Antiquity & Structure

Category: Rigveda | Author : THT | Date : 21 October 2025 15:26

What is the Rigveda?

Antiquity & Structure

Composed in an archaic form of Sanskrit, the Rigveda (circa 1500–1200 BCE) is a collection of 1,028 hymns (suktas) organized into ten books (mandalas). It is the oldest of the four Vedas and primarily consists of hymns dedicated to various deities, reflecting the cosmology, philosophy, and social life of the early Vedic people.

Primary Focus

The Rigveda is not a narrative like the Puranas or a philosophical manual like the Upanishads. Its essence is poetic, ritualistic, and contemplative, exploring the nature of the cosmos, divinity, and humanity’s place within it.

Core Universal Teachings of the Rigveda for the Modern World

The Rigveda’s greatest significance lies in its foundational and unifying vision of reality. Its teachings remain deeply relevant for fostering universal human identity and equality in the modern era.

1. Cosmic Unity and the One Truth (Ekam Sat)
• The Hymn: Rigveda 1.164.46
• The Verse: “Ekam sad vipra bahudha vadanti” — “Truth is One, but the wise call it by many names.”
• Modern Utility:
• Antidote to Religious Intolerance:
• This verse is a philosophical bedrock for religious pluralism. It teaches that the ultimate reality—God, the Divine, or the Cosmic Principle—is a single unified truth, perceived through different names and forms such as Indra, Agni, or Varuna.
• Relevance Today:
• In a world divided by religion and ideology, this verse encourages respect for all faiths, recognizing them as diverse paths toward the same ultimate truth. It fosters unity through diversity and mutual reverence among all spiritual traditions.
2. The Hymn of Creation (Nasadiya Sukta – The Hymn of Non-Ego)
• Reference: Rigveda 10.129
• Key Themes:
• This hymn is one of humanity’s earliest explorations of cosmic origins. It contemplates a state before existence and non-existence, before even the gods came into being. It ends with radical humility:
• “He who surveys it in the highest heaven, He only knows—or perhaps He does not know.”
• Modern Utility:
• Celebration of Inquiry, Not Dogma:
• The Nasadiya Sukta doesn’t impose an answer—it celebrates questioning itself. This open-ended curiosity forms the foundation of scientific thought and genuine spiritual exploration.
• Unifying Seeker and Scientist:
• It speaks to anyone—scientist or mystic—who seeks to understand creation. Its spirit of wonder and humility bridges science and spirituality, uniting all who search for truth.
3. The Hymn of the Cosmic Person (Purusha Sukta)
• Reference: Rigveda 10.90
• The Allegory:
• This hymn portrays the universe as a cosmic giant—Purusha, whose body gives rise to all creation. His mind becomes the moon, his eyes the sun, and from his form emerge animals, seasons, and elements.
• The Social Allegory:
• From this same cosmic being arise the four Varnas (social classes):
• Brahmin (priestly) — from the mouth
• Kshatriya (warrior) — from the arms
• Vaishya (merchant) — from the thighs
• Shudra (laborer) — from the feet
• Modern Utility & The Caste Issue:
• Original Meaning of Unity:
• The hymn’s core message is that all existence is one organic whole. Every part—from head to foot—is essential to the cosmic body. None is inferior or dispensable.
• A Tool for Reform, Not Division:
• Reformers like Swami Vivekananda and Sri Aurobindo emphasized that this hymn was never meant to justify caste hierarchy. It was a metaphor for unity based on aptitude (guna) and action (karma), not birth (janma). Its original intent was inclusivity, not segregation.
4. Universal Ethical Principles
• Concept of Rita:
• Rita is the cosmic order and moral truth governing the universe. Deities like Varuna are its guardians. To live in harmony with Rita means to be truthful, just, and aligned with the universal rhythm.
• Prayers for All:
• Many hymns pray for collective well-being, not personal gain.
• A famous verse declares:
• “May all beings look on me with the eye of a friend. May I look on all beings with the eye of a friend.”
• This sentiment transcends race, tribe, and nation—promoting universal goodwill and empathy.

The Rigveda’s Relevance Beyond Caste, Creed, Color, and Race

1. A Spiritual Basis for Equality: The Rigvedic insights of Ekam Sat and Purusha Sukta (in their original metaphysical meaning) affirm that one divine consciousness pervades all beings.
• Discrimination based on race, gender, or caste contradicts this cosmic truth.
2. Champion of Intellectual Freedom: The Nasadiya Sukta celebrates questioning and critical thought, rejecting dogma.
• This openness to diverse ideas is essential for tolerance and progress.
3. A Shared Human Experience: The hymns explore universal human emotions—wonder, awe, fear, and longing.
• They remind us that, beneath all differences, humanity shares the same existential curiosity and spiritual yearning.

Conclusion

1. The Rigveda offers a timeless vision of cosmic unity and human equality. It proclaims one truth expressed through many paths and sees all life as interconnected.
2. By returning to this original vision, humanity can rediscover powerful spiritual tools to build a world rooted in oneness, inclusivity, and universal respect.