Lalit: प्र सु स्तोमं भरत वाजयंत इन्द्राय सत्यं यदि सत्यमस्ति !
नेन्द्रो अस्तीति नेम उ त्व आह क ई ददर्शं कमभि ष्टवाम !! ऋग्वेद 8/100/3
Swamiji please explain the meaning of the above mantra.
Swami Ram Swarup: The meaning in Roman Hindi is as under:-
(Yadi Satyam Asti) Yadi yeh baat satya nishhchit hai to (Vaajyantaha) tum sukh ki kaamna karte hue (Satyam) satya hee (Indraye) Parmeshwar ko dhyaye maano arthat usey prapt karo. (soo stomam) apnee shreshth stuti( pra, bharat) achchee prakar arpit karo. (Indraha na asti) Ishwar nahin hai,yeh baat (Tvaha) koi (Nemaha) agyani hee(Aaha) karta hai. Veh agyani bhranti karta hai ki (Eem) us Parmeshwar ko (Kah Dadarsh) kisney dekha hai.
Isliye (kam) kiski (Abhistavaam) Pratyaksh roop se vandana karein.
Idea of the mantra is that if we begin to do the worship of God Who creates, nurses and destroys the universe then first of all, we must consider the proof of His existence. The blind faith will always be harmful as stated in Yog Shastra Sutra 1/7
“PRATYAKSHANUMANAAGAMAHA PRAMANNANI”
for which my article is as under:-
How to determine truth/reach at a conclusion
Samveda mantra 350 states (SHUDDAN) pure (SAMNA) chanting of Samveda (SHUDDHAI UKTHAIHI) by purest ved mantras (VA VRIDHVANGSAM) Almighty (SHUDDHAM) the purest (INDRAM) God (STAVAN) worship/praise (SHUDDHAI) by the purest mantras, the God (NU) soon (ASHIRVAAN) showers blessings and (MAMATTU) becomes happy.
Meaning- The mantra states that Oh! Aspirant, chant Samveda and by its purest Ved mantras worship the purest God, so that He may bless us and soon become happy on us.
Similarly, Yajurveda mantra 40/8 states that God is (SHUDDHAM) the purest (APAAPVIDDHAM ) never faces any kind of sin, (AKAYA) formless.
The deep consideration of the said mantras reveals that God is formless and always remains the purest. The consideration of the subject “creation” would also reveal that God is the Lord of prakriti and souls. Illusion originates from Prakriti which never effects God, He being the purest.
This proves the fact that the knowledge of all four Vedas which emanates direct from God is also the purest having originated from the purest God.
Secondly, Atharvaveda mantra 4/30/3 and Yajurveda mantra 40/7 state that a Rishi/Yogi who is learned of Vedas and after practising Ashtang Yoga, has realised God then God tells that “I Myself make him Brahmin, Rishi providing him with purest divine mind.” So Rishis are those who have realised Almighty God as well as have seen the meaning and idea of the ved mantras within them in Samadhi that is why, the Rishis are called – Mantradrishta Iti Rishi. That is why, Patanjali Rishi in Yog Shastra Sutra quoted above states that Rishi is also the purest due to his said hard Tapasya. So he also never tells a lie, so the writings and views of the Rishis in the shape of holy books, like the books quoted above, are also accepted as authentic.
