A Vedic/Avestan lamp used for invoking 'God' with 12 nozzles meant for lighting cotton wicks with the saucer for 'clarified butter' representing the 12 Zodiac signs. The origins of this design lies in the Vedas, specifically in Yajurveda
The four and thirty ribs of the strong steed, Kin of the gods, the axe meeteth; Skilfully do ye make the joints faultless; Declaring each part, do ye cut it asunder.
Max Muller fixed the date of the first composition at 1500 BCE, which has now been greatly questioned. Interestingly, there has been the discovery of the names of the Vedic deities Mitra, Varuna, and Indra, in an inscription of about 1400 BCE found in Asia Minor.
In the 13th century, the celebrated Vedic scholar Sayanacharya, wrote his famous commentaries on the Vedas. It is mainly with the help of these two works (and of course many other auxiliary help) that we are able to understand the contents of the Vedas.
In "The Vedas: Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda University", p.9/14
Vyasa (c. 1000 BCE), the great authority that he was of his time, divided the Vedas into four and gave the responsibility of preserving them to four of his great disciples.
In "The Vedas: Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda University", p.7/14
Most of its verses are taken from the Rigveda, but it also contains some original prose Mantra which could be used as sacrificial prayers.
In "The Vedas: Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda University", p.7/14
Yajurveda was written by Veda Vyasa.This Veda was taught to Vaishampayana. Later on, there was a quarrel between Vaishampayana and his great prodigious disciple Yajnavalkya, who spat out all that he had learnt. The other disciples of Vaishampayana took up this knowledge and is now known as Krishna Yajur Veda, or, Taittiriya Samhita.
In "The Vedas: Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda University", p.7/14
The disciples had taken up the form of Tittira birds(partridges to eat up the spat out Vedic wisdom, hence the name. On the other hand, Yajnavalkya learnt the whole Veda from Sun, and that version was known as Shukla Yajur Veda, or Vājasaneyi Samhita (from Vāj, which means energy, strength.
In "The Vedas: Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda University", p.7/14
The Yajurveda is thoroughly ritual in character; its contents are intimately connected with the cult. It was among its exponents, the expert members of the Brahminical order to whom the proper observance of the highly complicated ritual was entrusted, that the substantial methods of sacrificial practice were developed and explored.
Vedic recital:The Fourfold Yajurveda seems to have become the model for the constitution of schools of other Vedas, which not infrequently differed only in minor details...
The Fourfold Yajurveda seems to have become the model for the constitution of schools of other Vedas, which not infrequently differed only in minor details...
In "Vedic Literature: (Saṃhitās and Brāhmaṇas)", p.30
Rigveda is the Veda of knowledge, Yajurveda is the Veda of Karma, Samveda is the Veda of Bhakti and Atharvveda is Brahma-Veda, an umbrella, celebrating the Divine Presence.
Life according to Yajurveda is a journey from the beginning-less beginning to the endless end with the message:
Immortal child of Divinity, Your roots go deep to Eternity, Your reach is unto to Infinity. And your path is up to and onwards, Never never downwards.
Agniveer's translation of Vedas in "Yajur Veda: Authentic English Translation", p,xx
Yajurveda is Karma Veda, knowledge of the application of knowledge in practical living in a positive, wcreative and constructive manner at both the individual and collective level. This way of living is Yagna, which in simple words, means a selfless and participative way of life and thereby creating the maximum from the minimum for all including nature, humanity, the environment and the whole universe, with complete faith in the living, breathing, self-organizing, self-conscious Sovereign System.
Agniveer's translation of Vedas in "Yajur Veda: Authentic English Translation", p,xxx
He is without a specific body, and is a symbol of purity.
Dr.S.S.Kapoor, in "Hinduism", p.37
Dr.S.S.Kapoor:They enter darkness, those who worship the natural elemnts (Air, Water, Fire etc) and not the Divine. *They sink deeper in darkness, those who worship sambhuti ('Sambhuti' means created things like for example, table, chair, idol etc.,).
They enter darkness, those who worship the natural elemnts (Air, Water, Fire etc) and not the Divine.
They sink deeper in darkness, those who worship sambhuti ('Sambhuti' means created things like for example, table, chair, idol etc.,)
Dr.S.S.Kapoor, in "Hinduism", p.37
Lead us to the good path and remove the sin that makes us stray and wander in the wrong direction.
Dr.S.S.Kapoor, in "Hinduism", p.37
On an inner level it sets forth a yogic practice for purifying the mind and awakening the inner consciousness. This book was revealed to Aditya rishi.
Dr.S.S.Kapoor, in "Hinduism", p.16
Its deities are the same as Rigveda. The purpose of the rituals is to put together and recreate within ourselves the Cosmic Man.
Dr.S.S.Kapoor, in "Hinduism", p.16
The Yajuveda calls for good thoughts to come from all sides.
One who is the permanent friend of all who is engrossed in the interest of mankind by his action, mind and speech is the one who knows the real religion.
Dr.Shivendra Kashyap et.al., in "Saving Humanity: Swami Vivekanand Perspective", p.136
A sage is one who is comfortable in all quarters. Let all sides be my friend.
Dr.Shivendra Kashyap et.al., in "Saving Humanity: Swami Vivekanand Perspective", p.134
Isam vashyam idam sarvam, yatkimcha jagtyam jagat. Ten tyakten bhunjitha ma gridhah kasya swid dhanam.
The whole circle of nature is fully pervaded by God whatever is in the universe is under existence and control of almighty God. Renounce all that is injustice and enjoy all that is pure delight. Don’t covet/grab unjustly the wealth of any creature existing. O me, always enjoy your all justified wealth which is yours in accordance with your practice of righteousness.
Dr.Shivendra Kashyap et.al., in "Saving Humanity: Swami Vivekanand Perspective", p.134
