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| The compilation of our Dharmic texts also becomes essential as the self-appointed ‘knowledge leaders’ will need some definitive yardstick to judge both the progressive and the destructive. Without such a yardstick, knowledge creation remains the outcome of a whimsical mind, or propaganda for political/territorial gains or media-generated fodder for control of the world’s resources by a few rich corporations, leading to eventual destruction. | | The compilation of our Dharmic texts also becomes essential as the self-appointed ‘knowledge leaders’ will need some definitive yardstick to judge both the progressive and the destructive. Without such a yardstick, knowledge creation remains the outcome of a whimsical mind, or propaganda for political/territorial gains or media-generated fodder for control of the world’s resources by a few rich corporations, leading to eventual destruction. |
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− | The euphoria over the digital revolution and the perceived increase in ‘knowledge' is a chimera, as the increase in information has also seen a parallel decline in knowledge-gathering. Consequently, opinions and beliefs not backed by evidence from primary sources is seen as intellectual rigor. In this alarming situation, it becomes necessary to reclaim our values based on the eternal culture of sanatana dharma that stands as a guidepost for the people of Bharat. At the same time, this endeavor helps support the movement for reclaiming our position of विश्वगुरु || Vishwaguru that guides the world towards renewal and progress. | + | The euphoria over the digital revolution and the perceived increase in ‘knowledge' is a chimera, as the increase in information has also seen a parallel decline in knowledge-gathering. Consequently, opinions and beliefs not backed by evidence from primary sources is seen as intellectual rigor. In this alarming situation, it becomes necessary to reclaim our values based on the eternal culture of sanatana dharma that stands as a guidepost for the people of Bharat. At the same time, this endeavor helps support the movement for reclaiming our position of विश्वगुरु || Vishwaguru that guides the world towards renewal and progress.<nowiki/><nowiki/><nowiki/>''<nowiki/>'' |
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− | == Translation of Vedas ==
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− | 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 भागवत वाणी || Bhagavat Vaani (Words of Brahma) revealed in scientific Vedic 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 निरुक्तम् || Nirukta of Maharshi Yaska and the grammar of Panini & [[Patanjali (पतञ्जलि)|Patanjali]].
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− | 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.
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− | 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.
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− | The literal meaning is incomprehensible and meaningless. The contextual meaning of this mantra is:
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− | "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
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− | 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".
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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>तच्चक्षुर्देवहितम् पुरुस्तत् || (Yaju. Veda. 36.24)</blockquote><blockquote>t<nowiki/><nowiki/>acchakshurdevahitam purastat<nowiki/>''<nowiki/>''<nowiki/> || (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.
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− | 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
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− | domination (first by the Arabs and then by the Anglo-Saxons) of our land. As many acharyas say unless our people give up the Asuric principles of Western
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− | economists and return to the Vedic path, no progress is possible in social,
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− | political, economic and spritual spheres.
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− | We need to revitalize our civilization like the call of Swami Dayananda post-independence to counter the
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− | Indologist’s narrative of Caste system, idolatry, untouchability, all types of
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− | superstitions and slaughtering of animals in the sacrifices, and even the नर-मेध || Nara-medha (human
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− | sacrifices), results of wrong Vedic interpretations, many such things that
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− | Hindus had to pay heavily for since the last 300 years.
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− | The central importance of the new-age Vedic
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− | 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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| == सम्वाद || Discussion == | | == सम्वाद || Discussion == |