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==== Shakalya (शाकल्यः) ====

==== Shakalya (शाकल्यः) ====

Padapatha of Rgveda samhita was given by Shakalya (शाकल्यः). In the Brhdaranyaka Upanishad (Adhyaya 4) we find a debate between Shakalya and Yajnavalkya in Janaka's sabha. According to the Puranic evidences, it was this same Shakalya who composed the Rgveda Padapatha. In the Brahmanda Purana we find the following<blockquote>शाकल्यः प्रथमस्तेषां तस्मादन्यो रथीतरः ।। बाष्कलिश्च भरद्वाज इति शाखाप्रवर्त्तकाः ।। ३४.३२ ।।</blockquote><blockquote>देवमित्रस्तु शाकल्यो ज्ञानाहंकारगर्वितः ।। जनकस्य स यज्ञे वै विनाशामगमद्द्विजाः ।। ३४.३३ ।। (Brahmanda. Pura. Purv. 2.34.32-33)<ref>Brahmanda Purana (Purvabhaga, Pada 2, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AC%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%B9%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A1%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%AD%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4% Adhyaya 34])</ref></blockquote>Reference to Shakalya has also been found in Nirukta and Rk-Pratisakhya. It has been shown that Shakalya's padapatha has not been accepted by Yaska in his Nirukta. For example in Nirukta (5.21) "अरुणो मासकृद् वृकः" has been mentioned. Yaska interpreted मासकृत् as one word in the sense of "मासो का कर्ता" or one who makes a month. Shakalya considered it as two padas or words as मा and सकृत्. Thus we see how Yaska and Shakalya differed in their interpretations.<ref>Pt. Baldev Upadhyaya (1958) ''Vaidik Sahitya for M.A. Students''. Kashi: Sharada Mandir. (Pages 41-42)</ref>

Padapatha of Rgveda samhita was given by Shakalya (शाकल्यः). In the Brhdaranyaka Upanishad (Adhyaya 4) we find a debate between Shakalya and Yajnavalkya in Janaka's sabha. According to the Puranic evidences, it was this same Shakalya who composed the Rgveda Padapatha. In the Brahmanda Purana we find the following<blockquote>शाकल्यः प्रथमस्तेषां तस्मादन्यो रथीतरः ।। बाष्कलिश्च भरद्वाज इति शाखाप्रवर्त्तकाः ।। ३४.३२ ।।</blockquote><blockquote>देवमित्रस्तु शाकल्यो ज्ञानाहंकारगर्वितः ।। जनकस्य स यज्ञे वै विनाशामगमद्द्विजाः ।। ३४.३३ ।। (Brahmanda. Pura. Purv. 2.34.32-33)<ref>Brahmanda Purana (Purvabhaga, Pada 2, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AC%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%B9%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A1%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%AD%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4% Adhyaya 34])</ref></blockquote>Reference to Shakalya has also been found in Nirukta and Rk-Pratisakhya. It has been shown that Shakalya's padapatha has not been accepted by Yaska in his Nirukta. For example in Nirukta (5.21) "अरुणो मासकृद् वृकः" has been mentioned. Yaska interpreted मासकृत् as one word in the sense of "मासो का कर्ता" or one who makes a month. Shakalya considered it as two padas or words as मा and सकृत्. Thus we see how Yaska and Shakalya differed in their interpretations.<ref>Pt. Baldev Upadhyaya (1958) ''Vaidik Sahitya for M.A. Students''. Kashi: Sharada Mandir. (Pages 41-42)</ref>

== विषयविवेचन ॥ Contents of Rgveda ==

== विषयविवेचन ॥ Contents of Rgveda ==

==== Oceans ====

==== Oceans ====

Rgveda offers good information about oceans and seas. People were well aware about the vast waterbodies and trade via the seas was prevalent. Some important findings include the following   

Rgveda offers good information about oceans and seas. People were well aware about the vast waterbodies and trade via the seas was prevalent.  The terms Samudra () and Arnava (अर्णव) have been used for ocean or a sea. We also find references to sea travel using boats or ships (Rgveda 1.25.7) for whom the direction is given by Varuna (by his winds). Some important findings include the following   

* '''Thar Desert was once a sea (Rgveda 7.95.2):''' In the present day Rajasthan where a desert stands now, the ancient texts have indicated the presence of a sea in the same area.<ref name=":2" />

* '''Thar Desert was once a sea (Rgveda 7.95.2):''' In the present day Rajasthan where a desert stands now, the ancient texts have indicated the presence of a sea in the same area.<ref name=":4">Pt. Upadhyaya, Baldev. (2012 Second Edition) ''Samskrit Vangmay ke Brihad Itihas, Vol 1, Veda.'' Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh Sanskrit Sansthan. (Pages 515-531)</ref>  

* '''Four seas (Rgveda 9.33.6 and 10.47.2):''' It is known that the present peninsular Indian subcontinent is surrounded by three seas (Bay of Bengal, Indian Ocean and the Arabian sea in the present terms). But the Rgvedic texts mention about the presence of a fourth sea in the northern region of India below the Himalayas. The land areas that are now known as Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, were we find the rivers Ganga and Yamuna, were once areas of a northern sea. Rgveda (10.136.5) mentions about 'purva' and 'apara' samudra or seas. The Purva (or Avara) samudra also called as Arvavat is where the sunrises and the Apara (or Para) samudra also called as Paraavat is where the sun sets. The Arabian sea is the Paraavat sea where the Sindhu and its tributaries drain into. Sarasvati river used to drain into a sea extending from the desert towards the flank of the Aravalli ranges in the east.<ref name=":2" /> It is in these seas that treasure is said to be available, namely gems and precious stones.<ref name=":3" />  

* '''चतुःसमुद्रं ॥''' '''Four seas:''' It is known that the present peninsular Indian subcontinent is surrounded by three seas (Bay of Bengal, Indian Ocean and the Arabian sea in the present terms). It is important to note that Rgvedic texts mention about the presence of a fourth sea in the northern region of India below the Himalayas.

