Changes

*#          पदसंहिता || Pada Samhita :  Each word of a Mantra is uttered separately with a pause after each word as in अग्निम् ईडे, पुरःऽहितम् |

*#          पदसंहिता || Pada Samhita :  Each word of a Mantra is uttered separately with a pause after each word as in अग्निम् ईडे, पुरःऽहितम् |

*#          क्रमसंहिता || Krama Samhita : Each word of a Mantra is uttered along with the next word in a sequence as in अग्निम् ईडे; ईडे पुरोहितम् ; पुरोहितमिति पुरःऽहितम् |<ref name=":0" />

*#          क्रमसंहिता || Krama Samhita : Each word of a Mantra is uttered along with the next word in a sequence as in अग्निम् ईडे; ईडे पुरोहितम् ; पुरोहितमिति पुरःऽहितम् |<ref name=":0" />

The above forms of recitation are also called as प्रकृतिपाठः || Prakriti Pathas.  

The above forms of recitation are also called as प्रकृतिपाठः || Prakriti Pathas<ref name=":1" />

# क्रमपाठः || Krama-Patha-  in which two words of a Mantra are spoken jointly as  Ka-kha, kha-ga.

==== विकृतिपाठः || Vikriti Pathas ====

==== विकृतिपाठः || Vikriti Pathas ====

Memorization of the sacred Vedas included up to eleven forms of recitation of the same text. These texts were subsequently "proof-read" by comparing the different recited versions. This ensured their verbatim preservation through ages of time. Based on the क्रमसंहिता || Krama Samhita eight methods of recitation are given by व्याडि ऋषिः Vyadi विकृतिवल्ली<ref name=":0" /><blockquote>जटा माला शिखा लेखा ध्वजो दण्डो रथो घनः | अष्टौ विकृतयः प्रोक्ता क्रमपूर्वा मनीषिभिः | (विकृति वल्ली 1.5)</blockquote>There were eight ways of memorizing Vedas. These are   

Memorization of the sacred Vedas included up to eleven forms of recitation of the same text. These texts were subsequently "proof-read" by comparing the different recited versions. This ensured their verbatim preservation through ages of time. Based on the क्रमसंहिता || Krama Samhita eight methods of recitation are given by व्याडि ऋषिः Vyadi विकृतिवल्ली<ref name=":0" /><blockquote>जटा माला शिखा लेखा ध्वजो दण्डो रथो घनः | अष्टौ विकृतयः प्रोक्ता क्रमपूर्वा मनीषिभिः | (विकृति वल्ली 1.5)</blockquote>There were eight ways of memorizing Vedas. These are<ref name=":1" />   

# जटापाठः || Jatapatha  

# जटापाठः || Jatapatha  

# मालापाठः || Malapatha

# मालापाठः || Malapatha

<blockquote>ओषधयः सं, समोषधयः, ओषधयः सम् । सं वदन्ते, वदन्ते सम्, सं वदन्ते । वदन्ते सोमेन, सोमेन वदन्ते, वदन्ते सोमेन । सोमेन सह, सह सोमेन  सोमेन सह। सह राज्ञा, राज्ञा सह, सह राज्ञा । राज्ञेति राज्ञा ।</blockquote><blockquote>यस्मै कृणोति, कृणोति यस्मै, यस्मै कृणोति। कृणोति ब्राह्मणो, ब्राह्मणः कृणोति, कृणोति ब्राह्मणः। ब्राह्मणस्तं, तं ब्राह्मणो, ब्राह्मणस्तम् । तं राजन्, राजंस्तं, तं राजन् । राजन् पारयामसि, पारयामसि राजन्, राजन् पारयामसि । पारयामसीति पारयामसि ॥२२॥<ref name=":0" /></blockquote>Here two words of the mantra are chanted in forward and reverse orders till the end of the Mantra. In Shikhapatha three words of the mantra are chanted in such permutations and combinations.<ref name=":32222">Sri Sri Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswathi Swamiji, (2000) ''[http://www.kamakoti.org/hindudharma/part5/chap5.htm Hindu Dharma (Collection of Swamiji's Speeches between 1907 to 1994)]''Mumbai : Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan </ref> Recitations of the Rekha (line), Dhvaja (flag), Danda (staff), and Ratha (chariot) are further complex recitation methods involving even the padas of the mantra.<ref>Dr. S. Yegnasubramanian, The Vedic Chanting-a perfectly formulated Oral Tradition available at http://www.svbf.org/journal/vol1no2/chanting.pdf </ref>  Among them Ghanapatha  is most difficult and the longest.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":32222" />

