The Veda and its Sub-divisions (Vedanga and Veda Upanga)

      The 'Veda i.e., ‘KNOWLEDGE' is 'One', and 'no other equal to it'! ‘nahin jnyaanena sadrisham’, meaning, ‘there is nothing like the ‘Jnyan’, supreme Knowledge (paravidya),'Knowledge concerning the highest existence, say the Veda. 'Evam Veda', as they say, is the final verdict, unquestionable and beyond any shadow of doubt. ‘Veda’ is ‘Knowledge Supreme’. It is 'Brahma Vidya', Knowledge of Brahman, and it holds the TRUTH. It holds the secret of the origin, growth, transformation and development, and finally the dissolution of the Universe. But, the secret remains a secret/mystery forever. It is extremely difficult to unfold the secret hidden in the Veda- in the silent Gaps, or Sandhi, of the 'Rk's, the Richa, the Sukta, and the Mandala, and the gaps between the Veda and the Vedic Literature numbering forty in all. The Veda/Knowledge constitutes the one supreme Knowledge and, it is used in plural number; it is always ‘the Veda’. It is not only ungrammatical to say so, but it is also illogical. But, that is the ‘Truth’/’Sat’. Knowledge cannot be many; but, it may be higher or lower depending on the subject or object with which it is connected.

    Thus, ‘Knowledge’ is always one and it is in plural number.The term Vedas came into use only after the Great Sage Veda Vyasa divided the One Atharvana Veda into four divisions- the Rk Veda, the Sama Veda, the Yajur Veda and the Atharva Veda. Besides these four divisions, there are the other Up-Veda, Vedaangas, Pratishaakyas, etc. numbering about forty in all. All the Veda and Vedic Literature constitute one single body of knowledge. It is the 'sat, chit, and anand-'Sachidananda'.

    Sri Hari is 'SACCHIDAANANDA' is the embodiment of Truth, Knowledge and Bliss. The true nature, the form or svaroopa of parabrahman, the Supreme Self, Sri Hari Naarayana is Truth, Knowledge and Bliss. The goal of human life is to attain this. The Veda and the Vedic Literature guide us in this pursuit of Truth, Knowledge, and Bliss. As already stated in the earlier blogs, the Veda is called 'Apaurusheya' since it has come out of the breath of no ordinary person than Parabrahman, the Supreme Lord Himself. It is 'Maha Purusha', the unmanifest Niraakaara, Nirguna 'Brahm'- the One without any name, form, and  qualities or Gunas, from whom it has emanated as his 'cit' i.e.,'Will', as his thought force/breath. And, one after another, every syllable has sequentially emerged out of the deep Silence of the Ocean of Consciousness, the 'Brahm' also known as the 'Prajnyaa sagara'. Firs it is nihshabdha, (no sound) known as abhaava or shoonya (not the void or vacuum)- 'Abhaava' (imperceptible!), in its four stages of dynamism, i.e., Atyantaabhava, Anyonyaabhaava, Pradhvamsaabhava and Praagabhaava.  Then, it is the ‘Akshara’ (syllable with short and long sounds svara and anusvara -  collapse of the sound of the syllable- 'kshara' of 'A' into  deep silence in a sequential order i.e., each syllable  producing the next syllable and the next, and so on. It starts with the first syllable ‘A’ of the first Mantra of the 'Rk

  The first mantra of the Rk Veda':  
"Agnimeelay purohitam yajnyasya devam rithvijam hotaaram ratna dhaatamam"

