Rigveda – Mandala 1, Sukta – 13 to 16

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 –
In Mandala 1, Sukta 13 to 16 highlight importance of fire and water. Fire in different forms such as electricity etc. are source of happiness. Fire purifies water and air to generate various juices, knowledge, wisdom and preserves bodies and strength of people. Fire can be used in many mechanical devices becomes fit to travel on earth, water and the sky. The fire becomes the conveyer of divine attributes and happiness when its properties are properly known. It is electricity and lightning etc. that take the water away and bring it down in the form of rain. With the help of wire or telegram, electricity takes sound to distant countries. This electricity is the subtle form of fire. It pervades and upholds all the particles or gross forms and disintegrates them. The visible fire is originated from it and dissolves in it at the end.
 
Agni is considered the mouth of the gods and goddesses and the medium that conveys offerings to them in a homa. In a properly performed sacrifice, seven flames of the fire are supposed to shoot up, not just one or two. The hungry fire will lap up in seven tongues, and the seven tongues have their own names. Mundaka Upanishad (2.4) mentioned the seven tongues of Agni as kali, karali, manojava, sulohita, sudhamravarṇa, sphulingini and visvaruci. Agni himself rises up to receive our offering and take us to the gods so that, in their satisfaction, they lift us up to the abode of the gods.
It is the sun that divides the Time into the year, season, month, fortnight, days and nights and so on.
 
One should try to establish three divine virtues at every house (1) An admirable speech which is used for study and teaching (2) the speech possessing various kinds of knowledge and expressed in the form of sermons and (3) `policy which is to be admired and revered everywhere and which cannot be condemned by wrong arguments.
 
Men should unite two-fold action with every object, first to know its properties and second to accomplish from them some purpose and also thank to the God who made all this. When men utilize properly all articles made by the combination of the earth and the water etc., they become stimulators of digestive power and by keeping diseases away increase strength, intellect and wisdom and illuminate or reveal divine attributes. It is through His power that God fulfils the desires of all industrious and righteous persons according to their actions. Because God gives happiness to all beings by creating all good things.
 
Men should acquire knowledge, do good deeds and should perform Yajnas etc. in every house thoughtfully. They should invite scholars to learn knowledge and art sitting at their feet.
 
The hymn wise, purported explanations –
 
Mandala 1 – Sukta – 13

1. The man who collects various things and uses the fire which carries many vehicles, (in the form of steam, electricity etc.) enjoys happiness in many ways, by which a man is able to do the noble deeds of truth and justice etc.
2. When oblation is put in the fire, it purifies the air, water etch, preserves the bodies and herbs and generates various saps. By taking them in pure form, the knowledge, wisdom and strength of the people grow.
3. The material fire which is received in this world for the purpose of Yajna, is supposed to bring happiness to the living beings. That fire has seven tongues i.e. (1) kali which is the light of white etc. (2) Karali - It is difficult to bear. (3) Manojava nojva- It is as quick as the mind. (4) Sulohita - One which has excellent blood colour. (5) Sudhumravarṇa - One which has a beautiful fuzzy complexion. (6) Sphulingini – from which many sparks arise and (7) Visvarupi – which has all forms. Human beings should take favour of all things with the tongues of these seven types of fire.
4. All men should know that the fire used in many mechanical devices becomes fit to travel on earth, water and the sky, confers happiness on all and accomplishes various processes, that are beneficial to all.
5. Whatever Ghee (Clarified butter) etc. is put in the fire, that goes to the middle regions and purifies the water that is there. That covers all articles with fragrance, makes all people happy and healthy.
6. Men should make houses, sacrificial halls and conveyances of many doors so that persons may dwell there, perform Yajna and go in and come out easily.
7. All men should know that when day and night are utilized for doing good to others through the dissemination of knowledge, they become the cause of happiness and pleasure to all.
8. As there is electricity possessing speed and other divine attributes, there is also this well-known visible fire. These two kinds of fire cause the sight of all objects and when utilized properly and methodically, they accomplish many works of art and industry etch, therefore men should take all benefits from their proper use.
9. lla, Sarasvati Mahi, three Goddesses who bring delight, Be seated peaceful, on the grass. One should try to establish three divine virtues at every house (1) An admirable speech which is used for study and teaching (2) the speech possessing various kinds of knowledge and expressed in the form of sermons and (3) `policy which is to be admired and revered everywhere and which cannot be condemned by wrong arguments.
10. I invoke in this house or sacrificial hall, God who is All-pervading, being present in all forms, destroyer of all miseries, the Best of all. May He be for us the only object of worship. (2) I invoke or utilize in this science of art and industry, fire which is disintegrator of particles.
11. When men utilize properly all articles made by the combination of the earth and the water etc., they become stimulators of digestive power and by keeping diseases away increase strength, intellect and wisdom and illuminate or reveal divine attributes.
12. Men should acquire knowledge, do good deeds and should perform Yajnas etc. in every house thoughtfully. They should invite scholars to learn knowledge and art sitting at their feet. You should never neglect them on account of laziness. This is the commandment or injunction of God.

