The Vedic religion, as it developed through the centuries as ‘Hindu
Religion’ incorporated ideas of different orders. A variety of beliefs,
customs, rites and philosophies have amalgamated here to evolve an organic
system. From the very beginning, India has witnessed conflicting
civilizations. Each has contributed its own share to the common storehouse
of Hinduism. According to the famous philosopher, and former President of
India, Honourable Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, ‘Hinduism is more a culture
than a creed.’ We can see that the spirit of Hinduism is expressed in
various ways through rituals, modes of worship, temples, philosophy,
theology, dance, music, festivals, values and beliefs, but all have their
base in Vedic concepts.
A verse from the Vedas can be considered the essence of Vedic
concept of openness– ‘Ā no Bhadrāḥ kratavo yantu Viśvataḥ (YV 25.14;
RV1.89.1) meaning ‘Let the noble thoughts come to us from every side’. This
statement reflects the spirit of Vedic outlook which is stated in another
Vedic verse as- Ekam sad viprā bahudhā vadanti (RV.1.164.46), ‘there is
one and the same Reality but the wise ones describe it in many ways.’ That
Reality is responsible for generation (creation), operation (sustenance),
and dissolution (merger). The Upanishad declares that ‘one Supreme Being
manifests in all humans, animals and other beings and one who understands
this happens to be liberated from hatred. Do not create enmity with any one
as God is within every one’
Yastu sarvāṇi bhūtāni ātmanyevānupaśyati/
sarvabhūteṣu cātmānam tato na vijugupsate// (Isa. Up. 6).
I. Rta – The Inherent Law Principle
In Vedic view, Ṛta can be seen as the inherent law principle of the whole
entity. The Vedic seers studied nature’s drama very minutely. Sand-storm
and cyclone, intense lightening, terrific thunder-claps, the heavy rush of
rain in monsoon, the swift flood in the stream that comes down from the
hills, the scorching heat of the sun, the cracking red flames of the fire,
all are witness to power which is beyond man’s power and control. They felt
the greatness of these forces and activities and adorned them distinctively
in the Vedic Mantras. Their realization of divine supreme power for
managing creation, movement, change and destruction in the whole universe
was not without any set arrangement. They called that order ‘Ṛta’ after
good deals of observation. Simply it is Eternal Order or Eternal Law. The
word is obsolete in modern times, but its negative Anṛita (RV.1.105.6)
meaning literally, disorder or chaos, has been used from ancient times as
the negative of truth. Ṛta, in broader sense, is more than truth as it
includes justice and goodness. Ṛta gives integration to natural
substances, harmony in environment and reduces chaos to (ordered) cosmos.
Hence, the conception of Ṛta has an aesthetic content.
Ṛta implies not only the religious and philosophical framework but
a total world-view, including the scheme of right conduct under various
circumstances. It also implies such concepts as justice, virtue, morality,
righteousness, law and duty. Most importantly, love of God is regarded here
as the essence of righteousness because through it man becomes pure,
kind-hearted, honest and virtuous. On the other side, Rigveda establishes
Śam as the ultimate goal in life for being peaceful and happy. All the
natural energies, activities, worldly materials and resources are wished to
be in harmony and concord for the welfare of all beings (RV7.35.1-15).
Harmonization brings desired peace and smooth management which is result of
Ṛta.
Lord Kṛṣṇa says in Gītā, “By single-minded devotion to Me, it
may be possible to understand, to see and enter Me” (11.54). He promises
that “My devotee shall never perish” ( Gītā 9.31) and he will be
protected from every trouble in his life. In short, following are the
essential requisites in the path of devotion and gratitude to God,
according to Vedic tradition:
-Single minded devotion to God
-Meditation and chanting of prayers
-Perfect control over mind and senses
-Absence of attachment
-Complete surrender to God
-Seeking Divine Grace and kindness
. In every prayer to God the devotee expresses hearty praise and
thankfulness to God for his existence and wellbeing. Prayers, illustrate
God and various deities as father and mother Who can protect the worshiper.
All namaḥ is nothing but thankfulness. It shows a sense of honour and
gratitude towards respectable people.
Namo Bharanta emasi /RV1.1.7
Tryambakam yajāmahe/ YV 3.60 9
Bhūyiṣṭham te nama uktim vidhema/ RV 1.189.1; YV 3.25, 40.16
Similarly, a popular Sanskrit Prayer says, “You are my mother, You are my
father, You are my relative, You are my friend, You are my learning, You
are my wealth and You are all and every thing for me.”
Tvameva mātā ca pitā tvameva tvameva bandhuśca sakhā tvameva/
Tvameva vidyā draviṇam tvameva tvameva sarvam mama devadeva//
Feeling of gratitude involves one’s thought, speech and action. It is
desired by a devotee that God always be in his memory so that he can lead a
happy life by thanking Him. Devotees sing enumerable glories of God with
feelings of dedication, and surrender to Him. He performs religious rites
for his purification and also for pleasing God. Praise and prayer to God is
a natural function of a holy man because he likes to listen and sing
enormous glories of God.
Tajo asi tejo mayi dhihi/ Vīryam asi vīryam mayi dhihi/
Balma asi balam mayi dhihi/ YV19.9
K Rajaram IRS 231224
---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Jambunathan Iyer <[email protected]>
Date: Mon, 23 Dec 2024 at 05:45
Subject: Thought for the Day 23rd DFecember 2024
To:
When you wake up in the morning, always thank God for every little joy in
your life. Consistency is the key to being grateful and feeling happy. When
a person begins to be grateful and happy, it reflects on their face and
personality.
N Jambunathan Rengarajapuram-Kodambakkam-Chennai-Mob:9176159004
*" What you get by achieving your goals is not as important as what you
become by achieving your goals. If you want to live a happy life, tie it to
a goal, not to people or things "*
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