    The first two letters in the above Mantra are 'A' and the 'k'; together they make 'Ak' from which the word 'Agnim' has come out. 'Agnim' in Sanskrit stands for Fire, may be the Sun, the stars, the Galaxies or the heat, energy, ‘lifetron’, or whatever, that supports life. Here, ‘A’ that stands for the macrocosm is complete/poornam and ‘k’ that stands for the Ion/Kana is poornam; 'Ak' in itself is complete/  'Poornam'/Full, containing the whole Universe within it. The syllable 'k' stands for 'kana', the sub atomic particle. At the one end of the scale, the open ever-expanding endless opening is the 'A', the macrocosm, 'Akhand'/ the WHOLENESS. 'Rk', i.e.,Richa- the Mantra of the 'Rk Veda', has emanated from the deep Atyanta Abhaava and Anyonya Abhaava/ SILENCE bringing forth with it all the design and plan of the Universe that materialized from Silence and Sounds; it is the outcomeof impulses and vibrations that transformed into images and objects of the material world. This may at first appear to be too simple to understand and appreciate. But, it is the 'Veda', the 'Truth'. The syllable 'A' holds the entire expanding Universe within it. It is 'Akhand', the 'Brahmanda and holds the WHOLENESS within it. 'A' is the Universe unbounded, ever-expanding, and the one endless, or open-ended  WHOLENESS as explained in the Sutra:
 "Poornasya Poornamaadaaya..." of Kena Upanishad. Here, the first letter of the first mantra of 'Rk veda' is FULL within itself and it holds/contains the Universe. Agni, the God of Fire, is thefirst word of the Rk Veda that conveys a lot of meaning. Agni is the God to whom the offer of ‘havis’ is made and it is Agni  who accepts it on behalf all the Gods including Parabrahman.

      Again, It is Agni who offers the havis to Himself; it is the Self offering to Self. And finally, it is the Agni who is satisfied with the offerings and bestows the desired objects on all the participants of the Yagya. Agni is the Yagyaadhipati. Agni is the bhokta and the bhoktru, as well. In other words, Agni is the Creator, Protector and the Destroyer-all the three-in-one. ‘Whoever adores Him becomes immortal’,  says the Veda! Agni pervades all creation. He is the Vaishvaanara and the Garhapatya Fire. He exists as ‘Panchaagni’.

     This study of the structuring dynamics of the 'Rk's of the Veda is a challenging subject for the scientists as well as the spiritual seekers (Rishis). The seekers have an advantage here due to their ability to look through their inner eye, the 'Third Eye'/the intuitional eye that turns inward and gives a clear perspective of the Universe in-depth, than the two eyes that look outward and can see for a limited distance only and transfer the images of the objects within their ability to grasp. These limitations prevent the scientist from getting closer to the ‘Reality’ although he has devised very powerful electronic devises like spectroscopes and electronic telescopes and the radio equipment. It should also be  remembered here that these gadgets are of very recent origin, whereas, the Veda is at least 6500 years old! Thus, there is no doubt that a careful scientific study of the Veda would reveal much finer aspects of the Universe quickly, provided, the technique of the study like Transcendental Meditation [TM] is perfected by the seekers/sadhakas. The 'Rk's of the Veda are self-emanating swara (Sound) and sandhi (GAP) of different quality of Waves and Vibrations rising and falling in a coherent, contiguous and meaningful association carrying with them the specific gunas. There is symmetry, symphony, and melody in these 'Rk's as in Sama Veda. They are mathematically precise and replete with scientific precision and accuracy as stated in Sthaapatya Veda. This precision, symmetry, symphony, melody, beauty also exist in nature as the manifest forms of the 'Rk's. The flowers- Rose, Lilly, Lotus, or any other flower for that matter, exhibit these qualities and the same is reverberated in the sound of a cuckoo, or the beauty of a dancing a peacock. When a sculptor or a painter produces a piece of excellent art the same qualities reverberate and nobody can miss the beauty, symmetry, and symphony, and melody. A famous poet has said, "The unheard songs are sweeter" and so much is there to  observe in nature! But, we miss all these in our hustle bustle of life. This is how the supreme Lord presents Himself in different forms of joyful experiences, but, alas, we miss it/Him!

