|
| The Essence of
Yajurveda |
|
| Humans are
inspired to translate good thoughts into actions. Yajurveda inspire humans to
walk on the path of Karma (deeds) . That is why it is also referred to as
Karma-Veda. The essence of the Yajurveda lies in those mantras (incantations)
that inspire people to initiate action. |
|
The
first incantation of Yajurveda commands us to perform action
DEVO VAHA
SAVITA PRAPRAYATU SHRESHTAMAYA KARMANE |
|
|
Meaning
: O Creator of the universe ! inspire us to perform great deeds.
Similarly the second mantra of the fortyth chapter of the Yajurveda commands us
to perform deeds -
|
|
| KURVANNEVEHA
KARMANI JIJIVISHECHCHAT SAMAHA| |
|
Meaning
: Desire to live for a 100 years performing ones deeds. Alike other Vedas there
are many branches of Yajurveda . But 2 branches namely Krishna and Shukla
Yajurveda have gained relatively more prominence. There is a beautiful story
associated with this Veda.
|
|
Rishi
Yagyavalkya acquired all knowledge related to Yajurveda from his uncle
Vaishampayan. Because of some reason the Guru was angry on his student and told
him to return to him the knowledge. The student vomited and returned to him all
the knowledge acquired and on the orders of the Guru, the other disciples ate
all the knowledge assuming the form of fowls. After this Yajurveda was named as
Taitareya Samhita. After this Yagyavalkya worshipped Lord Sun ardently and in
return he got the Yajurveda, named Shukla Yajurveda. Because of the impurity of
the mind the Mantras (Yajus) became black and thereafter this Yajurveda was
named as Krishna Yajurveda.
|
|
| Alike
Rigveda, Shukla Yajurveda is composed in a mantra and is poetic. The words like
Yoju or Yajuhu have from - |
| " Yaja deva
Puja Sangatikarna daneshu"
|
| The Yajurveda
includes mantras related to, worship of god, vedic rituals related to worship
and religious sacrifices. The Yajurveda is classified into 40 parts /chapters
consisting of 1975 mantras |
|
| The Brahmana
textcome next to Vedas. The ultimate aim of these text was to throw light on
the methods of conducting Yagya and its related ritual. The Brahmana texts are
divided into 3 actions - |
(1)Brahmana
(2) Aranyaka (3) Upanishads
|
|
The Shatpath
Brahmana of the Shukla Yajurveda is very famous. It is divided into a 100
chapters and these depict the vedic religious scenario very authentically.
The Aranyaka texts comprise of many a parts extracted from the Upanishads. The
14th "chapter of Shatpath Brahmana is referred to as Aranyaka . The 40th
Chapter of the Shukla Yajurveda is referred to as 'Ishavasyopnishada'. The
Brihadavanyaka upanished is the Upanishad of Shukla Yajurveda, while
Kathopnishad , Taitariya, Shwetashweta Upanishad, Maitrayani. Upanishad and
Kaivalyopnishad are th upanishads of Krishna Yajurveda. |
|
1.
(1) DEVOM
VAHA SAVITA PRARPAYATU SHRESHTAMAYA KARMANA
-------------( 1/1 Yajurveda)
|
|
| O Lord, the
creator of all, inspire us to perform good deeds. Here we are inspired to
indulge in good actions because then only is progress possible. Every person
should strive to do such type of deeds so that they are respected and honored
for the same. By doing one can attain physical development, mental development,
personal development and enhance communal development. One should eat wholesome
food and should abstain from the wrong path. |
|
(2)
MA HVARMA TE YAGYAPATIRHVARSHEETA |
-------------(1/2,a, Yajurveda)
|
|
Do
not become wicked ,may your Yagya Pati (One who performed the religious
sacrifice) also not become wicked.
It is important to be good and humble to tread on the path of good action. A
wicked person is unworthy of every thing he does. Here it is prayed at neither
the person who performs the yagya and nor the means used should be wicked and
evil respectively. Good work done with bad intentions is always a failure. That
is why one should refrain from manipulative tendencies. In the same way the
leader should abstain from such evil tendencies because this leads to harm more
than good. One and all should therefore practice simple and good living . They
should never seek recourse to manipulative tendencies.
|
|
(3)
SA VISHWAYUHU SA VISWAKARMA SA VISHWA DHAYAHA ||
-------------(1/4 Yajurveda)
|
|
The
3 Kamdhenus' (things that fulfil all wishes desired) are the life span , the
energy to do action and the energy to sustain everything.
