Rupa: I have come across this article Women in Vedas on an anti-Hindu site. On various sites where it is used to defame Hinduism or to compare the status of women in Vedas with other religion. When ever we speak of Vedas, our holy scriptures, this articles given is hurled against us. I kindly request you to clarify this confusion. Some of the words used are very deregatory but I have to present this to a learned person like you so it can help to remove doubts from many Hindus mind. So many can be educated and enlightened by your words. Thank You very much!
Rupa: I have come across this article Women in Vedas on an anti-Hindu site. On various sites where it is used to defame Hinduism or to compare the status of women in Vedas with other religion. When ever we speak of Vedas, our holy scriptures, this articles given is hurled against us. I kindly request you to clarify this confusion. Some of the words used are very deregatory but I have to present this to a learned person like you so it can help to remove doubts from many Hindus mind. So many can be educated and enlightened by your words. Thank You very much! I will be eagerly waiting for your reply.
Swami Ram Swarup: My blessings to you. I am also sorry such painful heart feelings/statements are being read. However, I have clarified the real meaning of Ved mantras in my several previous answers. Some of the answers are also appended below please.
Atharvaveda mantra 14/2/60:
The said Atharvaveda mantra has reference to context with previous number mantra i.e., 14/2/59
“YADIYAM DUHITA TAV VIKESHYRUDAD GRIHE RODEN KRINNVATYAGHAM
AGNISHTVA TASMADENSAHA SAVITA CHA PRAMUNCHTAAM.” (14/2/60)
(YADI) if (IDAM) this (TAV) your (DUHITA) daughter (VIKESHI) with open hair (RODEIN) while weeping (ADHAM) with sorrows (KRINNVATI) doing (GRIHE) in house (ARUDAT) weeps then(AGNIHI) the glorious, learned person of the house/acharya (CHA) and (SAVITA) along with the faith in the Almighty God (TVA) you (TASMAT) with the (AINESAHA) sorrows (PRA) completely (MUNCHTAAM) liberate/release/free.
Meaning: Oh Family holder! If your daughter while weeping with open hair and doing/producing sorrows weeps in her house then the learned, head of the family/acharya alongwith the faith in God should release you from the said sorrows, i.e., one should take the shelter of the learned acharya to liberate/free oneself from sorrows.
Atharvaveda mantra 20/96/15:
YASTVA BHRAATA PATIRBHOOTVA JAARO BHOOTVA NIPADYATE.
PRAJAM YASTE JINGHASATI TAMITO NASHYAMASI.
Oh Woman! (YAH) anyone who (JAARAH) immoral (BHRAATA) brother (BHOOTVA) becoming or (BHOOTVA) becoming (PATIHI) husband (NIPADYATE) come (TVA) to you or (YAH) who so ever cruel person (JINGHASATI) wants to kill (TE) your (PRAJAM) children (TAM) he (NASHYAMASI) should be destroyed (ITAHA) from here.
Meaning: Oh Woman! If any brother or husband becoming immoral come to you or any cruel person wants to kill your children, he –they must be destroyed from here i.e., from your house.
Rigveda mantra 10/18/8:
UDEERSHVA NARYABHI JEEVLOKAM GATASUMETAMUPA SHESH EHI.
HASTGRABHASYA DIDHISHOSTAVEDAM PATYURJANITVAMABHI SAM BABHOOTHA.
(NARI) Oh Widow! You (ETAM) this (GATASUM) leaving the dead (JEEVLOKAM)alive husband (ABHYEHI) get.
Meaning: – If a widow is able to get child then she must leave the dead and get.
(HASTAGRABHASYA) husband you got your hand in marriage (DIDHISHOHO PATYUHU TAV IDAM JANITVAM UDEERSHVA) who for the dead husband and for yourself produce (ABHI SAMBABHOOTH) so by this procedure become happy.
Meaning: You produce the children for your departed husband and yourself and thus become happy.
The idea of the mantra is that the widow can produce the children from another person. She can thus retain in her departed husband’s house and the children who take birth would get the name of her departed husband.
Rigveda mantra 10/18/7:
“IMA NARIRVIDHWAHA SUPATNIRAANJANEIN SARPISHA SAM VISHANTU.
ANASHRAVOANAMEEVAHA SURATNA AA ROHANTU JANYO YONIMAGREY.”
(IMAHA) those (AVIDHWAHA) who are not widows (SUPATNI NARI) have their husband and are good charactered women (AANJANEIN SARPISHA SAMVISHANTU) use the water to wash the eyes, mouth and becoming (ANASHRAVAHA ANAMEEVAHA SURATNAHA JANYAHA AGREY YONIM AA ROHANTU) without tears and the girls also becoming without tears i.e., without weeping must already come back to their houses.
