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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.