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Frequently asked Questions are both meant for Knowledge Sharing as well as for answering questions asked by Vedanga students & enthusiasts.
Answer Vedanga is a Sanskrit word. Anga means both- body parts as well as the number six. Thus Vedanga means six (Anga) Essential components or limbs of studies that are required to understand Vedas & application of Veda Mantras. Vedangas are not auxiliary studies but foundational essential basic studies, without which keys to Veda Mantras & Yagnyas remain obscure. These six Vedangas are: 1. Shiksha : Study of Vedic Verbal Sound. Vedas distinguish between two different aspects of sound. i. Linguistic Sound- Phonetics, pronunciations, focused on the letters of the Sanskrit alphabet, accent,stress, and rules of grammatical combination of words needed for effective application of Veda Mantras for different purposes. It also focuses on Transcedental implications of Sanskrit Alphabets known as Varnamala & its co-relation with (Shoonya)Void Energy- Time. ii. Mysterious Higher Potencies of HARMONIC (Music) Sound & Meaningful White Noise ( Stobhas of Sama Veda) as potencies of Space & Cardinal Points of Compass Directions. 2. Chhandas : Prosody. This is the most important discipline with focus on the poetic meters based on fixed number of syllables per verse. It is said that the Gods initially taught the Truth Wisdom of Vedas in Chhanda keys. Chhandas are mathematical representation of Will or Purpose of the Mantra recitation & application with or without Yagnya & Sama (melody) 3. Kalpa : The Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for conduct of applied Vedic activities for different purposes. The seemingly ritualistic format is steeped with symbolic inner meanings that are both practical & metaphysical. 4. Jyotisha : Vedic Astronomy & study of Time- Space- Event Analysis. The real application of Vedic Jyotish is to unlock the Veda Mantra Potencies. Without Vedic Jyotish insight, especially about Nakshatras; Indologists & Veda enthusiasts are liable to get wrong & pseudo notions about Mantra meanings. Used both for day to day time keeping, cosmic time keeping & Strategic Intervention Technology through Mantras & Yagnyas; Jyotish studies in Vedic context is intended to get desired results from Cosmic Creative Consciousness. Fortune telling is just a very fringe aspect of Vedic Jyotish. 5. Vyaakarana : Grammar and linguistic analysis for expansion & expression of ideas in Sanskrit language 6. Nirukta : Roughly translated as Etymology, Nirukta stands for explanation of words, particularly those that are archaic & symbolic. Nirukta helps in finding the root of the unspoken (nirukta) idea that has been rendered as Mantras.
Answer Specifically speaking Indology focuses on the study of Vedas, Auxiliary Vedic disciplines, Sanskrit language & Epics. In this aspect, the core context of Indology is study of Vedic & Epic era wisdom, mysticism, arts, mantras and Vedic science & technology. However, Indology, in general also means the academic study of literature, culture, history, languages, spiritual & metaphysical branches of Indian sub-continent.
Answer Sanskrit/Saṃskṛtā or Saṃskṛtam is the ancient most language of Indian sub-continent. It means "cultured & balanced speech". It was the lingua franca of Indian subcontinent from time immemorial through Vedic, Epic & Ashokan Era. It is also the sacred & mystic language of Vedas and of several Indic religious, spiritual and cultural streams. The Constitution of India enlists Sanskrtam as one of the 22 scheduled languages. It is also the official language of the state of Uttarakhand, in India.
Answer The Vedas are bedrocks of Indic spirituality, metaphysics, mysticism, arts & archaic science & technology. Vedas are composed in Sanskrit language & having their origin in ancient times of Indian sub-continent. Vedas are also called ‘Shruti’, the compendiums of hymns composed by the Rishis (Seers), for welfare & progress of humanity. The Veda were rearranged & divided into following four books by Rishi Veda Vyasa (divider of Vedas) during Mahabharata era: i. The Rig-Veda ii. The Yajur-Veda iii. The Sama-Veda iv. The Atharva-Veda The Yajur-Veda has two different recenssions:: i.. The Krishna Yajur-Veda. ii. The Sukla Yajur-Veda The Krishna Yajur Veda or the Tattiriya is the older book and the Sukla or Vajasaneya is a later revelation to Sage Yajnavalkya by Sun-God Surya. Each Veda consists of four parts: i.. The Mantra-Samhitas (Text or Compendium of hymns). ii. The Brahmanas (explanations of Mantras and applications in the language of symbolic rituals). iii.The Aranyakas (interpretations of the symbolic meanings of rituals for guidance of practitioners) iv. The Upanishads (The essence or the core wisdom-truth which are basis of Mantras & rituals). The subject matter of the whole Veda is divided into: i. Mantras Texts (Hymns-Formulas) - Sutras (Iccha Shakti- Applied Will power) ii.. Karma-Khanda – Yagnyas (Kriya Shakti-Action) iii.. Upasana- Khanda (Dhyana- Dharana Yoga Shakti) iv.. Jnana- Khanda (Gyaana Shakti) The Mantras and the Brahmanas constitute Iccha- Kriya Karma Khanda-Will power. The Aranyakas constitute Upasana Khanda - Yoga –Dhyana – Focused Mind Meditation-Devotion/ Bhakti-Aasthaa. The Upanishads constitute Gyaana Khanda – Wisdom Knowledge about Atma (Jivatma) & Consciousness (Individual & Cosmic Consciousness) & Vedic core wisdom Theoretical aspects..
