Essentials of Hinduism

Essentials of Hinduism

Rig Veda

Mandala 2

1) BRIHASPATI:

“O Brihaspati! Please endow (provide) us with that Wealth which shines among men with luster, which brings Knowledge, and which makes one blaze with vigor.”

2) RUDRA:

The Rudra of the Vedas seems to have been a God of Storms. It was only later that He came to be identified as Shiva. Rudra is the Father of the Maruts, who were Gods of the Wind. O Father of the Maruts! Confer happiness on us. May we be free of all the thoughts of hatred. May we never sin. May the diseases that overcome the body maintain their distance. You are the one who holds weapons in your hands. You are the strongest of the strong. Preserve us from sin and ensure our welfare. May we never tread the Path of evil. “O Rudra! May we never anger you through worship that is fraudulent (false). May we not anger you through the utterance of Hymns that are improper. I have learned that you are the best of all Physicians. Rudra is the one who is summoned through oblations and Hymns. May I pacify Rudra through my Hymns. He is the one who has a soft heart. He is the nourisher and preserver. He is the one who grants us the best of protection. May we not fall prey to anger Rudra. We are plagued by sin and seek refuge with Rudra. May we be happy. May we be able to serve Rudra. O Rudra! Your hands banish disease. Lay them on us. Forgive us our sins and remove any impediments in our Path. I praise you as best as I can. May the radiant Rudra be pleased with our Prayers. We chant Rudra’s glorious names. O Rudra! Many are your forms. You nurture all that there is in this Universe. Rudra is the Supreme Ruler. Be pleased and confer happiness on your Devotees. A son worships his revered Father. Like that, we are Praying to you. We Pray that you may be near us. You are the one who protects those who are Righteous. You are the one who grants boons.

O Rudra! Grant us happiness. Make our sons and grandchildren happy. You are the one who is Omniscient (having infinite awareness). Please listen to our prayers and do not be angered. Reveal to us the way in which we may please you. May we be able to perform sacrifices in your Honor.”

3) MARUTS:

Maruts are the sons of Rudra. “O Maruts! You are the strong ones. You possess pure and sacred herbs. Grant us the herbs that will ensure our welfare and confer happiness on us. These are the herbs that please Rudra. Maruts are as radiant as Agni. They are like lightning in the clouds. They are the ones who drink the soma juice.

O Maruts! You are the ones who follow the straight path to upliftment. You are the ones who shelter the entire Universe. You are the source of inspiration. Please grant us prosperity. You are the invincible ones. You are the swift ones. We call upon you so that our wisdom may be increased.

We call upon you so that we may be able to perform the righteous deeds. O Maruts! Your powers preserve your devotees from sin. Your powers preserve those who pray to you from all types of criticism. We pray to your powers of protection. May your powers of protection preserve us. May Wisdom come to us. Maruts spread rain waters everywhere. Those who Pray to the Maruts will get their desires granted. They are praised in the sacrifices offered.”

MANDALA 3

1) GAYATRI:

Gayatri is described as the Mother of the Vedas, revealed to Sage Visvamitra. When Gayatri Mantra is imparted to one, it gives one a fresh Spiritual birth and thus makes him twice-born (Dvija); constitutes the Spiritual Power (Tejas) that a Brahmin gains by reciting and contemplating upon it daily, at the three junctures (Sandhya) Morning, Noon and Evening, as long as possible. Short meaning of the Gayatri Mantra: We Meditate upon that adorable effulgence of the resplendent (dazzling) (vitalizer) Gayatri, may She stimulate our Intellect! Its dominant position is such that every school of thought in Hinduism presses it into service, attaching different significances to it.

2) YUPA:

“O sacrificial post! You are the superior one and you stand up before the fire of the sacrifice. You are the one who listens to the Hymns that are a source of valor. The Yupa which stands upright is as radiant as the Surya. O sacrificial post made out of a tree! Stand up straight at an auspicious spot on the Earth. Stand up and energize the one who is performing the sacrifice. The learned ones who are are performing the sacrifice will sanctify the post through their Wisdom. The learned ones who pray to the Gods will chant Hymns.”

3) USHA:

Usha is the personification of the dawn. There is Sukta addressed to Usha. “O Usha! Listen to the Hymns we are chanting. You are the one who inspires sweet speech. You are the forefront of all the worlds. May you grant us prosperity. Your radiant rays banish the darkness. You are the beautiful one who makes the day manifest. You are the one who grants good fortune. Your light spreads to the furthest extremity of Heaven and Earth. O those who are chanting the Hymns! The Goddess Usha is manifesting Herself before you. Bow in obeisance (respect) before her and chant Hymns to her. She is the one whose energy can be felt in the loftiest parts of Heaven. Usha is the preserver of Truth. Her rays perculate through the Heaven. Usha is the source of all prosperity. It is she who sustains the myriad (countless) hues (colors) of Heaven and Earth. It is the powerful Surya who sends Usha at the onset (start) of the day. Usha spreads herself in Heaven and on Earth. Usha is golden.”

This article is a snippet from the Book Essentials of Hinduism, Authored by G.S Nilakantan. Hinduism for All 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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