Thus Spake the Divine - Minimum Remedial Action

Thus Spake the Divine

Minimum Remedial Action

In this chapter, Maha Periyava fervently pleads for preservation of Vedas, which is losing its significance because of the present-day modern lifestyle.

Irrespective of whether or not the current state of society undergoes any dramatic change or whether or not it is possible to change it, there is one thing that we should ensure. There should definitely be a section of people who will work exclusively for preservation of Vedas as their lifetime profession. Such an arrangement is essential even for the wellbeing of entire world. The sounds of Vedas have to transcend for the wellbeing of the world. I am of the view that there will be wellbeing of the people only if there are sounds of Vedas transcending. Therefore, there should not remain even one Brahmin who does not know Vedas. According to me, Brahmins returning to the practice of Vedas will be the only remedy for solving the existing problems within the world.

In case Brahmins are afraid of doing this or have no compassion for doing this, let it be. If it is not possible for you to resume the practice of Vedas, at least direct your children into that stream. This is the only way to ensure that Vedas continue for generations to come. If you are apprehensive of putting your children into spiritual studies of Hindu rituals and routines, and want your children to follow your own material life style, let me get down one more step. It is alright for you educate your children in other professions other than Veda studies. At least, complete the ceremony of Upanayanam (sacred thread ceremony) for your children before they attain 8 years. Insist that he practises Vedas for at least one hour every day for the next 10 years.

This arrangement should become the norm for each and every Brahmin child. It is a very sad state of affairs that there are not enough Veda teachers now to impart Vedic education to others. In that case, you can organise such classes in common for at least a group of children in each locality. If they keep practising Vedas for 10 years, they will at least be conversant with the processes of doing Upakarma {changing of sacred (Holy) thread called Yagnopaveetham} for self and also for others. Only this kind of arrangement will help future generations in ensuring continuation of the profession of Purohits (Priests). This kind of arrangement has become essential because it is quite doubtful whether anyone will in future want their children to pursue the stream of Veda studies.

Thus, in order to ensure that the sounds of Veda continue to ring forever in this world, we should whole-heartedly plunge into this action of resuming the study of Vedas. It is not only meant for wellbeing of Brahmins, not only for wellbeing of the Indian community, it is for wellbeing of the entire world. This is the directive from God and it is a divine duty too.

It may occur to some that “Even now, at present, there is no one who is bothering about Veda studies. Then, why are we concerned about the future?” But I don’t think like that. When the wheel keeps rotating, what goes down will definitely come up. This modern civilisation, which is flamboyant and is indulging in undesirable actions, will one day definitely realise the reality. It will realise that this modern life style is only leading to discomforts. Take the example of America. People there want to get rid of the chaos arising out of their modern comfortable life styles. People, who are smart enough, are coming forward to embrace Vedas and Yoga and are reciting God’s names. Others, who do not yet know that such a way out is available, are living with anti-depressants and tranquilisers in a semi-conscious state.

Even our country must be wary of getting into this state. When people continue with notions that there is still some pleasure left in this material life and must enjoy the same till the end, they will one day realise that theirs is not an enduring pleasure. Then, they will definitely want to return to spiritual life, which shows the path for inquiring into and finding one’s soul. And, at that time, they will want to resume the path of Vedas. When they want to do that and there is no place at all for Veda practice, will that not be the greatest act of betrayal by our present generation, which has delinked itself from the chain of Vedas? One may say, “What is the big deal? There are volumes of literature and books that contain Veda mantras, which have been compiled by our Indian scholars as well as scholars of other countries. Why cannot the future generations learn the science of Vedas from those books?” But there is another bigger fundamental question. “Why should there be a group or section of people who

are required to be orally chanting Veda mantras throughout their life? Veda mantras are framed by words, which are pregnant with noble meanings. Can’t these words be learnt from books?” No. It is not just enough to know and understand the meaning per se of Veda mantras from books.

Veda mantras must be recited in the same rhythm and tonality as pronounced by Rishis. This is the answer to the question as to why there should be an exclusive group to orally chant the Veda mantras.

This article is a snippet from the Book Thus Spake the Divine, is available online at www.giri.in and across Giri Trading Agency Private Limited, A chain of Speciality Stores dealing in all kinds of products needed in Indian Culture and Tradition.

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