<blockquote>ओषधयः सं, समोषधयः, ओषधयः सम् । सं वदन्ते, वदन्ते सम्, सं वदन्ते । वदन्ते सोमेन, सोमेन वदन्ते, वदन्ते सोमेन । सोमेन सह, सह सोमेन  सोमेन सह। सह राज्ञा, राज्ञा सह, सह राज्ञा । राज्ञेति राज्ञा ।</blockquote><blockquote>यस्मै कृणोति, कृणोति यस्मै, यस्मै कृणोति। कृणोति ब्राह्मणो, ब्राह्मणः कृणोति, कृणोति ब्राह्मणः। ब्राह्मणस्तं, तं ब्राह्मणो, ब्राह्मणस्तम् । तं राजन्, राजंस्तं, तं राजन् । राजन् पारयामसि, पारयामसि राजन्, राजन् पारयामसि । पारयामसीति पारयामसि ॥२२॥<ref name=":0" /></blockquote>Here two words of the mantra are chanted in forward and reverse orders till the end of the Mantra. In Shikhapatha three words of the mantra are chanted in such permutations and combinations.<ref name=":32222">Sri Sri Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswathi Swamiji, (2000) ''[http://www.kamakoti.org/hindudharma/part5/chap5.htm Hindu Dharma (Collection of Swamiji's Speeches between 1907 to 1994)]''Mumbai : Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan </ref> Recitations of the Rekha (line), Dhvaja (flag), Danda (staff), and Ratha (chariot) are further complex recitation methods involving even the padas of the mantra.<ref>Dr. S. Yegnasubramanian, The Vedic Chanting-a perfectly formulated Oral Tradition available at http://www.svbf.org/journal/vol1no2/chanting.pdf </ref>  Among them Ghanapatha  is most difficult and the longest.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":32222" />

* घनापाठः || Ghanapatha

* घनापाठः || Ghanapatha

Purvartha<blockquote>Backwards to Forwards : राज्ञेति राज्ञा ।सह राज्ञा । सोमेन सह । वदन्ते सोमेन । सं वदन्ते । ओषधयः सं ।</blockquote><blockquote>Forwards to Backwards : ओषधयः सं । सं वदन्ते । वदन्ते सोमेन । सोमेन सह । सह राज्ञा । राज्ञेति राज्ञा ।</blockquote>Uttarartha<blockquote>Backwards to Forwards : पारयामसीति पारयामसि । राजन् पारयामसि । तं राजन् । ब्राह्मणस्तं । कृणोति ब्राह्मणः । यस्मै कृणोति ।</blockquote><blockquote>Forwards to Backwards : यस्मै कृणोति । कृणोति ब्राह्मणः । ब्राह्मणस्तं । तं राजन् । राजन् पारयामसि । पारयामसीति पारयामसि ॥२२॥</blockquote>Without the use of writing, a fool-proof method,where each Mantra was chanted in various patterns and combinations to prevent any errors creeping into the Vedas continued through ages. The modes of chanting prescribe the basics like how much time one has to take for reciting a word, how to regulate breathing while reciting so that required vibrations are produced in the specific parts of the body which will yield pure word-sound. That preservation of the vedas was the aim of different pathapaddhatis is given by many scholars, according to Dr. Bhandarkar  <blockquote>''"The object of these different arrangements is simply the most accurate preservation of the sacred text."(Indian Antiquary, 1874)''</blockquote>In Rigvedic India, Shri Avinash Chandra Das ,  

