Rigveda – Mandala 1, Sukta – 45 & 46

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 –
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. 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.
 
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. None can travel by land, sea and firmament comfortably without the vehicles driven by the combination of the fire, water and other suitable articles.
The hymn wise, purported explanations –
 
Mandala 1 – Sukta – 45

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. A man should nourish and support all beings and things as the sun does by giving light and raining down waters etc.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. None can travel by land, sea and firmament comfortably without the vehicles driven by the combination of the fire, water and other suitable articles.
9. 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.
10. 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.
11. 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.
12. None can achieve absolute happiness without the actions performed according to the instructions of enlightened persons. Therefore, these actions must be performed well.
13. O men, you should cause happiness to all like benevolent who make others happy, by giving them place of residence, knowledge and light.
14. 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.