Answer The Upanishads are the most important portion of the Vedas & contain the essence of the Vedas. As per Muktikā Upanishad, there are about 108 Upanishads, of which 13 are Mukhya(chief), 21 are Saamaanya Vedaanta (ordinary & easily intelligible), 20 are Sannyaasa 14 are Vaishnava, 12 are Shaiva, 8 are Shaakta and 20 are Yoga. The Upanishads are also commonly referred to as Vedaanta, variously interpreted as "the last chapters or end portions of the Veda" or "the ultimate objective & wisdom the Veda”.
Answer Tantra is a Sanskrit word which means ‘Treaties’ or ‘Doctrine’ or ‘Theory’ or ‘Principles’. In the context of Indology & Vedic studies, Tantra means ; Doctrines , Theories & Principles of learning core Wisdom of Mantra, Homa & Dhyana based Vedic & other Allied schools of thought & practices. The main purpose is evolution of higher faculties & potentials of Human Mind & Soul for Spiritual Empowerment. Fringe purposes are obtaining supernatural powers called Siddhis. Atharva Veda is more or less associated with Tantra principles. There are Buddhist Tantras too.
Answer Mantras are sacred formulas composed of Sanskrit syllables & words capable of invoking mysterious, spiritual & supernatural powers for different purposes. The format of Mantra can be prose or poetry, with or without mathematical, geometric, musical & tonal highlights. These high lights of mantras are mostly kept secret and are passed down from Teacher to pupil at personal sessions depending upon the capacity of the student & purpose of learning. Some mantras have no literal meaning. Such mantras are coded formulas meant for expert deciphering & understanding. Some Mantras are also passwords for activation of supernatural weapons called Astras. Some mantras are meant for healing specific diseases & maladies. Some mantras are meant for wealth generation & Alchemy. Some mantras are meant for psychic effects. Some mantras can have multiple applications depending upon different arrangement of syllables & words. Presently all Vedic mantras are freely available for everyone to study. However, the pass words & the keys for applied potentials of almost all mantras have been kept hidden & inaccessible. Simple intellectual analysis or literal interpretation of Mantras are of no real use.
Answer Yantra is a Sanskrit word which means instrument, apparatus, prop, a device for support. It refers to both the hardware mechanical device and/ or the architectural or geometric drawing of the intended device. Yantra is a unified abstract representation of the thing & the being; both in Space, Time, Matter, Energy & Consciousness aspect. Intellectual understanding and Vedic understanding of Yantras are poles apart. Like mantras, the Yantras are also pass word protected & least understood, leading to many wrong notions. Sulba Sutras of Yajur Vedic schools for setting of Yagnya pits are important pointers to understand key Vedic Yantra Geometry formulas. Some Yantras are understood as geometric representation of Mantras & geometric format of Deity/Supernatural powers. The essential components of Yantra are- 1. Beeja Mantra (seed syllable) 2. Colours 3. Bindu (Central Dot, the source or core point of emanation) 4. Triangle 5. Hexagram 7. Lotus 8. Circle (Mandala/Vrita) 9. Outer Square 10. Pentagram 11. Octagone (Cardinal & intermediate compass points)
Answer Vedic era Science refers to many disciplines of studies found in or based on Vedas & Auxiliary disciplines such as Vedic Mantra Weaponry, Medicine. Aeronautics ( Vaimanika),Chemistry, Geometry, Mathematics, Astronomy, Abstract Concepts of Algebra & Logic, Physics of Sound, Light, Fire, Life, Time, Space, Events, Gravity, Architecture, Geo-dynamic Forces( Vaastu), Sidereal Forces, Synodic Forces etc.
