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Preservation of the Vedas (वेदपरिरक्षणम्) (view source)

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For generations, over thousands of years, वैदिकविद्या || Vedic education was imparted to students in a गुरुशिश्य || guru-shishya parampara, following the traditional system of oral recitation until Maharshi Veda Vyasa’s great contribution of organizing them into a written format.

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For generations, over thousands of years, वैदिकविद्या || Vedic education was imparted to students in a गुरुशिश्य || guru-shishya parampara, following the traditional system of oral recitation until Maharshi Veda Vyasa’s great contribution of organizing them into a written format.

World's ancient literature, Rig veda, has not undergone any change even in single syllable nor got intermixed with any later texts. Apart from Rigveda, it has yet to be seen if any other such text exists which is so well preserved. Even Ramayana, Mahabharata, Puranas and other Samskrit texts are not free of syllable and content changes<ref name=":0">Shastri, Jwalanth Kumar. (2009) ''Ved aur vedarth'' Rajasthan: Sri Ghudhmal Prahladkumar Arya Dharmarth Nyasa</ref>. In the Rigvedic time apart from Rishis, commoners existed in the society. Notably, Vedas were not common knowledge. If we understand the connection of pure lineage or गोत्र || Gotras, the strict disciplinary life in [[Gurukula (गुरुकुलम्)|गुरुकुलम् || Gurukula]], the commitment and austerity of the Rishis’, the cyptic process and symbolism of Vedas mantras, strict adherence to committing them to memory, system of recitation of the mantras - these were all the root causes in protecting the one integral voice of Vedas.

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== परिचयः|| Introduction ==

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Transmission of texts in the Vedic period was by oral tradition, preserved with precision with the help of elaborate mnemonic techniques. Prodigious energy was expended in ensuring that these texts were transmitted from generation to generation with immaculate integrity, up until a few centuries back, when due to various reasons like foreign invasions and colonization that resulted in the loot and digestion of our knowledge systems and wealth, led to the decline in oral recitation of the Vedas.<ref name=":2">Narayanacharya, K. S. (2011). ''Veda Sanskritiya Parichaya, Part I''. Hubli:Sahitya Prakashana</ref>

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Transmission of texts in the Vedic period was by oral tradition, preserved with precision with the help of elaborate mnemonic techniques. Prodigious energy was expended in ensuring that these texts were transmitted from generation to generation with immaculate integrity, up until a few centuries back, when due to various reasons like foreign invasions and colonization that resulted in the loot and digestion of our knowledge systems and wealth, led to the decline in oral recitation of the Vedas.<ref name=":2">Narayanacharya, K. S. (2011). ''Veda Sanskritiya Parichaya, Part I''. Hubli:Sahitya Prakashana</ref>

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== वेदपाठपद्धतिः|| Vedapatha Paddhati ==

Rishis (Vedic seers) devised means of protecting and preserving the text of Vedas letter by letter, with all their accessories and accents. Vedic mantras have स्वर || Swara (accents) which preserve its original form of word- construction. Thus Vedas are not just textual written matter but comprise - of intonations, pitch, accents, pronounciation, time duration - of fine nuances of human element which cannot be captured on paper. Hence existence of volumes of printed material is of minimal use as the real authority is vested with those very few scholars, who are remaining, keeping the age old tradition of recitation alive.

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=== प्रकृतिपाठः || Prakriti Pathas ===

Rig Veda samhita was of two divisions. The following forms of recitation are explained using Rig veda mantra (1.1.1) अग्निमीळे पुरोहितम् |

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*# 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" />

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

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

# संहितापाठः || Samhita-Patha – in which Mantra remains in its true form.

# पदपाठः || Pada-Patha- in which each word of a Mantra is separately spoken.

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

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=== विकृतिपाठः || Vikriti Pathas ===

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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" />

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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

# मालापाठः || Malapatha

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# घनापाठः || Ghanapatha

An example of a few of these pathas are given below

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* Mantra :

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* Mantra : <blockquote>ओषधयः सं वदन्ते सोमेन सह राज्ञा । यस्मै कृणोति ब्राह्मणस्तं राजन्पारयामसि ॥२२॥ (Rig Veda 10.97.22)<ref>Rig Veda ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%8B%E0%A4%97%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%83_%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%82_%E0%A5%A7%E0%A5%A6.%E0%A5%AF%E0%A5%AD Mandala 10 Sukta 97])</ref></blockquote>

