07/24/2024
Ekam Sad-Vipraa Bahudhaa Vadanti
(RigVeda 1.164.46)
This verse is commonly understood as “Eeshvar (God) is one and that there are many paths that lead to God”. And, the various interpretations give rise to further divergence instead of unity.
Indram Mitram Varunam-Agnim-aahur-atho divyah sa suparṇo garutmaan,
Ekam sad-vipraa bahudhaa vadanty-agnim yamam maatarishvaanam-aahuh.
The mantra states that Indra, Mitra, Varuna, Agni, Garuda… are all names of the One-and-Only Eeshvar (God). Each of these names depicts one of the many characteristics, actions and attributes of Eeshvar.
Nowhere does the mantra refer to “the many paths…”
This fact is also seen in daily life: someone is called by his name, son, grandson, husband, father, uncle, grandfather …etc. depending on the relationship with the person calling him; that one person may be referred as a cook, cleaner, driver while cooking his meals, cleaning his house, driving his car, an employee by his employer, a senior by his subordinates.
Imagine the chaos if each of the relatives starts arguing that his/her relationship to that one-and-only person is exclusive.
In fact, the Vedic (Hindu) Dharma spells out the way to realize Eeshvar (God) in terms of the four Purushaartha: Dharma (righteous living), Artha (righteous earnings, Kaama (righteous enjoyment of the righteous earnings), and Moksha (salvation, liberation from the cycle of birth and death to be in the eternal bliss of Eeshvar).
Deeper analysis reveals that the one truth is “Dharma (righteousness) and Adharma (immorality) determine our Karma and cause bo***ge to Samsara, rebirth of the Atman (soul) repeatedly until it attains Moksha.
The “Bahudhaa vadanti” part is which give rise various questions needs to be understood in its context: Ekam, One-and-Only; Sat, existent; Vipraa, the learned; Bahudhaa (numerous); Vadanti (call), thus Learned persons call the One-and-Only Existent by numerous names.
Courtesy: RigVedadi-Bhashya-Bhumika by Maharshi Dayanand Saraswati
Acharya Bramdeo Mokoonlall