Purvartha<blockquote>Backwards to Forwards : राज्ञेति राज्ञा ।सह राज्ञा । सोमेन सह । वदन्ते सोमेन । सं वदन्ते । ओषधयः सं ।</blockquote><blockquote>Forwards to Backwards : ओषधयः सं । सं वदन्ते । वदन्ते सोमेन । सोमेन सह । सह राज्ञा । राज्ञेति राज्ञा ।</blockquote>Uttarartha<blockquote>Backwards to Forwards : पारयामसीति पारयामसि । राजन् पारयामसि । तं राजन् । ब्राह्मणस्तं । कृणोति ब्राह्मणः । यस्मै कृणोति ।</blockquote><blockquote>Forwards to Backwards : यस्मै कृणोति । कृणोति ब्राह्मणः । ब्राह्मणस्तं । तं राजन् । राजन् पारयामसि । पारयामसीति पारयामसि ॥२२॥</blockquote>Without the use of writing, a fool-proof method,where each Mantra was chanted in various patterns and combinations to prevent any errors creeping into the Vedas continued through ages. The modes of chanting prescribe the basics like how much time one has to take for reciting a word, how to regulate breathing while reciting so that required vibrations are produced in the specific parts of the body which will yield pure word-sound. That preservation of the vedas was the aim of different pathapaddhatis is given by many scholars, according to Dr. Bhandarkar<ref name=":0" /> <blockquote>''"The object of these different arrangements is simply the most accurate preservation of the sacred text."(Indian Antiquary, 1874)''</blockquote>In Rigvedic India by Shri Avinash Chandra Das, <blockquote>''"These hymns, however, were not committed to writing on papyrus, palm-leaves, or baked clay-bricks, but to human memory carefully cultivated for the purpose and were handed down from generation to generation without the loss of even a single word or syllable."''</blockquote>

== अनुक्रमणिकाः || Anukramanikas ==

== अनुक्रमणिकाः || Anukramanikas ==

Another step in the preservation of Vedas was to prepare treatises known as अनुक्रमणिकाः || Anukramanis in which the names of ऋषि || Rishi, देवता || Devata, छन्दः || Chandas  are mentioned in reference to each hymn of the Vedas. Chandas (meter) a characteristic of veda mantras, also helps in avoiding loss of content by enforcing number of syllables.<ref>Introduction to Vedas ([http://vedicheritage.gov.in/introduction/ Vedic Heritage Portal])</ref><ref name=":42222">Gopal Reddy, Mudiganti and Sujata Reddy, Mudiganti (1997) ''[https://archive.org/stream/SAMSKRUTAKAVIJEEVITAMULUByMALLADISURYANARAYANASASTRIGARU/SAMSKRUTA%20SAHITYA%20CHARITRA%20BY%20MUDUGANTI%20GOPALA%20REDDI%26SUJATA%20REDDI%20#page/n33/mode/2up Sanskrita Saahitya Charitra] (Vaidika Vangmayam - Loukika Vangamayam, A critical approach)'' Hyderabad : P. S. Telugu University</ref>    

Another step in the preservation of Vedas was to prepare treatises known as अनुक्रमणिकाः || Anukramanis in which the names of ऋषि || Rishi, देवता || Devata, छन्दः || Chandas, similarly number of chandas, words are mentioned in reference to each hymn of the Vedas. Chandas (meter) a characteristic of veda mantras, also helps in avoiding loss of content by enforcing number of syllables.<ref name=":1">Introduction to Vedas ([http://vedicheritage.gov.in/introduction/ Vedic Heritage Portal])</ref><ref name=":42222">Gopal Reddy, Mudiganti and Sujata Reddy, Mudiganti (1997) ''[https://archive.org/stream/SAMSKRUTAKAVIJEEVITAMULUByMALLADISURYANARAYANASASTRIGARU/SAMSKRUTA%20SAHITYA%20CHARITRA%20BY%20MUDUGANTI%20GOPALA%20REDDI%26SUJATA%20REDDI%20#page/n33/mode/2up Sanskrita Saahitya Charitra] (Vaidika Vangmayam - Loukika Vangamayam, A critical approach)'' Hyderabad : P. S. Telugu University</ref> Shaunakanukramani, Katyayananukramani, Anuvakanukramani, Suktanukramani, Arshanukramani, Sarvanukramani, Brhadevata, Pratishakhya sutras etc are available texts in this context.<ref name=":0" />    

That these methods have been effective, is testified to by the preservation of the most ancient Indian religious text, the Rigveda, as redacted into a single text during the Brahmana period, without any variant readings within that school.   

