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Rigveda – Mandala 1, Sukta – 47 & 48

4/25/2025

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The President of the Assembly and other officers of the State should take the essence of the herbs and being mighty should increase the prosperity of their subjects.
Men should visualize the practical activities along with the theoretical scientific knowledge and then should accomplish all dealings.
As the sun and air dispel darkness and help in the growth of Soma and other plants, in the same manner, the President of the Assembly and commander of the army destroy misery and increase the wealth or prosperity by making proper arrangements for their growth.
As men can go everywhere after acquiring knowledge from the learned people, manufacturing various vehicles and combining water in proper proportion, they cannot do so otherwise.
The President of the Assembly and the commander of the Army should protect their subjects and their armies incessantly as they preserve their own wealth.
The Officers of the State like the President of the Assembly and others should obtain much wealth for the welfare of the army and the people should manufacture many vehicles like the aero plane to take wealth away to distant places beyond the seas for business etc. and should make all happy.
It is the duty of the President of the Council of Ministers and the Commander of the Army to make arrangements for the construction of such vehicles as may travel in the firmament and take to distant countries.

The officers and people of the State should give to one another good things and should enjoy happiness.
Just as the royal men try for their own interest, in the same way, they must try for the happiness of the people as well.
The officers and people of the State should attend the assembly of the learned persons and should listen to their sermons, so that they may know their duties well.

Mandala 1 – Sukta – 48

As the dawn makes men industrious, impelling them to be active and making them happy with the achievement of great substance and when in the evening, she makes them retire, in the same manner, the parents should urge upon their daughters to acquire wisdom and good education.
As the charming dawn makes all beings happy, in the same manner, wives should constantly make their husbands, and other relations, delighted and full of joy.
It is only a person who gets a learned wife, quite agreeable to him enjoys happiness and none else (as a house holder).
Those men who sitting in a quiet and pure solitary place, practice nine parts of Yoga including Sanyama, become siddhas, pure in mind word and deed. Those who associate with them and serve them also purify their minds and become seekers after Atma (God and Soul) and Yoga.
As the Usha (Dawn) is pure and giver of happiness and suitable for the practice of Yoga, so the women should be.
As women get their objects by dealing with labour, in the same manner, the dawn with her light gets the right of her dealing. As she awakens all people by creating the day and sends them to pursue their different vocations and makes them rest at night, the woman should also behave like her. She should make all busy by her own example and dispel all darkness of ignorance.
As chaste women serve their husbands regularly, as the Association of the Dawn with the objects is from a distance, in the same manner, the marriage of the bridegrooms should be arranged with the brides of distant places, so that the love between them may ever grow. The marriage between parties living close to each other causes trouble, while as that of the matches belonging to distant places is generally source of happiness.

As a good woman accomplishes all good works casting aside all obstacles, in the same way, the Dawn drives away with her light robbers, thieves and enemies and helps to accomplish noble acts.
As a good girl illuminates both the families of her parents and husband, in the same way, the Dawn reveals both gross and subtle objects.
As all living creatures are pleased with and get happiness by the dawn, in the same manner, those husbands who are pleased and contented with their noble wives, enjoy all -happiness and bliss.
O men, as the sun makes all beings delighted after turning the Dawn into day, in the same manner, you should please and adorn your wives and wives should please you. In this way, by mutual love and service all should enjoy happiness.
As this Dawn by her appearance causes us to attain pure water, air and light etc., removing all evils and revealing all noble objects, a noble lady should be of the same nature in the discharge of her domestic duties.
As without the Dawn which is followed by day, works cannot be accomplished easily and things cannot be seen in their true form, in the same manner, without a chaste and noble woman, domestic happiness cannot be attained.
None should imitate foolish people. As learned persons reveal the attributes of all objects and thereby spread knowledge and do good to all and as this Usha (Dawn) makes all happy by manifesting all objects by her light, in the same manner, women endowed with wisdom should adorn and illuminate the knowledge of all sciences in the world.
As the Dawn manifests by her light all the paths and doors, in the same manner, men should build houses that may be source of happiness in all seasons and by keeping there all enjoyable necessary objects should always be delighted.
Men should possess the knowledge of the attributes of the Dawn as taught by the learned and thereby acquire with exertion all objects that cause happiness. It is by the proper training or education given by the mothers that children become good. In this hymn, the attributes of girls and women have been taught by the illustration of the Dawn, and so this hymn is connected with the previous hymn.

