Commentary on the Rig Veda

SECTION FOUR (PAGES 166-187)

(Pages 166-167)

Enquiry into the nature of the Deity, devatā — on this question the varying views of scholars of the West and the East and ourselves are distinctly stated. The system of esoteric interpretation which admits the governance by the Gods of the inner as well as the outer existence attaches greater importance to the inner meaning everywhere. And the statement "Gods are conscious beings, not inanimate things or forces" is confirmed by the examination of a number of relevant Riks addressed to many Gods. To show that the gross interpretation does not fit in with contexts in all places, the Mantras of Surya are considered.

(Pages 167-168)

Citation of Indra-Mantras.

(Pages 168–170)

Regarding the Maruts and Soma; the inner meaning fits in, the outer does not.

(Pages 170-173)

Uşā considered. Mantras cited from many Mandalas to establish the truth that the Gods are various names of the One Supreme Godhead.

(Page 173)

One Existent is all the Gods of whom each one according to his position uses his influence, helps the sacrificer and leads him to the One Supreme Light Immortal — to show this many Mantras are cited. The One source, the One Self, the One goal of all the Gods mentioned at the same time their distinctness due to difference in personality and function and name are reiterated.

(Page 174)

That the Devas are twice-born is explained.

(Pages 174–175)

The nature of Agni considered.

(Pages 175–177)

The septuple principle explained; appellations of Agni, ’placed in secrecy’ explained with the help of Mantras cited: "Immortal in the mortal, undying,” essentials mentioned with citations of Mantras; Agni resides within the heart — mantras cited — authenticated by the words of Parashara, Vishvamitra and Vamadeva.

(Page 178)

The septuple principle as related to Agni explained.

(Pages 178–180)

Confirming of Waters and others to be symbols, on a close consideration of the Agni Hymn of Vishvamitra.

(Pages 181-184)

Agni Kumara in the Veda is Agni-born Skanda in the Purana, and in the Mahabharata the Agni named Adbhuta; in order to prove this wherever adbhuta occurs in the Rig Veda it is noted and examined and that Agni is Adbhuta is proved.

(Page 185)

The topic of the Puranic story of Skanda arising from the context of consideration of Agni’s nature is examined and the secret of symbolic meaning of the Vedic language is confirmed.

(Pages 185-187)

The importance of the inner and secret meaning notwithstanding, the Riks are so formed as to be useful for rituals; hence in considering the meaning of Riks the symbolic terms like Cow, Horse need not be avoided in getting at the purport according to the inner interpretation — to this effect effort must be directed. This Esoteric Interpretation will be also helpful to the enquiring minds who have faith in the ritual with this hope the Introduction concludes.