Vedic Studies: An Introduction
Teaching of Vedic Chanting in Truly Traditional Gurukula System of our Ancient Sanskrit Culture.
Introduction:
Vedas define the way of life. Just look at a miniscule sample of quotations from the Vedas.
| Sanskrit Quotation | अनन्ता वै वेदााः |
| Transliteration | Ananthaa vai vedaha |
| Meaning | Infinite are the Vedas |
| Source | Yajur Veda |
| Sanskrit Quotation | प्रमाणं च वेदश्च |
| Transliteration | Pramanam vedascha |
| Meaning | The proof of all Dharma |
| Source | Apasthamba |
| Sanskrit Quotation | वेदैश्च सवैरहमेव वेद्याः |
| Transliteration | Vedaischa sarvai ahameva vedyo |
| Meaning | I am known through all the Vedas |
| Source | Bhagavath Gita |
| Sanskrit Quotation | अध्यात्मववद्या ववद्यानाम् |
| Transliteration | Adhyathma vidya vidyanam |
| Meaning | Of all the vidyas, I’m the Vedavidya |
| Source | Bhagavath Gita Viboothi Yoga |
| Sanskrit Quotation | वेदो वनत्यं अधीयताम् |
| Transliteration | Vedho Nithyam Adheeyatham |
| Meaning | Practice the Vedas daily Practise well their prescriptions |
| Source | Adi Shankara |
| Sanskrit Quotation | यस्य वनाःश्ववसतं वेदााः |
| Transliteration | Yasya niswasitham Vedaha |
| Meaning | He whose breath are the Vedas |
| Source | Vidyaranya |
| Sanskrit Quotation | वेदोzखिलो धमममूलम् |
| Transliteration | Vedhokilo Dharmamoolam |
| Meaning | Vedas are the root of all Dharmas |
| Source | Manusmruthi |
| Quotation | वेदा ये नाःपरं धनम् |
| Transliteration | Veda ye naha param dhanam |
| Meaning | The greatest wealth is Vedas |
| Source | Srimath Ramayanam |
| Quotation | वेदा वय वाः शरणप्रप |
| Transliteration | Veda vayam vaha sharanam prappannaha |
| Meaning | We surrender unto you, the great Vedas ! |
| Source | A Saint |
| Quotation | धमं विज्ञासमानानां प्रमाणं परमं श्रुवताः |
| Transliteration | Dharmam Jignasamananam pramanam Paramam Shruthihi |
| Meaning | Vedas are the prime source to know Dharma |
| Source | Subashitham |
These quotations make us understand the greatness of Vedas. To know Dharma and the principles of Dharma, we must refer to certain specific texts or books. We call such books as “Dharma-pramana”.
“Pramana” means that which establishes the truth. So “Dharma-pramana” means that which gives one the true knowledge of Dharma. These are the sacred texts that speak about true Dharma.
अङ्गावन वेदाः चत्वारो
मीमांसा न्यायववस्तराः।
पुराणं धममशास्त्रं च
ववद्याह्येतााः चतुदमश।।
“Angaani Vedaaschatwaro meemaamsa nyaaya vistarah
Puraanam Dharmasaastramcha vidyaahyetaah chaturdasa”
These are fourteen and they are:
Vedas – 4: The four Vedas form the core of our spiritual life. They are the supreme authority – Pramaana. The Vedas form the basic structure.
1. Rig Veda
2. Yajur Veda
3. Sama Veda
4. Atharva Veda
Vedaangas – 10 (Auxilliaries to the Vedas): In order to supplement the understanding of theVedas, 6 Vedaangas and 4 Upaangas have been derived. The Vedas are meant to be studied with the other 10 constituents.
5. Siksha – Euphony and pronunciation
6. Vyaakarna – Grammar
7. Chandas – Metre
8. Niruktha – Etymology
9. Jyotisha – Astronomy
10.Kalpa – Procedure
11.Meemaamsa – Interpretation of Vedic texts
12 Nyaaya – Logic
13 Puraana – Mythology
14 Dharma Saastraas – Contains codes of conduct
These texts are full of knowledge and wisdom for life. Hence these fourteen are known as the ‘Vidyaasthaanas’.
To these 14 may be added 4 more which are called ‘Upaangas’ or appendices to the Vedaangas. They are:
• Ayurveda – Science of life.
• Arthasaastra – Science of wealth.
• Dhanur Veda – Science relating to weaponry, missiles and warfare.
• Gaandharva Veda – Treatises on the fine arts like usic,dance,drama
KRISHNA YAJURVEDA comprising BRAHMANAA, SAMHITAA, PADAA, KRAMAA, JATA, GHANA & LAKSHANAA. AND SHADANGAA ARE BEING TAUGHT IN OUR VEDA PATASHAALA.
VI - SHADANGAA (6 ANGAAS OF VEDAS)
Vedaangas – 6 (Auxilliaries to the Vedas)
1. Siksha – Euphony and pronunciation
2. Vyaakarna – Grammar
3. Chandas – Metre
4. Niruktha – Etymology
5. Jyotisha – Astronomy
6. Kalpa – Procedure
17 Students are studying in the course.
V - GHANA PAATA
Pre-requisite is completing KRAMA PAATA.
The highlight of this course is chanting of Vedas in different format. It will have lot of methods and formulas to apply.
To chant the Ghana Pata one needs to get Veda portions upto Krama horoughly memorized.
IV - KRAMA PAATA
Pre-requisite is completing PADA PAATA.
The highlight of this course is chanting Vedas by joining 2 padas like AB, BC, CD, DE and so on.
To recite karama paata format one needs to get Veda portions upto PADA PAAPTA thoroughly memorized.
It is to be recited by using the PRAATHI SHAAKYAM SOOTHRA.
III - PADA PAATA
Pre-requisite for admission is finishing MOOLA PAATA (i.e. SAMHITA & BRAHMANA).
They got to get all basic lessons i.e.SAMHITA memorized in finger tips enabling to recite the MOOLA VEDA in this PADA format.
After mastering to recite in this style they will be taught KRAMA, JATA & GHANA.
5 Students are studying in the course.
II - SAMHITA PAATA
This course is the base for all further vedic courses.
Students learn Rudram They are required to work very hard and disciplined to keep these portions of Vedas always memorized.
6 Students are studying in this course.
I - BRAHMANAM
This is the starting of veda course. Students learn letters in sanskrit and grantha akshara’s, vowels and ARUNA PRASHNAA to begin with.
3 Students are studying in the course.