   The mathematical precision in the Veda is very clear. If carefully examine the 'Rk Veda Samhita', we find that there are 432 000 syllables of 10,552 Richas (Verses), 2024 Vargas, 1028 Suktas, 85 Anuvakas, 64 Chapters, 8 Ashtakas, and 10  Mandalas. There are 9 Richas and there are 24 Aksharas/ syllables in each Richa. 'Deva vani' is said to be the language of the Veda and it is slightly difficult to understand. Sanskrit is easier as compared to the Devavani.Further, there are 24 GAPS/Sandhi between each of these 24  syllables. The 24 syllables are grouped into three Paadas (Metres), and each Pada has 8 syllables (Ashta Prakritis) representing the 8 Prakritis or Gunas (Nature) Ahamkaara, Buddhi, Manas (the 3 anthahkaranas or inner instruments), and Aakaasha, Vaayu, Agni, Jal (water), and Prithvi (Earth) that constitute the 5 basic elements.

    Vedic Mathematics has its root in Rk Veda that explains all the basic concepts like Space, Time, Relativity, Energy, Life, Intelligence, Gunas (colors), sound, syllables, words, sentences of varied expressions, etc. and land-forms and the associated life-forms (ecosystems), and Consciousness in symbols, numbers, and qualities. It explains the origin of the space-less space (the point) and the Creator’s space/Brahmmanda in a very beautiful way. The Saptarshi Mandala and the Ashta Prakriti leading to Brahm Lok are explained through Point, Di-monad, Lines, Cubes, Cubes within Cubes, and Hyper Cubes. The seven levels of Consciousness are the seven Nadis/Chakras that lead man from the geographical space/’Bhu Lok’ of 3 dimension -length, breadth, and height, with a boundary and a domain, and enough space to move in all directions (‘dik’/disha), extending into the vast Creator’s space- Brahmaanda covering the Saptarshi Mndala, Ashta Prakruti and the Universe- that extends over Sapta vyaahruti that includes Bhootala /earth (Bhuvah), Aakaasha /Bhuvah, Svar/Svah (Heaven), Maharlok/Indralok, Janah/Manes/Pitrulok, Tapah/ Tapolok of the Sages, and the Satyalok/ Brahm Lok, as also, the Paataala, Rasaatala, Mahaatala, Talaatala, Sutala, Vitala, and Atala. The Supreme Lord holds all these in His Celestial form.

   There are three levels of self-elaboration in the Rk Veda. The First Mandala consists of 192 Sukta including one Avyakta Sukta that constitutes the Second Level of Self-elaboration. Further, there are 192 Aksharas (syllables) in each of the 2 - 9 Suktas. Thus, each Mandala has 192 Sukta including one avyakta sukta (GAP). Again, there are 192 Suktas in the 10th Mandala that constitutes the Third Level of Self-elaboration. It is Self-elaboration in the sense that each of the previous letter, or the Richa, or the Sukta, has evolved onto the next new syllable, Richa, and the Sukta, respectively. For example  there is the mantra “Om, Ghruneeh, Sooryah, Aadityah”  [Sooryopanishad] which consists of 1, 2, 2, and 3 words, respectively [Maheshvara Sutra]. ‘Om’ is the first one-and one-half letter. ‘Om’, is also known as ‘Akshara’/’Akshara Brahm’. Here, Akshara (Samsk.) means ‘A’-‘kshara’, meaning, collapse of the sound ‘A’ into silence in order to re-emerge as ‘k’ to become ‘Ak’, and again to become the ‘Agnim’ and so on, of the first mantra of Rk Veda.. Here again, the term ‘Ak’ encompasses the entire Universe with ‘A’ as the Macrocosm and  ‘k’ as the microcosm together held by one supreme force called ‘madhuparka’. ’Ak’ is also the one- and- a-half letter like the ‘Om’. ‘Om’, the ‘Eakshara Brahm’ contains the entire Universe- with the outer expanding Universe/Macrocosm at the one end and the microcosm / ‘kana’ / atom’ at the other end connecting the two together as if in a spiral string. The second word consisting of two letters ‘Ghrunee’ in Samskruta has ‘Gha’, ‘Ru’, ‘Na’ and ‘ee’ in it. These are in a sequential order [Maheshvara Sutra] of the Svara (Sounds of Alphabets) and Vyanjana (Consonants) – 4th place of ‘Ka’-varga  is ‘Gha’, and the fourth place of ‘Ru’, in Svara (Samsk.)  and ‘Na’ the fifth letter of ‘Ta’-varga, and the fourth place of ‘A’ ’Aa’, ‘I’, ‘ee’, (or, it is considered as the second placeexcluding the dheerga of the Svara), etc. Thus, ‘Gha’, ‘Ru’and ‘Nee’ are the root words /Beeja akshara / seed words that go to make the ‘GHRUNEE’ (2- letter word in Samskruta Language) This Ghrunee leads to Sooryah (Sun)- another 2-letter word, and the the Aadityah, the 3-letter word.