VEDAS- A PROOF IN TOKEN TO RECOGNIZE TRUTH
Rigveda mantra 1/164/16 says “Akshanvaan Pashyat Na Vi Chetat Andhaha” that is, he who knows eternal knowledge of Vedas, has been performing Yagya (Yajna) and practised Yoga Philosophy, he realises God and he who is lack of the same knowledge cannot. Yajurveda mantra 6/5 says” Suryaha Vishnoho Praramam Padam Sada Pashyanti”
That is Suryaha( Philosopher of Vedas and does Yoga) ever sees(realises) the Almighty and Omnipresent God. Yajurveda mantra 40/13 says “Dheeranam Tat Shushrum”. Dheeranam means he who knows Vedas and practices Ashtang Yoga and realises God, so meaning of mantra is that we, aspirants have been listening about Almighty God from Dheeranam and like this, there are so many other remaining ved mantras, who clarify that based on the knowledge of Vedas, he who does Yagya and practice of Ashtang yoga is capable to realise the secret of Prakriti, souls and Almighty God. This is called Traitwad because it has got three eternal subjects cited later. Our ancient Rishis have preached that to know the truth, there are four authentic proofs, as also said by Patanjali Rishi in his Yog shastra sutra 1/7-
“PRATYAKSHANUMANAAGAMAHA PRAMANNANI”.
So in aagam pramaan, there are two pramaan(proofs) to realise truth:
1. “Aaptopdeshaha Shabdaha” (Sankhya shastra sutra 1/66). That is a Rishi who knows Vedas and has realized God by practicing Ashtang Yoga, is considered a proof to realise truth of traitwad cited above, which means that whatever he says is true, because he only says his experience of Samadhi (salvation) and hard study of Vedas and practical Yajyen that is why, Kapil muni has told in his said sutra that the preach of such Rishis is true and is considered a proof to determine the truth.
2. Second proof in Aagam pramaan is- Four Vedas but Vedas have not been written by any Rishi etc. Vedas are the knowledge originated in the heart of four Rishis at the time of creation. So, Vedas are considered as “Swataha pramaan” (self-proof) being the knowledge direct from the God. So, Vedas need no proof. On this matter of Vedas, there are so many ved mantras like Yajurveda mantra 31/7. The said mantras says that Rigveda, Samveda, Atharvaveda and Yajurveda is the eternal knowledge from God, that is, Vedas emanated direct from God, so are self proof, that is why, Rishi Patanjali says in his Yoga Shastra Sutra-1/26.
“Saha Eshah Poorvesham Api Guruhu Kalenaan Avachedat” that is the Almighty God is the first Guru of the ancient Rishi at the time of first non-sexual creation. The God by His power originated the knowledge of four Vedas in the heart of four Rishis and thereafter the Rishi-munis of such qualities have been our Guru. Vyas muni commenting on this Sutra 1/26 says that at the time of creation, there was no Guru to give knowledge to the persons because every Rishi left his body in the previous creation, which creation had been destroyed in the final destruction of universe (Pralaya) and as a principle, until knowledge is given by anybody, the knowledge cannot be attained. So our first Guru is Almighty God, Him self who gave the knowledge of four Vedas, which was followed by our ancient Rishis traditionally and we have to follow to maintain the eternal culture and realise Prakriti, soul and God, being the main objective of this human life. Therefore, in
the whole world, that path or the knowledge is true which tallies with four Vedas. This fundamental law of God must be known by everybody seriously to reach the truth. Unluckily, most of the saints are talking at their own accord and what a wonder even that they usually tell not to study the Vedas, not to perform the holy Yagna and not to follow the Yoga Philosophy; which are against the Vedas, the knowledge of God.
VEDAS ARE SELF PROOF AND THE BOOKS OF RISHIS ARE ALSO THE PROOF, AFTER VEDAS.
Therefore we must accept the above eternal facts to determine the truth. It means at present also, any view or any statement in the present book are considered true if it tallies with Vedas and the books written by Rishis, otherwise not this eternal tradition was adopted in the ancient times. As a result, the public mostly remained away from illusion.
