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.