How do Vedas stand the test of time in this Age of advanced Science?

(Dr. Subhash Vedalankar, Professor, Rajasthan University, Jaipur India) According to the unanimous opinion of all the seers and sages of India, the Vedas were revealed by the Almighty, omniscient God in the beginning of human creation. In the Aitareya Brahman it is clearly stated that Prajapatirva imaan vedanasrijat The Brihadaranyak Upanishad declares that the Vedas are the breath of the supreme God Aitasya va mahato bhootasya nishvasitametat yadrigvedo yajurvedah samvedotharvavedah. singing the glory of the Vedas Geeta says Karma brhmodbhavam viddhi brahakshar samudbhavam All good actions have their origin in the Vedas and Vedas proceed from the God (Akshar, Indestructible). Rishi Atri says in his Smriti that there is no another shaastra greater than the Vedas Nasti vedat param shastram (1.148) Yajyavalkya rishi declares that all other shastras are derived from and are based upon the Vedas Nisritam sarvashastrantu ved -shastrat sanatanat After studying all the Vedas, Brahmans, Upanishads and thousands of books available in India Maharshi Dayanand Saraswati writes in third principal of Aryasamaj The Vedas are the scriptures of true knowledge it is the paramount duty of aryas to read them, teach them, recite them and hear them read. The meaning of the word Veda is knowledge, it is derived from the root Vid, which means To Know know .By Veda we mean the knowledge given by omnipotent and omniscient lord of universe at the commencement of human creation for the harmonious development and guidance of mankind. As worldly parents give knowledge to their children for their welfare, so the God who is our divine father and mother revealed the eternal truths through the Vedas for the wellbeing of all people. That God is within and out all beings and things. The sages hearts were pure and God inspired them with knowledge. In the Vedas we find our individual, domestic, social, national and international duties mentioned quite clearly for our guidance. That is why the glory of the Vedas has been sung by Shaastra and famous scholars of India. Well known scholars of the world also sing the glory of the Vedas and declare them the oldest books of the world library.

A Persian scholar Dada Changi writes the following in his book Comparative study of religion: The Veda is a book of knowledge and wisdom, comprising the book of nature, the book of religion, the book of prayers, and the book of morals and so on. The word Veda means wit, wisdom knowledge and truly, the Veda is condensed wit wisdom and knowledge. The Vedas teach nothing but monotheism of the purest kind. Dr. Allfred Russel Wallace wrote in his book-Social Environment and Moral Progress The wonderful collection of Hymens known as the Vedas is a vast system of religious teachings as pure and lofty as those of finest portions of Hebrew Scriptures Prof Heeren writes on VedasThe Vedas stand alone in their solitary splendor standing as beacons of divine light for onward marching of humanity. In my opinion Veda is the book of religion, science and morals. Vedas are the only books on earth which deal with ParaVidya (spiritual knowledge) and Apara Vidya (Worldly knowledge). Now Question arises that why should we sing the glory of Vedas in the modern age of advancing science, what is the utility of the Vedas in present context? The modern culture is more inclined towards the Aadhibhautika Things (Made of Physical elements), which are provided/created by Science (The human mind). Its ignorant about the Aadhidaivik elements (Made of supernatural or divine elements). The Aadhidaivik things take us towards spirituality which is a must to achieve the ultimate goal of life, The Moksha. Both of these are required to live a successful and peaceful life in this modern world. And if one of them is ignored, the human can not attain peace. The Vedas provide us the path, which needs to be followed taking the Aadhibhautika & Aadhidaivik elements together. Vedas and Vedic dharma teach harmony between knowledge and action. According to Vedic philosophy the ultimate aim of every human being is to know the supreme God (Param Brahm) and to get the Liberation. Stairs to reach that God are four Dharma, Arth, Kaam & Moksha (Righteousness, wealth, desires and emancipation).Yajurveda says Iha chedavedi tatsatyamasti, no chedavedi mahteeVinashti.