    Thus the entire Universe/ Brahmanda is created in a sequential order (like the Linear Programming in modern terminology). This is true of not only of the Creator’s Space, i.e., the Brahmaanda, but the individual human body as well. We are all operating at the body, mind, and the soul level of Consciousness as well as in wakeful/Jaagrata, dream/Svapna, and deep sleep/Sushupti states. Then, there is the transcendental/turiya’ state of consciousness in our day-to-day life that corresponds to the cosmic consciousness of Bhu, Bhuva, Svah, and Mahar Loka, respectively. It is this  ability of the ancient Sages to correlate the sequential order in the mantra that enabled them to know the secrets of creation.

    Space and Time are created in this sequence from supreme Consciousness. “Kaar’, Kaam’ (Action), Kaal’ (Time) i.e., ‘Ka’  (microcosm) and its combination with ‘Ra’-kaara, ‘Ma’-kaara, and ‘La’-kaara are the formulations of lifting, transfer, and consequential emergence of the new manifestations. As and when the ‘Kaar’ and ‘Kaam’- ‘Object’ in ‘Space’ (Lok) and its  ‘action’/motion and ‘attachment’/’moha’ are created and lifted, transcend, and expand, ‘Kaal (Time) is created. Thus, ‘Kaal’/ ‘Time’ (Kaala) runs ahead of objects allowing more space to be created for transcendence and expansion. This is  the secret of creation, the expanding universe called ‘Anant’. 

The Vedic ‘Rk’/Mantra hold the secret. Objective world is created by this sequential order of the sounds/vibrations emanating from the ‘Rk’/Mantra of the Veda, the breath of the Goddess/Veda maata Saraswati, the Chaitanya/ the creative power/spirit behind the Creator. This structuring of the Veda, also called ‘Brahmana’, has been made possible by the vibrations of different wavelengths, frequencies, intensity, and velocity (of Rks/Mantra) as well as the energy (Daivee Shakti) components within GAPS. Color associated with the Gunas/quality emerged from the vibration set off by the 'cit' or impulses in deep SILENCE of the silence (Nothingness) of the depth of Ocean of Consciousness. It is self-evolving and has never been uttered by any human being. Hence, it is known as ‘apaurusheya'. It is the Natural Law. It is the Constitution of the Universe. This Supreme Law governs the entire Universe. All other Laws originate from this Supreme Law of Nature. It is this Law that governs the movement of the Stars and the Planets. This Natural Law has a built-in structure of its own and does not depend on any other external source for its power and functions. It is self-existent. It is omniscient and omnipotent. It is silent and dynamic at the same time. Even if any one of these two, either the silence or dynamism becomes preponderant, the process of evolution stops and the creation stops. Thus, 'Creation', 'srushti', is the function of a self-propelling force evolving out of deep Silence, emerging out and collapsing back into itself. In this process of creative action/dynamism, vibrations, ideas, sounds, and images/words, elements and compounds, and material objects are evolved, sequentially in rhythm and order (Ritam and Satyam) obeying the Natural Law.

