The Vedas

by Chandrasekharendra Saraswati

The Vedas are without a beginning. This might militate against commonsense. Our modem scientific mind always looks for a source, a cause and a date for any historical event. And the compilation of a work like Vedas must definitely have had a beginning. Concepts like eternity, beginning lessness, limitlessness are simply taboo for any scientific study, as these do not permit of the application of mathematics' for their further development and study. However, the fact remains that the Universe, both the Phenomenal and the Noumenal, extends far beyond 'Space' and 'Time', the two basic devices and tools used by us to measure any phenomenon. Only some modes of this Universe fall within space and time and are apprehended as physical universe by our conditioned and limited consciousness. We (like the proverbial fish in water) do not and cannot see the limitless ocean, but can see only the waves, wave-fronts and froth in it. If the Universe is the manifestation of the Reality, the Dharma or the cosmic ord- er is Its Will or design and Jatya and Rita ('Spoken Truth and Truth as it is') are its very nature. When it is said that the Vedas are the emanations of the breath of Brahma (the creator), it is to be understood that the Vedas constitute both essential and sustaining knowledge, as vital as the breath for life. The four Vedas, Rig, Yajur, Sarna and Atharva, which are believed to be vibrations in space and synthesised 5, 000 years ago at the beginning of this Kali Yuga, by Bhagwan Veda Vyasa, consis- ted of 1, 131 sakhas (recensions), 2 t in Rik, 101 in Yajus, 1000 in Sarna and 9 in Atharva. They were preserved in the Param- para (line) of Rishis (seers), viz. , Paila, Vaishampayana, Jaimini and Sumanthu, by oral tradition, from father to son' and guru (teacher) to sishya (disciple). Of late, the notion that education other than Vedic studies alone would ensure a livelihood, has led" to many in the line taking to secular studies.

Genres: Philosophy, Religion, Spirituality, Hinduism, Classics, Nonfiction, History

258 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2006

About the author

Jagadguru Shri Chandrasekharendra Saraswati Shankaracharya Mahaswamigal (born in a Kannada Smartha family as Swaminathan Shasthri; 20 May 1894 – 8 January 1994) also known as the Sage of Kanchi or Mahaperiyava (meaning, "The great elder") was the 68th Jagadguru Shankaracharya of the Moolamnaya Saravjna Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham. Mahaperiyava's discourses have been recorded in a Tamil book titled "Deivathin Kural" (Voice of God).

Reviews

[Rucha · Rating 5 out of 5]

How do you give a book 10+ stars on here? This book contains eternal knowledge and just blew my mind. Everything we need to create peaceful and happy lives is clearly explained in this book. The Vedas by Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswati gives us a detailed account of the Vedas, and the many, many accompanying books written by realized souls to help us understand the Vedas. One of the things that struck me, and there were many, that was written in the book, is that our human minds are so limited in the capacity to see and feel everything the universe offers us. We only have 5 senses, and so we think, if we cannot make out something with those 5 senses, then it doesn't exist. Yet, there are many things going on this world that we cannot hear or see because we are not in tune with the higher consciousness. It makes sense because then how do we explain the heightened abilities of some people (psychic) or those who are able to recall a previous birth? Just because we do not have science or research to back something up, doesn't mean it doesn't exist. This is very little of the knowledge and wisdom contained in this book. The Vedas also goes into many Sanskrit words, meanings, and breaks down the different accompanying books, why they were written, for what purpose and with what intention, how we should use them, etc. I will be coming back to this book again and again.

[Bharath · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an outstanding book which discusses the origin of the Vedas, it's teachings and various traditions. The tone is very respectful of all traditions and outlines the age old wisdom of the Vedic tradition very effectively. If the history of the Vedic tradition is of interest to you, this is a book which will be very enlightening.

[Ajay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful.

[Hemant · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very good introductory book to the Vedas and associated texts (Vedaang. Upaanga, and others).
Note: Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswati was more traditional in nature and hence some of his statements in the book may appear as orthodox and regressive to some modern readers. His successor Sri Jayendra Saraswati was more open and less orthodox in his views and practices.

[Sikha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great! Membuatku lebih mengerti tentang Veda dengan segala hal "remeh temeh yang penting"-nya. Harus dibaca oleh semua orang Hindu untuk mendapat gambaran besar tentang pustaka Hindu dan tradisi Hindu.

[Richa Nidhi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think I am not the bibliophile enough to review The Vedas. This is not only a book but a sacred book for Hindus. I am in awe with the writing style and find myself lucky to read The Vedas

[Anantha Narayanan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very concise guide about Vedas. A must read for all

[Dharmabum · Rating 5 out of 5]

While almost every religion has an authoritative text that forms the basis of the religion itself, there may not exactly be an equivalent in Hinduism. The closest equivalent for the Hindus may be a collection of vast, varied literature called The Vedas.
The Vedas are one of the oldest known texts, perhaps to all of humanity. Having passed on orally, much of these texts is believed to have been lost. Vyasa, a sage, is believed to have compiled them and hence the appellation - Veda Vyasa.
There are four Vedas - Rig, Yajur, Sama, Atharvana. Then the six vedaanga or auxilliaries - Siskha (pronunciation), Nirukta (etymology), Chandas (metre), Vyakarana (grammar), Jyotisha and Kalpa (procedures). Along with Meemamsa, Nyaaya, Purana and Dharma Shastra, these are called Vidyasthanam - or the abode of knowledge.
There are four more, called Upaanga (appendage, literally) - Ayurveda (the science of life), Arthashaastra (economics), DHanur Veda (weaponry), Gandharva Veda (fine arts).
As one can notice, these texts are extremely varied in their scope and cover a plethora of subjects, both spiritual and pertaining to everyday life.
In this book, Mahaperiyava, as the Saint of Kanchi is called, introduces the reader to each of these. With a chapter devoted to each of the texts listed above, he describes the main purpose of each text. It is a splendid introduction to anyone who is interested in having a birds eye view of the Vedas. After all, that's all people like me can afford, given that neither do we know the knowledge nor do we devote time for learning it.
The chart in the form of a concept map at the end of the book is comprehensive and gives a quick view of pretty much all the key texts.

[Abinav · Rating 5 out of 5]

An introduction about the different scriptures and the significance of each of them, this is written or probably dictated by a spiritual guru very revered in the part of the world that I come from it carries the blessing of a guru.

A great book overall for introduction on Indian philosophy and way of thinking

[in8 · Rating 4 out of 5]

http://5cense.com/19/664.htm

[BigBrain · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found the content to be healthy as it elaborately skims through the necessary excerpts from the veda which again could be an interpretation of the author.

Be Good, Do Good!

[Brittney Winters · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not sure if this is the right copy but mine was just the vedas with English interpretation.

[Varun · Rating 3 out of 5]

Its an OK book for an introduction to Vedas and all its sub-books.