TIT BITS OF RIG VEDA MADE EASY - VIII
Sookta 22 सूक्त २२
(देवता अश्विनीकुमार आदि Devata Ashwineekumar, etc.)
This sookta has 21 stanzas.
What is of great interest is that it lays the groundwork for the concept of Vishnu, "the all pervasive"
which illuminates the hearts of human beings with His परम पद.
There should be no doubt in any reader's mind that Vishnu is recognized long before the Brahman
or Parama Atman in the Rig Veda though they are equivalent realities. From this point of view alone,
if not any other, this 22nd Sookta needs special attention.
The first fifteen stanzas praise with intimate love and adoration Ashwineekumars, Soorya, Agni, Devi, Prithivee, and then come to recognize that Vishnu pervaded this earth with seven Chhandas or wave patterns (Sound wave patterns) that may be resonant with the Chhandas in the Vedas.
This all pervasive sentient energy or Vishnu is conceptualized as pervading this Universe
and the BHU LOKA with three feet and seven Chhandas. These are the basic sound wave patterns that can be perceived in the Universe. The three feet occupy three domains.
Vishnu is the protector of Dharmas (all the holding principles) and therefore protector of the Universe.
He can be viewed as micro-micro particulate entity (smallest elementary particles, in Hindi धूलियुक्त ) that pervades the entire Universe. So He has both the Chhanda (wave form) and particulate form. Because of this nature (characteristics) He is a friend of Indra (the electrical and bioelectrical forces in the Universe). It is only due to this Devata, Vishnu's power, that the Yajnya can take place. (See previous 7 Tit Bits for understanding what Yajnya means).
आकाश can be roughly translated as space but can be the outer space and inner space (अन्तराकाश).
The seer in this space is endowed with vision that can see in all directions and those who are knowledgeable of the Vedas (Vidwaan विद्वान) have similar vision when they concentrate on the feet of Vishnu.
There is immense bhakti (LOVE) in this sookta for Vishnu which ends by recognizing Him as
the illuminator of the inner space (hridaya अन्त:करण).
The above descriptions will be meaningful to the reader when he/she has experiential familiarity
with Vishnu, Paramatman, or Sat-Chid-Aananda.
From this point of view Sookta 22 is a pure delight leading to experience of bliss.
Sookta 22 सूक्त २२
(देवता अश्विनीकुमार आदि Devata Ashwineekumar, etc.)
This sookta has 21 stanzas.
What is of great interest is that it lays the groundwork for the concept of Vishnu, "the all pervasive"
which illuminates the hearts of human beings with His परम पद.
There should be no doubt in any reader's mind that Vishnu is recognized long before the Brahman
or Parama Atman in the Rig Veda though they are equivalent realities. From this point of view alone,
if not any other, this 22nd Sookta needs special attention.
The first fifteen stanzas praise with intimate love and adoration Ashwineekumars, Soorya, Agni, Devi, Prithivee, and then come to recognize that Vishnu pervaded this earth with seven Chhandas or wave patterns (Sound wave patterns) that may be resonant with the Chhandas in the Vedas.
This all pervasive sentient energy or Vishnu is conceptualized as pervading this Universe
and the BHU LOKA with three feet and seven Chhandas. These are the basic sound wave patterns that can be perceived in the Universe. The three feet occupy three domains.
Vishnu is the protector of Dharmas (all the holding principles) and therefore protector of the Universe.
He can be viewed as micro-micro particulate entity (smallest elementary particles, in Hindi धूलियुक्त ) that pervades the entire Universe. So He has both the Chhanda (wave form) and particulate form. Because of this nature (characteristics) He is a friend of Indra (the electrical and bioelectrical forces in the Universe). It is only due to this Devata, Vishnu's power, that the Yajnya can take place. (See previous 7 Tit Bits for understanding what Yajnya means).
आकाश can be roughly translated as space but can be the outer space and inner space (अन्तराकाश).
The seer in this space is endowed with vision that can see in all directions and those who are knowledgeable of the Vedas (Vidwaan विद्वान) have similar vision when they concentrate on the feet of Vishnu.
There is immense bhakti (LOVE) in this sookta for Vishnu which ends by recognizing Him as
the illuminator of the inner space (hridaya अन्त:करण).
The above descriptions will be meaningful to the reader when he/she has experiential familiarity
with Vishnu, Paramatman, or Sat-Chid-Aananda.
From this point of view Sookta 22 is a pure delight leading to experience of bliss.
Following is the 1896 translation of Sookta 22 by Ralph T. H. Griffith
ReplyDeleteHYMN XXII. Aśvins and Others
1 WAKEN the Aśvin Pair who yoke their car at early morn: may they
Approach to drink this Soma juice.
2 We call the Aśvins Twain, the Gods borne in a noble car, the best
Of charioteers, who reach the heavens.
3 Dropping with honey is your whip, Aśvins, and full of pleasantness
Sprinkle therewith the sacrifice.
4 As ye go thither in your car, not far, O Aśvins, is the home
Of him who offers Soma juice.
5 For my protection I invoke the golden-handed Savitar.
He knoweth, as a God, the place.
6 That he may send us succour, praise the Waters’ Offspring Savitar:
Fain are we for his holy ways.
7 We call on him, distributer of wondrous bounty and of wealth,
On Savitar who looks on men.
8 Come hither, friends, and seat yourselves Savitar, to be praised by us,
Giving good gifts, is beautiful.
9 O Agni, hither bring to us the willing Spouses of the Gods,
And Tvaṣṭar, to the Soma draught.
10 Most youthful Agni, hither bring their Spouses, Hotrā, Bhāratī,
Varūtrī, Dhiṣaṇā, for aid.
11 Spouses of Heroes, Goddesses, with whole wings may they come to us
With great protection and with aid.
12 Indrāṇī, Varuṇānī, and Agnāyī hither I invite,
For weal, to drink the Soma juice.
13 May Heaven and Earth, the Mighty Pair, bedew for us our sacrifice,
And feed us full with nourishments.
14 Their water rich with fatness, there in the Gandharva's steadfast place,
The singers taste through sacred songs.
15 Thornless be thou, O Earth, spread wide before us for a dwelling-place:
Vouchsafe us shelter broad and sure.
16 The Gods be gracious unto us even from the place whence Viṣṇu strode
Through the seven regions of the earth!
17 Through all this world strode Viṣṇu; thrice his foot he planted, and the whole
Was gathered in his footstep's dust.
18 Viṣṇu, the Guardian, he whom none deceiveth, made three steps; thenceforth
Establishing his high decrees.
19 Look ye on Viṣṇu's works, whereby the Friend of Indra, close-allied,
Hath let his holy ways be seen.
20 The princes evermore behold that loftiest place where Viṣṇu is,
Laid as it were an eye in heaven.
21 This, Viṣṇu's station most sublime, the singers, ever vigilant,
Lovers of holy song, light up.