Author: Shantha N Nair
Publisher: Pustak Mahal
Year: 2008
Language: English
Pages: 306
ISBN/UPC (if available): 9788122310207
Description
The echoes of ancient Indian wisdom can be heard from the oldest of scriptures that existed many years ago. Even thousands of years before they were written down on palm leaves, the teachings were passed on from generations to generations, from the teachers to the disciples in their oral form. These works are amongst the oldest of humanity. They laid the foundation of one of the most tolerant and diverse religions in the world, the Sanatan Dharma or Hinduism, which is marked by a wide range of ethos and philosophical approaches.
...The Vedic deities represent not only the forces of Nature but also the forces present in the physical body. For achieving spiritual perfection, one has to strengthen the divine forces in oneself. At the same time, the evil forces symbolised by the demons are to be slaughtered.
...The seven horses tied by the snakes which draw the chariot of Surya (Sun) mentioned in the Rig Veda represent the seven columns forming light and the movement of the sunrays. Modern Physics has proved that the sunrays travel in a curved manner. The snakes with which the seven horses are tied to the chariot represent the curved movement of the rays of the Sun.
...According to science; the world is embraced by the concepts of time and space. The Vedas advocate that truth can be realised only by freeing oneself from the concepts of time and space. This is possible when we turn our gaze inward, in which we forget ourselves as in a deep sleep. ..
….The true meaning of the concept of animal sacrifice in the Vedas is that Gods must be invoked by means of the sacrifice of the animal in us and bring forth the Agni by chanting the powerful mantras.
Contents
Preface
SHRUTI AND SMRITI
Shruti
Smriti
THE VEDAS-ORIGIN, CONTENT, SHAKHAS AND STRUCTURE
Origin of the Vedas
Content of the Vedas
Shakhas of the Vedas
Structure of the Vedas
THE VEDAS-INTERPRETATIONS, CRITICISM AND SYMBOLISM
Interpretations of the Vedas
Deeper Meaning of the Vedas
Criticisms of the Vedas
Symbolism in the Vedas
Greatness of the Vedas
RIG VEDA
Rig Veda Samhita
Hymns of Rig Veda
Shakhas of Rig Veda
The Gods in Rig Veda
Rishis in Rig Veda
Brahmanas of Rig Veda
Aranyakas of Rig Veda
Upanishads of Rig Veda
SAMA VEDA
Sama Veda Samhita
Hymns of Sama Veda
Shakhas of Sama Veda
Brahmanas of Sama Veda
Aranyakas and Upanishads of Sama Veda
YAJUR VEDA
Yajur Veda Samhita
Hymns of Yajur Veda
The Krishna and Shukla Yajur Veda
Shakhas of Krishna Yajur Veda
Brahmanas of Krishna Yajur Veda
Aranyakas of Krishna Yajur Veda
Upanishads of Krishna Yajur Veda
Shakhas of Shukla Yajur Veda
Brahmanas of Shukla Yajur Veda
Aranyakas and Upanishads of Shukla Yajur Veda
ATHARVA VEDA
Atharva Veda Samhita
Hymns of Atharva Veda
Shakhas of Atharva Veda
Content of Atharva Veda
Brahmanas of Atharva Veda
Aranyakas and Upanishads of Atharva Veda
THE OTHER RELATED TEXTS
Vedangas
Upa Vedas
Darshanas
Vedanta Sutra
Agamas
Tantra Shastra
Dharma Shastras
Kalas
Other Special texts
ITIHASAS AND PURANAS
Itihasas
Puranas
Refernces