The Essence of Yajurveda

The desire to implement the thoughts into actions is natural.Good thoughts naturally culminates into good actions. Yajurveda inspire human-beings to walk on the path of Karma (deeds) . That is why it is also referred to as Karma-Veda. The mantras of the Yajurveda inspire us to indulge in good deeds.

The first incantation of Yajurveda commands us to perform action

DEVO VAH SAVITAA PRAARPAYATU SHRESHTHA TAMAAYA KARMANE |

Meaning : O Creator of the universe ! inspire all of us to perform supreme deeds. Similarly, the second mantra of the 40'th chapter of the Yajurveda commands us to perform our Karma -

KURVANNE VEHA KARMAANI JIJIVISHECHCHAT SAMAAH|

Meaning : Desire to live for a 100 years performing your Karma. There are many branches of Yajurveda just like the rest of the three Vedas but 2 branches namely Krishna Yajurveda and Shukla Yajurveda are prominent. There is a beautiful story associated with this Veda.

Rishi Yagyavalkya acquired the knowledge of Yajurveda from his maternal uncle Vaishampayan. Later on, due to some reason the Guru became angry at his disciple and ordered him to return whatever he had tought. Yagyavalkya had no option but to obey the command of his Guru. He forsook everything he had learnt from his Guru by vomiting out all the knowledge of Yajurveda. On the orders of the Guru, the other disciples consumed all the knowledge assuming the form of Partridges (Teetar). This is how Yajurveda came to be known as 'Taitteriya- Samhita'. Later on, sage Yagyavalkya pleased Lord Surya by his tremendous devotion and was blessed with Shukla-Yajurveda. Due to the evil effects of impure minds the Mantras (Yajus) turned black in colour and this was how it got the name 'Krishna-Yajurveda'.

Shukla Yajurveda is composed in verses just like the Rigveda. Terms like 'Yagya' and 'Yajuh' are derived from the root -

" Yaja deva Pujaa Sangati karana daaneshu"

The Yajurveda includes mantras which are in fact eulogies through which different deities have been invoked. It also contains mantras describing the procedure of vedic rituals and religious sacrifices(Yagya). The Yajurveda comprises of 40 chapters and 1975 mantras.

The 'Brahmanas' texts are considered second only to Vedas in importance. The ultimate aim of these texts was to throw light on the methods of conducting Yagya and rituals related with it. The 'Brahmanas' are divided into 3 sections -

(1)Brahmana (2) Aranyaka (3) Upanishads

The 'Shatapath Brahmana', which in fact forms part of the Shukla- Yajurveda is very famous. Sahatpath Brahmana comprising of 100 chapters adequately depicts the vedic religious life in a very authentic manner.

Most of the texts forming part of 'Aranyaka' are nothing but extracts of the Upanishads. The 14th chapter of Shatpath Brahmana is famous as 'Aranyaka' . In the same manner, the 40th Chapter of the Shukla Yajurveda is famously known as 'Ishopanishada'. The 'Brihada-Aranyaka upanished has its root in Shukla-Yajurveda, while Kathopnishad , Taitteriya, Shweta-ashweta, Maitraayani and Kaivalya Upnishad have their roots in Krishna Yajurveda respectively.

1.

(1) DEVOM VAH SAVITAA PRAARPAYATU SHRESHTHA TAMAAYA KARMANA

-------------( 1/1 Yajurveda)

O Lord! the creator(Sun)! inspire us to perform supreme deeds. This mantra inspire us to indulge in virtuous deeds so that progress becomes possible. Every person should engage himself in virtuous deeds to earn respect and honour in the society. By doing so one can acquire numerous added advantages:- physical-development, mental-development, personal- development and community-development. As the diet is so becometh the man- Therefore one should eat pure food so that pure deeds follow automatically.

(2) MAA HVAARMAA TE YAGYAPATIR HVAARSHEETA |

-------------(1/2 Yajurveda)

Do not become wicked! May your Yagya-Pati(One who performed the religious sacrifice) also not become wicked!

