhāṣāsūtra ata' nye Գٰ� which means mantras are other than 󳾲ṇa.

These mantras are of three types�

''tāstribidhā ṛca�, parokṣakṛtā�, ٲⲹṣaṛt ādhyātmikyaśca.''[16]

ʲǰṣaṛt峾Գٰ is that where verb is applied in third person. Where verb is applied in second person, the Ṛk is known as ٲⲹṣaṛt. In Ādhyātmikī Ṛk the verb is applied in first person.

Veda is known as Trayee. But Atharva is also considered as fourth Veda.

In the ԻDzDZ貹Ծṣa Sanat Kumara says to

''ṛg岹� bhagabo' dhyemi yajur岹� sāmavedamātharvaṇa� caturtham''.[17]

In the ʲ貹śṇi첹 of Ѳ󲹲ṣy, the great sage ʲٲñᲹ

''catvāro � sāṅgā� sarahasyā�''[18]

In the ṛhṇy첹DZ貹Ծṣa it has been said�

''are bāsya mahato bhūtasya niḥśvasitametad ṛgvedo ⲹܰ岹� sāmavedo' tharvāṅgirasa�.''[19]

Though Vedas are four, it is called trayee as the mantras are of three types.

Ancient vedic scholars maintain the term Trayee implies Ṛk, Yaju� and and excludes Atharvaveda. Mantras of Ṛk, Yajus and are directly involved in Śܳٲ and ṛhⲹ karma hence these constitute Trayee. Moreover when Śܳٲ sacrifice is performed sixteen priests are engaged there. The priest of Atharvaveda has nothing to do with the Śܳٲ Sacrifice and thus Atharvaveda is not to be included in Trayee, they maintain.

Winternitz holds seven tenth mantras of Atharvaveda actually belongs to ṻ岹. Roth, Whitney maintains one fifth of the mantras of Atharvaveda belongs to ṻ岹. These mantras are found in the first, eighth and tenth ḍa of the ṻ岹.

Though mantras belonging to Atharvaveda are not related with main sacrifices but there are mantras which are essential for sacrifices performed for ensuring peace and prosperity. Hence importance of Atharvaveda is not to be ignored.

The priest concerned with Atharvaveda is known as . He supervises various functions of other priests in the sacrifices. Hence should have full knowledge of all the Vedas.

ṻ岹

''brahmā tvo vadati jātavidyām.''[20]

ṭiⲹ, the author of ٳśٰ did not include Atharvaveda within Trayee

''峾ⲹٰܰⲹٰ''.[21]

In the ʳܰṣa ūٲ of ṻ岹 it is said�''tasmād yajñāt sarvahuta ṛca� sāmānī jajñire / 󲹲Իṃs jajñire tasmād yajustasmādajāyata //''[22]

In the ղٳپīⲹ 󳾲ṇa number of Veda has been determined as three�

''yamṛṣyastrayīvidāh vidu�.''[23]

Atharvaveda is not included here in the Trayee.

Method of Pronunciation of Vedic mantras also proves exclusion of Atharvaveda from Trayee. Ā貹ٲ says in his ۲ñ貹ṣāsūٰ�

''uccairṛgvedasāmavedābhyā� kriyate. ''[24]

Mantra of Yajurveda is not to be pronounced loudly. It is said, ܱṃśu yajurvedena.

Mantras of Atharvaveda are not applied in Vedic sacrifices hence methods of their pronunciation is not mentioned. That is why the scholars who laid importance on Vedic sacrifices refuse to include Atharvaveda within Trayee.

Thus it is to be admitted that there are four Vedas and mantras of the ձ岹� are of three types.

Sacrifice is the chief Vedic rite. It has been said in Śٲ貹ٳ 󳾲ṇa

''yajño vai Śreṣtatama� karma.''[25]

Mantras uttered during sacrificial rites are mostly from Yajurveda. Hence ⲹṇa took up Yajurveda first for writing commentary.

''ādhvaryabasya yajñeṣu prādhānyād vyākṛta� ܰ.''[26]

Priests uttering mantras from ṻ岹, 峾veda, Yajurveda and Atharvaveda are known as dz, , Adhvaryu and respectively.

There are 󳾲ṇas related to each Vedas.

Priest gets instructions about sacrificial rites from these corresponding 󳾲Բ and 첹貹ūٰ.

The word 󳾲ṇa is synonymous with Brahma. There are various meaning of Brahma. One among which is mantra. In Śٲ貹ٳ 󳾲ṇa it has been said Brahma vai Գٰ�. 󳾲ṇa is so named because it explains Vedic mantras. Another meaning of 󳾲ṇa is sacrifice. Explanation of application of Vedic mantras is the chief content of 󳾲ṇa. 󳾲ṇa gives the instruction as to when the sacrifice will commence, who is this person eligible to perform sacrifice, what are the materials required for performance of sacrifice etc.

For ṻ岹 there are two 󳾲ṇas, Aitareya 󳾲ṇa and ṃkⲹԲ or ṣīt쾱 󳾲ṇa.

ṇḍⲹ or pañcaviṃśa, Ṣaḍviṃśa, ԻDzⲹ, īya, Tavalkāra, 峾vidhāna, Ārṣeyavaṃsa and ٱ𱹲ⲹ are 󳾲ṇas for 峾veda. Tattirīya is the 󳾲ṇa of Kṛsṇa Yajurveda. For Śܰ Yajurveda 󳾲ṇa is Śٲ貹ٳ. Gopatha is the 󳾲ṇa of Atharvaveda.

Like 󳾲ṇa, 貹ūٰ also speak about application of mantras in the sacrifice. Details of sacrificial rites are included in Śٰܳ ūٰ, ṛhⲹ ūٰ, ٲ ūٰ and Śūlva ūٰ which together are grouped under Kalpa ūٰ. Kalpa ūٰ appeared after the emergence of 󳾲ṇa.

