Om - An Inquiry into its Aesthetics, Mysticism, and Philosophy

  • Posts by : Veda Purana
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  • Jul 30 2020

A deeper insight into this mystic symbol reveals that it is composed of three syllables combined into one, not like a physical mixture but more like a chemical combination. Indeed in Sanskrit the vowel 'o' is constitutionally a diphthong compound of a + u; hence OM is representatively written as AUM.

Fittingly, the symbol of AUM consists of three curves (curves 1, 2, and 3), one semicircle (curve 4), and a dot.

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The Four-Fold Spiritual Wealth: A Prerequisite for Vedanta

  • Posts by : Veda Purana
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  • Jul 30 2020

Going further, the science of ‘Moksha’, or liberation, better known as Vedanta too requires a qualified seeker to attain full benefit from it. Only the one who is qualified for it can attain Moksha. However, only a very few people are interested in Moksha, because the majority of us live under the illusion that happiness is the result of fulfilling worldly desires, while Moksha is something which has no trace of ‘wordliness’ in it, and this is what frightens us, making us believe that Moksha is not our cup of tea at all.

To avail full benefit from any branch of knowledge, one has to have the prerequisite qualifications to ensure complete fulfillment in that particular field. This is known in Sanskrit as ‘Adhikara.’ For example, the part of Vedic literature dealing with rituals (Mimamsa) states that only a person with the following four qualifications is eligible for performing Vedic Karmas (sacrifices etc) and their fruits 

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Upasana: The Vedic Path of Lifelong Meditation

  • Posts by : Veda Purana
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  • Jul 30 2020
The mind is by its very nature fickle and restless. Hence it is extremely difficult to keep our mind fixed on the Supreme God (Para-Brahman), who is without form and of extremely subtle essence. To help out the aspirant therefore, the Upanishads prescribe certain focused meditations known as Upasanas which gradually help him make progress on the spiritual path.
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Understanding Dharma: The Four Authentic Sources

  • Posts by : Veda Purana
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  • Jul 30 2020

Whether our goal in life be material prosperity or Moksha, the way lies through Dharma. However, most of the time, let alone follow it, we are not even sure about what our Dharma is, or even how we can come to know about it.

While it is generally known that Dharma has to be understood from the Shastras, due to their almost endless variety and diversity we are unable to get a clear and unambiguous picture of Dharma. However, when we understand that the sources of Dharma have been systematically divided into four simple categories, following a certain hierarchical structure, then not only does it become easier to understand what our Dharma is in a particular situation, but also makes it possible for us to live our life in accordance with it.

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Is There a Rebirth? The Vedological Approach

  • Posts by : Veda Purana
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  • Jul 30 2020
The world was created by God. However, what was the need for Him to create this immense universe of unimaginable complexity? This is the question. Suppose one says that God was bored by loneliness and in order to get rid of this boredom He indulged in creation. This then would imply that God is also a victim of dissatisfaction and boredom like us. On the other hand if it is said that there is no specific reason for creation then this would imply an unsound mind because doing anything without a purpose is a sign of an unbalanced mind. It is only a mad person who cries or laughs or runs without any reason (Brahma Sutras 2.1.32).
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Who is a Guru? The Traditional, Scriptural View

  • Posts by : Veda Purana
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  • Jul 30 2020
The science of spirituality is all about knowing one's own self. However, this can never be known in any of the normal ways through which we gain knowledge of worldly subjects. To learn and experience this science, we need to be graced with the blessings of both - guru and God. There is nothing surprising in this. We all know that to qualify in any field of knowledge, we require the guidance of an experienced person who is already qualified in that particular field. Whether it is a doctor, a lawyer or a businessman, all follow this line of action only. Krishna says in the Bhagavad Gita:
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From Individual Soul to The Supreme: A Study in Identity

  • Posts by : Veda Purana
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  • Jul 30 2020

The Vedas are unanimous in declaring God as the Supreme Soul (Param Atma), who is infinite (ananta). However, the most potent Vedic statements also declare: 'You are That' (Tat Tvam Asi), meaning that the individual soul is none other than the Supreme Soul. This naturally presents a problem. The individual soul, as we know it, is inevitably linked to our physical body. Therefore, there is no way that it can exceed the size of the body and share God's infinitude. How then can it be equated to the Supreme Soul? This problem can perhaps be solved if we are able to pinpoint the exact size of the individual soul (jiva atma).

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Filtering Out God from this World: A Study in the Method of Vedanta

  • Posts by : Veda Purana
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  • Jul 30 2020
God is as much present in this world in front of us, as clay is in a pot. A pot is nothing but clay, similarly, the world is nothing but God only. This heavily loaded sentence from the scriptures seems hard to digest, since the ‘Godliness’ of the world is not visible like clay in the pot is. God (Brahman), when appearing as the world, is rather camouflaged. Therefore, what we see in the form of the world cannot be the inherent nature of God. Thus, for the clear understanding of the nature of God, we have to filter out the camouflage from Its (God’s) true nature.
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What is Maya? A Conceptual Analysis

  • Posts by : Veda Purana
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  • Jul 30 2020

Having made this exciting promise, Krishna begins His explanation by saying:

"I have two kinds of Maya – lower (apara) and superior (para). The first is the cause of the inert world, and the second is my shakti in the form of prana which sustains this world. Because My Maya, in these two forms, is the cause of this entire world, it is actually Me, who is the ultimate source and dissolution of the world." (7.4-5)

Promising to give a 'full and clear' description of Himself, Krishna begins with Maya. Actually, this is the only way we can understand God. The Upanishads state:

'The speech and mind return without reaching the ultimate God' (Taittriya Upanishad 2.4.1).

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Ananda: Analysis of Happiness in the Upanishads

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  • Jul 29 2020
According to the Upanishads, the happiness experienced by us during deep sleep is ParamAnanda (the highest happiness possible). There is no happiness equal to it and certainly not greater than it. In deep sleep we are alone, nobody is different from us, hence, in this state, we are free from fear. In deep sleep the individual soul (jiva) merges into the supreme soul (Param Atman). This is the highest destination for the individual soul, his highest treasure, his highest world.
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The Forms of Shiva in Visual Arts

  • Posts by : Veda Purana
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  • Jul 29 2020
Shiva's visual forms, along with perhaps some kind of worship cult, had begun appearing some 5000 years ago. This denotes not only his priority over other gods of India's religious hierarchy but also reveals the fact that his is the imagery and iconography that evolved over a period of five millennia - perhaps the longest period for an image, or worship tradition, to have evolved and sustained through. And, despite such long period, as often breeds complexities and uncompromising contradictions, Shiva's imagery reveals wondrous unity and unique growth perspective.
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