It is impossible for anybody to tread on the path of virtuosity if he is evil and wicked. In other words a pure heart is all that one needs to perform good deeds. A wicked person is incapable of performing virtuous deeds. Here it is wished that neither the person who performs the yagya nor the means used should be evil. Good work done with bad intentions inevitably leads to failure. That is why one should refrain from evil tendencies. In the same way the leader should abstain from evil tendencies because they would be showing bad precedence to their followers-which is more harmful. Everybody should therefore practice simple and virtuous living . They should never seek recourse to manipulative tendencies.

(3) SAA VISHWAAYUH SAA VISHWAKARMAA SAA VISHWA DHAAYAAH ||

-------------(1/4 Yajurveda)

The 3 'Kamdhenus' (Celestial cow believed to fulfill any wish) are the 'Sarva-Aayu'(life-span), 'Sarva-Karmaa' (energy without which no action can be performed) and 'Sarva-Dhaayaa'(the energy to sustain himself).

In Puranas we find mention of divine 'Kaamdhenu' cow which is capable of fulfilling any wish of a man. This particular richa proclaims that we human beings are blessed with three 'Kaamdhenus'-Sarva- aayu, Sarva-Karma and Sarva-dhaya. One is blessed with long life if he successfully milks the cow named Sarva-Aayu.Similarly one can performs all his duties(Purusharth) meticulously and sustains himself successfully throughout his life by milking rest of the two cows Sarva-Karma and Sarva-Dhaya respectively.

Only actions performed with perseverance can ensure success. Total committment and sincere approach helps a man to accomplish all his desired goals. With the help of these 3 Kamdhenus one can achieve all round progress. One should not forget that without these three energies no one can perform action or sustain himself. One should, therefore utilise them to the best of their advantage.

(4) IDAM AHAM NRITAAT SATYAMUPAIMI |

Having renounced untruth I am hereby embracing truth. One should accept truth, and should not hesitate to sacrifice his life to protect it. This is known as the Satya-Vrata. O Lord ! I take a vow to practice this vrata by following the path of truth. May I be successful in observing and accomplishing this vow!

Unless we renounce our greed(lobha) we cannot protect truth. Untruth inhibits self-development and physical, mental and spiritual growth. Therefore we should all adhere by truth.

(5) MAA BHERMAA SANKVITHAA |

-------------(1/23 Yajurveda)

One should endeavour to perform his duties with fearlessness. One should perform his duties without any kind of fear. The doors of progress are always closed for a person who is engripped by fears. Only a fearless person can work towards self development and can also help in social and political development. Therefore one should fearlessly perform all his duties.

2.

(6) SAM JYOTISHAA JYOTIH |

-------------(2/9, Yajurveda)

May all the radiance unify and increase in magnitude. A teacher gives knowledge to his student and enlightens him. Thereafter students give knowledge to someone else. In this way, one enlightens the other and knowledge increases. Propagating knowledge in this way is know as the 'Gyan-Yagya'. The ultimate aim of a Yagya is to increase the glory of knowledge by means of expansion and propagation.

(7) VEDO ASI YENA TVAM DEV VEDA DEVEBHYO VEDO ABHAVASTENA MAHYAM VEDO BHUYAAH |

-------------(2/21 , Yajurveda)

The Vedas contain all the knowledge . Bless me with this knowledge just as you have blessed the deities.

Veda means knowledge and the vedas are really an ocean of knowledge. The deities acquired knowledge through the Vedas and the humans emulated them. So, It is in the best interest of human beings to study the Vedas to acquire total knowledge.

(8) DEVAA GAATUVIDO GAATUM VITTVAA GAATUMIT |

-------------(8/21 Yajurveda)

O pioneer Deities ! knowing the path of truth, tread on it. Only by acquiring knowledge from the Vedas can one know the path of truth and righteousness. The deities acquired knowledge from the Vedas and human beings too should emulate the deities and acquire knowledge in the same manner. A man should tread on the path of truth for not only his own but for the benediction of entire humanity. Truth can not be suppressed and always is the ultimate victor. So, we should tread on the righteous path.

(9) ASTHURI NAO GAARHAPATYAANI SANTU SHATAM HIMAAH |

-------------(2/27 Yajurveda)

May we both (husband and wife) perform the duties of a 'Grihastha' for 100 years.

