Re: Who Can Learn the Veda's
hariḥ oṁ
~~~~~~
namasté ammasanand
One can look at this in multiple ways yet we must consider the approach i.e. being taught through symbols (saṃketa¹.
Each encounter satyakāma has is a new lesson, insight.
We note in these lessons 4 personalities are chosen to talk of 4 different qualities of brahman - another symbol. 4 personalities X 4 qualities
they point out yields 16 items. This 16 is a symbol for fullness. We find 16 items (usually) in pūja's/yajña. This 16 is considered the
16th tithi - fullness or pūrṇa of the moon soma, the next is called the 16th - total fullness.
This fullness is a key quality of the Supreme, of brahman. Even the notion that satyakāma should not return until the herd grew
to 1,000 is a symbol (see post 6). This 1,000 is the symbol of fullness. To become 'full' in one's knowledge and understanding.
And who are his teachers? It is ~nature~ functioning as the master of satyakāma, of symbols. Consider the following:
- ṛṣabha - bull; also defined as the best or most excellent of any kind or race ; I view the bull as puruṣa-rṣabha the ~best~ of
the human race. He talks of dik= diś = quarter or region pointed at , direction , cardinal points N,S,E,W.
He informs that 1/4th of brahman as radiant or prakāśavān ( see post 9). He combines this radiance with the 4 directions as the lesson.
- agni - fire , also the sacrificial fire, yet we know of agni as the devatā found in the ved. He is considered the entry point to the
all the devata ; hence our oblations go into the 'mouth' of agni.
He teaches of the 4 regions earth, mid-region heaven and the ocean. He informs that 1/4th of brahman is anantavān or ~endless~, boundless, limitless.
- haṁsa - we know as a swan but is also the Universal Self. Note that a swan when in the water, stays above it, its feathers never
absorbing the water, aloof from the water itself. This is how the Self too resides , aloof from the pangs and arrows of action, of life's
ups-downs and mishaps.He teaches of fire, sun,moon and lightening.
He says 1/4th of brahman is jyotiṣmān ~ luminous~, light (of the sun , dawn , fire , lightning ) , brightness.
- madguṣṭi or madgu a water-diving bird. This word is rooted in majj defined as dive , plunge or throw one's self into.
What does this have to do with brahman? He talks of the 4 parts (kalā) of prāṇa, eye, ear and mind. We find brahman within us
as prāṇa, eye, ear and mind, brahman 'plunged / resides ' within us.
To this madguṣṭi says brahman is known as āyatanavān or resting-place , support , seat , place , home , house , abode.
Brahman takes His abode, or rests within us.
praṇām
words
saṃketa - hint , allusion
Last edited by yajvan; 16 November 2010 at 08:07 PM.
यतस्त्वं शिवसमोऽसि
yatastvaṁ śivasamo'si
because you are identical with śiva
_
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