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Rigveda – Mandala 1, Sukta – 45 & 46

4/18/2025

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People should keep their sons’ celibate for at least twenty-five years and maximum forty-eight years and daughters for at least sixteen years and maximum twenty-four years, after giving complete and good education to their daughters, marry them according to the method called Swayambar (self-selection of spouse by groom or bride), so that everyone becomes happy.
When learned scientists give the correct and clear knowledge of thirty-three devas (divine or useful objects) to their pupils, they are able to accomplish many good works with the help of electricity and other substances.
O men, you should behave like those persons who are lovers of all, who are free from physical, vocal and mental defects, who have practical knowledge of all sciences and who regard all as their own lives and accomplish works dear to all men.
None can accomplish good works without the association of the righteous and learned persons. Therefore, all should acquire thorough knowledge of all sciences with their association.
Only those persons can enjoy all happiness, who receive education and knowledge from a learned mother, a learned father and a preceptor, who is knower of the Vedas. They can accomplish both secular and spiritual dealings along with science (Metaphysical and physical) and industry. None else can do so.

Men should acquire the knowledge of various sciences by sitting at the feet of a learned person who is like the fire endowed with many attributes.
Those persons who always endeavour for the propagation of knowledge and accomplishment of good deeds, can attain the prosperity of vast and good Government and wealth of wisdom, do not grieve.
It is the duty of the learned persons to give instructions gradually about the things and acts that produce good happiness, after visualizing them with knowledge and experiments, so that all their works may be accomplished.
Men should associate themselves only with those who give good things in charity to virtuous persons. None can enjoy divine happiness without the association and instructions of the persons endowed with knowledge and exertion.
Men should always invite good people, honour them, acquire from them the knowledge of all things, purify and derive proper benefit from them and spread that knowledge.

Mandala 1 – Sukta – 46

O learned lady, as the wonderful dear dawn who is like the daughter of sky, shines forth and scatters darkness, so you shine forth on account of your noble virtues. As you praise lady teachers who are like the sun and the moon and preachers, so I also praise you much and keep you always happy.
As the fire and the water when methodically used by expert artisans are conveyers of the Vehicles swiftly, like the mind and means of obtaining much wealth, so the teachers and the preachers should also be.
If men get the knowledge of the arts and industries sitting at the feet of great scholars (or scientists) they are able to fly in the air like the birds by constructing aero planes and other suitable vehicles.
A man should nourish and support all beings and things as the sun does by giving light and raining down waters etc.
The officers and workers of the State should conquer their enemies by their powerful might and multiply their own and the wealth of their subjects.
As the sun and the moon dispel the darkness and thus make people happy, in the same manner, the President of the assembly and the Commander of the Army should cast aside all injustice and make people happy and contented.
Men should come and go by a Chariot on land, by a boat or ship to the river or sea and by aero plane on the sky.
None can travel by land, sea and firmament comfortably without the vehicles driven by the combination of the fire, water and other suitable articles.
If men go to the end of the ocean in steamers where fire, water and other necessary things are used in proper proportion, in accordance with the instructions given by expert learned persons for the accomplishment of Governmental duties and business, they can accumulate much charming wealth.
O travellers, you should know the directions with the help of the polar instrument (denoting the north and the sun etc.) and then drive your vehicles accordingly, so that you may not go astray, by mistake.
Men should build straight and easy paths for their journey everywhere and then travelling by aero planes and other chariots, they should enjoy happiness of various kinds.
None can achieve absolute happiness without the actions performed according to the instructions of enlightened persons. Therefore, these actions must be performed well.
O men, you should cause happiness to all like benevolent who make others happy, by giving them place of residence, knowledge and light.
The ruler and the subjects should love one another intensely and thus having achieved much prosperity, should always endeavour to do good to all.

