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Thread: What do the Vedas say about water on earth

  1. #1

    What do the Vedas say about water on earth

    Pranam,
    Is there an explanation in the Vedas stating where all this water on earth came from? I know the story of 2 of the rivers being SuryaDev's daughters. Maa Ganga came down on the request of a sage.

    But what about the other waters?

    Namaste,

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    Re: What do the Vedas say about water on earth

    Quote Originally Posted by Hiwaunis View Post
    Pranam,
    Quote Originally Posted by Hiwaunis View Post
    Is there an explanation in the Vedas stating where all this water on earth came from? I know the story of 2 of the rivers being SuryaDev's daughters. Maa Ganga came down on the request of a sage.

    But what about the other waters?

    Namaste,
    Namaste Hiwaunis,

    Water is one of the five great elements among air, water, fire, earth, and ether. Water is also intermediate between all pervasive air and localised earth.

    Agni Vaisvanara is the Universal God, who it is said entered into the heart of waters. Spirit of Waters, He thus is called apam napat.

    Brihadarayanaka Upanishad relates arka (fire) and apah (water) in the following way:

    I-ii-1: There was nothing whatsoever here in the beginning. It was covered only by Death (Hiranyagarbha), or Hunger, for hunger is death. He created the mind, thinking, ‘Let me have a mind’. He moved about worshipping (himself). As he was worshipping, water was produced. (Since he thought), ‘As I was worshipping (arkate), water sprang up’, therefore Arka (fire?) is so called. Water (or happiness) surely comes to one who knows how Arka (fire?) came to have this name of Arka.
    I-ii-2: Water is Arka. What was there (like) forth on the water was solidified and became this earth. When that was produced, he was tired. While he was (thus) tired and distressed, his essence, or lustre, came forth. This was Fire.
    ---------------------------------------
    The creation scheme of the elements, as taught in Upanishads, is summarized in the Brahma Sutras of Badarayana:
    SECTION - III

    Topic-1: Origin of Space
    1. Space is not (a created thing), since this is not heard of in (some of) the Upanishads.
    2. But there is (a mention of the origin of space).
    3. (The Upanishadic passage about creation of space has) a secondary sense, for real creation is impossible.
    4. And (this is borne out) by Vedic texts.
    5. And it is possible for the same word (“originated”) to have (primary and secondary senses) like the word Brahman.
    6. The (Vedic) assertion (that “all things become known when the one is known”) can remain unaffected only if all the effects are non-different from Brahman; and this is confirmed by Vedic texts.
    7. But (space is a product); for separateness persists wherever there is an effect, as it is seen in the world.

    Topic-2: Origin of Air
    8. Hereby is explained air.

    Topic-3: Origin of Brahman Denied
    9. But (origin) for Existence (Brahman) is impossible on account of illogicality.


    Topic-4: Origin of Fire
    10. Fire originates from this one (ie., air); for the Upanishad says so.


    Topic-5: Origin of Water
    11. Water (was born from this fire).


    Topic-6: Origin of Earth
    12. (The word “food” means) earth on the strength of the topic, colour and other Vedic texts.

    Topic-7: Creation from God’s Deliberation
    13. It is He only, who through profound meditation on each thing (created it), as is known from His indicatory marks.

    Topic-8: Reverse Order of Dissolution
    14. But as compared with this order of creation, the order of dissolution proceeds in a reverse way. This is logical too.
    ------------------------------
    Waters are thought of as Goddesses. Two Rig Vedic verses are cited below:




    RV VII, 49
    1. Ceaselessly they flow from the depths, pure, never sleeping, the Ocean their sponsor,
    following the channels ordained by the Thunderer.
    Now may these great divine Waters quicken me!
    2. Waters may pour from heaven or run along channels dug out by men;
    or flow clear and pure having the Ocean as their goal.
    Now may these great divine Waters quicken me!
    3. ln the midst of the Waters is moving the Lord, surveying men's truth and men's lies.
    How sweet are the Waters, crystal clear and cleansing!
    Now may these great divine Waters quicken me!
    4. From whom King Varuna, Soma, and all the Deities drink exhilarating strength,
    into whom the Universal Lord has entered,
    now may these great divine Waters quicken me!
    RV X, 9
    1. O Waters, source of happiness, pray give us vigor so that we may contemplate the great delight.
    2. You like loving mothers are
    who long to give to children dear. Give us of your propitious sap.
    3. On your behalf we desire, O Waters,
    to assist the one to whose house you send us-- you, of our life and being the source.
    4. These Waters be to us for drink;
    divine are they for aid and joy. May they impart to us health and strength!
    5. You Waters who rule over precious things
    and have supreme control of men, we beg you, give us healing balm.
    6. Within the Waters, Soma has told me,
    remedies exist of every sort and Agni who brings blessing to all.
    7. O Waters, stored with healing balm
    through which my body safe will be, come, that I long may see the sun.
    8. Whatever sin is found in me,
    whatever wrong I may have done, if I have lied or falsely sworn, Waters, remove it far from me.
    9. Now I have come to seek the Waters.
    Now we merge, mingling with the sap. Come to me, Agni, rich in milk! Come and endow me with your splendor!
    ---------------------------------
    Hope the above citations meet some of your requirements. What I get from it is how one element gives rise to another and all elemnts have the same internal Boss, as if, exemplified below:

    He who is abiding in the earth, yet different
    from the earth, . . .
    He who is abiding in the water, yet different
    from the water, . . .
    He who is abiding in the wind, yet different
    from the wind, . . .


    Om Namah Shivaya
    Last edited by atanu; 12 September 2009 at 10:36 AM. Reason: spelling
    That which is without letters (parts) is the Fourth, beyond apprehension through ordinary means, the cessation of the phenomenal world, the auspicious and the non-dual. Thus Om is certainly the Self. He who knows thus enters the Self by the Self.