That these methods have been effective, is testified to by the preservation of the most ancient Indian religious text, the Rigveda, as redacted into a single text during the Brahmana period, without any variant readings within that school.   

== गुरुकुलम्॥Gurukulas ==

== गुरुकुलम्॥Gurukulas ==

Gurushishya parampara was the main foundation that preserved Sanatana Dharma since ages. From upanayana or initiation until the age of 20, Brahmacharis study vedas, learning by rote the procedures to conduct yajnas and yagas, collecting the samidhas (thus they learn Plant Sciences), raising and domestication of cattle (they learn Animal Sciences), different ashrama dharmas (they learn Human Sciences) thus living harmoniously with nature. Once they enter the grihastha ashrama they actually perform the yajna karmas. They practice what they studied and by the way of Brahma yajna they further study and teach the vedas that have been handed down to them.     

Gurushishya parampara was the main foundation that preserved vedas and Sanatana Dharma since ages. From upanayana or initiation until the age of 20, Brahmacharis study vedas, learning by rote the procedures to conduct yajnas and yagas, collecting the samidhas (thus they learn Plant Sciences), raising and domestication of cattle (they learn Animal Sciences), different ashrama dharmas (they learn Human Sciences) thus living harmoniously with nature. Once they enter the grihastha ashrama they actually perform the yajna karmas. They practice what they studied and by the way of Brahma yajna they further study and teach the vedas that have been handed down to them.     

Pandavas and Kauravas in Mahabharata, were educated by the renowned Guru Dronaacharya, in a gurukula system. Srikrishna and Balarama were educated under the aegis of Guru Sandeepani.     

Pandavas and Kauravas in Mahabharata, were educated by the renowned Guru Dronaacharya, in a gurukula system. Srikrishna and Balarama were educated under the aegis of Guru Sandeepani.     

A literal translation of the Vedas creates confusions and contradictions as the English language is insufficient to express the deep inner meaning embedded in Vedas. A good commentator, should be adept in languages, carefully choose words, and explain with derivatives to analyse the hidden nuances of meaning within their context but not always can it be understood by the reader.

A literal translation of the Vedas creates confusions and contradictions as the English language is insufficient to express the deep inner meaning embedded in Vedas. A good commentator, should be adept in languages, carefully choose words, and explain with derivatives to analyse the hidden nuances of meaning within their context but not always can it be understood by the reader.

For example, the literal meaning of the verse,<blockquote>सुमित्रिय न आप ओषधयः सन्तु || (Yaju. Veda. 36.23)</blockquote><blockquote>sumitriya na aapa oshadhayah santu || (Yaju. Veda. 36.23)</blockquote>Meaning : May the waters, vital forces of  life, and herbs be friendly to us and may they be enemies to those who hate us and whom we hate.

For example, the literal meaning of the verse,<blockquote>सुमित्रिय न आप ओषधयः सन्तु || (Yaju. Veda. 36.23)</blockquote>Meaning : May the waters, vital forces of  life, and herbs be friendly to us and may they be enemies to those who hate us and whom we hate.

The literal meaning is incomprehensible and meaningless. The contextual meaning of this mantra is:

The literal meaning is incomprehensible and meaningless. The contextual meaning of this mantra is:

"May waters, tonics, pranic energies and medicinal herbs be good friends of our health system and immunity and let the same waters, tonics, pranic energies herbal medicines act against those ailments, diseases and negativities which injure us, which we hate to suffer and which we love to destroy, moreover let them have no side effects because side effects too help the negativities and injure us".

