We have shruti (heard versions) and smruti (memorised versions) as the most reliable ancient scriptures, the store house of knowledge concerning the universe. These ancient sages contemplated on issues concerning the universe and realized the truth in their transcendental meditative (samadhi) state. These have come down to us as the shruti and smruti versions. We are presenting a few of these here for the benefit of those who cannot get a copy of the original text. These are quotations and notes given by renown authors from various backgrounds and the sources are quoted wherever available; some of these are also from manuscripts, unpublished, and quoted by others in their writings. The most beautiful work (in 5 vols.) is.that of Prof. Surendranath Dasgupta: A History of Indian Philosophy, published by Motilal Banarsidas Publishers, (MLBD) Delhi. and another interesting volume is The Upanishad, by Swami Nikhilananda of Advaita Ashrama, Kolkata.
These quotations serve as the subject matter for contemplation. One can constantly meditate on these and get intuitional thoughts and flashes of light. This is the way to gain real knowledge. Once we get it right, there is no need to ask anybody or look to any other source for affirmation. This knowledge becomes one's own intuitive one.
OM Brahma, The Maker of the universe and the Preserver of the world was the first among the devas. He told His eldest son (brain-child) Atharva about the knowledge of Brahman, the foundation of all knowledge. (Mundakopanishat, I.i.1).
In the beginning there was only one Veda and that was known by Atharvan, the first creation of Brahma. It is the Atharva Veda, a voluminous one, later divided into 4 volumes by Learned Sage Sri Krishna Dvaipayana, who got the pen name Veda Vyasa (One who divided the Veda). Let's remember, this is just a version from the epics and no such person ever existed since the creation was still in its initial sateges, shuddha vidya when Gods and Goddesses and Sages and Rishis were born as 'embodiment' of 'Knowledge' and Power (Shakti Devata). The Manu (surya/Sun) and the Planets (graha) pitrus, living beings (jivarashi) are yet to appear!
Om, Brahmaa devaanaam prathamah sambhabhuva
vishvasya kartaa bhuvanasya goptaa
sa brahmavidyaam sarvavidyaa pratishthaam
Atharvaaya jyesthaputraaya praaha || (Mund. Upa. I.i.1)
When we say, 'Knowledge' or Jnyan, it is important to note that everything is brahman, brahmavidya. The Bhagavad-Gita devotes an entire chapter on Jnyan-vijnyana yoga and also a chapter on Kshetra-kshetrajnya yoga (the Field and the Knower of the Field).
"Everything is vidya, jnyan. Supposing there is a book in front of us and we do not know what the book is about. There arises a curiosity, a desire to know. Then we take the book in hand and read it. Once we read it we will know what the book is about and keep it aside. Thus, first, we have a person who does not know and want to know (ignorance and desire); second, there comes a book of knowledge, a means to know; third, the desire is quenched and knowledge is established in the place of ignorance. Finally. the Knowledge only remains and, the ignorant person and his ignorance disappear!
This is what is explained in the Veda as the Rishi, Chandas and Devata leading to Samhita. First the seeker (who later becomes a sage) looks to a devata for a guide, and gets the means of knowledge as Chandas and, finally, becomes a Rishi (samhitaa aspect). Here, the One (seeker) becomes Two (the seeker and the sought), and then, Three (Rishi-Devata-Chandas). Ultimately, everything becomes One only. The jnyata, jnyeya and the jnyan become ultimately the Jnyan only.
This principle is explained in the Veda as the triputi, the principle of triad.
(Also see Vedanta- Knowledge Supreme, An Invaluable Guide to Happy and successful Life, By T. N. Achuta Rao, Kalpaz Publications, Gyan Books, Delhi, 1994 and DECODING THE VEDA- Rk Veda Samhita by the same author. (See Google search).
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