He, who does not know that almighty God (Sacchidanand Brahm) gets sunken into miseries and who knows that God leads a happy life, but, to reach the God Vidya (knowledge) and Avidya (karma, deeds) both are must. Vidya represents spiritual knowledge and Avidya represents worldly knowledge because the world is a Karmbhoomi. Avidya also represents metaphysical knowledge. Without Vidya (spiritual knowledge) and Avidya (Karma or worldly knowledge) no body can reach the almighty God. Yajurveda again says: Vidyachavidyancha yastadvedobhayam saha, Avidyayaa mrityum teertwa vidyayaamritamashnute Yaju.40-10 If the Vidya and Avidya both are accepted in social life than harmony and peace comes automatically. Modern advanced science gives metaphysical knowledge ,gives wealth for bread and butter but it never gives spiritual knowledge, so that can not create harmony between knowledge and action. Science has given the weapon to destroy others. Big countries have atom bombs rockets and other dangerous weapons to destroy other countries. Every big county is trying hard to show his superiority. Science neglects the advice of scholars it does not create unity between scholars and solders, between knowledge and strength .So there is no peace in the world. On the other hand the Vedas advise the scholars and solders (Brahma and Kshatra) to live in unity, to live with harmony .Peace only lies there. A mantra from Yajurveda is very important in this connection: Yatra brahma ca kshatramca samyanch charatah saha Tam lokam punyam prajanesham Yatra devaah sahagninaa. Yaju.20-25 That country is to be treated as pious where knowledge (Brahma) and physical strength (Kshatra) go together where the learned persons perform Yajnas. This universe is based and dependent on earth, water, fire air and sky. These are called pancha mahaaboota in Indian philosophy and are begin less and endless. Science is using these five elements every where, but science has completely failed to create harmony among these, and without harmony there is no question of world peace. On the other hand Vedas always preach harmony in all the regions of this universe. A well known mantra of Shantipaath is recited after Brahmayajya and Devayajya daily: Om dyaiuh shantirantariksham shantih, prithivi shantihrapah shantiroshadhayah shantih.Vanaspatayah shantir Vishvedevah shantir Brahma

shantih sarvam shantih shantireva shantih saamah shantiredhi om shantih shantih shantih. Here the God is requested to create peace and harmony in all regions of this universe : O God almighty you are the assuager all tribulations may the celestial regions beyond all planetary bodies ,by your grace, be peace full for us ,may they be free from troubles and remain always conducive to our happiness. May the intermediate region along with the planetary bodies init ,the atmosphere and other phenomena be peaceful for us ,may the waters with all the things dissolved there in, herbs vegetables and cereals with all their properties, trees and plants with all their products all these by your grace be conducive to our wellbeing . May all learned and wise men of the world ;knowledge imparting Vedic lore , our senses , the sun and other such planets, their rays and energies ,and above all, you supreme being along with the whole universe of beings, subtle and gross ,animate and inanimate ,moving and non moving ,big or small , always are peaceful and favorable to us .In the same way oh God almighty may all living beings of this world be free from all these evil passions . Science gives all worldly things creates new and new sources to earn more and more money and makes the men and women greedy, they want to become more and more prosperous, they try to get more and more wealth by good or foul means without limit, and invite troubles, pains, diseases and miseries. People earn more money but loose happiness and peace of mind. Science gives only metaphysical wealth. On the other hand all the Vedas preach and advise to have more and more money, many mantras can be quoted in this context such as Sa no vasoonyabhara , Vayam syaam patayo rayeenaam. O God! Give us more and more wealth of every kind. May we become the masters of material and spiritual wealth? Peace does not come without spiritual and material wealth. A great scholar Chanakya says: Sukhasya moolam Dharmah, Dharmasya moolamarthah Base of happiness lies in the religion and religion depends on wealth, in the Vedas wealth is depicted as God. O Gods, Bhaga, the lord of wealth is the bestower of riches to us, may we be prosper by his gifts. O lord of wealth, every one prays you. May you be our guide in this world? But Vedas preach that wealth must enter in the house through pious means. Punya lakshmi ramantaam . If it comes through foul means then peace of mind will vanish and happy life will remain a dream only. Science by using all five elements of the nature creates pollution in water earth air and voice, bombs and explosives of weapon create dangerous and poisonous gas which is the main root of many diseases and pains, but the Ved presents its remedy and that is yajya