Idea: Those widows and the girls who were accompanied with the dead bodies to the final resting place must return first to their house after washing their eyes and mouth and becoming tearless i.e., they must not weep.
Rigveda mantra 5/47/6:
Pertains to the adorable women and men who by maintaining the celibacy first attain the knowledge (worldly and spiritual) and then enter married life and get the best children. Thereafter, they educate the children well in worldly and spiritual fields.So, how Vedas can say that fifty slave girls be donated to Trasdasyu, etc. In the mantra (MATRAHA) word has also been used, the meaning of which is adorable mother who gives birth to the learned children.
Atharvaveda mantra 6/11/3:
This mantra relates to women. (PRAJAPATIHI) Protector of public (ANUMATIHI) who is follower of the thought of husband. (SEENIVALI) who has the plenty of food grains and the best use there of (ACHEEKLRIPT) capable/powerful.
Idea is that the woman who has the said quality, Prajapati, Anumati and Seenivali becomes self-sufficient, capable, powerful to carry out moral duties and to give birth to the intelligent babies.
(STRAISHUYAM) the said woman for giving birth to baby and (ANYATR) keeping the baby at different places, (U) i.e., (Ukar word of hindi devnagari) definitely (IHA) here i.e., in this world (PUMANSAM DADHAT) gives birth to brave male baby.
Meaning/Idea of the mantra: It has been eternal tendency in the world to obtain brave male babies for the protection of the nation. Yajurveda mantra 22/22 too states to get male member also in the shape of Brahmin who knows Vedas and yoga philosophy to educate the nation well, Kshatriya to protect the nation well and the vaishya/Mahajan to have control and well distribution on every needful item of the household i.e., their business must suits the nation. Similarly in the mantra, it is stated that brave women must be there to help their husbands. The said Yajurveda mantra states that PURANDHIHI YOSHA i.e., the learned women must also take birth in the nation who are capable to hold several public i.e., to nurse several public well in the nation. The society must be learned to think deeply on the above quoted Atharvaveda mantra also that who gives birth to brave sons. Definitely a woman having qualities quoted in the mantra gives birth and then only nation is protected well. So we should never have any bad thought against girl/woman. Otherwise it would be a great sin and God punishes.
The idea of Rigveda mantra 8/33/17 does not indicate that the mind of a lady is unintelligent, brooks no discipline etc. But the idea of the said mantra is that if a learned husband realises that the thoughts of his wife are not compatible with him then as per next mantra the responsibility of the learned husband is more than the lady to cooperate with his wife. Actually, in mantra 8/33/17 it is pointed out that if the wife in any case is not capable to meet with the requirements of her learned husband then next mantra quoted above states that to maintain compatibility, the responsibility lies on the husband. In no case, the wife has been declared unintelligent in Vedas. On the contrary, in next Rigveda mantra 8/33/19 it is stated:
“ISTREE HI BRAHMA BABHOOVITH”
i.e., the woman, in the house of her husband, is placed at the status of Brahma. Here, it shall not be out of place mention to that in Atharvaveda God states that he who steels away a small portion of any ved mantra, he is punished. I mean to say, now it is time to channelize India’s concentration towards study of four Vedas completely and not in pieces. At one stage, Vedas state that Vedas are afraid of the man/woman who do not study the Vedas completely. As a result, they misinterpret Vedas. Our country was called as “VISHWAGURU” i.e., spiritual master of entire world, based on Vedas’ knowledge only.
Rigveda mantra 10/95/15:
(PURURAVAHA) He who gives order to number of army troops under him i.e., commander of army/king (Ma) not (MRITAHA) meet with death.
Meaning/Idea: Oh King! Do not meet with death uselessly. (MA) not (PRA PAPTAHA) fall in a pit.
Meaning/Idea: Do not meet with downfall in your life. (VRIKASAHA) wolves (MA) not (TVA) you (ASHEEVASAHA) unauspicious/not beneficial (U KSHANN) definitely eat away.
Meaning/Idea: Oh king! The unauspicious wolves may not definitely eat you away. (STRAINNANI) with regards to lady (SAKHYANI) friendly connection i.e., worldly love (NA VAI) never (SANTI) permanently established i.e., are not auspicious.
Meaning/idea: Relations with lady based on worldly love only are never established permanently i.e., are never auspicious. (ETA) the said relations (HRIDYANI) are like a cruel heart (SALA VRIKANNAM) of wolves who attack forcefully.
