This post is in continuation to my previous post https://msrayyangar.com/2010/04/07/the-essence-of-vedas/

Veda was (is) the cumulative & collective wisdom born out of human intellect – transmitted by early sages & seers down the line as Sruthi (Hymns) & Smruthi (Upanishads) from generation to generation for ages. Presumably about 5000 years ago –the greatest Indian sage & seer “Brahmarshi Veda Vyasa” chose to formally present and dedicate it to all humanity as 4 principal Vedas in written form – consisting of 1131 Shaakhas (Branches) –ie- 21 in Rigveda; 101 in Yajurveda; 1000 in Samaveda and 9 in Atharvaveda.  This was meant to meet all the changing spiritual & material needs of humans in accordance with changing and contemporary times. Today – only 10 Shaakhas (Branches) out of 1131 Shaakhas are available which have been fortunately preserved – the rest are presumably lost irretrievably.

Jagadguru (universal teacher) Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswati (Sankaracharya of Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham – generally referred to as Paramaachaarya) – the most acknowledged authority in India on Veda – had authored the book “The Vedas” published by Bhavan’s Book University. This is the most authentic & elevating treatise available on all aspects of Veda – clarifying & elucidating different and often apparently conflicting aspects of Veda.

The biggest problem man had to face was “Maaya” (illusion). The truth “as is” often had been very different from the truth as perceived or viewed by man – which gets normally referred to as reality.

The perceived truths (realities) change with location in space & time – as they exist only and exclusively relative to that particular perceiver or the observer – dictated by his 5 sensory perceptions –viz- Shabda (sound); Sparsha (touch); Rasa (taste); Rupa (visual  form); Gandha (smell) and later interpreted by his Buddhi (Intellect).

But the original Truth is unchanging – due to its occurrence & existence before time – and hence is absolute – Omnipotent & Omniscient – the “Brahman”… or the God.

Jagadguru Paramaacharya clearly states that Veda in its true essence is “Anaadi” – ie- without a beginning (similar to the Atman – the Soul), meaning that it existed before creation of space & time – as part and parcel of the omniscient awareness of the Brahman or the God – and that with which the whole creation was possible and proceeded with. In short – and to be precise & concise – Veda is the self generated knowledge that is native, latent & inherent in every man. This is similar to a “thinking mind” which is self generated (created) and self evolving. Those who realize this fact are known as great humans and others as ordinary.  Truly, learning & training in the present time – is nothing but the process of recovering the lost possessions –or- recollecting the forgotten from the dormant memory.

This thought might militate against common sense.  Our modern scientific mind always looks for a source, origin, process, and a date for a subject or an object for historical verification. Concepts like eternity (endlessness), beginninglessness, limitlessness are simply a taboo for scientific study – as it does not permit mathematics for their further evaluation, development & study.

However, the fact remains that universes, both the phenomenal (perceptible) & noumenal (imperceptible) extend far beyond “space & time” of the physical universe we live in. These two basic devices –viz space & time – are the tools used by us for all our deeper investigations & understanding of the physical universe that we call “Nature”.