A man can lead a long peaceful life if he possesses a healthy mind body and soul. He becomes free from all diseases. This can be done only by Yajna. Many dangerous diseases like Tuberculosis (T.B.), Asthma and even cardiac (heart disease) can be got rid through yajna. Bhopal Gas Tragedy is well known in the world. Thousands of people died in that tragedy. Yajna prevented bad effect of the poisonous gas that leaked out in the said tragedy, but astonishing enough was that those families and institutions of Aryans were unaffected by the deadly gas. Similarly all such places remained unaffected, where yajnas were performed daily. This fact came to light after survey of gas tragedy. One form of many yajnas is Agnihotra which is also called Devayajya, it removes all diseases. Herbs with oblation (Samagri) pure butter (Ghee) prepared from the cow milk, is used in yajna which purifies the air, vanishes many diseases. Pollution in earth, air, water and sound creates many troubles and diseases, while yajna removes pollution of all kinds, The Mantras of Yajna clear all the pollution of mind. Oblation throws away all sort of diseases related to body, mind and heart. There are some places in India where performer of yajnas cured T.B. patients. Bad nature and environment create panic, ill-evils and diseases in the world, which is far away from the peaceful life but yajna is the remedy there. This science pollutes the atmosphere and Ved through yajya purifies that and removes ill effects. Many countries are spending lots of money every where to remove the pollution of water ,air, earth and noise but Vedic yajya can remove pollution of all kinds with little expenses. Chemical fertilizers are prepared by the science which destroys the strength of soul. But if the Bhasm (ashes) of sacrificial fire is used in soil then any dying plant gets a new life. In the same way chanting of Vedic mantras removes the sound pollution. If the mantras are uttered with fine way plants and trees become healthy and give more food. This has been proved by experiments of yajnas in Shanti kunj Hardiwaar and by Dr K.N. Singh of Annamalai University Chennai No doubt science has created several means of earning more and more money it has created many ways of enjoyment but it could not produce any means to create harmony between renunciation and enjoyment. On the other hand Veda advocates harmony between renunciation and enjoyment. The Vedas show the middle path expressed in the most unambiguous terms like Ten tyakten bhunjitha maa gridhah kasya swidhanam Yaju.40-1

Enjoy things of this world with the spirit of renunciation in you. Dont be greedy, whose wealth is this? This is all of God. Regard yourself as only trustees and not owners of the wealth With the help of advancing science of this age people have become greedy they try to snatch others property by right and wrong means. Wealth earned by scientific means increases the individualism. Every body wants to show himself above to his society .He shows himself superior to others. On the other hand the Vedas advocate the claims of the reconciliation between individualism and socialism laying stress on the combination of both Asambhooti (individualism) and sambhooti (Socialism) means all round progress of individual and social collective welfare of the whole society. According to Vedas this is the right path of a man to accept both Asambhooti (Individualism) and Sammbhooti (Socialism) as stated in Yajurveda-40-11 Sambhootim cha vinasham cha yastad vedobhayam sah. Vinashena mritum teertva sambhootyamrit mashnute. The Vedas lay stress upon harmony between faith and reason by praying for the development of both and by conducting ourselves in such a way that both these faculties may go hand in hand Agne samidhamahaarsha brihate Jaatavedase Sa me shradhaam cha medham cha jaatveda priachatu Atharva -19-63 Such mantras are significant in this context. We pray to the God JaatVeda to endow us with faith and pure reason at the same time. Here Shradha is not a blind faith, but power of grasping and upholding the truth. According to the Vedic lexicon named Nighantu, Shrat means truth (shrat iti satya Nama Nighuntu-3-10).The root dha means to uphold or support .Therefore Shradha means that which upholds or supports truth. It is not a superstition, as generally it is considered to be. For instance in religions like Christianity and Islam the greatest stress is laid on faith in Jesus Christ and Mohammad Sahib .To argue in the religious matters is considered to be sinful. There are many famous persons who had to lay down their lives or whose properties were snatched for exercising their reasoning power against the dogmas of orthodox Christianity and Islam but that is not the case with Vedas they dont condemn or look down upon reason. The Vedas preach us to stitch or to knit together our hearts (the center of faith and love) with our brains (the center of reason).There could not be greater emphasis on the harmony between the faith and reason as expressed in this poetical figure