Idea: The idea of the mantra is that when a man becomes sensuous and makes contact with several ladies or makes several sexual contacts with his wife even then he loses his mental as well as physical power and meets with early death uselessly. Even in some cases, he commits suicide. Some people go to the jungles where they commit suicide and their body flesh is eaten away by wild animals like wolves etc. So, the mantra warns against the sexual attachment with ladies and maintains Brahamcharya stage in family life like several Rishi-Munis, Shri Ram, Shri Krishna Maharaj etc. Mahabharat clearly states that Satyawati had two sons- Chitrangad and Vichitraveerya. One of his son was actually sensuous who met with early death due to fatal diseases. In the present world also, There are several cases of such instances. God does not allow the lady to be seen with bad intention mainly sexual. Physical charms never make everlasting love/relations. It is only a
love which based on soul and the said love is everlasting. The sexual relation is like an attack of cruel wolves who eat the flesh of his hunt cruelly and immediately. Thus, the uncontrolled sexual relation with lady/ladies attack the body of man to eat it badly and immediately. One should have a Vedic target of family life to increase pure love and to get only children and not mere sexual pleasure.
The fundamental law of Vedas can never be changed wherein a woman has not been declared as a subject matter of insult, ridicule or untouchability unless declared characterless. Therefore the real meaning has not been understood that what Rishi in Shatpath Brahmin Granth states. Only some portion of the granth i.e., shloka 14/1/1/31 has been considered. The meaning is as under :
In Shatpath Brahmin Granth kand 14 chapter 1 Brahmin 1 the story states regarding how to perform a yajyen i.e., how to perform and complete a yajyen. Therefore, in the chapter there is a preach to avoid sins while performing Yajyen. For example in shloka 29 it is stated that take warm water, must not take non-vegetarian, be a tapsvi. Similarly in shloka 31 it is preached that while learning/studying Vedas and performing holy Yajyen brahamcharya (celibacy) must be adopted and should not therefore, touch women ( to maintain Brahamcharya). So is the case of Shudra (i.e., he who is not educated, does not do pious deeds, takes non-vegetarian, addiction, sits in bad society etc.). Such shudras should not be accompanied and touched strictly during Yajyen otherwise Yajyen gets disrupted and wasted away. If Shatpath Brahmin Granth prohibits touching of women then why further in chapter 1, Brahmin 2 sholka 7 it is stated that I accept the woman (i.e., touches
you and ask you to sit with me to perform Yajyen).
Vedas devolve equal rights on males and females and do not even allow generation of hatred among living beings, then what to talk about females who have been awarded the greatest title of “Brahma” vide Rigveda mantra 8/33/19 Brahma means he who creates the living beings and the women too. Vedas also state “MATA NIRMATRI BHAVATI i.e., she alone is the power who builds the future of her children.”
Vedas only prohibit to have contact with females in the days of monthly problems with the sole aim of maintaining purity along with giving long life to husband vide Manusmriti shloka 4/40-42.
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It is also pertinent to mention here that whenever any granth or holy book is studied then at that time fundamentals of Vedas should be kept in mind and if any contradiction is seen between Vedas and those granths then such contradictory views of other granths will have to condemned and ignored immediately, based on Yog Shastra Sutra 1/7 and Sankhya Shastra Sutra 1/66 and Atharvaveda mantra 7/105/1.
There may be contradictions in views stated in a granth other than Vedas but You will never find any contradictory mantras in Vedas. I mean to say that there are no antagonistic views in Vedas where at one place it is stated that God is everywhere then it can not be stated in some other mantra that God resides in one place.
Similarly, when Vedas have stated that female enjoys equal rights viz-a viz man than how Vedas can contradict the said fundamental?
Please also read Vedas A Divine light Pt III worth Rs. 100/- in which pious duties of women mentioned in Vedas have also been briefed.
Spiritualism never says to use insulting derogatory words to others which harm the humanity. So we must continue through e-mails etc., the matters with sweet dialogue and truth shall prevail. Our India has indulged in illusion just after Mahabharat war when the eternal knowledge of Vedas which emanates direct from God started decreasing. At present several saints are against the Vedas and thus the house was burnt by its own lamp. Uptil the time of Mahabharat war, no present sects existed. There prevailed only Vedas knowledge for entire world. As a result, unity, love, cooperation, brotherhood and justice etc., was prevalent everywhere. So we must again try to spread the knowledge of Vedas, respecting other sects as well, to promote international brotherhood for which we will have to revert back to the study and gaining the knowledge of four Vedas and adopt it practically in every step of our life then only will we be able to achieve the ancient and
original title devolved over India i.e., “VISHWA GURU” (spiritual master of the world) and “SONE KI CHIDIYA” (golden bird). you may sent any remarks which hurt humanity to highlight the eternal truth. My blessings to you for a long happy life, my daughter.
Narender: How did Shirdi Sai Baba get powers without studying Vedas and without doing yoga and how he became so popular? I am planning to visit Ved Mandir to study about Vedas, want to learn yoga and doing hawan. Is it possible in your presence?
