The Importance of Veda in the Contemporary Society (I): Validity of the Veda

Saurav Sarmah

CEAS, SIS, JNU

ghimirey2000@gmail.com

Veda means knowledge. The word Veda is related to the Sanskrit root ‘vid’ meaning ‘to know’. So, it encompasses the entire corpus of knowledge, both phenomenal and numinous. Actually, knowledge is established through three primary epistemological premises, viz., sense perception, logical-mathematical inference and reliable testimony. However, when a subject employs inductive methodology to acquire knowledge, it is inhibited by four defects, viz., limited senses, illusory perception, mistaken inference and cheating propensity. As a result, inductive methodology cannot reliably establish any type of knowledge, let alone the ultimate conclusions on reality. (For instance, throughout history, men have died and they continue to die; but we can never conclude that man is mortal applying induction because there may be an unidentified man or a future man who will never die).

On the other hand, Veda is ‘apauruseya’ meaning that it is not a composition of any agency, whether human, divine or demonic. Indeed it is co-eternal with God: His very cognitive and contemplative function. Therefore, Veda is untouched by the four defects. The unauthored Veda, also known as ‘sruti’, remains in the mind of God and at the beginning of material creation, He gives this infallible knowledge to the seers or ‘drsta’ in the form of ‘mantra’ or sound vibrations because they are qualified by their sinless character. The entire cosmos along with the laws of nature is designed according to this knowledge. Thereafter, the ‘sruti’ (including both the exact sounds and their meanings) is received by the worthy disciples of the seers through the aural medium and they in turn, instruct the next generation of qualified disciples and so on. Thus, the Veda has been preserved and transmitted through generations in its exact form.

The Veda holds a unique status among all sources of knowledge that it is the authoritative parameter for establishing the validity of any other source of knowledge, which may be based on empiric, rational or prophetic evidence, because the Veda contains the perfect cognition and contemplative logic of God. Hence, even God respects its authority and His statements (like those in Bhagavad Gita) conform to the Vedic conclusions. Only in special circumstances, when He wants to delude the demons that He may criticize the Veda. (For instance, Lord Buddha preached atheism to stop animal slaughter in the pretence of Vedic injunctions).

Moreover, in the absence of Vedic authority, there would only remain contending and evolving schools of thought, with their separate gods, prophets, theologians, philosophers, etc. As a result, it would be impossible to create a universal standard of morality and the society would gradually degenerate to moral relativism, which means, each person would abide by his own whims and societal consensus, although uncertain and unreliable, would assume the guise of authority.

Due to the existence of the stated properties, the Vedic injunctions have to be accepted as self-evident or axiomatic standard of reality. However, one need not accept the Vedic authority on blind faith. It is not a revelation to a single person or a group of persons at a particular point in history and at a particular geographical location. It is an eternal tradition of plurality, which is based, not only on philosophical disputation but also progressive levels of self-realization. We can accept the Veda only if the stated results of its injunctions, according to the merit of place, time and object, are attained. Throughout the Vedic history, we have many instances of personalities who have lived according to the Vedic standard and achieved proper results, including the most conclusive realization of direct audience with God. Thus, the validity of Veda is established.

Independence Day Celebration

Deepak Chandra Saroj

SBT, JNU

deepak.sbt@gmail.com

According to contemporary history, our country (India) got freedom from the British government on 15 August, 1947. So, the Indians celebrate this day as the Independence Day with great pomp and show. The country remembers and pays tribute to those great patriots who sacrificed their lives to achieve the cherished goal of national independence. Unfortunately, the general mass of Indians is gradually losing its interest in the celebration of this landmark event and this day has become like any other ordinary holiday for most of the citizens.

So, the question arises, “Why is it so?” The answer comes in the form of another question, “Are we really independent?” There must be this doubt in the mind of any sensible person. In reality, we are not independent, even though our country achieved independence in 1947. Why?

Although people seek independence, they are frustrated due to ignorance of the reality. They have no idea about the actual controller of the world. An industrialist or a landlord may think, “I am the owner of so much property. I employ so many workers and produce so many goods. I am the independent controller.” But he forgets that he has to abide by the laws of the country and if he fails to fulfil his contractual obligations, he can be sued in the courts. The President of United States may think, “I am the most powerful man on earth. I control the largest stockpile of nuclear warheads. I am independent.” But he is dependent on the Congress for budgetary allocations, ratification of treaties and declaration of war; and if he violates the legal process, he can be impeached. So, the ownership of means of production or poltical power does not make someone the controller.

The Krishna Yajur Veda (Isopanishad 1) identifies the actual controller:

isavasyam idam sarvam

yat kinca jagatyam jagat

tena tyaktena bhunjitha

ma gridhah kasya svid dhanam

Everything within the universe, whether living or dead, is controlled and owned by God and so we should obey the laws of God. We should accept only those things necessary for ourselves (set aside as quota) and not seek ownership over things meant for others. Every person is bound by these laws, especially the conditions of birth, old-age, disease and death. Hence, only a fool thinks himself to be independent.

                     

Let us view this subject from another angle. The scientists generally think that they have discovered many great things leading to the advancement of civilization. Some discoveries are considered so great that the whole world acclaims them and the scientists involved are honoured with the Nobel Prize. It is ignored that these things already exist in nature and the scientists just come to know about them at some point in history. The scientific community dreams that it can manipulate the laws of nature by new discoveries and inventions and rid humanity of all suffering, even birth, old-age, disease and death. However, the scientists have failed repeatedly in their attempts. For instance, several of the drugs discovered previously are no longer effective due to development of drug-resistant pathogens. The rapid industrialization and urbanization in the last couple of centuries have led to global warming and destruction of our eco-system. The modern technology (fertilizers, pesticides and tractors) increased the agricultural yields for many years, but have caused gradual fall in productivity of the soil and polluted the water table. In order to overcome the new threats, the scientists concentrate on another generation of discoveries (like so-called green technology or genetically-modified crops), whose disastrous impact would not be perceivable until they are adopted on global scale for many years.

In reality, the laws of nature are controlled by God and under His direction; everything is repeatedly created, maintained for a time-period and then annihilated. This confirmed by the Bhagavad Gita 9.10 (in Mahabharata, Bhisma Parva):

mayadhyaksena prakrtih
suyate sa-caracaram
hetunanena kaunteya
jagad viparivartate

Only a person bewildered by false ego considers himself to be the doer of activities, because in actuality both rest and motion are determined by the laws of material nature. We are always under these laws, i.e., we are never independent. Therefore, we cannot claim to be the owner, controller or enjoyer (BG. 3.27):

prakrteh kriyamanani

gunaih karmani sarvasah

ahankara-vimudhatma

kartaham iti manyate

However, we must endeavour to understand the nature of real independence (discussed in BG 7.14):

daivi hy esa guna-mayi

mama maya duratyaya

mam eva ye prapadyante

mayam etam taranti te

The natural laws (under God’s direction) control the entire material existence, alongwith all the living species and entangle the latter in the cycle of birth and death. To overcome the material nature or escape the cycle of birth and death is an invincible task even for great personalities with material qualifications. Only a person who can achieve such a position is actually independent. This can be easily achieved by total surrender and dependence on God, which does not mean to become inactive, but rather to perform one’s duties according to the rules and regulations sanctioned by Him. God takes complete responsibility of such a surrendered soul and liberates him from material entanglement. Thus, in the real sense, to be independent means to gain independence from the material nature and to be in-dependence to God.