Guest guest Posted August 2, 2006 Report Share Posted August 2, 2006 Rig Veda hymns in translation S. REVATHY http://www.hindu.com/br/2006/08/01/images/2006080100171501.jpg RIGVEDA — A Study of the Forty Hymns: Nagesh D. Sonde; Published by the author, 318, Raheja Crest 3, Link Road, Andheri West, Mumbai- 400053. Rs. 50. Study of the hymns of the Rig Veda is indispensable for getting an adequate overview of Indian thought. The hymns are highly philosophical and they attempt to explain the mysteries of the world by means of reason. It is a work representing the thought of successive generations of thinkers and hence contains different strata of thought. The Rig Veda Samhita or collection comprises 1017 hymns or Suktas covering a total of about 10,600 stanzas. Popularly it is divided into 10 mandalas or circles. The first mandala contains 191 hymns and is ascribed to nearly 15 different authors. There is a principle involved in the arrangement of hymns here. Those addressed to Agni come first, that to Indra second, and then the rest. The 10th mandala, which is considered as a later appendage, covers the views prevalent during the last stage of the development of Vedic hymns. The hymns here embody the mature results of conscious reflection on the meaning of the world and man's place in it. All along India has looked upon the Veda as containing all that is great in her religion and philosophy. A striking feature of the hymns in this Veda is their polytheistic character. A great many gods are named and worshipped. At the same time there are some conveying highly abstract philosophical ideas. Collection The present edition as the author mentions is a collection of such hymns in praise of gods and goddesses, and hymns expressing philosophical truth. It appears that the author has been much attracted towards hymns in the first and 10th mandala as a major portion of the edition covers hymns from these. A few hymns from the 6th, 7th and the 8th mandalas also find place in it. Apart from the fact that the hymns are learnt by rote, there has been a need to familiarise the general reader with the nature and value of Vedic literature through English and other languages. The present work is designed to cater to the needs of the English knowing Sanskritist and is well suited for that purpose. It gives in a metrical form the rendering of the 40 hymns of the Rig Veda. In the case of each hymn, the translation is preceded by a short note describing the conception of the deity extolled in it and also other information required for a proper appreciation of the hymn. Further, explanation is provided for each hymn. The introduction gives in a nutshell all the general information required by the reader. The work is done exceedingly well and will be of great use to students of Vedic literature. http://www.hindu.com/br/2006/08/01/stories/2006080100171500.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 11, 2007 Report Share Posted July 11, 2007 Is Rig-veda online? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 11, 2007 Report Share Posted July 11, 2007 I find it here: ww.sacred-texts.com/hin/rigveda/index.htm And ive got one question: it is said that all 4 vedas (Rig, Yajur, Sama, Atharva) are divided in 4 areas (The Samhitas, The Brahmanas, The Aranyakas, The Upanishads) --> Can someone explain how is that seen on the example (link). I mean there are 10 mandalas, what/where are Samhitas, Brahmanas, Aranyakas and Upanishads ?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sarva108 Posted July 30, 2007 Report Share Posted July 30, 2007 thank you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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