Swami Ram Swarup: Sorry my dear son, I do not know about it because Vedas only tell to worship of a formless God who is omnipresent, omniscient, almighty, creates, nurse and destroys the universe and again creates. I follow the eternal Vedic path as was followed by Sri Ram, Sri Krishna Maharaj, several ancient kings, rishis-munis etc. The knowledge of Vedas emanates direct from God, please. Your views to come here to Ved Mandir are highly appreciated. You know Vedas tell that when God blesses then he inspires the aspirant to go to Yajshala, do havan and listen to eternal knowledge of Vedas and yoga philosophy and to get the doubts cleared if any. The said process is called a great Tapsya of the aspirant which kills several bad effects of the deeds of previous and present lives. Your decision to come here has also given me a personal pleasure. Yes, please I shall remain available especially in May and June every year here during which time annual yajyen of four Vedas is held daily for two months and Yog shivir is arranged. So you are also welcome please. If possible by that time you may study the following simple books on Vedic and yoga knowledge. The books will be sent immediately on receipt of your postal address if you so desire:
1. Vedanta and Eternal Vedas’ Philosophy Pt I & II
2. Yoga A Divine Vedas Philosophy
3. Vedas A Divine Light Pt I & III
My blessings to you for a long happy life.
Rashmi Sahu: Further please give the correct translation of following mantras with meaning of words:
Atarv veda 3/81, 14/1, 14/2/60, 20/96/15,
Rig veda 3/81, 10/59, 10/18/8, 10/8/81, Rig Veda 6/27/8, 10:18:7:). Did King
Trasdasyu had given 50 slave girls. It was custom to present slave girls to Saubhri Kandav (Rig Veda 8/38, 5/47/6).
Guru ji further I request you to give me authentic translation of following mantras with meaning. These translation are by Griffith, a westerner who has interpreted Vedas.
Swami Ram Swarup: Atharvaveda mantras 3/81 and 14/1 are not there, please. Please, quote correct number.
Now, Atharvaveda mantra 14/2/60:
The said Atharvaveda mantra has reference to context with previous number mantra i.e., 14/2/59
“YADIYAM DUHITA TAV VIKESHYRUDAD GRIHE RODEN KRINNVATYAGHAM
AGNISHTVA TASMADENSAHA SAVITA CHA PRAMUNCHTAAM.” ( 14/2/60)
(YADI) if (IDAM) this (TAV) your (DUHITA) daughter (VIKESHI) with open hair (RODEIN) while weeping (ADHAM) with sorrows (KRINNVATI) doing (GRIHE) in house (ARUDAT) weeps then(AGNIHI) the glorious, learned person of the house/acharya (CHA) and (SAVITA) along with the faith in the Almighty God (TVA) you (TASMAT) with the (AINESAHA) sorrows (PRA) completely (MUNCHTAAM) liberate/release/free.
Meaning: Oh Family holder! If your daughter while weeping with open hair and doing/producing sorrows weeps in her house then the learned, head of the family/acharya alongwith the faith in God should release you from the said sorrows, i.e., one should take the shelter of the learned acharya to liberate/free oneself from sorrows.
Atharvaveda mantra 20/96/15:
YASTVA BHRAATA PATIRBHOOTVA JAARO BHOOTVA NIPADYATE.
PRAJAM YASTE JINGHASATI TAMITO NASHYAMASI.
Oh Woman! (YAH) anyone who (JAARAH) immoral (BHRAATA) brother (BHOOTVA) becoming or (BHOOTVA) becoming (PATIHI) husband (NIPADYATE) come (TVA) to you or (YAH) who so ever cruel person (JINGHASATI) wants to kill (TE) your (PRAJAM) children (TAM) he (NASHYAMASI) should be destroyed (ITAHA) from here.
Meaning: Oh Woman! If any brother or husband becoming immoral come to you or any cruel person wants to kill your children, he –they must be destroyed from here i.e., from your house.
The Rigveda mantras 3/81, 10/59, 10/8/81 do not exist.
Rigveda mantra 10/18/8:
UDEERSHVA NARYABHI JEEVLOKAM GATASUMETAMUPA SHESH EHI.
HASTGRABHASYA DIDHISHOSTAVEDAM PATYURJANITVAMABHI SAM BABHOOTHA.
(NARI) Oh Widow! You (ETAM) this (GATASUM) leaving the dead (JEEVLOKAM)alive husband (ABHYEHI) get.
Meaning: If a widow is able to get child then she must leave the dead and get.
(HASTAGRABHASYA) husband you got your hand in marriage (DIDHISHOHO PATYUHU TAV IDAM JANITVAM UDEERSHVA) who for the dead husband and for yourself produce (ABHI SAMBABHOOTH) so by this procedure become happy.
Meaning: You produce the children for your departed husband and yourself and thus become happy.
The idea of the mantra is that the widow can produce the children from another person. She can thus retain in her departed husband’s house and the children who take birth would get the name of her departed husband.
