What is the Rig Veda? Behind The Veil Of History

1. What is the Rig Veda? Behind The Veil Of History The Vedas are a peculiar topic ofstudy. They are one of the most primeval and mysterious texts known to man. They have no celebrated author and no timeline of origin… Yet, they have inspired world religions (namely, Hinduism) and their hymns are regarded as law — shaping societal, political, and economicphilosophies. The Vedasare split into 4 separate sacred texts, but are often compiled into a book referred to as the ChathurvedaSamhitha. The Rig Veda: The Book ofMantra The Sama Veda: The Book of Song The Yajur Veda: The Book of Ritual The Atharva Veda: The Book ofSpell

2. TheVedaswereoriginallyformed,recited,andpasseddownfromgenerationtogenerationbyTheVedaswereoriginallyformed,recited,andpasseddownfromgenerationtogenerationby Aryan nomads (considered ―the noble ones‖) in ancient India.It is most commonly believed that the Vedas were created during the Vedic Period (1,500 – 500 B.C.E.). Although, many scholars and great yogis today hypothesize that the creation of this oral tradition could have started as far back as 12,000B.C.E. However, it wasn’t until centuries later (long after the Vedic Period) that the Vedas were written into physical form, creating what we know today as the VedicTexts. The oldest and most fundamental of these texts is the RigVeda. What Is The RigVeda? In Sanskrit, the word Rigveda means ―knowledge of the verses (ormantras).‖ The Rigveda is by far the most prominent of the Vedas; it was the first Vedic text ever written and is the main source of history on the ancientHindus.

3. The text is comprised of 1,028 hymns (sūktas) dedicated to various deities, including the Purusha Suktaand Creation Hymns. These hymns are all organized into 10 different books, which are commonly referred to as ―circles‖ or―mandalas.‖ The older books contain hymns that are more devoted to the praise of various gods and goddesses. The younger books are more concerned with philosophical questions, the virtue of dāna (generosity, charity) in society, and other metaphysicalissues. The hymns include praises, blessings, and sacrifices written in enchanting poetry and prose. When these beautiful words are chanted, one is transported to another state ofmind. This light hath come, of all the lights thefairest, The brilliant brightness hath been born, far-shining, Urged on to prompt the sun-god’s shiningpower. Night and Morning clash not, nor yet dolinger. It’s awe-inspiring, to say the very least. But who wrote such wise and captivatinghymns? Here’s the thing about the Vedas — there is no acclaimed human author. They aresimply a ―language of the gods‖ in comprehensible humanform. TheVedaswerechanneledbyrisis(theseers,thesages)fromtheverybreathof―Source.‖ ―Source‖ being the Paramātman: the ―Primordial Self‖ or the ―Absolute Atman.‖ The risis saw and interpreted the Vedas, but they did not composethem. There are seven risis credited to channeling the Rigveda: Atri, Kanwa, Vashistha, Vishwamitra, Jamadagni, Gotama, andBharadwaja. Just as one is transported to another state of mind when reciting the Vedas, it was within that same mind-state they were written — in a statebeyond. The Vedas contain universal truths that can help you understand and experience your connection to the Divine through study and practice. Sacred study reveals the practice, and practice helps you implement the powerful spiritual truths that can transform yourlife. — Deborah King, Spiritual teacher and author of Mindvalley’sBe a Moder Masterprogram.