Every person who is blessed with long life performs all his duties meticulously
and attains all the attainments (Purushastha) In this way he sustains
throughout life.
Only by striving with perseverance and focus can one accomplish all his desired
goals. With these 3 Kamdhenus humans can progress in all ways. One should not
forget that without the energy to sustain no one can perform action and without
both these factors one cannot have a long life. One should , therefore utilise
these energy's constantly and according to situations.
|
|
| (4)
EDAMAHAMNRUTAT SATYAMUDAIMI | |
|
I
am renouncing untruth and embracing truth. One should accept truth, and should
sacrifice their life to protect truth. This is known as the Satyapal vrata. O
Lord ! I take an oath that I shall always protect truth and may I be successful
in observing and accomplishing this vow.
Unless we do not renounce our greed we cannot protect truth. Untruth inhibits
self-development and physical, mental and spiritual growth. Therefore we should
all adhere by truth.
|
|
(5)
MA BHERMA SAMVIKTHA
-------------(1/23 Yajurveda)
|
|
One
should not deter, because of fear from the path of ones duties. One should
perform all his duties without fear. The doors of progress are always closed
for a person who fears. Only a fearless person can initiate self development
and can also help in social and political progress. Therefore one should
fearlessly perform all his duties.
|
|
2.
(6) SAM
JYOTISHA JYOTIHI |
-------------(2/9, Yajurveda)
|
|
May
all knowledge come together and become radiant. A teacher gives knowledge to
his student and enlightens him. Thereafter students give knowledge to someone
else. In this way, one enlightens the other and knowledge increases .
Increasing knowledge by knowledge is know as the Jnana Yagya. The ultimate aim
of a Yagya is to increase the glory of knowledge.
|
|
(7)
VEDO ASI YENA TVAM DEV VEDA DEVEBHYO VEDO BHAVASTENA MAHYAM VEDOHO BHOYAHA |
-------------(2/21 , Yajurveda)
|
|
The
Vedas consists of all knowledge . Just in the way you became the giver of
knowledge for the Gods in the same way you bless me with knowledge.
Vedas are an ocean of knowledge. The Gods acquired knowledge through the Vedas
and even Human got knowledge from the same source. It is in the best interest
of human to study the Vedas to acquire total knowledge.
|
|
(8)
DEVA GATUVIDO GATUM VITVA GATUMIT |
-------------(2/21,8/21 Yajurveda)
|
|
O
Gods ! know the path of truth and tread on the path of truth. Only by acquiring
knowledge from the Vedas can one know the path of truth and righteousness, on
acquiring knowledge human should tread on the path of truth, so that can do the
good of one and all . Truth is unconcealable, that is why we should tread on
the righteous path.
|
|
(9)
ASTHURI NAO GARHAPATYANI SANTU SHATAM HIMAHA |
-------------(2/27 Yajurveda)
|
|
May
we both perform the duties of the family for a 100 years.
Family life can, only then be peaceful and happy if both the husband and wife
performs their respective duties consistently for a 100 years without obstacles
. A cart having only one buffalo is known as Sthuri and a cart pulled by 2
buffaloes is known as Asthuri, because 2 (husband - wife) pull them. It thus,
becomes clear that one can perform their duties better when they are assisted
by each other.
|
|
(10)
TANUPA AGNE ASI TANVAM ME PAHYAYYURDA AGNE AYAYU ME DEHI VARCHODA AGNE ASI
VARCHO MEM DEHI |
-------------(3/17 Yajurveda)
|
|
O
Agni ! You are the protector of the body, so protect my body. You are the giver
of long life, so give us long life. You are the giver of radiance, so bless us
with radiance.
It is said that fire resides in the body, until the fire is there in the body
it enkindles the life, when this fire ceases the body does not exist. When the,
health is sound one shall have along life . It is because of fire that one
grows with radiance. So one should maintain purity of the body , by regularly
exercising and purify the mind by worship and self study. As results of this
one is blessed with long life and becomes radiant. Therefore we should do all
those things that protect the body, life and radiance.
|
|
(11)
AKRAN KARMA KARMA KRITAHA SAHA VACHA MAYOBHUVA I
-------------(3/47, Yajurveda)
|
|
The
person who is always working and active is always soft spoken all the time.