Rigveda mantra 10/18/7:
“IMA NARIRVIDHWAHA SUPATNIRAANJANEIN SARPISHA SAM VISHANTU.
ANASHRAVOANAMEEVAHA SURATNA AA ROHANTU JANYO YONIMAGREY.”
(IMAHA) those (AVIDHWAHA) who are not widows (SUPATNI NARI) have their husband and are good charactered women (AANJANEIN SARPISHA SAMVISHANTU) use the water to wash the eyes, mouth and becoming (ANASHRAVAHA ANAMEEVAHA SURATNAHA JANYAHA AGREY YONIM AA ROHANTU) without tears and the girls also becoming without tears i.e., without weeping must already come back to their houses.
Idea:
Those widows and the girls who were accompanied with the dead bodies to the final resting place must return first to their house after washing their eyes and mouth and becoming tearless i.e., they must not weep.
Rigveda 6/27/8:
The said mantra relates to the present king, please. If the king/leader is perfect in his behaviour and knowledge and if he is a religious minded and makes the entire public fearless and gives justice to them then he attains unlimited fame/glory.
Rigveda mantra 8/38 does not exist.
Rigveda mantra 5/47/6:
Pertains to the adorable women and men who by maintaining the celibacy first attain the knowledge (worldly and spiritual) and then enter married life and get the best children. Thereafter, they educate the children well in worldly and spiritual fields.
So, how Vedas can say that fifty slave girls be donated to Trasdasyu?
In the mantra (MATRAHA) word has also been used, the meaning of which is adorable mother who gives birth to the learned children.
The correct explanation of Rigveda mantra has already been given above and you can compare it to the translation given by you.
My blessings to you.
Actually, people do not study the Vedas completely and do not know Sanskrit grammer and hence problem.
Atharvaveda mantra 6/11/3:
The translation of this mantra has already been made and given to you.
Also, the Rigveda mantra 8/33/17 and 10/95/15 have already been sent to you.
In Rigveda mantras 8/38/1 to 10, the duties of the Brahmin i.e., learned of Vedas and Kshatriyas i.e., who have strength in their arms to protect the country and maintain justice, have been briefed. It is especially stated that the said dignitaries should never ignore the orders of the Almighty God mentioned in Vedas. Nothing wrong has been mentioned in the mantras, however explaining them being a lengthy job, it will be done later on.
Rigveda mantra 8/38/1:- Devta Indragni
Devta means subject. Subject of this mantra is “Indra and Agni”. The meaning of Indra here is king/leader who has to rule and deed of Agni is to do Yajyen. So, here the meaning of Agni is Brahmin who performs Yajyen.
Rigveda mantra 8/38/1:
“YAJASYA HI STHA RITVIJA VAJESHU KARMSU.
INDRAGNI TASYA BODHTAM.”
(INDRAGNI) Oh! Kshatriya and Brahmin /king (TASYA) his i.e., the preach of God (BODHTAM) be known.
Meaning: It has been a fundamental law of God in Vedas that a nation is ruled by a Kshatriya king using his power and the knowledge of pure politics and governance should be attained from a Brahmin. The king must himself be a learned of Vedas. So knowledge to rule over the country as stated in the Vedas must be known and be made applicable in the public by both i.e., kshatriya and Brahmin. (He) because you (STHA) both are the (RITVIJ) Ritvij means he who performs holy yajyen with ved mantras. That is why he is a learned of Vedas. (YAJASYA) of all pious deeds. (SASNEE) You are pure are (KARMASU) are entitled to do deeds regarding (VAJESHU) war and knowledge. So, king/leader and Brahmin of the country must be learned of Vedas/yajyen and Almighty God. They must perform holy yajyen daily and listen to Vedas. Then only will they be able to control their senses, perceptions and mind and would always avoid to commit sins. Hence, they shall be addressed as “SASNEE” i.e., pure leaders and entitled to do the deeds of warrior in battlefield and also be called most knowledge able as stated in the mantra. There personal as well as social lives would also be purest and ideal. As a result, they will spread the knowledge in the country and will protect the country well and would make the nation strong. Our ancient granths like Mahabharat, Valmiki Ramayan etc., state that Sri Ram, Sri Krishna maharaj, several ancient kings and their subjects were learned of Vedas. Kings along with Brahmins made their country strong, protected well. Their nation and the subjects of their kingdom were always contented and happy. So, present leaders and Brahmins of our nation must revive vedic culture/knowledge in the nation wherein pure politics has been briefed to serve the public well.
8/38/2:- DEVTA= INDRAGNI.