Answer Kundalini or Kundali is a Vedic concept of Cosmic Unified Space- Time-Breath-Energy- Consciousness. It has both individual & cosmic manifestation & is the driving force behind everything in this cosmos. In human beings this Kundalini Force- Energy resides in a potential form. Every human body is equipped with Psychosomatic mechanism to bring this K-Force into activation with deliberate or accidental effort. Kundalini facilitates Spiritual, Psychic, Intellectual & Wisdom- Truth Empowerment & ultimately leads to Liberation (Moksha/nirvana) from constraints of Time-Space-Event driven Biological & mental limitations. There are several Upanishads dedicated to Kundalini activation. Yoga Kundali Upanishad is one of the prominent Kundalini highlight Upanishads.
Answer Astra are supernatural weapons invoked & activated through Veda Mantras. Every Astra has its counter measure in another Astra. The knowledge of Vedic Jyotisha and sidereal forces of Space- Time represented in intelligible Sanskrit alphabets & Chhandas are keys to Vedic Astra Technology. Astras are used both as weapons of war as well as medical remedies for psychosomatic diseases & maladies including revival of dead. The activation keys to Astras are pass word protected & not known to ordinary Mantra practitioners. The Sanskrit epics Mahabharata & Ramayana are primarily Astra War stories of the Vedic era when wars were fought with Astra power and medical problems were also resolved through application of Astras. Some Astras are also used for Climate & Weather Control like rain seeding without chemicals.
Answer Vidya is feminine nomenclature for Mantra .As per Vedas the Sushumna or Middle Path of Prana is Mahavidya or Vidya Path. The Cosmic Consciousness in its Energy (Shakti) aspect is designated as a feminine force; both creative, sustaining & annihilating. Symbolically it is represented as dynamic power of Breath-Time-Space as an all-encompassing Consciousness from which everything manifest & into which everything return. Vidya word is derived from Veda/Vid and essentially means the process of knowing the Cosmic Truth Wisdom. Essentially divided into Ten different directions/divisions of study, the Mahavidyas are said to be Ten. Following are the basic names of the Ten Mahavidyas : 1. KALI 2. TARA 3. TRIPURA SUNDARI 4. BHUVANESHWARI 5. BHAIRAVI 6. CHHINAMASTA 7. DHUMAVATI 8. BAGALAMUKHI 9. MATANGI 10. KAMALA Devi Upanishad, Durga Suktam, Sri Suktam & Devi Suktam of Vedas essentially emphasize on Mahavidyas & Gods as different aspects of Devi. And cosmically Devi is identified as the source of all Mantras of Vedas, Yantras, Tantras & transcendental powers of Sanskrit Alphabets and also as Trisandhya Mystic power of of Gayatri- Savitri . Sri Yantra/Sri Chakra is the most important key to understand Mahavidya symbolisms & unlock the Vedic mantra wisdom in a very easy and systematic yet simple manner. Tara Mahavidya has special association with Atharva Veda. So has Bhubaneshwari & Bagalamukhi. Mahavidyas give access to Vedic Astras & Aushadhis (medicines/elixirs). This key is shown in all the weapons & Yantras various Mahavidyas carry in their anthropomorphic Iconography Idol forms.
Answer Nityas are Vedic mystic names for 15 waxing phases of Moon otherwise known as Tithis or Kalaas in Sanskrit. The Full Moon (16th phase of Moon) is known as Tripura Sundari Mahavidya or Sodashi (the 16th one). The Nityas are identified with transcendental powers of 16 Sanskrit Vowels, and are essentially different aspects of Cosmic Synodic Forces. The South Pole of Moon with Eternal Light is known as 17th Kalaa or Niskala Nitya (Eternity) or Niranjana, the most secret & mystic abode of Vedic Deities in their manifested form as Gods & Goddesses. In contrast with Nityas, the 12 Rashis, 28 Nakshatras,36 Dreshkonas (Drekkans) & other divisions of Rashis (Sun signs of Ecliptic sphere) in Vedic Jyotisha are Sidereal Forces of Cosmos. These Synodic Forces (Nityas) & Sidereal Forces (Tattwas/36 Sanskrit Consonants ) are collectively called Kala Chakra Shakti or Kala Purusha, the transcendental powers of Sanskrit Alphabets & Mantras. The Cosmic Consciousness of Time-Space-Breath Continuum. (Details are taught in courses)
Answer Yamalas belong to Dakshina Marga/Right Current/Pingala Swara based group of division of Vedic scriptures. The five main branches of Yamalas are Brahma, Raudra, Vaishnava, Auma(Uma/Soma), Skanda-Yamalas. Of these Brahmayamala is said to be root current of all other Yamalas. And as per Jayadratha Yamala, the above Yamalas are parent source of Four Vedas.