Kalpa ūٰs are mainly of two types Śܳٲ ūٰ and ٲ ūٰ. Śܳٲ ūٰ presents rules of sacrifice mentioned in the Veda.

ٲ ūٰs are of two types ṛhⲹ ūٰ and Dharma ūٰ. ṛhⲹ ūٰ gives instructions about rites of marriage etc. Dharma ūٰ states duties of king and his subjects. It determines duties of four ղṇa and four Āś i.e. four stages of life.

Among Kalpa ūٰ fourth is Śܱ ūٰ. This ūٰ states the means of preparing altar for sacrifice. Kalpa ūٰ related with ṻ岹 is ĀśⲹԲ and Śāṃkhyāyaṇa ūٰ.

Mantras of the Veda are important as they are applied in the sacrifices. Mantras are useless if they are not related with sacrifices.

ī

''āmnāyasya kriyārthatvādānarthakyamatadarthānām.''[27]

There are some mantras which are not directly applied in the sacrifice. These are applied in 󳾲ⲹñ.

Third stage of the Veda is Āṇy첹. The word Āṇy첹 is derived from ṇy. Araṇye uktam Āṇy첹m is the derivation.

ⲹṇa

''ṇyⲹⲹٲṇy첹īⲹٱ.''[28]

Excepting Atharvaveda each Veda has Āṇy첹. Aitareya and ṣīt쾱 or ŚṃkⲹԲ are the Āṇy첹s of ṻ岹. Āṇy첹 of 峾veda is known as ԻDzⲹ. Tattirīya Āṇy첹 is the Āṇy첹 of ṛṣṇa Yajurveda. Āṇy첹 of Śܰ yajurveda is called ṛhṇy첹.

Sacrificial rites along with philosophical thought constitute content of Āṇy첹.

In the Veda each mantra is dedicated to particular deity. Accordingly ī mantras are like body of God. He says Գٰī 𱹲.

These Gods are mostly personification of nature. Macdenell �''This is concerned with the worship of Gods that are largely personification of the power of nature''.[29]

In this content Winternitz �

''What is most important is that most mythologists today agree that by far the greatest majority of the Vedic Gods has proceeded from natural phenomena or natural beings''.[30]

In the ṻ岹 we find evolution of thought as regards Gods. Gods are known as Գٰī. Since mantras are innumerable Gods are also many. Later on number of Gods comes to thirty three. There were eight Vasus, eleven Rudras, twelve Ā徱ٲⲹ, Indra and ʰ貹پ. Thus number of Gods comes to thirty three. This number enhanced later on and the number comes to Thirty three crore.

첹 accepted mainly three Gods depending on three places of Gods�

''Ծ� pṛthivīsthāno vāyurvendrovāntarikṣasthāna� sūryyo dyusthāna�.''[31]

All other Gods are manifestation of the power of these three Gods, maintained 첹.

Later on emerged the concept of one God. In this context, from the ṻ岹 we may mention here ⲹ峾īⲹ ūٲ of first ṇḍ, վś𱹲 ūٲ of third ṇḍ. In the tenth ṇḍ of ṻ岹 there are ᾱṇy ūٲ, ٳԲ岹 ūٲ, Devī ūٲ, Visvakarmā ūٲ and ʳܰṣa ūٲ. This concept of one God found in the Ṛk ṃh is the seed of monism that flourished in the 貹Ծṣa. This one God is Self or Brahman and that is manifested in Āṇy첹, 貹Ծṣa and later on in various schools of Indian Philosophy. 貹Ծṣa, the concluding part of the Veda is considered to be Śܳپprasthāna of ձԳٲ philosophy. 貹Ծṣa says, � khalvida� brahma[32]. Brahma or self is the only reality and world is mere appearance. ''neha nānāsti kiṅcana''33.

This concept of one God again developed into the belief in many Gods in the age of Bhakti ձԳٲ schools which evolved after Śṅk the great commentator of ձԳٲ ٲśԲ.

Footnotes and references:

[back to top]

[1]:

Manusaṃhitā 12.97

[3]:

ṻ岹-bhāṣyabhūmikā

[4]:

Ѳٲ 12.210.19

[5]:

Manusaṃhitā 2.1

[6]:

Tai. Bhā. Bhū

[7]:

Ѳٲ 12.210.19

[8]:

Manusaṃhitā 12.94

[9]:

Ā貹ٲ-yajñaparibhāṣāsūtra 1.34

[10]:

ūīṃs 2.1.32

[11]:

ūīṃs 2.1.33

[12]:

ūīṃs 2.1.38

[13]:

Bhāg. 1.6

[14]:

īԲԲⲹś�

[15]:

Nirukta 1.17

[16]:

Nirukta 7.1.2-3

[17]:

ԻDzDZ貹Ծṣa

[18]:

ʲ貹śṇi첹

[19]:

ṛhṇy첹DZ貹Ծṣa

[20]:

ṻ岹 10.71.11

[21]:

ܳپīⲹ-ٳśٰ

[22]:

ṻ岹 10.90

[23]:

ղٳپīⲹ 󳾲ṇa 1.1.8

[24]:

Ᾱpa. Yajñaparibhāṣāsūtra

[25]:

Śٲ貹ٳ 󳾲ṇa

[26]:

ṻ岹-bhāṣyabhūmikā

[27]:

ūīṃs

[28]:

ղٳپīⲹ-bhāṣyabhūmikā

[29]:

Vedic Reader -P. 18

[30]:

History of Indian Literature VOl.-I. P-67

[31]:

Nirukta 7.5

[32]:

ԻDzDZ貹Ծṣa 3.14.1

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