“TOSHASA RATHYAVANA VRITRAHANNAPARAJITA INDRAGNI TASYA BODHTAM”
(INDRAGNI) Oh! Kshatriya and Brahmin/King and Brahmin (TASYA) his i.e., preach of God (BODHTAM) be known. You are (APARAJITA) invincible amongst (RATHYAVANA) moving on chariots (VRITRAHANNAU) destroyer/annihilator of all obstacles etc.
Meaning: Oh Kshatriya and Brahmin! both of you should know the preach of God in Vedas that you are invincible amongst those moving on chariots i.e., warriors who are against you, moving on chariots. You are destroyer/annihilator of all obstacles etc.
Idea: A king/political leaders and all Brahmins of nation must be learned of Vedas. As a result, they should know that they are capable to destroy the obstacles, sorrows, problems etc., of public. So, they should never be indulged in illusion or laziness while discharging their duties. They must protect the public.
(iii) 8/38/3 DEVTA- INDRAGNI.
“IDAM VAAM MADIRAM MADHVADHUKSHANADRIBHIRNARAH.
INDRAGNI TASYA BODHTAM.”
(INDRAGNI) Oh! Kshatriya and Brahmin/King and Brahmin (TASYA) his i.e., preach of God (BODHTAM) be known. That (VAAM) for you (NARAHA) the public (ADHUKSHAN) cultivates the (MADIRAM) pleasure giving (MADHU) sweet, sacculent matters (IDAM) the (KRISHI) agricultural products, etc.
Meaning: The kshatriya/political leaders- Brahmins of a nation must be careful about the agricultural deeds that the public is paying full attention to cultivate the same for the nation. They should cooperate well with the public and must destroy any obstacle which hinders the productivity of crops.
(iv) 8/38/4- DEVTA- INDRAGNI.
“JUSHETHAM YAJMISHTYE SUTAM SAM SADHASTUTI.
INDRAGNI AA GATAM NARA.”
(NARA) Oh! leader of public (INDRAGNI) Oh! Kshatriya and Brahmin/King and Brahmin (SADHASTUTI) you are adorable along with public (JUSHETHAM) by protecting us (YAJYAM) you should do yajyen and (AA GATAM) come here to us (EESHTAYE) for performing yajyen and (SUTAM SOMAM) to drink our production i.e., som rus.
Meaning: Oh Kshatriya/leaders of public and Brahmins! You are adorable along with public. We heartily invite so please, come to us to perform Yajyen and to drink our production in the shape of som rus and protect us, our Yajyen and acts of our pious deeds.
Idea: King and Brahmin, both must attend the holy Yajyen arranged by public as was done by several ancient kings like Sri Ram, Sri Krishna maharaj, Dasrath, Janak, Harishchandra, Bharat, Yudhisthir etc. Then only the unity will be established all over the world and ravages of haterd spread by fundamentalism be obliterated.
8/38/5- DEVTA-INDRAGNI.
“IMA JUSHETHAM SAVANA YEBHIRHAVYANYUHATHUH.
INDRAGNI AA GATAM NARA.”
(NARA) Oh leader of public! (INDRAGNI) Oh Kshatriya and Brahmin/King and Brahmin! (JUSHETHAM) do/perform (IMA) these (SAVYajyen i.e., Prataha savan, madhyan din savan and sanyein savan. (YEIHI) by whom i.e., by the said three Yajyen (UHUTHUHU) here and there i.e., everywhere spread. (HAVYANI) all the matters which are offered/donated in the Yajyen.
Meaning: Oh leader of public, kshatriya and Brahmin! (both lead the public to do pious deeds, agricultural activities, educational pursuits including science and thus guide the, public that while performing Yajyen and discharging moral duties towards family, society and nation strive to attain salvation) Do these three Yajyen viz Prataha savan, madhyan din savan and sanyein savan, i.e.. morning Yajyen, afternoon Yajyen and evening Yajyen to spread everywhere all the matters which are offered in the Yajyen.
Idea: By performing the Yajyen, the aahuti of ghee and other pious matters is offered in fire and all the matters are thus spread everywhere in the space and thus become beneficial to the public. Timely rains are caused and purification of atmosphere is done. Also, donation are made in big yajyen to warriors and Brahmins and kings etc. So, full protection of doing pious deed like yajyen etc., must be given by kings/political leaders and Brahmins to the public. This enables to spread knowledge and message of Vedas to entire country. This in turn maintains permanent peace.
8/38/6-DEVTA- INDRAGNI
“IMAAM GAYATRAVARTANIM JUSHETHAM SUSHTUTIM MAMA.
INDRAGNI AA GATAM NARA.”
(NARA) Oh leader of public! (INDRAGNI) Oh Kshatriya and Brahmin/King and Brahmin! You both(AAGATAM) should come here i.e., in society. (JUSHETHAM) to do/get (MAM) my (IMAAM) this (SUSHTUTIM) wonderful Vedic praise of God (GAYATRAVARTNIM) which is connected with Gayatri chchand i.e., Ved mantras.