Moordhanamasya sansivyath hridayam cha yat Atharv -10-2-26. This is the most important distinguishing feature of the dharma taught by the Vedas This harmony between faith and reason is not visible in the age of advancing science. Reasoning is there but faith is not visible. Another distinguishing feature of the Vedas is that religion and science are properly harmonized there. The Vedas are the origin not only of religion, morality and ethics and also of sciences. Even some impartial western scholars have expressed this distinguishing feature of Vedas with great surprise. Dr W.D .Brown in his famous book The Superiority of the Vedic religion writes Vedic religion recognizes one God only .It is a thoroughly a scientific religion, where religion and science meet hand to hand. Dr V. G. Rale writes in his book The Vedic Gods: Our present anatomical knowledge of nervous system tallies so accurately with the literal description of the world given by the Rigveda that a question arises in the mind whether Vedas are really religious books or they are books on anatomy and physiology of the nervous system Almost all the Indian scholars and commentators of Vedas like Maharshi Dayanand Saraswati, Maharshi Arvindo, Satyavrat Saamshrami, Tilak, and Pavgi etc have declared and proved that all the scientific theories of the modern advanced science are hidden in the Vedas. Vedic mathematics is well known in the world and the mathematics is the soul of modern science, without mathematics scientist can not do any investigation Modern science has created hatred, jealousy, disparity and dishonor among the people. It takes the world far away of spirituality and religion it instigates the countries to quarrel and to suppress each other. There is no combination of religion and the science in this scientific age. On the other hand Vedas teach that we are equal progeny of one God, we are like brothers and sisters we should help and protect each others. Poman pomansam paripatu vishwatah God inspires the people to go together to speak together to live together to eat together and to think together. The whole earth is like a family Vasudhaiv katumbakam Earth is our mother and we are her sons Mata bhoomi putroham prithivyah . Atharva mandal 12

Vedas give the message to see each other as friend. Mitrasya chakshusha sameekshamahe By polluting the Earth air water fire and sky with help of dangerous bombs and explosives and by creating the means of enjoyment of the people. Modern science has created terror it has snatched peace of mind and has created diseases and pains. Although it has prepared hundreds kinds of medicines but diseases are increasing day by day. On the other hand, Vedas, by giving the knowledge of Yoga and Pranaayaam has shown the way of peace and harmony. Yoga removes many dangerous diseases, gives a good health of body, mind and heart without any expenditure, without any medicine for which science is spending lots of money every year. Thats why Yoga is becoming popular day by day. At the end I will say that every person wants peace of mind, only Vedas show the path of peace, they give the message of equality and brotherhood. They tell us how to have a proper synchronization between a Spiritual life and Physical life and how can we achieve the ultimate aim of Liberation and Spiritual freedom while fulfilling our duties in this physical world. They remind us to worship pious persons, scholors, parents, teachers and guests and to treat whole earth as our family. They allow us to earn more and more money by pious means and use that wealth with renunciation. They also preach not to forget an almighty God who is the only creator and Lord of this universe. Without which you can not lead a peaceful happy life. This way in the age of advancing science Vedas are proved as light house for the mankind, they are showing the path of goodness not only for common peoples but scientists also.