D K Singh: What is the importance of JAU/BARLEY in Vedas/hindu mythology?
Swami Ram Swarup: Jau is stated to be medicine in Atharvaveda. Its intake gives lot of strength, infact, more than what is provided by any other cereal.
Shailendra: Gayatri mantra kaha se liya gaya hai
Swami Ram Swarup: Gayatri mantra is mentioned in three Vedas as below-
It is said in shastras about Gayatri mantra – “Gayatri Gayatehe Stuti karmannaha” i.e., Gayatri mantra is sung to praise God. That is why, its name is Gayatri. It is a chchand. Chchand is sung. Secondly, Gaya means “Prann”. Jaap of Gayatri mantra is also done through Prannayam.
Gayatri Mantra is in three Vedas please, i.e., in Rigveda, Samveda and Yajurveda. Samveda is sung when chanted, other than while performing Yajyen. So, Gayatri Mantra may also be sung. Singing can be done anytime because God knows the pious ideas of anyone and He awards the
result accordingly. Gayatri mantra can be chanted even without singing since it occurs in Rigveda and Yajurveda also, which are not sung. Secondly, Gayatri Mantra must be chanted by heart for getting more benefit.
L: SWAMIJI in one of the aryasamaj websites this is given: RigVed 1.1. Is it the correct explanation of the first mantra of Rigveda. Secondly, I have been doing anulom-vilom pranayam as directed by you and I would reach the number 80 soon. My bone in the nose
that separates the two nostrils is bend or tilted from birth. Sir this results in unequal time of taking in breath from one nostril and releasing. Is this a problem in effectively performing anulom-vilom. Because of my tilted nose bone the right side of the nostril has less space than the left.
Swami Ram Swarup: Arya samaj explanation of Rigveda mantra 1/1/1 has not been received. In our computer, Hindi-Sanskrit fonts are not available. Therefore, you can send the explanation in Roman Hindi. However, explanation of the said mantra is appended below-
Its devta is Agni. In the mantra, the meaning of Agni is Almighty God. I mean to say, in the whole mantra, the subject is Agni i.e., God. So AGNIM Eedey – in the said mantra the meaning of Agni is God according to the qualities and situation.
Rigveda mantra 1/1/1 is as under:-
“Agnimedey Purohitam Yajasya Devam,
Ritvijam Hotaaram Ratandhaatamam”
(AGNIM EEDEY) I am desirous of God. , (PUROHITAM) ‘Puraha’ i.e., ‘Puri’ like Janakpuri, Vikaspuru etc. So, this entire universe is a ‘Puri’. (HITAM) means one who wishes welfare i.e., holds, cares, nurses, protects. So, God is our Purohitam i.e., He only takes care providing with all comforts, nurses us with food etc., and protects us always. That is why, Purohitam is also the name of God. (YAJASYA DEVAM) who gives us all the knowledge to perform Yajyen and (RITVIJAM) means whom we worship in all seasons. (HOTARAM RATNADHATAMAM) i.e., God holds uncountable wealth, gems, gold and unlimited divine pleasure, power of giving salvation etc., etc. Yet, the God is above all. Hotaram means He blesses us with all the comforts, goods, wealth etc.
Meaning – I am desirous of God. ‘Puraha’ i.e., ‘Puri’ like Janakpuri, Vikaspuri etc. So, this entire universe is a ‘Puri. One who wishes welfare i.e., holds, cares, nurses, protects. So, God is our Purohitam i.e., He only takes care providing with all comforts, nurses us with food etc., and
protects us always. That is why, Purohitam is also the name of God, who gives us all the knowledge to perform Yajyen and whom we worship in all seasons. i.e., God holds uncountable wealth, gems, gold and unlimited divine pleasure, power of giving salvation etc., etc. Yet, the God is above all. He blesses us with all the comforts, goods, wealth etc.
I am happy that you are doing lom-vilom prannayam daily and your eighty prannayam will be completed soon. After completion of eighty prannayam, you may come here to learn further prannayam.
