Swami teaches... Principal positions of Vedas

[Guest guest]

Sai Ram

 

Swami teaches... (4 January 2005)

 

Principal positions of Vedas

 

The Vedas are the most ancient among the world's scriptures. They are a vast

storehouse ofwisdom. They enabled man to have an over-view of the universe.

Historically, they are theearliest known book of knowledge. They are the roots

of human culture and striving. All knowledge, all the principles of right

living, all qualities are derived from the Vedas.

Veda is derived from the verb Vid, to know. They embody the Sabda Brahmam

(Cosmic Sound). Knowledge of the Supreme is Veda. It represents Atma Jnana

(Knowledge of the Spirit), Brahma Jnana (Knowledge of the Universal

Consciousness) and Advaita Jnana (Knowledge of the One that subsumes the many).

These different terms are synonymous.

 

"I am in the Light. I am the Light. The Light is in Me. The Light is

Myself." When this awareness arises in the heart, it will lead to oneness with

Brahmam.

Whether humans are understood Vedas or not, their truth permeates the

universe. It is noteasy for common people to understand the Vedas, Vyasa

codified them in four groups. Theyhave been propagated and practised in three

sections.

 

The Karma Kanda (dealing with rituals), Upasana Kanda (dealing with forms

of worship) and

Jnana Kanda (dealing with the path of Knowledge).

The Upanishads are the culmination of the Vedas. Hence they are known as

Vedanta. The Upanishads have offered three kinds of yoga for mankind: Karma

Yoga, Upasana Yoga and Jnana Yoga. As regards Upasana Yoga, what is required

is wholehearted devotion to God, with purity in thought, word and deed. Love

must be for its own sake. Jnana Yoga declares, "Sarvam Vishnumayam Jagath" (The

cosmos is pervaded everywhere by the Lord). Everything is a manifestation of

God. Though names and forms and thoughts and actions may be different, all of

them are like waves on the ocean of Sat-Chit-Ananda (Being-Awareness-Bliss)

what is present in everyone in a subtle form. This awareness is Jnana.

 

The Gita emerged from the Upanishads. It expounds the Karma, Upaasana and

Jnana (the threefold path) in three sections of six cantos each. Thus from the

Vedas to the Upanishads and then to the Gita the eternal teachings has come to

divinise mankind. The Gita belongs toall mankind. It is the Voice of God.

God-is one for all people though He may be worshipped under different names

and forms. The Vedas have indicated what are to be followed and what are to

be avoided.

Great care has to be taken in reciting the Vedic hymns, observing the rules

regarding accent, pause and rhythm. The gurus of those days were utterly

selfless, pure-hearted and dedicated to the Divine. They were filled with love

for the disciples and dedicated their lives to imparting Vedic knowledge to the

students.

 

Unfortunately today people follow what is prohibited and have given up what

should befollowed.Faith in God has been replaced by disrespect for reverence

and righteousness. Atheism is rampant and preceptors are not honoured. Devotion

is at a discount and the ancient wisdom is being given up these days.

(Compilation Reet by "Sathya Sai Speaks." Volume 23, Chapter 24. i.e. Bhagawan

Sathya Sai Baba. Valedictory Discourse at the Summer Course in the Brindavan

Campus on 3 June1990).

 

Namaste - Reet