The Rig Veda

[SFG75]

Another major religious text that I downloaded. I read the first four "chapters." The cultural context will be difficult on this one, I will have to find a good concordance and online reference tool before I go further.

Anyone check it out?

[roshanmandal]

I would suggest you read the Upanishads instead of struggling through the Vedas.

The Vedas are divided into two main categories: rituals/hymns, and philosophy.
The Upanishads are the philosophy sections of the Vedas, also known as Vedanta ("end of Vedas"). I suggest you read the 10-12 primary upanishads, followed by a good english translation of the Bhagavad Gita. You will learn and understand more by reading those than by simply wasting time directly reading the Rig Veda.

[YesNo]

I would suggest you read the Upanishads instead of struggling through the Vedas.

The Vedas are divided into two main categories: rituals/hymns, and philosophy.
The Upanishads are the philosophy sections of the Vedas, also known as Vedanta ("end of Vedas"). I suggest you read the 10-12 primary upanishads, followed by a good english translation of the Bhagavad Gita. You will learn and understand more by reading those than by simply wasting time directly reading the Rig Veda.
:iagree:

I found Eknath Easwaran's three volume commentary on and translation of the Bhagavad Gita very interesting to read. He also has a translation of the primary Upanishads that roshanmandal recommends.

[naphelge]

The Upanishads are the philosophy sections of the Vedas, also known as Vedanta ("end of Vedas")
I always understood the Upanishads to be the more mystical, thus also the higher revelations of Hinduism. I think of Hinduism (probably incorrectly) as a graduated system in which one works through different levels of spiritual truth, with the Upanishads being a higher level of truth than simply encouraging total submission to the Gods, which is at a lower, more basic level of spiritual truth.

The Upanishads encourage a more individualized journey toward moksha that requires less dependence on outer truth and places more emphasis on truth that emanates from within the individual, leading one eventually to renounce.

Of course I am speaking from a very limited point of view, from which I have formed my understandings and opinions. I would enjoy sharing any ideas and thoughts anyone else on the topic.

cheers,
nap

[roshanmandal]

The Upanishads are not easy to read without a good commentary (or background knowledge of Hinduism). Upanishads, ultimately, teach monism; that everything is unreal, except God, who is everything. You are correct about the "graduated system" -- Upanishads (or most other Hindu texts) speak to the reader based on his/her spiritual level. For example -- a beginner might read the Upanishads and think that it advocates polytheism; an intermediate might think that it advocates pantheism or monotheism; but the expert will know that Upanishads teach monism.

If you find it difficult to understand the Upanishads, then read the Bhagavad Gita. The Gita is the quintessential Hindu text; it contains everything mentioned in the Vedas and Upanishads. You will find many commentaries for free online.

[Shalot]

my spiritual mentor gave me Easwaran's translation of the Upanishad with explanations for each that was in that version - it was really helpful to me especially with that being my first exposure to Hindu philosophy or spirituality. And wow - I am so glad to have been able to read this.

[Augadha]

Sanatan Dharma is the original culture of this world, and there was a time when it was spread throughout the world. People can find swastika in every culture like the American Indians, Greece, troy, Italy, Russia and many other countries have this symbol. Look at the 108 symbols of god in Sanatan Dharma and their origin. Things will become very clear about the origin of humanity in this world. It is time to free ourselves from the lies and deception spread throughout the world about our culture.


Dont forget, even today in Sanskrit and Hindi the words for Divorce and any other abusive words do not exist.
Arya samaj was made in the time period of 1800′s, when India was under complete domination of foreign rule. Arya samaj is the attempt to make sanatan dharma into a monotheistic religion, watered down its ancient methods to the very basic.
Look at the vatican square - it is the shiva lingum. It proves that it used to be a ancient culture of Sanatan dharma, which was taken over by the romans and converted.

Vatican – Vatica i.e. Anand Vatica - garden of happiness. This was a forced transformation. Now people dont even remember. Only traces of truth remain.

[lawpark]

Another major religious text that I downloaded. I read the first four "chapters." The cultural context will be difficult on this one, I will have to find a good concordance and online reference tool before I go further.

Anyone check it out?

I read the Penguin / Wendy Doniger version back in colleage.

I included Rig Veda in the "World Canonical Texts" list I compiled - see http://lawpark.jimdo.com