Answer The text books of Tantra are mostly in the form of dialogues between Shiva and Shakti (Parvati). These dialogue oriented texts are written in two formats i.e. Agama & Nigama. The texts where in Shiva is the teacher-speaker teaching secret spiritual doctrines and Parvati (Shakti) is the student-listener, such texts are called Agama. On the other hand, where Parvati is the teacher–speaker and Shiva the student- listener, such texts are called Nigama. The Atharva Veda is considered to be the prime source of Agama & Nigama scriptures. A thorough understanding of Vedic Jyotisha & Nakshatra is key to transcendental insight of Agamas & Nigamas. The Agamas are further divided into three main groups depending on the “Ishta deva” (the personal favourite Deity- Consciousness). The Ishta Devat is either Shakti, Shiva or Vishnu. The texts are accordingly called Shakta Agama, Shaiva Agama, and Vaishnava Agama or Pancharatra. There are 28 Agamas and 108 Upagamas (subsidiary). The Saktas Agamas are 77. They are called Sadhana Shastras. Anyone can practice Sadhana Sastra in three parts: Sadhana, Siddhi and Darshana.
Answer The word Vedanta is a collective term for study of Mukhya (Main) Upanishads, Brahma Sutra & Bhagavat Geeta (of Mahabharata Epic). This collective study is also known as Prasthanatrayi or Uttara Mimaansa. It also emphasizes on study of Yoga & Nyaya. The deliberation of Vedanta approaches are mainly focused on metaphysical understanding of - 1. Brahman – The Cosmic Ultimate & Eternal Principles). 2. Atman/Jivatma - Individual Consciousness principle. 3. Prakriti- The Cosmic temporal- manifesting- sustaining – dissolving Principles. There are about Ten different branches of Vedanta schools categorized as- Advaita, Dvaita, Vishisthadvita & Bhedabheda. (Details are taught in courses)
Answer The Upa-Vedas are subsidiary but primary specialized texts of Four Vedas. These four Upa-Vedas are mainly application oriented as is evident from their names and explain detailed procedure and accessories, methodology & logistics required for successful application of Veda mantras keys for different purposes. The following are generic names of the Four Upa-Vedas; 1. Ayurveda (science of life, healing& health- Atharva Veda & Rig Veda) 2. Dhanurveda (science of Supernatural Weapons- Astras & Archery- Rig & Atharva) 3. Gandharva Veda (Science of Harmonic Sound, music & Sama Veda) 4. Sthapatya Veda & Vaastu Veda (Science of Geometry, Architecture, Sculpture & Geodynamic Forces affecting construction sites, the science of Spatial Dimensions, Yantras, machines etc…-Yajur Veda)
Answer Yagnya/ Yajna/ Homam has evolved from the Vedic practice of offering oblations and libations into sacred fire called Agni along with Vedic mantras addressed to different Deities including Agni for different purposes. Though seemingly designated as Karma Kanda or rituals, the Yagnyas in reality are result oriented activities for achieving desired results. It is a specialized activity, the intricate details of which are known only to learned expert practitioners. The original Vedic Yajnya/ Yagnyas/ Homam do not advocate any animal sacrifice. The only things offered to sacred Agni fire are herbal and milk products like- Ghee, honey, sugar, wood, milk, curd, rice & specified herbs & fruits. This point has been amply clarified in Satapatha Brahmana, Taittariya Brahmana, Gopatha Brahmana, Aitariya Brahmana etc. The Sanskrit nomenclature used for some of the ingredients used in Yajnya/Yagnya ,are also synonyms for many animal products hence the general negative misconceptions about Yagnya as Karma Kanda. These misconceptions are mostly due to lack of Sanskrit knowledge & Vedic symbolisms. Tantrik Yajnyas are extension of Vedic Yajnya and as such do not advocate any form of animal sacrifice or violence against human beings. (Details are taught in courses)