Reference: Subject: The Vedas
Lecture delivered on July 10, 2008.
Introduction to the Vedas Part-1
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJfWYlNT3VE (25:32)
Vedas contain the highest knowledge. “Rig” of Rig Veda means Hymn of praise that comes out of the human being in greatest ecstasy of wonder. The Sanskrit language was highly developed by the time the Vedas were composed. The Vedas were composed in poetic form, which shows a high level of expression. They are a composition of sounds and words.
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Introduction to the Vedas Part-2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jVtASgQusz8 (25:32)
The Gayatri Mantra is a great example of this high level poetry. Every word of a Vedic mantra has a meaning. This meaning must be understood. The Vedic Rishis discovered that this physical universe is incredibly vast. There are dimensions that are even larger than the “physical” dimension. This is the intermediate universe. Behind this vast intermediate universe there is an even higher universe. But you must examine and test these universes for yourself. There are methods by which capacities can be developed to experience these universe. The Vedic rishis had made a great discovery of this method called “meditation.” According to this discovery, our intellect is capable of developing thoughts. But we do not fully know the power of thinking. Thinking has many kinds of powers, and these powers can be developed at higher and higher levels.
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Introduction to the Vedas Part-3
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4F5mL7YHQ0 (29:12)
Thoughts have different pitches like the sounds have and these different pitches have different effects. The effects are basically in terms of the removal of confusions and the creation of clear ideas and flowing images. Meditation is a process of repeating certain ideas in a slow, regulated and steady motion with complete concentration, so that ideas which are not relevant to the thought under consideration, are not allowed to enter. Then see how this thought flows like a river towards its goal. When this is done, every meditation discovers its target. Every meditation has a target—an object to be discovered. It is aiming for a clarity about something—an as-isness of some doubt, perplexity or confusion. The Vedic rishis made the discovery that we have within us a capacity called the “intellect”, and that capacity can be utilized by concentration, and it can go to the target, which is supreme light.
Literal word-by-word meaning of Gayatri Mantra:
- Om: The primordial cosmic sound.
- Bhur: The physical world, the earthly realm.
- Bhuvah: The mental or astral world, the realm of the life force.
- Svah: The celestial or spiritual world, the realm of the soul.
- Tat: That, referring to the Supreme Being.
- Savitur: The sun, the source of all life.
- Varenyam: Worthy of adoration, most excellent.
- Bhargo: The effulgence, or divine light.
- Devasya: Divine, of the supreme Lord.
- Dhimahi: We meditate upon. Concentrate.
- Dhiyo: The intellect.
- Yo: May this (light).
- Nah: Our.
- Prachodayat: Enlighten, inspire.
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