Meaning: Oh leader of public, kshatriya (political leader) and Brahmin! We heartily invite and hence you should come here i.e., in society to get this wonderful Vedic praise of God which is connected with Gayatri chchand i.e., Ved mantras.
Idea: Mantra states that whenever the loving public of king/leader invites the king/leader and Brahmins to participate in holy Yajyen regarding any pious function, they should go to attend it pleasantly. All the ancient kings had been following the said Vedic path. Naturally, the king/leaders and Brahmins of the nation would listen to the problems of public if any and would remove them then and there and hence the protection of public is taken care of.
8/38/7-DEVTA- INDRAGNI
“PRATARYAVABHIR AA GATAM DEVEBHIRJENYAVASU.
INDRAGNI SOMAPEETAYE.”
(INDRAGNI) Oh! Kshatriya and Brahmin/King and Brahmin (JENYAVASU) you hold the treasure/wealth of victory, you both (AAGATAM) should come because we heartily invite you (DEVEBHIHI) along with the learned dignitaries (PRATARYAVABHIHI) who go in the morning (SOMPEETAYE) to drink som rus.
Meaning: Oh kshatriya/political leader and Brahmin! You both should come because we heartily invite you along with the learned dignitaries who go in the morning to drink som rus.
Idea: Here the meaning of Jenyavasu is the king/leader/chief commander of the army who achieve the treasure/wealth which is capable for victory. So, leader of the nation and Brahmin must acquire money by means of taxes etc., from the public to spend it for the public and to establish strong army to protect the nation. The money of the nation must be used always for the benefit of the public in all fields like education, agriculture, justice, eradication of poverty, to overcome blind faith, falsehood, corruption etc., dishonour of females etc. Such wealth as stated in Vedas is called “RAYEE” which always gives peace and pleasure. And “RAYEE” i.e., such wealth is attained by hard working and simultaneously by performing yajyen as is being stated in Ved mantras. Mere hard earning has never been a source of maintaining peace of pleasure amongst public.
8/38/8-DEVTA- INDRAGNI
“SHYAVASHVASYA SUNVATOTRINAM SHRINUTAM HAVAM.
INDRAGNI SOMAPEETAYE.”
(INDRAGNI) Oh Kshatriya and Brahmin/King and Brahmin! You both (SHRINNUTUM) must listen (HAVAM) the request/appeal of (SHYAVASHVASYA) diseased persons and (ATRINNAM) orphans, who donot have parents, brothers, friends etc., and (SUNVATAHA) yet they are indulged in doing pious deeds and (SOM PEETAYE) and also come here, on our heartiest invitation to drink som rus.
Meaning: Oh Kshatriya/political leader and Brahmin! You both must listen to the request/appeal of all especially diseased persons, orphans, who donot have parents, brothers, friends etc., and yet they are always indulged in doing pious deeds. Both of you come here, on our heartiest invitation to drink som rus.
Idea: Here the meaning of som rus is to experience the divine pleasure of listening to Vedas and performing Yajyen including to take the pious food which is called “YAJYEN SHESH AMRIT” in Atharvaveda mantra 8/2/1.
If king/leader and Brahmin would be of a nature to go to the public on their invitation, to attend holy Yajyen, where after, offering the aahutis of Ved mantras in the presence of Brahmins/Brahma everybody listens to Vedas and the message of all political/social/economical spheres. Then naturally the king/ruler of the country would be learned and would be able to know to pay his personal attention first on the sick and the orphans for their betterment and thus beggary will be stopped automatically which is great problem faced by world today.
We must also pay our attention to this mantra wherein it is stated that the sick and the orphans are not beggars but are always indulged in doing pious deeds and thus they deserve to obtain cooperation from king and Brahmin. But it is our bad luck now that due to the lack of study of Vedas and preach of Vedas in public, mostly diseased/orphans, lame/handicapped etc., have got indulged in begging and to our surprise some dangerous gangs exploit these orphans etc., to make earning out of them and they even kidnap small children and make them handicapped to make them do such deeds. This sin must be destroyed all over from the country by Government and intellectuals. God has given this message of social revolution through this mantra. Such rules and regulations should be enforced by administrative authorities that the orphans and diseased persons do not resort to begging in society from their childhood.
8/38/9-DEVTA- INDRAGNI
“EVA VAMAHVA UTAYE YATHAHUVANTA MEDHIRAHA.
INDRAGNI SOMPEETAYE.”
(INDRAGNI) Oh Kshatriya and Brahmin/King and Brahmin! (YATHA) Just like in the manner/purpose/motto (MEDHIRAHA) learned dignitaries (VAAM AHUVANTA) invite you (EV) in the same way I also (SOMPEETAYE) invite you for drinking sorrows and for (UTAYEY) protection.