In Yajurveda mantra 31/7, it is clearly mentioned that the Vedvani emanates direct from God. Yagvalkya Rishi in his Smriti tells his wife Matryi that in the beginning of every creation this formless Vani emanates from formless Almighty God in the heart of four gentlemen selected by God from the previous creation in which they were topmost in Tapsya and good conduct etc. That is why automatically they are called Rishis with their names – Agni, Vaayu, Aditya and Angira. As the breath comes out from man similarly Ved mantras emanate from God. As outer breath is inhaled in the body so the Vedas are inhaled in God at the time of final destruction. {Please remember God is formless and has no mouth etc. This is an example and comparison only to enable us to understand the origination of eternal knowledge of Vedas otherwise neither it is exhaled nor inhaled from God.}
Further, in the heart of each of the four Rishis mentioned above, one Veda is originated without writing and without preaches. How? God is formless and Almighty, i.e., has all powers and does not require any assistance, i.e., God does not require any assistance from any Yamraj, any Yamdoot to get the soul out from any person, He does not require any assistance from any Indra, to shower water in the shape of rain, does not require any priest or preacher or Guru etc., to preach the religion to anybody because He is Almighty, He is always independent and His powers alone create and do all deeds etc., automatically.
In the absence of proof, the study of Vedas and deep discussion with acharya etc., blind faith spread and forces us to follow the man-made worship of several Gods which always leads to sorrows etc.
Somya: Pranam Guru ji.Guruji,if someone wants to improve herself/himself what should be her/his initial step and how?Guruji I am a school student and I really want to perform well in all spheres.I want to improve myself spiritually,physically as well as mentally. I really want your help.
Swami Ram Swarup: My blessings to you, my daughter. First of all, the person who wants to improve himself should identify his shortcomings/faults/sins within him. Then he should repent and should resolve with firm decision that such sins will never be repeated. Again, he should make contact with learned acharya of Vedas and Yoga philosophy to get further guidance.
I would also advise you to read some of the books written by me to gain further guidance:-
1) Vedic Satsang Sangrah (in hindi) worth Rs.51/-
2) Vedas- A Divine Light part I and IV(in English) worth Rs.80/- and 100/-
3) Brahamcharya- Dukh Nivarak Divya manni(in hindi) worth Rs.100/-
the above books can be sent on receipt of your postal address, if you desire. The acharya will advise you to do name-jaap, havan and to do asan, prannayam, meditation daily which will improve your mental and physical power and lead towards spiritualism. I also paste my articles-
Shubh Karma
Hard working, devotion, dedication, honesty, services to the parents and elders to follow eternal religion mentioned in Vedas, practice of Ashtang Yoga, discharging moral duties to get progress in education, science simultaneously with spiritualism like, daily havan, to be in contact with the learned Acharya, to get his advice, are some of the pious deeds which make the future bright and obliterate the sorrows, problems, diseases, etc.
One must wake up early in the morning for early morning walk and exercises, must sit on meditation and chant holy name of God, must be away from any addiction and non-vegetarian. Such pious actions lead to long, happy life and bright future.
GAYATRI MANTRA
Please, start the day by chanting Gayatri mantra in the early morning sitting on suitable asan like Sukhasan, Siddhasan or Padmasan etc. concentrate on the point between two eyebrows which is called “Agyachakra”. The Gayatri mantra should be chanted along with its meaning both times. Also, please try to perform daily hawan even with Gayatri mantra. Then try to study any of my books daily and put up question if any.
After 15 days chant the Gayatri mantra only thrice thereafter do the name jaap of Almighty God-“Om”. The jaap must be done daily by heart and not orally.
The Gayatri mantra is as follows —
OM BHURBHUVAHA SWAHA TATA SAVITUR VARENYAM BHARGODEVASYA
DHIMAHI DHIYO YO NAHA PRACHODYAT
Meaning of Gayatri mantra stating each word is as follows. Its meaning is based on
Vedas and Sanskrit grammar. Grammatical hints are in short please.
Om has three Hindi words. Aa, Uu AND Ma. Aa is meant for Aakaar from which three
names of God are built, Viraat, Agni, and Vishwadi. From Uu = uukar from which
Hirannyagarbha, Vayu and Tejas names occur and Ma = makaar from which Ishwar,
Aditya and Praajyan aadi, holy names of God occur. Rigveda mantra 1/164/46 says
God is one but His names are several. But here OM the holy name of God is only
being explained.