    This structuring dynamics of the Veda or the Technology of Consciousness is the Mantra ('Rk's) and its creative ability is the ‘Brahmana’, and it holds the key to evolution! Each and every sound produces a letter of the alphabet in succession with coherence and creates an image of its equivalent depending on the nature of the vibration of the sound waves (shabda) generated by the letters. Every letter or syllable is complete (FULL) by itself here. For example, the first letter of the alphabet 'A' or 'Aa’ (in Samskrut) creates the image of the entire Universe and holds it within itself and it gives  rise to the letter 'k', the sub-atomic particles 'kanas'.

     Thus, 'A' is complete as the macrocosm, and 'k' is complete as the microcosm. Each is distinctive WHOLE rather than a part (bhinna/broken of/different from/ the divided). The macrocosm is FULL, Poornam in itself and consists of the Universe of galaxies and stars. Similarly, the microcosm consists on innumerable sub-atomic particles combining in different ratios and proportions to constitute material objects of gases, liquids, and solids. Each and every particle is complete/FULL (Poornam) here. Hydrogen atom is full and oxygen atom is full and the water particle formed of the combination of these two gaseous matter in the proportion of 2 ions  of Hydrogen and 1ion of Oxygen is also Full, (WHOLE/POORNAM). This beautiful organization of material world is the power of creation within the Will/’chit’ of Parabrahman, also called 'brahmana' in the Veda; it is the structuring dynamics, or technology of Consciousness. It is the ‘mantra’ and, together, these two- the mantra and the brahmana constitute 'the Veda'.

     Hence, creation is the simultaneous function of the inherent potential power within the 'Silence' and 'Dynamism' of Natural Law. This Natural Law is the organizing power. It is Silent and 'Self-referral; it holds all the qualities of intelligence and knowledge required for creation. It is dynamic an propels the creative intelligence to creation of objects of the material world. In its self-interacting dynamics, the Natural Law blossoms into different qualities of intelligence, the Veda and Vedic Literature enumerated below, and each one of these is a mode of holistic value of Natural Law, complete in itself, as stated in the Sutra (aphorism) in the Kenopanishad- "poornamadah..".            

     First, it is the 'Rk Veda Samhita', the holistic Knowledge  that is 'apourusheya' that emanated from the deep breath of 'brahm' or the 'brahman'. Here, the 'brahm' or the 'brahman' is the Supreme Consciousness that pervades this Universe. It is the same Spirit, the Soul, or the Core of the Subject that propels all the objects of creation into action by its sheer presence as creative intelligence and vital force 'Praana'. This holistic Value of Natural Law with all the specific values as in its thirty-six divisions and their numerous subdivisions have their seat in the Self, the 'Atman', the Intellect, the Mind, and the Senses; These are the different levels of Consciousness or Intelligence that exist in the Samhita of the Rishi, Devata, and Chhandas, i.e., the Totality,  the UNITY, of the Seeker, the Sight, and the Seen, or the Unity of: 1. the Knower Rishi (Jnyaata), 2. The Knowing Process (Jnyeya) and the illumining principle ‘Div’/Devata, and, 3. Knowledge (Jnyana) sought.Knowledge and experience of 'Rk Veda' and the thirty-six qualities of Natural Law are the qualities of Consciousness that educate and enliven every individual and provide the necessary intelligence and ability to perform, and thereby enable the individual to live a perfect life. This ability, potentiality, intelligence, is available to all, without any distinction; but it is not possible to harness this potential without proper guidance from a learned Yogin.

    However, there is no harm in trying to know about the innate capacities hidden in oneself. By God's grace, the means of harnessing this innate potential will also be known. The Thirty-six specific parts of Natural Law are the functioning intelligence of Nature which have their seat in the Self, (the 'Aatmaa'), in the Intellect (Budhdhi), in the field of Mind (Manas), and in the field of the Senses (Indriyas). This is similar to the Samhita that has its seat in the Rishi, Devata, and the Chhandas and each one of these is complete (poornam) in itself. The 'Aatmaa' is WHOLENESS'/'POORNAM'/ Self-referral, eternal source of Intelligence, Totality of Knowledge, the Veda.

