The Spiritual Teachings of the Vedas

     The Vedas contain a treasure trove of spiritual teachings in the form of mantras and slokas. The main philosophy of the Vedic teachings may be summarized in the interpretation of the following mantras and slokas:

     Shanti Karanam: the hymns of peace. These hymns are included in all the Vedas. Among the hymns of Shanti Karanam, the Gayatri Mantra undoubtedly occupies a place of prestige.

OM
Bhur bhuvah suvah
Tat Savitur varenyam
Bhargo devasya dhima
Dhiyo yo nah prachodayat
(Rig Veda, 1.113.13)31

     We meditate on the earth (bhur), the cosmic atmosphere (bhuvah), and heaven (svar-suvah). We meditate on the early morning sun (savitra) to grant us a good mind (gayatari).

     Hindu sages invoked all the gods and especially the rising, effulgent sunrise savitra for granting the noble mind, the sacred gayatri. They observed the symbolic but spiritual bond between the early rising sun and the (spiritual) augmenting of the human mind. They hailed the boundless supremacy of the sun (suray) in everyday life. They also recognized the prerogative of the early morning period on the development and creation of good mind (sumati). Hindu Rishis eventually honored the mind as the cornerstone of all human impetus and evolution. Later, the Gayatri Mantra became representative of the transcendental divine, quite in keeping with the dynamic evolutionary pattern of the Hindu pantheon.

Other hymns of peace—Shanti Mantras:
May our prosperity, prayers and wishes, elevated intellect and riches be auspicious to us. May our truthful speech based on noblest intensions bring us welfare. May those that are entrusted with the task of dispensing justice be men of wide fame and prove auspicious to us, and may the prayerful hymns of saintly persons give us peace.
                                                                             (Rig Veda, 7.35.3)

     There is a clear call for prosperity, auspiciousness, high intellect, and truth in this mantra. The phrasing of such mantras points toward an advanced level of cultural progress of the society at such an early period of history.

May the rising of the glorious sun, shedding his rays over vast  regions, be auspicious to us. May the mountains be of use to us, and  the rivers, and subsoil waters be beneficial to us. May water and air  be agreeable to us.
                                                                                        (Rig Veda 7.35.9)

     The respectful attitude toward nature is unique in ancient Hindu thought. It differs markedly from that of the modern science, which until very recently always boasted of conquering and exploiting nature for the material benefit of mankind.

     In these peace and prosperity mantras, the nature deities are eulogized and worshipped. Peace (shanti) became a watchword in Hindu philosophy. Said Swami Vivekananda, “Every word has been spoken with a blessing behind and peace in front of it.”1

     After this period came the concept of the formless, transcendental, universal God. The transition, however, was gradual and subtlethe nature gods were not disregarded, ever. This would become the exemplary of transformation in Hindu theology.

May He, the Lord of the universe, bless our bipeds and quadrupeds.
                                                                                   (Yajur Veda 38.8)

     Hindu society started to become caring and benevolent to all creatures very early in ancient times.

O Lord, whereby the learned, ever given to meditation, performance of virtuous deeds, and regulation of their faculties in right channels, are active in the discharge of their selfless duties and thoughtful in the acquisition of scientific and political knowledge and deliberative in assemblies and other places where knowledge is disseminated, and which is a unique something, the common center of all senses, bestowed upon all, may that mind be of noblest resolve.
                                                                              (Yajur Veda, 34.3)

     The mantra portrays a very high degree of virtuous and intelligent mind, which compares most favorably with its modern counterpart.

O immortal Lord! Thou art my sustainer and shelter. May I, living under your protection, attain truth, good name, worldly prosperity, and spiritual advancement for my own as well as others’ good. May this prayer come true.
                                                   (Taittray Upanishad, 10.32.35)

     Hindu sages created the mantras with the sole aim of imparting virtuous spiritual knowledge and enhancing peace and harmony among all creatures.

     The Vedic sages created Om, to become the symbol of the Divine.
Most mantras start with this sacred word Om, as in the following:
 
(O Almighty God) Om, in whom the Vedas have their origin and who pervades all the elements, my soul is Thy fuel. O Agni (lord of fire), blaze intensely with this, advance and bless  us with worthy offspring, with good cattle and animals, with divine glory, plentiful food, and spiritual advancement.
                                                                             (Yajur Veda, 3.1)
 
     The mantra exhibits a harmonious blending of the nature god, Agni, with the transcendental God, Om. It also is a good mix-up of material and spiritual elements; both are considered to be necessary baggage for human progress.

NOTE: All the above mantras have been taken from two sources:
Vedic Prayer (contact Kuldip Mangal, 11-MIU Road, Twickenham, Midda-TWZ5HA, UK).
Deepchander Bellani. Ved Prakash (Sindhi Language). India:
Akhil Bhartiya Sindhi Arya Sabha, 1979.

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