VIRAAT = Viraat word is made from dhatu ‘Rajrideeptau’ i.e., manifest. Therefore
Viraat means He who manifests the universe. As God manifests the universe, thus
Viraat is the name of God. Rigveda mandal 10, sukta 129 states that like potter
makes pot from clay, similarly God creates universe from non-alive matter prakriti.
Prakriti is unseen matter. From unseen matter, the whole universe is created in the
visible form. Science also says that matter is never destroyed but changes its form.
Suppose a paper is burnt, paper changes its form into ashes. Then ashes are crushed
and thrown in air. At this moment, the paper changed into ashes becomes invisible
but was never destroyed. Similarly the whole universe at the time of final destruction
is turned into prakriti i.e., into unseen form.
AGNI = From dhatu, “ANCHU GATI POOJANAYOHO” the word “AGNI is made. Its
meaning is: He who is a form of wisdom. “SARVAJAYEN” i.e., Omniscient. That is,
knows each and every atom of universe and even beyond universe. He who is to be
known, to be gained and is worshipful. So Agni is the name of God.
VISHWA = Vishwa word is made from dhatu, “VISHPRAVESHANE”. Its meaning is He
in whom the universe is entering or He who is entering the universe. So being
omnipresent, Vishwa is the name of God.
HIRANNYAGARBHA = i.e., ” JYOTIRVAYIHIRANYAM”. Its meaning is, who is the base
of all sun, etc., luminous lokas or He who is the living place of all luminous lokas.
VAYU = from dhatu, “VA GATIGANDHANYOHO”, vayu word is made. Its meaning is
He who holds, gives life and destroys and is the mightiest amongst all. So the name
of God is Vayu.
TEJ = from dhatu, “TIJA NISHANE”, the word Tej is made meaning He who is self
made and self-enlightened and gives light to sun, moon, stars etc. God does not take
light from anywhere but gives light to sun, moon, stars, etc. so the unbroken,
unobstructed/unproduced and eternal form of light is Almighty God and not sun,
moon etc. So the name of God is Tej.
ISHWAR = from dhatu, “ISH ASHWERIYE”, the word Ishwar is made. Its meaning is
whose knowledge is thoughtful and true and He who has unlimited wealth, fortune
and glory etc. Therefore the name of God is Ishwar. Here it is not out of place to
mention that soul (man/woman) has limited qualities and are dependent whereas
God is independent and has unlimited qualities that is why He is God.
ADITYA = from dhatu, “DO AVAKHANDANE”, Aditya word is made. Its meaning is the
one who cannot be broken into pieces and thus cannot be destroyed. So God’s name
is Aditya.
PRAJAYEN (PRAGYA) = from dhatu, “JYEN AVABODHANE”, Prajayen word is made
meaning whose wisdom is totally without any misunderstanding and thus he who
knows every matter and behavior of whole universe without misunderstanding. So
God’s name is Prajayen. So here also it is not out of place to mention that illusion
can never attack on God and God is totally free from illusion.
BHUHU = “BHUHU ITI VAYEE PRANAHA” i.e., He who is the base of lives of universe,
is most beloved, even more than Prann i.e., breath. So Bhuhu is the name of God.
BHUVAHA= “BHUVAHA ITI APANAHA” i.e., He who is totally free from any sorrow,
and the soul removes his own all sorrows after coming in contact with Him. So the
name of God is Bhuvaha.
SWAHA = i.e., “SWAHA ITI VYANAHE” who is omnipresent in the universe and is
holding the same. So the name of God is Swaha.
SAVITUHU = He who creates the universe. So the name of God is Savituhu.
DEVSYA= who gives all pleasure/merriment, so the name of God is Dev.
VARENNYAM = He who is the most supreme and acceptable. God is most supreme
and acceptable for worship.
BHARGAHA = the purest entity (though God is formless, but finding no suitable
English word of Sanskrit word, “SHUDH SWARUPAM” the word entity has been used.)