      This ‘Wholeness’/’Poorna’ is expressed through the first letter 'A', the first syllable 'Ak', the first word 'Agnim', the first Richa (verse) of the Rk Veda:
            Agnimeele purohitam yajnyasya devamritvijam hotaaram ratna dhaatamam | 

   Incidentally, it (‘Ak’) is also the first letter of “Om” (“AUM”) that is considered to be Akshara Brahmam. Uttering ‘Om’ constantly in dhaarana, dhyaana and japam will produce heat ‘tapam’, ie, ‘Agnim’, the fire that welds the aspect of Dvandva/Two such as: Deity and Devotee/ You and I/the objective world and the Self and finally leads to the Mahat Tattva:’ Tat tvam asi’, meaning,'Thou art That’.

    Further, the WHOLENESS is expressed through the First Sukta collection of nine Richas, and the First Mandala of Rk Veda (containing 192 Suktas arranged in 'Mandala'/Self-referral Circle), and through
     - Ten Mandalas of 'Rk Veda'; and

     - Upa- Veda: Saama, Yajur, Atharva, Sthaapatya, Dhanur, and Gandharva Veda; and

     - Vedaanga: Shiksha, kalp, Vyaakaran, Nirukt, Chchand, and Jyotish; and

     - Veda Upaangas;Nyaaya, Vaisheshika, Saamkhya, Yoga, Mimaamsa, and Vedaanta; and

     - Brahmana: Smriti, Puraana, Itihaas. Brahmana, Aranyaka, and Upanishad; and

     - Ayurveda: Charaka, Sushruta, vagbhatta, Bhav Prakaash, Sharangadhar, and Madhav Nidan; and,

     -  Praatishaakhyas- Rk Veda, Praatishaakhya, Shukl-Yajur-Veda Praatishaakhya,

                                     Krishna- Yajur Veda Praatishaakhya, (Taittiriya),

                                     Sama Veda Praatishaakhya (Pushpa Sutram),

                        Atharva-Veda Praatishaakhya, and Atharva-Veda Praatishaakhya(Chaturaadhyaayi).

  All the above six areas of the 36 Vedic Literature are different qualities of Consciousness/Intelligence. Each one of  these divisions, and every one of the sub-divisions of these  divisions of the Veda, is FULL (POORNAM) Complete Knowledge by   itself and the Sutra is: Poornam adhah (That is Full), and Poornam idham (This is Full); In 'Agnim eelay purohitam...'  every syllable is complete (poornam) by itself. In 'Ak' that stands for the Universe, the ' Akhand'- 'A', the Macrocosm, is full; and the 'khand' or 'kana'- 'k', the Microcosm, is full.  Together, the entire 'Ak' is 'Full' (Poornam) having the open expanse of the Universe at the one end and the point, the sub-atomic particle, the 'kana', at the other end forming into a 'spiral super string'. It is this WHOLENESS or fullness (poornam) that is the quality of Intelligence that governs the Universe.

     The 'Rk Veda' is the Natural Law, the holistic dynamic  creative intelligence and organizing power of the 'Supreme brahman'. The Veda i.e., Knowledge, Intelligence, and 'creative energy' (kriyashakti), Power of Transformation and evolution exists in the   'Rk's (Mantra) and the Brahmana. Creation is a phenomenon of constant flow of information, transformation, and evolution. It is the reality of existence. The mechanics of  transformation lie in the unmanifest field of Silence- the  GAPS- in the 'Rk's, Richa, Sukta, Mandala of the Veda.

     As Maharishi puts it, "The sequential unfoldment of the structure of 'Rk Veda', which is orderly and symmetrical, displays the total potential of Natural Law within the  structure of Veda and it is the source of Order and Symmetry in the Universe. Natural Law is Total Knowledge that lies within the domain of SILENCE and, Liveliness of Intelligence is in the nature of Silence. Self-referral Intelligence is the liveliness of both Unity and Diversity. Silence is the unmanifest point of pure intelligence (Consciousness) into which each letter, syllable, word, or Mantra and Mandala collapses and disappears only to re-emerges as an evolved continuing, contiguous, coherent, meaningful new letter, new syllable, new word, or the next new Mantra, and the next  Mandala. In this process of continuous transformation and evolution of the preexisting one into the new lies the liveliness of dynamism of the Veda, Pure Knowledge."[Wholeness on the Move]