A grihastha's life can be peaceful and happy provided both the husband and wife performs their respective duties. A cart pulled by one buffalo is known as 'Sthuri' while that pulled by more than one is known as 'Asthuri'. In this mantra the married life has been compared with Asthuri-a cart pulled by two buffaloes- husband and wife. There will be problems in married life if there is a lack of mutual understanding and co-ordination between husband and wife or if any of them does not perform his/her duties.

(10) TANUPA AGNE ASI TANVAM ME PAHYAAYURDAA AGNE AYAAYU MEIN DEHI VARCHODAA AGNE ASI VARCHO MEIN DEHI|

-------------(3/17 Yajurveda)

O Agni ! the protector of the human body, protect mine. You are the giver of long-life, so bless us with long life. You are the giver of radiance, so bless us with radiance.

The warmth in our body is due to the effect of "Agni'(fire). Body can exist as long as the fire enkindling the vital forces is present in it. The moment this fire extinguishes, the soul departs. Sound health is a primary criteria for long life . A radiant personality invariably proves that there is an intense spiritual fire burning within. So, one should try to do everything that is required to make the body pure and radiant- regular exercise,self-study,etc. Anybody who does this is blessed with long-life and radiance.

(11) AKRAN KARMA KARMA KRITAH SAH VAACHAA MAYOBHUVAA I

-------------(3/47, Yajurveda)

May the performer of virtuous deeds also be blessed with soft-spokenness(good nature)!

Success is guranteed if a person works hard and maintains an amicable relationship with people. We can earn love and respect of other's if we are good to them. By behaving good we give joy and happiness to others. Our good behaviour is naturally reciprocated by others and it has a chain-reaction thereby ensuring peace and prosperity in the society. Hatred and anger leads to unhappiness, pain and misery. So, one should always be soft-spoken and all 'karma-yogis' should tread on the path of righteousness.

(12)AA NA ETU MANAH PUNAH KRATVE DAKSHAAYA JEEVAME
JYOK CHA SURYA DRISHE

-------------(3/54 Yajurveda)

May our mind be inclined towards virtuous deeds, acquiring strength and long-life! May we continue to see the glorious sight of Rising Sun for eternity!
A man should always tread on the righteous path. One should indulge only in such deeds that provides good- health and strength so that he can work for longer periods without getting tired. One should always seek blessings of the 'Surya' so that our vision remains unimpaired for long time. One should continue performing such virtuous deeds that increases strength, life-span and sharpens our power of vision. Constant practice and ceaseless efforts help a man to attain perfection. Therefore anybody desirous of improving his efficiency must always seek the blessings of Surya.

(13) TRAYAMBAKAM YAJAAMAHE SUGANDHIM PUSHTI VARDHANAM|
URVAARU KAMIVA BANDHANAAN MRITYOR MUKSHEEYA MAA MRITAAT||

-------------(3/60 Yajurveda)

We pray to lord Mahadev-from whom divine fragrance emanates, who possesses 3 eyes and is the supreme nurturer! May we be liberated from death with His blessings! May we be liberated from all bondages just as ripened-fruits fall from a tree!
The person who regularly recites this mantra attains liberation from the fears of disease and death. 'Trayambak' means the one with 3 eyes(Lord Shiva). Visions have been categorized into three types-'Adhyaatmik'(spiritual), 'Adhibhautik'(materialistic) and 'Aadhidaivik'(divine).Anybody blessed with these three visions is a Trayambak.
We should worship lord Shiva so that we are freed from our worldly attachments just like a fruit falls from a tree after ripening. Once we are successful in doing this we are liberated from this vicious cycles of life and death.

(14) PARIMAA AGNE DUSHCHARITAA DAAKSHASVAA BHAA SUCHARITE BHAJA

-------------(4/28, Yajurveda)

O Agni! Liberate us from the flawed deeds and inspire us to indulge in good ones.

In this mantra Agnidev has been prayed so that He inspires us to indulge in good deeds and discourage us from wrongful ones. This always points towards the time tested rule of Karma that as one sows so shall he reap. Therefore one should always try to follow the path of virtuosity and desist from sinful deeds.