You may think of Veda as the records of an ancient culture of the Indus valley that spread east across the Ganges plain and the rest of modern India.
You may think of the Veda as a bunch of old books – some of them the oldest surviving texts. But those where written down to save the loss of a much older oral tradition.
You may think Veda is the yagyas (prescribed performances) you see the pandits performing. But those are performances from the Veda, not the Veda itself.
You may think Veda is Sanskrit chanting, enlivening the old verses. But this again is memorized verses, often passed down in the family of the original cognizers of the verses.
The core Vedic texts are compilations of key cognitions of some of histories greatest seers. The oral and written traditions are recordings of them in a language that mimics nature.
What then are Cognitions?
Fundamentally, cognitions are the direct experience of core memories (Smriti) in Divine mind. These experiences are far more comprehensive than typical sensory or inner experiences. They are like seeds of profound understanding.
Veda means knowledge. We could say cognitions are the unpacking of this knowledge into experience, enlivening it in creation. Primary cognitions bring new qualities into creation, furthering its evolution.
I explored the types of cognition and the way we can “replay” the recorded verses on the Ritam (bliss kosha) level in this article. While the seer is the one to unfold it, others can enliven it and many can replay it.
We could say the Vedic record is descriptions of the blueprint of creation but told in the context of the time and culture of the cognizer. The context is an ancient Indian culture that supported and sustained it but the actual Veda’s are not Indian or even human. In fact, there are memories for other creations altogether, nothing like our own.
This, and a language capable of covering the experience is why I formally studied the subject and lean on Sanskrit terminology. I know this adds a layer of complexity for those unfamiliar but once understood, it covers the territory so much better than English can.
Davidya
Last Updated on June 16, 2016 by
This is another one of my favorites. When you find a writer whose time, style of expression and culture easily resonate with yours, knowledge seem to flow so effortlessly!
Thanks, Gayanee. And agreed.
Does chanting of the Vedas help in any way or even listening to it?
Hi Sandesh
Yes, it can be helpful. Done properly, they’re a reflection of nature and can help restore balance, clear blocks, and so forth.
As for chanting, some should only be done by trained pandits who are in the linage. The core Vedas, for example. In that case, listening. Sama is great to listen as a calming before bed, for example. Choose good sources as the quality of the pandit comes through with the sounds.
Others, especially those of a more devotional nature, can be listened to or learned. Depends on your inclinations. But if you’re going to learn them, learn the Sanskrit alphabet first so you know how to make the right sounds. (Its not quite the same as Hindi.)