   What is the real meaning and purports of the 'Veda' and what are its implications to us? This is a very important question. The Veda is the seed, unmanifest of what all has so far manifested as the objective world, and who knows what else is  yet to come? The entire plan of the future lies unmanifest in the seed just as the clarified butter lies hidden in milk and oil in the oil seed. "It is very significant to note that the unknown secret lies not in the sounds of 'Rk's of the Veda but in the GAPS and SILENCE between the sounds of 'Rks's of the Vedic hymns. It is indeed very difficult to bring out meaning from the depth of Silence. Only the blessed few who have reached the depth of the Ocean of Consciousness have experienced it. This is the reason why The Veda is said to hold the secret and the secret remains a secret as you unearth more and more of it. The entire plan of the past, present and the future Universe lies hidden in the 'Silence of the Veda', and not the sounds of the Veda. This is the challenge before  the commentators and interpreters of the Veda. No one can ever successfully translate the meaning of the Veda unless and until he possesses all the forty qualities of intelligence and possesses the divine intuition to understand the meaning of  the thousand of ‘Rks’. It is an impossible task for the mortals, that too, in one birth.

    The meaning and purports of the Veda is, thus, very clear. It means different things to different people and depending on the individual's ability, level of spiritual attainment and  the level of consciousness; the practical implications of the Veda also differ. During the Vedic times, the Kings used to  perform sacrificial rituals- yagya and yaaga, in order to invoke the blessings of the Deities to get rain, good crops, and keep the livestock and people happy. The Veda contained all the necessary instructions in this regard. Gradually, the Veda came to be known only as the ritualistic scripture and

people who knew the language of the Veda (mostly Samskrut) read only the meaning of the ritualistic part of the Veda and ignored the rest.  Even today, we find this practice in many  parts of India. For instance, the ninth mandala- Madhuraashtakam (it is like gravitation that attracts everything!), or the tenth mandala that consists of Purusha Suktam, will be chanted at auspicious functions like marriage, house-warming ceremony (gruha pravesh), as also in Homa and Havana to purify new buildings. Some pundits went deep into the spiritual aspects of the Veda and developed rituals to get the power of the Spirit; these came to be known as the Shakta group and some of them are practicing this technique even today.

     There came a socialistic change in recent times and some knowledgeable persons interpreted the Veda to usher in social change in the rigid traditional Vedic society. But, it goes to the credit of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi to dwell at length on the SILENCE or GAPS aspect of the Veda and read the signals emanating from the impulses, ripples, waves and bubbles in the Silent Ocean of Consciousness. Since this is recent attempt and a more rational scientific effort is needed in this   direction, it is too early to elaborate on this point without the necessary in-depth knowledge and experience. Fool-proof  methods and techniques have to be perfected in order to  quickly, easily, raise one's level of Consciousness as and when required. It holds out such a vast scope, immense  possibilities, that it seems almost impossible to attain even a little bit, an insignificant part of it. Probably, the Veda remains a secret forever! No wonder in it. However, an attempt is made here to bring out a little bit of this exposition of  the new school of thought, the Maharishi Vision and Version as also the old Pundits/Vedantins views in the following. No knowledge is perfect unless it reveals the hidden truth; no man  is perfect unless he knows the in- and- out of all that is presented to him and converts his knowledge into Wisdom. Simply knowing things is of no consequence unless it is converted into the much needed divine experience by sadhana. It is said that ‘a pinch of saadhana is equal to a ton of knowledge acquired from scriptures!

    Acknowledgement: I am indebted to the Great Master Maharishi Mahesh Yogi for the valuable contribution o our knowledge of the Veda in a very scientific way and i have quoted a few paragraphs from his books. See: "Wholeness on the Move", "Heaven on Earth", and other works. 

   [Excerpts from my book- "Spirit of the Soul".]