Mandala 1 – Sukta – 14

1. The Vedic mantras are chanted to invite the Omnipresent God to Yajna which is done in the company learned persons and delight-giving articles. These things give happiness to the people. Those who have desire for the pleasures of behavior and altruism, they accomplish their deeds in the association of fire with the instruments working in the air, water and earth, and aircraft etc. and taking the command of God, read and teach the Vedas and perform the rituals as the deeds said in Vedas. They only enjoy happiness in every way.
2. The fire becomes the conveyer of divine attributes and happiness when its properties are properly known. The fire which your intellects praise, can accomplish your many works. In this universe, when men see the objects created by God, they should say that all thanks are due to that Almighty.
3. Those persons who knowing the attributes of these objects like electricity, air, sun, moon light, Prana or vital energy, fire etc. created by God, utilize them properly in their acts, enjoy happiness themselves and make other also happy.
4. God says “the articles electricity, air etc. which are made by me should be properly utilized according to the medical science and technology. Those who do so, enjoy all kinds of happiness and bliss, by driving away, all diseases and getting victory by maintaining a strong army and drinking good juice of herbs and fruits etc.
5. O God, we possessing all necessary things that are to be taken, given and eaten, desirous of protection, having the habit of adoring all, glorify you as wise learned priests do.
6. It is electricity and lightning etc. that take the water away and bring it down in the form of rain. With the help of wire or telegram, electricity takes sound to distant countries. In the same way, other articles become conferrers of happiness. This is the command of God.
7. Men should do all noble works in the household life with the worship of God, with proper application of fire and by drawing in the sap of herbs and plants etc.
8. Men should unite two-fold action with every object, first to know its properties and second to accomplish from them some purpose. The things like electricity which take the sap from all gross objects and leave it behind, for their purification, men should put fragrant and other articles in the fire, so that they may bring about the happiness to and welfare of all beings.
9. If God would not have made all these objects, how could any man derive benefit from them.? If men are in a sleeping state, they cannot attain any object which is to be enjoyed. But they are able to enjoy only when they are awake. Therefore, the adjective Only a wise man can take proper advantage of all these articles.
10. This Agni (whether visible or invisible - Electricity) with air when properly used is the cause of much prosperity and the Prana takes sweet juice which gives peace. For this reason, it is the principal means of technology, art and craft.
11. God creates and upholds all men and other beings. He is the most Adorable Supreme Being in all actions, Contemplation (communion) and knowledge. Therefore, it is He who as the Performer of this vast Yajna in the form of the Universe, makes us happy.
12. Scholars should promulgate divine objects in the world after combining art instruments and aircraft etc. with fire etc. substances for the happiness of human beings.

Mandala 1 – Sukta – 15

1. It is the sun that divides the Time into the year, season, month, fortnight, days and nights and so on as stated by Manu in his Smriti. With these seasons etc. It takes the sap of the herbs from all places and draws the water. They dwell in the sky with the rays of the sun and come and go with the air.
2. According to seasons, in airs are also attributes which are the causes of various movements of other particles. When fragrant oblations are put into the fire which are full of ghee etc., they purify them and make everyone happy.
3. This electricity is the subtle form of fire. It pervades and upholds all the particles or gross forms and disintegrates them. The visible fire is originated from it and dissolves in it at the end.
4. The fire with seasons in this world causes us to obtain all divine things in three forms of birth, name or place (causes and effects) from all sides. It establishes them and decorates or makes them beautiful by its light and takes their sap.
5. Men should know the laws which are operating in the air and other elements established by God and they should accomplish their works. By the accomplishment of those works, they should bring about the welfare of all beings in all seasons. It should be borne in mind that when all these substances are used methodically in a proper manner, they become like friends, otherwise they become inimical to us.
6. What do Prana and Udana (The vital airs) do with seasons is taught in the 6th Mantra. The Prana is the friend of all which has its movement outwards and Udana is strengthening, moving inwards. The whole Yajna in the form of this universe is pervaded by these two, so that all works are accomplished.
7. All human beings should worship the God in all deeds, in performing the means of worship and knowledge, and in performing yajnas. Material fire is to be well planned for homa and craftsmanship.
8. All things created by God in this world give happiness only when they are properly utilized by the wise and learned persons.
9. Men should imitate only good actions and not bad. In all seasons only proper actions should be performed. One should go and stay where it is suitable and proper and one should properly eat and drink and dress according to the place where he dwells. Men should enjoy happiness constantly by acting according to these directions.
10. God is fourth as He is distinct from the Universe of three kinds namely gross, fine or subtle and causal. None should worship anyone else but God who is Omnipresent Innermost Spirit, Support of all and Adorable. None should be worshipped or adored in His place. There is none except God Who gives the fruits of actions done by the souls.
11. God says, the pairs like the sun and the moon which I have made for the accomplishment of various works, cause the attainment of happiness in all seasons and acquisition of perfection in dealings.
12. The fire which is useful for various domestic and other. works and is the main cause in the performance of Yajnas, enables an artist to unify divine dealings.

 
Mandala 1 – Sukta – 16

1. The rays of the sun are takers or drawers of all sap, giving light to all as well rain. They give happiness to all, when used by men with discrimination.
2. It is through the day and the night, bright and dark fortnight and Dakshinaayana and Uttaraayana-the progress of the sun to the south and the north of the equator) (which are all denoted by the general term Hare that the sun enables us to perform all delight-giving duties.
3. Now by the term Indra, three substances are taught. (God, Agni in the form of electricity) and the prana or Vital breath.
4. The substances particularly the fire, electricity and the sun that are to be used by us in arts and crafts etc. shine, come and go with the help of the air.
5. This Indra (Sun) comes with his rays to our Yajna (nonviolent sacrifice) where hymns of praise to God are uttered and to our practical workshops etc., where wealth is acquired like a thirsty stag to a tank. He drinks the sap of the herbs, plants etc.
6. The air upholds all the gross or subtle substances created by God in this world for increasing the strength of creatures, remaining with them. It is by its conjunction that the living beings get strength.
7. Men should know that this excellent air when purified is the source of great happiness.
8. The air gives happiness to all beings pervading the universe with its going and being speedy and destroyer of clouds. Without it, it is not possible for anyone to do worldly functions or duties.
9. It is through His power that God fulfils the desires of all industrious and righteous persons according to their actions. Because God gives happiness to all beings by creating all good things.