43-Literature of Ved
Misunderstood Literature Most Valuable
People are of two types. One
group believes that Ved justify caste system, cruelty to animals and
women etc. Since they contain several points which are against a healthy
society, Ved have to be rejected. The second group asserts that Ved are
words of God, Puraan and Shaastra reflect what Ved say, the traditions
inherited are as per Ved only and so, we have to protect them. Looking
from an impartial view, it becomes clear that neither of the groups has
read the Ved properly and hence their knowledge of the Ved is limited.
For the first group:
Ved do not prescribe castes, but Varn are mentioned. These do not come by
birth, but they are selected. Depending on the characteristics and the
profession every one has the liberty to select their Varn. There is no
one higher or lower among them. (RV 5.60.5) All the confusion is here
only. These have been reduced as castes and there have been exploitation
in their name.
Ved do not recommend cruelty
to animals (see Yajur Ved, 13.42, 13.43, 13.44, 13.49, 13.50, 1.1, 36.18;
Atharv Ved, 10.1.29,)
Ashwa does not mean
horse only. Senses, Nation are its other meanings. Prahaar does not mean
killing only. It also means Sangam - uniting. So, Indriya Sanyam and
uniting the nation are also meant by the term Ashwamedh.
There is no mention of any
thing against women in the Ved. Atharv Ved, 10.8.27, clearly mentions
that Jeevaatmaa does not have gender and is
recognized only by the body it occupies. The ones who have understood
this are the Rishi and not the ones who simply bear beard and hold Dand
Kamandal etc. (Rig Ved, 4.5.2). The one who desires and works for all
living beings is the Rishi or Rishikaa. There are several Rishikaa who
have given Ved Mantra.
Rig Ved, 10.85.46 and Atharv
Ved, 14.1.64 mention the respect given to them. They have liberty to
select their husbands (Rig Ved, 10.27.12). Manu Smriti which has
undergone several modifications with surreptitious introductions have to
be discarded.
For the second group:-
Instead of proving logically in a scientific manner that Ved are A-Paurusheya
(given by god) forcing people to believe that is definitely selfish and
bad. Without giving scope for questions telling anything and saying that
it is based on Ved is to be considered as selfish alone. The assertion
that Ved are not to be read by women which is being done even now by
Mathaadhi-pati (master of Math) etc is an example for this.
When Ved are simple to
understand, on a plea that they are difficult to decipher, giving
importance to Puraan which are many times totally against the concepts of
the Ved is a step against humanity. Lalitaa Sahastra Naam which is
generously permitted for women, mentions (vide
Shlok 29 of the Phal Shruti) abominable things. The teachings of Padm
Puraan for the women are mean. These teachings have no authority of the
Ved. The controversies found in Vishnu Puraan, Shiv Puraan, Devee
Bhaagvat etc are not based on Ved. Atharv Ved (13.4.20) mentions
clearly that God is one only. However 3 crore Gods have been created
by these Pauraanik who call themselves Vaidik. Ved have asserted
that idol worship is not correct (Yajur Ved 32.3) but the idols are the
profession of the Pauuraanik. Garud Puraan is the truth for the Pauraanik
when there is no mention of Shraaddh etc, in the Ved. Several such examples
can be given to show that all the inhuman social practices are based on the
Puraan, and not found in the Ved.
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