Page 11 - Bhakthinivedana 2011 September English Magazine.pmd

The one word - nisvasitham from Bruhada:ranyaka if revealed by one who is veracious. There is an
Upanishath, clearly conveys the inner meaning of this aphorism which goes -

truth. God is the one who is known by the syllable a. “a:pthasthu yattha:rttha vaktha:”
In Him, the ve:da:s remain in the form of nature as “A veracious person (a:ptha) is the one who speaks
‘a’. During the process of creation, these ve:da:s are of things as it is”
manifested again. They are revealed as an ‘effortless According to the rules of nya:ya sa:sthra - the

exhalation’ of God. The scriptures like the smruthis, science of right reasoning, sound can be accepted
ithiha:sams, pura:nams declare such ve:da:s to be as authoritative, only when the testimony is given by
apaurushe:ya - not authored by human being. Great a person of veracity. But ve:da:s are not authored by
sages humbly accepted and held firm conviction that any man! So we cannot attach this rule to the ve:da:s

the ve:da:s are not written works by human being. – which are forms of sounds !
They composed their works perfectly in accordance
with the ve:da:s. This is a fact that has been accepted Then, how is the authenticity of ve:da:s determined ?
since several millions of years . Our great sages presented wonderful answers to

questions such as these. First, let us try to understand
The eloquent corpus of ve:dic literature, which is how a source of knowledge is considered authentic
the root of dharma , magnificently manifested itself and authoritative. It is said that -
[2]
without any intervention from man. The sages must “prama:karanam prama:nam” -

have possessed immense purity of mind to reveal this “prama:nam is that which gives
fact about the ve:da:s! Even while analyzing several true knowledge as -is.”
new aspects of the ve:da, they did not lose their faith This applies to all kinds of prama:nams. Prama:nam
in it. Indeed the ve:da is a source of vast knowledge, becomes a prathyaksha or anuma:nam or a
[4]
[3]
for it was able to empower the sages with such firm sabda prama:nam , by the method in which it
[5]
conviction. Our ancient sages and great men have, presents the as-is, true knowledge.Any kind of
over several times, discussed this apaurushe:ya prama:nam becomes significant and meaningful only
aspect of the ve:da:s, with greater intensity and if it can cause one to realize true, real knowledge.

depth, than we did. Let us see how they studied its Our elders extensively studied the other causes
greatness and put forth its authenticity. also, of how true knowledge can be realized. In
our future editions, let us attempt to understand,
The Authenticity of Ve:da:s these aspects further, to the required extent.

Although many great souls experience the vast divine
FOOtNOtES-
knowledge of the Ve:da:s they feel - the ve:dic corpus [1] vya:hruthi - Pronunciations of the names or words - bhu:h, bhuvaha,
is nothing but a form of sound. But, sound by itself suvaha – which denote the three ethereal worlds.
[2] In the present context, dharma means that which upholds or supports
cannot be an authoritative source of knowledge. So righteous deeds, actions, teachings and responsibilities. prama:nam –
An authoritative, authentic source of knowledge.
how can ve:da:s be taken as authoritative? The nature [3] prathyaksha prama:nam – A source of knowledge that is gained by
direct perception through the senses and accepted as authentic.
of sound is to interpret that which is comprehended by [4] anuma:na prama:nam - A source of knowledge that is gained by
inference and accepted as authentic.
perception prathyaksha or inference anuma:nam . [5] sabda prama:nam – A source of knowledge that is gained through
[4]
[3]
testimony, by a truthful person and accepted as authentic.
However, a sound can be considered veritable only

Sep, Oct 2011• Bhakthinivedana 11