Oral tradition of the Vedas

[N.R.Ranganathan]

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Continuing the topic of ethnopharmacology and Krishna Yajur Veda,
I will share my knowledge of the value of some plants and trees to us
and to ecology in general.

There are references to the ever green tree named Udumbarah ( botanical
name: Ficus glomerata ). It is widely used in vedic rites. It is described as
the storehouse of energy because it stores in itself the essence of food
and rain falling from the sky. It is mentioned in Taittiriya brahmana 1-2-1
in these terms : ' Oh udumbara, you hold the vitality and strength of the
earth..........By your grace, we too would gain vitality and live happily .'

The fruit contains protein and carbohydrates in good measure and is fit
for human consumption. Sayanacarya opines that it is the source of
vitality because of its fruits. Its bark is astringent and a decoction of the
bark is used to wash wounds. The root is a medicine for dysentry. The
powdered leaves mixed with honey is given for treatment of bilious
infections. The milky juice is administered in piles and diarrhoea.

There is another tree called Gugguluh ( commiphora mukul ). It is mentioned
in Taittiriya samhita 1-2-12. The tree is used in a rite- jyotistoma. Use of
guggulu imparts the brilliance of Agni to the Yajamana.

Guggulu is taken internally as a bitter stomachic and carminative. It
stimulates appetite and improves digestion. Pharmacological studies of the
crude guggulu resin have shown that it has anti-inflammatory, anti-
reheumatic and hypocholesteremic/hypolipidemic properties. The ethyl
acetate extract of the resin is called as 'guggulipid' and it is effective
in lowering serum cholesterol and triglycerides and inhibits cholesterol
biosynthesis and platelet aggregation.

Another tree which is mentioned in glorious terms is Bilva ( Aegle
marmelos ). We find references to this tree in Srisukta and Taittiriya
Samhita. It is said that it would give divine splendour to the performer
of the ritual. Biogenic stimulators are found in its leaves and hence
use of this protects us from immunodeficiency. Its fruits contain
the essential aminoacids originine and methionine. The Sages used to
take this fruit as food.

There are many other references to plants , trees and creepers in our
Vedas , a scientific study of which would be of great help to mankind.

 

[Nacchinarkiniyan]

I am bringing the thread back to the original intent of discussion about the oral tradition of the Vedas.

The two problems faced by the students coming out of the Veda Patashalas are:

1. Earning a living without resorting to Purohitam. Most of the boys take to Purohitam and thus are not able to continue the Krama pata of the Vedas.

2. Though the earning through Purohitam is better in cities, it is very meagre in smaller towns and villages.

The Sringeri Math has come out with two schemes which specifically addresses these problems.

1. For those who want to continue doing the Veda Pata and not take to Purohitam.

2. For those from small towns and villages whose income is very low from Purohitam.

The schemes involve giving a monthly stipend for their entire life time. The schemes are to encourage Veda Pata and prevent Purohitas from migrating to big cities.

If you know someone who you think is eligible, please ask them to contact the Sringeri Math.

 

[vijisesh]

Some info picked from the net relating to oral tradition -
taken from the site --
http://www.astrojyoti.com/KaliSantaranaUpanishad.htm

Kali-Santarana Upanishad
Translated by K. Narayanasvami Aiyar ​

Om ! May He protect us both together; may He nourish us both together;

May we work conjointly with great energy,

May our study be vigorous and effective;

May we not mutually dispute (or may we not hate any).

Om ! Let there be Peace in me !

Let there be Peace in my environment !

Let there be Peace in the forces that act on me !

Hari Om ! At the end of Dvapara-Yuga, Narada went to Brahma and addressed him thus: "O Lord, how shall I, roaming over the earth, be able to across Kali ?" To which Brahma thus replied: "Well asked. Hearken to that which all Shrutis (the Vedas) keep
secret and hidden, through which one may cross the Samsara (mundane existence) of Kali. He shakes off (the evil effects of) Kali through the mere uttering of the name of the Lord Narayana, who is the primeval Purusha". Again Narada asked Brahma: "What is the name ?" To which Hiranyagarbha (Brahma) replied thus:

1. Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare

2. These sixteen names (words) are destructive of the evil effects of Kali. No better means than this is to be seen in all the Vedas.