TAT = i.e., the God i.e., of the purest entity.
DHIMAHI = i.e., we must hold (sort of meditation) because
YAHA = the God
NAHA = our,
DHIYAHA = mind(i.e., in our minds)
PRACHODYAT = by inspiration (fulfil the mind with wisdom)
MEANING
“We meditate the God who is the base of lives’ of universe, totally free from any sorrow, omnipresent, creates the universe, gives all pleasure/merriment, most supreme and acceptable, purest entity; May the God enlighten our minds with wisdom by His inspiration”.
Here it is not out of place to mention that idea of a (one) Ved mantra is based on ideas of several Ved mantras. So in the above Gayatri mantra, there are three things —-
Bhuhu, Bhuvaha, Swaha, Savituhu, Bhargaha, Devsya are some qualities amongst unlimited qualities of God. These are called Stuti i.e., to say about God with His real qualities and not self made etc.
Secondly Dhimahi means meditation i.e., one should always sit in meditation and do hard and pious deeds for which he will have to study Vedas in full, while discharging moral duties towards family and nation.
Third and last is DHIYO YO NAHA PRACHODYAT. It is a prayer to God explanation of which is cited above.
How to do havan
Please sit in the morning to perform havan. Havan must be in sunlight then it is more beneficial. Then half a bowl of fresh water with a tablespoon must be with you with small twigs especially of mango tree if possible, havan samagri, ghee, camphor and match box must be there with you. Please sit on sukh asan on four times folded blanket and blanket must be on mat.
Sukh asan i.e., sit on duly folded feet in comfortable position. Then first close your eyes and concentrate between two eyebrows and chant Gayatri mantra three times within heart and not by mouth. Then open your eyes.
Take one spoon of water in right palm. Chant this mantra, OM AMRITO UPASTRANMASI SWAHA and drink the water which you have put in your palm. Then again take the spoon of water in right palm then chant the next mantra, OM AMRITA APIDHANMASI SWAHA, and drink the water. Then again take the water in right palm and chant the mantra, OM SATYAM YASHAH SHRI MAYI SHRI SHRAYTAAM SWAHA, and drink the water. Then wash the right palm while sitting, with the same water kept in bowl.
Then put the twigs into havan kund with one piece of camphor and burn it. During this process chant the Gayatri mantra again and again till
such time the fire is lighted sufficiently. Then chant the Gayatri mantra and at the last add the word Swaha and offer ghee with tablespoon, quantity equivalent to 4 to 5 drops. And if you are alone then also offer in fire pinch of havan samagri from your right hand’s finger and thumb avoiding forefinger. So this offering may be of 11 times, 21 times or 51 times as the time suits. It is the simplest way and I have not quoted the complete method of Yajna. The havan with Ved mantras are always offered as the best worship of God only please. Do havan daily and both times
STUDENT LOSING CONCENTRATION
Concentration is not made on mind, but mind has to be concentrated on particular point or subject etc. It requires practice of Yam, Niyam, Asan, Pranayaam, Pratyahar, Dharnna and Dhyan then one attains Samadhi. In this path, guidance of a spiritual master who knows Vedas and Ashtang Yoga philosophy is needed. Holy name jaap of God helps a lot. I have written a book on Yoga which can be sent on receipt of your postal address. However, personal guidance as stated is essential. It is a moral duty of a student to concentrate on hard study and to look after his health. Avoid bad society always concentrate on your Brahamcharya. Awake early in the morning and after bath-brush etc., do holy name jaap of God at least for fifteen minutes. Go for morning walk and light exercises daily. Take plenty of water i.e., 15-20 glass in a day. Always respect your parents, elders and teachers. Must be soft spoken, Avoid TV to see bad scenes, films etc. This all will help you
to concentrate in you study. Whatever, you study and learn, try to write on rough book a lot without seeing books etc. Please refer to the book- “Brahamcharya-Dukh Nivarak Divya Mani”.
