Essentials of Hinduism

Essentials of Hinduism

Rig Veda

Mandala 6

1) EFFICACY OF WORSHIP:

Obeisance is all Powerful. Obeisance is the pillar of Earth and Heaven. Obeisance to the Gods. With Obeisance, I expiate (amend) any wrong that I might have done them.

2) COWS:

There is a Sukta addressed to the cows ascribed to the Sage Bharadwaja. May cows come to our homes and may they ensure our welfare. May cows reside in their cowsheds and please us. Many are the forms that cows take, many the hues (colors). May the cows yield milk in the Morning so that offerings can be made to Indra, because, Indra is the one who enables sacrifices to be performed. May the cows be free from fear and roam the vast expanses at will. Cows are Wealth. The milk obtained from the Cows should be mixed with soma juice. “O men! These cows are nothing but forms of Indra. With great Devotion, I pray for the proximity of the Indra who is in these cows. O Cows! Make us strong. Make those who are ill and lean to be strong and handsome. Make our households happy. May you have calves. Eat soft grass and drink clear and transparent water from the ponds. May you not be possessed by sinners. O Indra! We have mixed cow milk with soma juice so that your strength is increased. It is very important to add a statement here that the Cows are considered sacred in Hinduism.”

3) PUSHA:

Pusha is a manifestation of Surya; that is, he is a Solar Deity. There is a Sukta addressed to the Pusha ascribed to the Sage Bharadwaja. Pusha acts as a guide on travels and protects Cows and other possessions. “O Pusha! You are the protector of all the routes. May you come and increase the wisdom of Mankind. Grant us the riches. Take us to the households where the residents are generous at heart. O Pusha! O learned and far-sighted one! May all our acts come to fruition. Bring wisdom to our hearts so that we may look upon everyone as equal. May our minds be purified and may all thoughts of evil be banished. May your wisdom be imparted to us. This is our desire. May we live in peace with the rest of the Mankind. May our hearts be directed towards that purpose.”

4) SARASWATI:

There is a Sukta addressed to Saraswati and it is ascribed to the Sage Bharadvaja. The Saraswati River tears down the highest peaks of Mountains with her torrents. Saraswati’s Waters have no bounds. They are swift and constantly on the move. The Waters roar as they move. With sincere Devotion, we pray to the Goddess Saraswati for our protection. She is the source of all foodgrains. May the one who protects our intelligence grant us protection. “O Goddess Saraswati! You are the source of strength. Grant us the riches. She is the one who desires to listen to our Prayers. Saraswati is a lover of Truth. Saraswati’s radiance is like the Surya during the Day. Saraswati is our beloved one. She deserves to be worshipped. She is the one who radiates energy in the atmosphere. May Saraswati protect us from those who criticize us. Saraswati resides in the three Worlds (Heaven, Atmosphere and the Earth). The Supreme Creator Himself gave birth to Saraswati. O Saraswati! May we not be denied your proximity. Accept our Devotion and our friendship. Please ensure that we do not forsake you.”

5) DYAVAPRITHIVI:

Dyavaprithivi is a word that connotes (to signify or suggest) Heaven and Earth together. There is a Sukta addressed to Dyavaprithivi ascribed to Sage Bharadwaja. Dyavaprithivi is full of Water and is the refuge of all the Worlds. Beautiful is Heaven and the Earth that never decays. Both these regions possess wonderful powers. Varuna is the one who decrees (pronounces) the rules that the Heaven and Earth adopt. “O Dyavaprithivi! The two of you are actually separate. You are full of water. You are full of milk. You ensure the performance of religious deeds. You are the source of sacred rites and clarified butter. You make this Universe manifest. Make the waters flow so that the welfare of Mankind can be ensured. O Dyavaprithivi! You are the ones who sustain everything. Many are the codes of conduct that emanate from you and they are all sacred. You are full of Water. You are great and you know no bounds. You are at the forefront to receive any oblations that an officiating Priest may make. Learned ones pray to you for the sake of happiness. You sustain fame, sacrifices and Divinity. May Heaven and Earth increase our strength. They are like our parents. They are the omniscient ones who ensure the performance of the best of deeds. Grant us strength and riches.”

6) BRIHASPATI:

Brihaspati is not quite a God. He is Divinity personified in the officiating priest. He is also the priest of the Gods. There is a Sukta addressed to Brihaspati. He is one of the first creations and he is the one who ensures the performance of righteous deeds. He is radiant with energy. His roar can be heard in Heaven and Earth. It is Righteousness that Brihaspati preserves in the sacrifices of the Gods. Brihaspati is invincible one.

7) WEAPONS OF WAR:

There is a Sukta addressed to the various weapons of War. The weapons can be briefly narrated as follows: Armor – a warrior dons this Armor for protection and goes to do the Battle; bow – used in the Battle; String of the Bow – string of the Bow is extended on the Bow; ends of the Bow – the two ends of the Bow help to pierce enemies in the Battle; the quiver – the quiver is the Father of many Arrows. The Arrows that come out of the quiver destroy the Soldiers of the enemy; Charioteer – an excellent charioteer sits on the Chariot and drives the horses where he wills; the Horses – the Horses are stronger than the bulls. They are very powerful and run swiftly with the Chariot; the Chariot – In the Chariot are kept all the Weapons. Armor too are kept on the Chariot; defenders of the Chariot – these are the ones who help and grant refuge in times of danger and they fight on the side of Righteousness; Various Gods – May Brahmanas, the Ancestors, Soma, Pusha and Dyavaprithivi protect us from sins and ensure our welfare; the Arrow – O Arrow! May you follow a straight path; the whip – whips are the ones who drives the Horses and inspire the Horses in the course of the Battle.

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.