These (sixteen names) destroy the Avarana (or the centripetal force which produces the sense of individuality) of Jiva surrounded by the sixteen Kalas (rays). Then like the sphere of the sun which shines fully after the clouds (screening it) disperse, Parabrahman (alone) shines."

Narada asked: ‘O Lord, what are the rules to be observed with reference to it ?" To which Brahma replied that there were no rules for it. Whoever in a pure or an impure state, utters these always, attains the same world of, or proximity with, or the same form of, or absorption into Brahma.

Whoever utters three and a half Crores (or thirty-five millions) times this Mantra composed of sixteen names (or words) crosses the sin of the murder of a Brahmana. He becomes purified from the sin of the theft of gold. He becomes purified from the sin of cohabitation with a woman of low caste. He is purified from the sins of wrong done to Pitris, Devas and men. Having given up all Dharmas, he becomes freed at once from all sins. He is at once released from all bondage. That he is at once released from all bondage is the Upanishad.

Hari Om Tat Sat !

Om ! May He protect us both together; may He nourish us both together;

May we work conjointly with great energy,

May our study be vigorous and effective;

May we not mutually dispute (or may we not hate any).

Om ! Let there be Peace in me !

Let there be Peace in my environment !

Let there be Peace in the forces that act on me !

Here ends the Kalisantarana Upanishad belonging to the Krishna-Yajur-Veda.

 

[Nacchinarkiniyan]

The next Veda Sabha has come through and I am back after an intense day of hearing the Vedic chanting of different Sakhas. Normally the Sakhas are represented by a group consisting of a Guru and his Shishyas. But this time I was surprised to hear a single individual representing a sakha of Atharva Veda. An young man of about 20 years, he did an excellent job of chanting Solo. It was heartening to see that most of the Vedic pundits were very young and enthusiastic.

I was talking to an old scholar who was talking about his struggle for survival. As I said earlier this is India's greatest Heritage and we should ensure that it survives and flourishes.

Let us learn about this great heritage and learn to appreciate their scholarship.

Support Veda Patashalas.

Start paying our Sasthrigal more than what you pay your plumber or electrician.

 

[s007bala]

>>Start paying our Sasthrigal more than what you pay your plumber or electrician.<<

Shri Nacchinarkiniyan

Good advice.Provided one is able to afford,with enuff wealth for his family first,to live comfortably.

sb

P.S.Mahaswamigal pioneered Veda Patashalas maintenance and encouraged Gurukkal Fund Raising.But then,for some,even Mahaswamigal,is not an authority for Tamil Brahmins in particular.This is a curse within a bigger curse on bhu-loka.

 

[tbs]

The next Veda Sabha has come through and I am back after an intense day of hearing the Vedic chanting of different Sakhas. Normally the Sakhas are represented by a group consisting of a Guru and his Shishyas. But this time I was surprised to hear a single individual representing a sakha of Atharva Veda. An young man of about 20 years, he did an excellent job of chanting Solo. It was heartening to see that most of the Vedic pundits were very young and enthusiastic.

I was talking to an old scholar who was talking about his struggle for survival. As I said earlier this is India's greatest Heritage and we should ensure that it survives and flourishes.

Let us learn about this great heritage and learn to appreciate their scholarship.

Support Veda Patashalas.