"May waters, tonics, pranic energies and medicinal herbs be good friends of our health system and immunity and let the same waters, tonics, pranic energies herbal medicines act against those ailments, diseases and negativities which injure us, which we hate to suffer and which we love to destroy, moreover let them have no side effects because side effects too help the negativities and injure us".

It becomes a powerful prayer for the well-being of an advanced society, and very logically the next Mantra expounds a prayer for a full hundred years and more of life and health.<blockquote>"तच्चक्षुर्देवहितम् पुरुस्तत् ||" (Yaju. Veda. 36.24)"</blockquote><blockquote>"tacchakshurdevahitam purastat ||" (Yaju. Veda. 36.24)</blockquote>Swami Dayananda wrote in the post-colonized context after independence whereupon he called upon his countrymen "to go back to the Vedas" for eradication of social evils as he opined that the cause of degradation and slavery of Indian nation was the ignorance of true Vedic teaching on which our culture was based and also thrived. It is true that we became independent in 1947, but then we got freedom and not independence. We continue to function as an Anglo-Saxon cultural satellite mainly as a market for its ideology through the English language and a nursery to train a new generation of sepoys and Coolies.

It becomes a powerful prayer for the well-being of an advanced society, and very logically the next Mantra expounds a prayer for a full hundred years and more of life and health.<blockquote>तच्चक्षुर्देवहितम् पुरुस्तत् ||" (Yaju. Veda. 36.24)</blockquote>

 

== नव्य वेदाध्ययन विधानम्|| Modern Vedic Education ==

== नव्य वेदाध्ययन विधानम्|| Modern Vedic Education ==

The Vedas were likely written down for the first time around 500 BC.  However, all printed editions of the Vedas that survive in the modern times are likely the version existing in about the 16th century AD.   

The Vedas were likely written down for the first time around 500 BC.  However, all printed editions of the Vedas that survive in the modern times are likely the version existing in about the 16th century AD.   

Computers and modern digital techniques revolutionized the way vedic knowledge is read and disseminated in the present day. Many works have been compiled lately as an attempt to reconnect our Vedic heritage to our people from which we have been disconnected since the 800-year foreign domination (first by the Arabs and then by the Anglo-Saxons) of our land.     

Computers and modern digital techniques revolutionized the way vedic knowledge is read and disseminated in the present day. Many works have been compiled lately as an attempt to reconnect our Vedic heritage to our people from which we have been disconnected since the 800-year foreign domination (first by the Arabs and then by the Anglo-Saxons) of our land.     

We need to revitalize our civilization like the call of Swami Dayananda post-independence to counter the Indologists' narrative of Caste system, idolatry, untouchability, all types of superstitions and slaughtering of animals in the sacrifices, the नर-मेध || Nara-medha (human sacrifices), all of which are the results of wrong Vedic interpretations, for which a heavy price is being paid by us since the last 300 years.

We need to revitalize our civilization like the call of Swami Dayananda post-independence to counter the Indologists' narrative of Caste system, idolatry, untouchability, all types of superstitions and slaughtering of animals in the sacrifices, the नर-मेध || Nara-medha (human sacrifices), all of which are the results of wrong Vedic interpretations, for which a heavy price is being paid by us since the last 300 years. Swami Dayananda wrote in the post-colonized context after independence whereupon he called upon his countrymen "to go back to the Vedas" for eradication of social evils as he opined that the cause of degradation and slavery of Indian nation was the ignorance of true Vedic teaching on which our culture was based and also thrived. It is true that we became independent in 1947, but then we got freedom and not independence. We continue to function as an Anglo-Saxon cultural satellite mainly as a market for its ideology through the English language and a nursery to train a new generation of sepoys and Coolies.

The central importance of the new-age Vedic translations is that it presents the Vedas from its primary sources, especially in a context where knowledge systems are directed by propaganda from Internet sources and social media and not evidence-based facts. 

The central importance of the new-age Vedic translations is that it presents the Vedas from its primary sources, especially in a context where knowledge systems are directed by propaganda from Internet sources and social media and not evidence-based facts. 

== References ==

== References ==