O Ashvinau (The President of the Assembly and the Commander of the Army) you who pervade in all knowledge and happiness, drink the nectar-like juice of the various invigorating herbs and with your irreproachable protective activities bestow upon us happiness or suitable residence.

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Rigveda – Mandala 1, Sukta – 43 & 44

4/11/2025

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We shall discuss the hymns, Sukta wise & Mandala wise. Our focus is on the implicit meaning of the various hymns instead of literal translations of the hymns. These purported meanings are based primarily on the English translations by Swami Dharmanand Saraswati of the works done by Swami Dayanand Saraswati.

Highlights –
God has revealed all sciences through the Vedas. Likewise, learned persons disperse knowledge, justice and give delight. The man of the most charming good temperament and good habits and the sustainer of all. They should also take the help of learned persons and should make proper use of the Pranas and exertion. None can acquire knowledge and wealth (of all kinds) without the Grace of God, the help of the President of the Assembly and his own exertion.

Learned persons well-versed in all sciences, should always do a noble meritorious act. Such learned person is like fire in assemblies and on the occasion of the fulfilment of noble desires; who is also like the fire among the non-violent Yajnas from Agnihotra to Ashwa Medha or consisting of Yoga, Shilpa (Industries) Upasana (communion with God) and knowledge, bearing the glory of the Yajnas of inviolable various kinds and fire-bannered spreader of the light. Men should honour such learned guests as are righteous, respected by all learned persons, of cheerful disposition and benevolent.
A learned person should not waste even a single moment. He should know all days to be full of the noblest deeds. Knowing the days as such, he should be the protector of the people and performer of the Yajnas (non-violent noble sacrifices). It is not possible to perform a Yajna (non-violent sacrifice and philanthropic work) without the help of a learned person and suitable articles. Three things are derived from root word Yajna - honouring the learned, association with the enlightened people and charity.
The hymn wise, purported explanations –

Mandala 1 – Sukta – 43

God is called Rudra as being Omniscient Dispenser of Justice. By Rudra three meanings are taken. (1) God, (2) Soul & (3) Vayu or air. He makes the wicked weep by giving the fruits of their evil actions. (2) The soul is called Rudra as it weeps when it leaves the body at the time of death and gets the result of evil actions. (3) Vayu or air is called Rudra as it makes a person weep causing pain as a result of bad deeds.
As there is no happiness to children without parents, no happiness to the cattle without a cowherd, and the people without the king's assembly, in the same manner, none can enjoy happiness without knowledge and exertion.
As learned persons should give true knowledge to all having friendship with them, good character and conduct, as God has revealed all sciences through the Vedas, in the same manner, teachers also should endow all with knowledge.
None can attain knowledge, worldly happiness and the joy of emancipation without the help of a learned person who gives us the knowledge of God's praise and the herbs that destroy misery (caused by diseases) and the teaching of Pranayama that alleviates our suffering.
As God is the Light of lights, full of perfect Bliss, the Best of all the Devas (shining objects and the enlightened) and the Support of the earth and other worlds, in the same manner, the President of the Assembly or the Commander-in-chief of the army should be a person who is most brilliant like the sun and the gold, the best dispenser of justice, the giver of delight and bliss, the man of the most charming good temperament and good habits and the sustainer of all.