Start paying our Sasthrigal more than what you pay your plumber or electrician.

hi nacchi sir/sb sir,
namaskarams, I am a student of veda patashala and studied krishna yajurveda
for six years.....i did my vedic studies from the famous chittur veda
patashala.....by blessing of gurus/god we got other education too..
we had sanskrit/english/hindi/science and maths too. so i got
SSLC from the veda patashala sanskrit high school....we had 2 options..
either purohitam or higher studies..even many students studiedmedicine/ engineering too. ..but i did 4 bachelors/masters degrees with
ph.d in sanskrit(SPECIALISATION IN ADVAITHA VEDANTA)..
i was sanskrit teacher/ and served INDIAN ARMY for 16 years
as Junior commissioned officer(RELIGIOUS TEACHER)...now
i am in usa and naturalised citizen here........so vedic studies
not only for purohitam ...but also any deep research in INDOLOGY..
just for information..

regards
tbs

 

[Nacchinarkiniyan]

This thread is about the Oral tradition of the Vedas. The way it has been rendered throughout the ages. We are trying to preserve this tradition. We can talk about the content of the Vedas and their greatness. Vedic science is taught in many universities in India. But these does not help preserve and nurture this tradition.

The Oral tradition has to be learnt by practice over years in the Veda patashala. Veda Patashalas are not supposed to be producing Purohitas.

The idea is to encourage the students of the Veda patashala to continue reciting the Vedas full time.

Before that we have to identify the number of existing Sakhas all over India. The major states where the Vedic tradition continues are (other than Tamil Nadu)

1. Uttar Pradesh with Banares being the biggest centre in India.

2. Maharashtra.

3. Orissa

4. Karnataka

5. Andhra Pradesh

7. Kerala

There may be other states also.

The project launched by the Shringeri Math is to identify all the Sakhas all over India, get in touch with them, honour them, and encourage them with monetary incentives. The Veda sabhas are held all over India for the last three years. The number of centres are being increased every year once Sakhas are identified.

I started this thread so that the members will have some knowledge of this tradition and why it should be preserved. Please see the first post.

http://www.tamilbrahmins.com/showthread.php?t=1207

Some of the other organizations have also been doing a lot of service in this regard. Many of them have started Vedic chanting classes. But what is taught here is restricted to Sookthams, Rudram, Chamakam and a limited potion of the Vedas.

Ramakrishna Mission had brought a book "Mantra Pushpam" long time back with Swara Marks. They have also published some books in Tamil.

The preservation and nurturing of this tradition requires the effort and co-operation of all the Indians.

 

[s007bala]

Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare

Mooladhara Mantram is

Hare Rama Krishna

Chant the above for the same efficacy to acheive desired moksham.

sb

 

[Nacchinarkiniyan]

The above posting shows how much the poster values this tradition of the Vedas. Unfortunate.

This thread is about the tradition of Vedic chanting and not attaining Moksha.

 

[s007bala]

The above posting shows how much the poster values this tradition of the Vedas. Unfortunate.

This thread is about the tradition of Vedic chanting and not attaining Moksha.

Shri Nacchinarkiniyan

Vedic Chanting is about attaining moksha thru a tradition of oral recitation,isn't it? Fortunate that much i follow.Or have you figured out something more unique about oral recitation?Please enlighten me with your gyaanam!

sb

 

[happyhindu]

S-Bala-ji,

Please can i request that we are here to share and learn; and in that sense this place is like an ashram...

this thread was begun by Sri-N-ji...not only he, i for one would also very much prefer that the content remains within the context of the title or the subject being discussed...i request you sir that since we are not used to having posts distracting away and going way off the topic, please kindly post in relevance to the topic...again, this is just a simple request, that's all...thanks.

 

[tbs]

S-Bala-ji,

Please can i request that we are here to share and learn; and in that sense this place is like an ashram...

this thread was begun by Sri-N-ji...not only he, i for one would also very much prefer that the content remains within the context of the title or the subject being discussed...i request you sir that since we are not used to having posts distracting away and going way off the topic, please kindly post in relevance to the topic...again, this is just a simple request, that's all...thanks.

hi
i supported this issue here.......may be we have kindly post the
relevance of the topic/ thread.


regards