<blockquote>चतुःसमुद्रं धरुणं रयीणाम् ॥ (Rg. Veda. 10.47.2)</blockquote>

* Presence of '''Natural Gases in oceans''' is discussed in Rigveda (Rgveda 8.102.4)<ref name=":3" /> It is termed as पुरीष्य अग्निः। This is so called because it has the ability to light up and spreads in various places in the ocean beds.   

* Of these four seas, two of them the Rgveda (10.136.5) mentions about 'पूर्व (purva)' and 'अपर (apara)' samudras. The Purva (or अवर-Avara) samudra also called as Arvavat (अर्वावत्) is where the sunrises and the Apara (or पर - Para) samudra also called as Paraavat (परावत्) is where the sun sets. The Arabian sea is the Paraavat sea where the Sindhu and its tributaries drain into. However, scholars opine that the Purva (Apara or Arvaavat) sea is not the same as the Bay of Bengal as this bay is very far from where the Saptasindhu rivers are. It has been proposed that land areas that are now known as Uttar Pradesh, the gangetic plains, were we find the rivers Ganga and Yamuna, were once areas of a sea (in the Pleistocene era) when they it finally got filled with the sands brought down by the rivers. Sarasvati river used to drain into a sea extending from the desert in the east.<ref name=":4" />

* It is in these seas that treasure is said to be available, namely gems and precious stones (Rgveda 1.47.6, 7.6.7, 9.92.44 etc).<ref name=":3" />  

 

* That the '''huge waves in the seas''' are caused by the air circulation was mentioned in Rgveda (1.19.7 and 8, 1.119.4 etc). Other mantras describe that a hurricane can destroy the ships in the sea. 

* Presence of '''Natural Gases in oceans''' is discussed in Rigveda (Rgveda 8.102.4)<ref name=":3" /> It is termed as पुरीष्य अग्निः। This is so called because it has the ability to light up and spreads across in various places of the ocean bed.   

* '''Medicinal substances and food items''' from the oceans, rivers and mountains is well explained in this Veda (Rgveda 8.20.25).<ref name=":3" />  

* '''Medicinal substances and food items''' from the oceans, rivers and mountains is well explained in this Veda (Rgveda 8.20.25).<ref name=":3" />  

While studying about the rivers of Rgvedic times, one must note that even though we find the same names of rivers at present in some instances, the course of the river may or mostly may not remain the same in the present times. It is well known that even now rivers change course of their flow due to various reasons. The Yangtsze river in China is one such famous example.  

While studying about the rivers of Rgvedic times, one must note that even though we find the same names of rivers at present in some instances, the course of the river may or mostly may not remain the same in the present times. It is well known that even now rivers change course of their flow due to various reasons. The Yangtsze river in China is one such famous example.  

Many rivers are mentioned in the Rigveda. The term "Sapta-sindhu" appears in many instances in this veda. But in the present situations, finding these seven rivers has been a little challenging. It is possible that the five rivers in Punjab, शुतुद्री (Sutlej), विपाश, पुरुष्णी, वितस्ता, असिक्नी along with Sindu and Sarasvati are the rivers that are accounted for the term Sapta Sindhu. Following are more details about the rivers in Rgveda.

Many rivers are mentioned in the Rigveda. The term "Sapta-sindhu" appears in many instances in this veda. But in the present situations, finding these seven rivers has been a little challenging. It is possible that the five rivers in Punjab, शुतुद्री (Sutlej), विपाश, पुरुष्णी (Iravati present Raavi river), वितस्ता (Jhelum), असिक्नी (Chandrabhaga presently Chenab river) along with Sindu and Sarasvati are the rivers that are accounted for the term Sapta Sindhu. Following are more details about the rivers in Rgveda.<ref name=":2" />

* Rivers flow towards and empty into the sea (Rgveda 1.190.7, 6.19.5, 8.6.4)  

* Rivers flow towards and empty into the sea (Rgveda 1.190.7, 6.19.5, 8.6.4)  

* Nadi-sukta (नदीसुक्तम्) mentioned in Mandala 10, is a sukta fully dedicated to the rivers. The 5th mantra of this sukta mentions the eastern tributaries of the Sindu river.  

* Nadi-sukta (नदीसुक्तम्) mentioned in Mandala 10, is a sukta fully dedicated to the rivers. The 5th mantra of this sukta mentions the eastern tributaries of the Sindu river.  

*   

*   

==== Darshanika Tattva ====

==== Darshanika Tattva ====

== Pravachanakaras of Rgveda ==

== Pravachanakaras of Rgveda ==