People who are striving for the attainments always speak softly and sweetly.
When we speak in a good way it gives happiness to one and all and they are
encouraged to do good to others. When we speak with hatred and anger it leads
to unhappiness pain and misery. So one should always be soft spoken and all
karma yogis should tread on the path of righteousness so that one can do good
to one and all.
|
|
(12)
NA AETU MANAHA PUNAHA KRATVE DAKSHAYA JEEVAME
JYOK CHA SURYADRISHE
-------------(3,54 Yajurveda)
|
|
May
our mind, actions and strength be inspired all the time to seek the blessings
of the sun for a long time.
Humans should always tread on the righteous path so that one can enhance one's
strength, can remain healthy and can constantly for a longer duration. One
should always seek blessings of the sun so that our vision remains unimpaired
for long time. One should also do so that we may get inspired incessantly, just
to do good work. One can after all attain perfection only after doing the same
work repetitively. Therefore to enhance ones capabilities you should always
seek the blessings of the sun god.
|
|
(13)
TRYAMBAKAM YAJAMAHE SUGANDHIM PUSHTIVARDHANAM
URVARUKAMIVA BANDHANAN MRITYOR MUKSHEEYA MA MRITAT
-------------(3/60 Yajurveda)
|
|
We pray to
lord Mahadev who is fragrant, has 3 eyes and is the nourisher, may he liberate
us from death. May our attachments cease alike that of Urvaaru (a specie of
cucumber) which ripens and falls of the tree i.e liberates itself from the
material objects.
The person who recites this incantation regularly is freed from ailments, fear,
and death. Tryimbak means the one with 3 eyes i.e Adhyatma, Adhiboot and
Adhidaivik.
We should meticulously pray to lord Shiva so that all our attachments cease
alike the fruit of urvaru and we are liberated from this vicious cycle of life
and death. |
|
(14)
PARMA AGNE DUSHCHARITA DAKSHASVA BHA SUCHARITE BHAJA
-------------(4/28, Yajurveda)
|
|
O Agni!
Liberate us from the wrong doings and actions and inspire us to do good
actions.
Please discourage us from doing wrong and encourage us to do good, O Agni! The
result of good deeds are always good but the results of bad deeds are very bad.
That is why help us to yearn and strive for the good of all so that it may
yield good results. |
|
(15)
PRATI PANTHAMPADMAHI SWASTISAMANEHASAM
-------------(4/29, Yajurveda)
|
|
One
should always tread of that path which gives us happiness ad where there is no
fear of destruction and unhappiness.
We should always walk on that path, which is devoid of obstacles and hurdles.
On which we can accomplish our duties properly and easily, and on which we
progress.
We seldom go and do those things which we are not knowledge about and even if
we have to do it, we take the opinion of experts in the respected fields, so
that we may accomplish our duty perfectly, and punctually. Therefore we should
follow that path, that leads to happiness and where there is no fear of going
astray.
|
|
(16)
BHAVATAM NAHA SAMNASO SACHET SAVARE PASO
MA YAGYAM HIMSISHTAM MA YAGYAPATIM JATVEDASO SHIVO DHAVATMADYA NAHA
-------------(5/3 Yajurveda)
|
|
O Agni! Make
our mind stable, egalitarian an may you destroy the illusion. Do not destroy
the Yagya and may you not destroy the Yagyapati.
We pray to Agni so that he may give us similarity in thought, there is no doubt
and illusion. May he not destroy the religious sacrifice offered and also the
performer of the religious sacrifice. |
|
(17)
YUNJATE MANA UTA YUNJATE DHIYO VIPRA VIPRASYA BRIHATO VIDASHCHITAHA
-------------(5/14, Yajurveda)
|
|
The scholars
make their mind stable and engage in all religious activities with
mind/intellect and Yoga by following the great soul who have contemplated
acquired a lot of knowledge and have become important.
The commoners can only then become knowledge after they follow the saying and
teachings of the scholars. After doing so, only can they engage in good actions
and yoga (path) by applying intellect. |
|
|
|
|
<<Previous
Next>>
|