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<blockquote>ओषधयः सं वदन्ते सोमेन सह राज्ञा । यस्मै कृणोति ब्राह्मणस्तं राजन्पारयामसि ॥२२॥ (Rig Veda 10.97.22)<ref>Rig Veda ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%8B%E0%A4%97%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%83_%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%82_%E0%A5%A7%E0%A5%A6.%E0%A5%AF%E0%A5%AD Mandala 10 Sukta 97])</ref></blockquote>

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* पदपाठः || Pada Patha : <blockquote>ओषधयः । सं । वदन्ते । सोमेन । सह । राज्ञा । यस्मै । कृणोति । ब्राह्मणः । तं । राजन् । पारयामसि ॥२२॥ </blockquote>

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* पदपाठः || Pada Patha :

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* क्रमपाठः || <blockquote>ओषधयः सं । सं वदन्ते । वदन्ते सोमेन । सोमेन सह । सह राज्ञा । राज्ञेति राज्ञा । यस्मै कृणोति । कृणोति ब्राह्मणः । ब्राह्मणस्तं । तं राजन् । राजन् पारयामसि । पारयामसीति पारयामसि ॥२२॥ </blockquote>

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<blockquote>ओषधयः । सं । वदन्ते । सोमेन । सह । राज्ञा । यस्मै । कृणोति । ब्राह्मणः । तं । राजन् । पारयामसि ॥२२॥ </blockquote>

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* जटापाठः || Jatapatha <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" />

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* क्रमपाठः ||

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<blockquote>ओषधयः सं । सं वदन्ते । वदन्ते सोमेन । सोमेन सह । सह राज्ञा । राज्ञेति राज्ञा । यस्मै कृणोति । कृणोति ब्राह्मणः । ब्राह्मणस्तं । तं राजन् । राजन् पारयामसि । पारयामसीति पारयामसि ॥२२॥ </blockquote>

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* जटापाठः || Jatapatha

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<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

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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>

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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>

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== अनुक्रमणिकाः || Anukramanikas ==

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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" />

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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.

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== वैदिकसंविधानम् || Vedic Structure ==

Understanding the way in which the vedas are organized into a definite pattern, gives us an insight as to how integral the learning system was and how it worked impeccably over such a long period of time. In addition to the veda pathapaddhati, knowledge in Vedangas are essential to understand the vedic language, meaning and their usage and the yajnas expounded in Vedas.

Chaturdasha vidyas included the study of Vedas, Vedangas, Upavedas, Upangas ([[Vaidika Vangmaya (वैदिकवाङ्मयम्)|Vaidika Vangamaya]]) which was considered as holistic education. This was the goal of Acharyas and Gurus who in earlier days imparted education in Gurukulas.

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== गुरुकुलानि॥Gurukulas ==

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.

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# चतुर्वेदी || Chaturvedi: four Vedas.

These remain now as surnames of people in India.

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== Translation of Vedas ==

Translation in the ancient अर्ष || Arsha tradition as done by authentic Vedic scholars is factual and done without prejudice and with no extraneous motive or for an academic agenda. Vedam is verily the भगवत्वाणी || Bhagavatvani (Words of Brahma) revealed in scientific [[Vedic language (वैदिक भाषा)|Vedic Language]] which is samskrit free from local color and historical acts, therefore Vedic language is to be interpreted and understood according to its own laws and structure, and the only key available for such interpretation is the [[Nirukta|निरुक्तम् || Nirukta]] of Maharshi Yaska and the grammar of Panini & [[Patanjali (पतञ्जलि)|Patanjali]].<ref name=":2" />

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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>तच् चक्षुर् देवहितं पुरस्ताच् छुक्रम् उच् चरत् । पश्येम शरदः शतं जीवेम शरदः शतम् (Shukla. Yaju. Veda. 36.24)<ref name=":3" /></blockquote>

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== नव्यवेदाध्ययनविधानम्|| 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.

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With the discovery of paper and through the centuries improved stationery material, was the main means of preserving the vedic literature. Western Indologists have generated volumes of their interpretation of vedas and took many manuscripts from India to other places like Germany. However, the main drawback was the non-availability of a voice preservation method since early 18th century. Vedic language which primarily depends on the accents and pronunciation, was not preserved and thus many shakas have been lost with those learned scholars since few centuries. Today many manuscripts and valuable literary treasures can be found in remote corners of the world.

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== संवादः ||Discussion ==

A question may be, "all the मन्त्र || mantras, सूक्त || suktas, and अनुवाक || anuvakas that are being recited now did they exist then"?

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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.

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== References ==

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Fordharma

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Preservation of the Vedas (वेदपरिरक्षणम्) (view source)

Revision as of 20:07, 16 March 2018

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