Men should pray to God for the happiness and health of their own and other men and animals. They should also take the help of learned persons and should make proper use of the Pranas and exertion.
None can acquire knowledge and wealth (of all kinds) without the Grace of God, the help of the President of the Assembly and his own exertion.
Men should administer a truthful and just State, conquering all enemies with the help of admirable force and strength.
When people take shelter in God who is un-paralleled and the President of the Assembly who is devoted to Him, they do not suffer at all. As God desires men of noble character and conduct and the President of the Assembly also does the same, in the same manner, all subjects should always desire God and the President of the Assembly. Without this sort of desire, real and vast happiness cannot be attained.

Mandala 1 – Sukta – 44

Men should exert themselves and achieve all prosperity for obeying the command of God and by taking shelter in Him and noble learned persons. Learned persons well-versed in all sciences, should always do a noble meritorious act. They should never do an ignoble, wicked deed.
O God, you are well-loved messenger, Destroyer of the wicked, Sustainer of the world and Charioteer of the noble nonviolent deed, accordant with the sun and the moon and the dawn or Prana, Apana and the Dawn of the Divine Illumination, grant us heroic strength and lofty fame.
Men should accomplish all works having appointed a learned person well-versed in the Vedic lore as a messenger or ambassador, for the attainment of knowledge, kingdom and happiness. Such learned person is like fire in assemblies and on the occasion of the fulfilment of noble desires; who is also like the fire among the non-violent Yajnas from Agnihotra to Ashwa Medha or consisting of Yoga, Shilpa (Industries) Upasana (communion with God) and knowledge, bearing the glory of the Yajnas of inviolable various kinds and fire-bannered spreader of the light.
Men should honour such learned guests as are righteous, respected by all learned persons, of cheerful disposition and benevolent.
Learned persons should never glorify and take shelter in any one as God except the Lord who is the Preserver of the world, the Giver of emancipation, Giver of Knowledge, fulfiller of noble desires and bliss and worthy of worship or adoration.
A learned person should be honored and respected on account of his sublime virtues. Thus, taking shelter in him and his guidance, all should acquire knowledge and long life.
It is not possible to bring about the happiness of the subjects, the attainment of divine virtues without much effort and victory over the enemies. Therefore, all should accomplish it with great endeavour.
Men should properly use the light of the sun, electricity, and water etc. in all works and accomplish acts that purify the air and the rain and develop industries. None can accomplish all these things without the association of the learned persons as he cannot know the attributes of these things without acquiring knowledge from them.
The President of the assembly, the Commander-in-Chief of the Army and other learned persons should always manifest divine virtues among the people for the protection of knowledge, the preservation of the subjects and other Yajnas.
A learned person should not waste even a single moment. He should know all days to be full of the noblest deeds. Knowing the days as such, he should be the protector of the people and performer of the Yajnas (non-violent noble sacrifices).
It is not possible to perform a Yajna (non-violent sacrifice and philanthropic work) without the help of a learned person and suitable articles. Three things are derived from root word Yajna - honouring the learned, association with the enlightened people and charity.
O men, God is the Adorable Friend of all, well-wisher High Priest of all men and their innermost Spirit, knows like a messenger the good or bad acts of all souls, whose unlimited lusters shine forth all around the world. Such a God is the Creator, Sustainer and Nourisher of the universe and its Sovereign Dispenser of Justice. He must be worshipped by all. In the same manner, a noble ambassador or messenger should also be respected by all.
Men should appoint righteous persons well-versed in all sciences in the various works of the State. The learned should accomplish all works with the assistance of well-trained attendants. Men should give up all indolence and always be engaged in doing good deeds. Without doing so, it is not possible to accomplish all works whether secular or spiritual.
Those commands that are issued by the Dharma Sabha and the Raja Sabha (Religious and Royal assemblies) should be obeyed by all people after listening to them attentively. The members of these assemblies also should give up all prejudice or partiality and should put forth their united efforts in such a way as to bring about the destruction of all ignorance un-righteousness and injustice for the welfare of all beings.

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Rigveda – Mandala 1, Sukta – 47 & 48

Rigveda – Mandala 1, Sukta – 45 & 46

Rigveda – Mandala 1, Sukta – 43 & 44

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