Meaning: Oh Kshatriya/political leader and the Brahmin! Just like in the manner learned dignitaries invite you, in the same way, I also invite you to come here for drinking som rus and for protection.
Idea: King/leader and Brahmin should not discriminate between rich and poor, learned and ignorant. They should be viewing everyone equally i.e., they should be impartial. Also, they should try their level best to make the ignorant learned. Therefore, vast expenditure should also be reserved to arrange and give best education to the nation including children and adult.
8/38/10-DEVTA- INDRAGNI
“AAHAM SARASWATIVATORINDRAGNYORAVO VRINNE YABHYAM GAYATRAMRICHYATE.”
(YABHYAM) for those [Indra and agni i.e., kshatriya/political leader and Brahmin] (GAYATRAM RICHYATE) is sung Gayatri Sam (SARASWATIVATOHO) before those fully learned/intellectuals (INDRAGNYOHO) kshatriya and Brahmins (AHAM) I (VRINNEY) pray (AVAHA) for my protection and help.
Meaning: For those i.e., kshatriya and Brahmins is sung Gayatri Sam i.e., in their honour Gayatri Sam song is sung before those fully learned/intellectuals, kshatriyas and Brahmins, I pray for my protection and help.
Idea: This is an eternal way of Vedas that every person of public should go to the king/learned Brahmin to tell his problems, legal and pious requirements etc., and the king and Brahmins must listen to them and provide them relief. If king of the nation would not listen to public problems then where the public would go to tell her problems and then why the king/government extracts money from the public in the shape of taxes etc. Also, the king must be a learned i.e., he should have taken the moral and political education from institutions and simultaneously Vedic education under guidance of learned acharya of Veda as was done by Sri Ram, Sri Krishna Maharaj, etc., who proved to be saviours of world. If the king of the nation does not follow Vedic path then he will not be able to discharge his moral obligations towards his subjects. As a result, he may be selfish, lazy, proud, greedy, credulous etc., and would not listen to public. Then public would be
like a fearful, helpless, weak sparrow before a hawk as stated in Yajurveda mantra 23/22.
In Yajurveda mantra 23/19 there is no mention about women. So degradation of women doesnot arise. The devta of this mantra is Ganpati i.e., Almighty God so description in the mantra relates to God and not women.
In the mantra (Gannanam) means who is Supreme, amongst all the matters of universe, i.e., God and (Gannapatim) means he who is Supreme Lord of the matters of the universe i.e., God , (TWA) means you i.e., God, HAWAMAHEY means accept that is accept for worship. Idea of the mantra is one should always worship the God who is Supreme commander of the universe, who is omniscient and Almighty.
The misunderstanding can arise due to wording i.e., “PRIYANNAM PRIYAPATIM TVA HAWAMAHEY” where the meaning of pati is lord/master of universe. So, meaning will be Oh! God (PRIYANNAM) amongst the loved ones you are (PRIYAPATIM) the supreme, loving lord/master. So, we (HAWAMAHEY) accept (TVA) you. (NIDHINAM) in the education/knowledge and matters etc., and care taker thereof (NIDHIPATIM) is master os all the worldly matters so we (HAWAMAHEY) accept (TVAM) you for worship(VASO) Oh! omnipresent in all matters of world—God (MAMA) kindly become my judge (GARBHADHAM) the Prakriti in the shape of womb, from where the universe is generated (non-alive matter is generated) i.e., in you (GARBHADHAM) the said Prakriti (AJANI) should be known by me.
Hence, idea of the mantra is that we must worship the Almighty God who creates, nurses and gives glory, who is lord of Prakriti and who holds all the seeds (i.e., matter from which universe is originated).
Similarly, idea of Yajurveda mantra 23/20 is that when relation between king and praja (public) is established as father and son, then only peace is maintained and Arth (finance), Dharma (righteousness), Kaam (fulfilment of pious desires) and Moksha (final liberation) is attained. So, the king, who is justiciable, must make effort to increase pleasure/happiness and enhance strength/power of public. Also, public should make efforts to increase the same in respect of king. Now, the idea of Yajurveda mantra 23/21 is that the king should do justice to men and women and the bad charactered or cruel man/woman must be punished badly (should be hung upside down) to obliterate the worm of sensuality along with root. You may be knowing that eternal knowledge of Vedas emanates direct from Almighty, formless God who creates, nurses and destroys the universe. The said knowledge is originated in the heart of four Rishis of non-sexual creation, as stated in Rigveda 10/181/1, 2. The said knowledge at that time emanates direct from God in non-sexual creation and not sexual creation. Therefore, we may say that God Himself has given His unlimited divine names in the Vedas. There also exist other names of God in pious holy granths like Quran sharief, containing the qualities of formless God.
