Essentials of Hinduism

Essentials of Hinduism

Rig Veda

Mandala 4

1) DADHIKRA:

Dadhikra is a mystical being, a bit like a horse. Dadhikra has been identified as a personification of the morning Sun. Heaven and Earth were regarded as the parents of Dadhikra. He is the one who brings welfare to all Mankind. He travels a straight path. The God Dadhikra is as fast as water flowing downhill. It is him that all men seek to please. May Dadhikra listen to our prayers and grant us boons.

2) GHRITA:

Ghrita is clarified butter. There is a Hymn in Rig Veda for Ghrita. Ghrita is poured into the fire as libation (the act of pouring a liquid as a sacrifice). Ghrita pleases the tongues of the gods and is like a heavenly drink. We praise Ghrita. May we worship it on the occasion of the sacrifice. May the Brahman listen to the prayers that we are chanting. The flows of clarified butter unite with Agni. (The three types of clarified butter signify milk, curd and butter. The creation of milk is ascribed to Indra, that of curds to Surya, and that of butter primarily to Agni).

MANDALA 5

1) APRIS:

Apris is a collective name for Gods and deified (sacred) objects. Many such deified objects are forms of Agni. Apri Suktas are recited prior to animal Sacrifices. Agni flames are full of energy and flare up well. Offer into the fire oblations the powerful clarified butter. Agni is the one who is praised by Men. May Agni inspire this Sacrifice. “O Agni! Be praised and offer us protection.”

2) MITRAVARUNA:

Mitra and Varuna are often addressed in unison as Mitravaruna. Mitra presides over the Day and Varuna over the Night. A Sukta is addressed to Mitravaruna. O Mitravaruna! Wonderful is your greatness. Both Mitra and Varuna are probably manifestations of Surya. But in this passage, Mitra seems to be identified with the Surya and Varuna with the Water. O powerful Mitravaruna! You are the ones who bear up the heaven and the earth through your energy. You are the ones who nourish and sustain trees and herbs. You are the ones who grant boons with quickness. You are the ones who make rain flow in torrents. O Mitravaruna! You are the source of strength. You protect the Earth in the way that Mantras protect a Sacrifice. You are the source of food grains. You remove all the impediments. You are capable of protecting us even when you are at a distance. The two of you combine to preserve righteous deeds through a sacrifice. May you grant us riches. O Mitravaruna! You are the protector of the Universe and the granters of excellent boons. We desire to obtain riches. Grant us these boons.

3) SAVITA:

Savita is a form of Surya; also, we can assume the meaning as Gayatri. A Sukta is addressed to Savita. The God Savita is great with intellect and learned. Learned ones devote their minds and their intellect to the worship of Savita. Savita is the one who knows the best of paths and the best of deeds. Savita is the one who can see far into the future. Savita is the God who has many forms. Savita is the Superior God who makes heaven manifest. When dawn comes, Savita makes his presence felt. All the Gods follow the path that is indicated by Savita. It is Savita who energizes the other Gods. Savita has great energy. “O Savita! You travel in the three radiant Worlds.

You are the one who is associated with the rays of the Surya. You approach the night from both directions (rising and setting). You nourish the Universe through your care. You are the king of all the Worlds.”

4) PARJANYA:

Parjanya is the God of Thunderstorms and Rain. There is a Sukta addressed to Parjanya. The clouds are strong and swift. They thunder and grant boons. “O men! Pray to the powerful clouds. Pray to them well. Chant their praise in all humility. Clouds lead to lightning and burn down trees. Such is the fury of clouds that the Universe trembles. Clouds shower down rain and preserve those who are Righteous. Parjanya encompasses the sky with Rain. Parjanya spurs on the clouds to shower down rain. Parjanya’s roar is like a Lion. It can be heard from a great distance. The clouds shower down the life force on Earth. It is then that the winds begin to blow. Lightning blazes and trees and herbs drink up the Water. The Sky itself is nourished. The Earth and the entire Universe is nourished and begins to prosper. It is the acts of the clouds that makes the Land fertile. It is the act of the clouds that make the living beings thrive. It is the acts of clouds that make trees and herbs grow. O Parjanya! May you grant us a lot of happiness.

O Maruts! Grant us rain from Heaven. Nourish us through the showers. O clouds! Come towards us with your thunder. Shower down rain and make life flourish. Make the clouds nurture us. O Parjanya! May you thunder and roar. Overturn your vessels of water so that we may have showers. May there be a lot of rains. The earth is pleased with your Action. O Parjanya! It has rained for many years. Now please withdraw your showers. You have made the deserts fertile. You have provided food for our delight in the form of trees and herbs. All the subjects have sung your praise.”

5) PRITHIVI (EARTH):

Prithivi is the Earth and there is a Sukta for Earth. “O Prithivi! You are the possessor of excellent qualities. You are Great! You satisfy living beings with your Greatness. You are indeed the one who bears aloft the Mountains. O Land! You are full of Energy. You roar like a horse when you accept rain from the clouds. Your Devotees sing your praise through the Hymns they chant. O Earth! There are clouds in Heaven and lightning streaks through them. It rains and it is your strength that sustains trees and herbs on the Ground.”

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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