  3. #3

    Re: What do the Vedas say about water on earth

    Pranam,
    Thank you. I'll have to read the post 3 or 4 times. Eventually, I'll understand (with the help of Gayatri of course).

    Namaste,

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    Re: What do the Vedas say about water on earth

    Quote Originally Posted by Hiwaunis View Post
    Thank you. I'll have to read the post 3 or 4 times. Eventually, I'll understand (with the help of Gayatri of course).

    Namaste,
    Namaste Hiwaunis,

    Its true. Veda is as per the muddiness or clarity of the mind, which is like transparent water in undisturbed meditation.

    I have seen link between Parjanya and triply flowing rivers in triple heavens. I see the link as Ganga flowing down Shiva's head. The waters are the life and the awareness.

    Book 7 HYMN CI. Parjanya.

    1 SPEAK forth three words, the words which light preceded, which milk this udder that produceth nectar. Quickly made manifest, the Bull hath bellowed, engendering the germ of plants, the Infant.
    ------
    4 In him all living creatures have their being, and the three heavens with triply flowing waters. Three reservoirs that sprinkle down their treasure shed their sweet streams around him with a murmur.
    ---------
    6 He is the Bull of all, and their impregner; he holds the life of all things fixed and moving. May this rite save me till my hundredth autumn. Preserve us evermore, ye Gods, with blessings.

    Om Namah Shivaya
    Last edited by atanu; 14 September 2009 at 07:04 AM. Reason: correct a word in the Parjanya verse.
    That which is without letters (parts) is the Fourth, beyond apprehension through ordinary means, the cessation of the phenomenal world, the auspicious and the non-dual. Thus Om is certainly the Self. He who knows thus enters the Self by the Self.

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    Re: What do the Vedas say about water on earth

    Veda makes us aware that all that we see is reallly divine. And I have read Sataptha Brahmana, wherein, a simple sprinkling (oblation) of water with faithful prayer to wash away sins, is said to be effective instantaneously.

    How wondrous. Om Namah Shivaya.
    That which is without letters (parts) is the Fourth, beyond apprehension through ordinary means, the cessation of the phenomenal world, the auspicious and the non-dual. Thus Om is certainly the Self. He who knows thus enters the Self by the Self.

  6. #6

    Re: What do the Vedas say about water on earth

    it is worth pondering that Ganga was a celestial river before she was asked to descend at the request of King Sagar's grandson, the reason being he wanted to perform funerary rites with Ganga water for his preceptors and Sagars sons who had been burned by a Rishi for causing insult to him by accusing him of stealing Sagars Horse for Ashvamedha.

    In many other cultures a great river is associated with the Milky Way. The Milky way being the path of release from earthly bondage.

  7. #7

    Re: What do the Vedas say about water on earth

    Quote Originally Posted by amra View Post
    it is worth pondering that Ganga was a celestial river before she was asked to descend at the request of King Sagar's grandson, the reason being he wanted to perform funerary rites with Ganga water for his preceptors and Sagars sons who had been burned by a Rishi for causing insult to him by accusing him of stealing Sagars Horse for Ashvamedha.

    In many other cultures a great river is associated with the Milky Way. The Milky way being the path of release from earthly bondage.
    Pranam,
    I have always found the spiritual meaning of water to be very interesting, as well as confusing. Some say water = knowledge and some say light = knowledge. When I think of our Milky Way I see the lights (stars).

    There was a Native American named Hiawatha (meaning the one who combs snakes from the hair) who was married to Lake Minihaha (meaning laughing waters). I am actually named after Hiawatha and have always associated Lake Minihaha with spiritual knowledge.

    QUOTED FROM ATANU: Its true. Veda is as per the muddiness or clarity of the mind, which is like transparent water in undisturbed meditation.

    I have seen link between Parjanya and triply flowing rivers in triple heavens. I see the link as Ganga flowing down Shiva's head. The waters are the life and the awareness.


    Atanu or anyone will you please give a few explanations of the statement, "
    The waters are the life and the awareness"?

    Namaste,
    Hiwaunis

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    Re: What do the Vedas say about water on earth

    Quote Originally Posted by Hiwaunis View Post
    Pranam,
    QUOTED FROM ATANU: ---- The waters are the life and the awareness.

    Atanu or anyone will you please give a few explanations of the statement, "The waters are the life and the awareness"?

    Namaste,
    Hiwaunis
    Hi Hi

    Hope you still come in. I have just found the exact reference that tells what water means.

    Chandogya

    VI-v-2: ‘Water, when drunk, becomes divided into three parts. What is its grossest ingredient, that becomes urine; what is the middling ingredient, that becomes blood; and what is the subtlest ingredient, that becomes Prana.
    VI-v-4: ‘Hence, dear boy, mind is made up of food, Prana is made up of water, and speech is made of fire. ‘Explain it further to me, revered sir’. ‘Be it so, dear boy’, said the father.
    ---
    VI-vi-3: ‘Dear boy, of the water that is drunk that which is the subtlest part rises upwards and that becomes Prana.

    That which is without letters (parts) is the Fourth, beyond apprehension through ordinary means, the cessation of the phenomenal world, the auspicious and the non-dual. Thus Om is certainly the Self. He who knows thus enters the Self by the Self.

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    Re: What do the Vedas say about water on earth

    Pranam Atanu ji
    nice to see you back

    Quote Originally Posted by atanu View Post
    Hi Hi

    Hope you still come in. I have just found the exact reference that tells what water means.

    Chandogya

    VI-v-2: ‘Water, when drunk, becomes divided into three parts. What is its grossest ingredient, that becomes urine; what is the middling ingredient, that becomes blood; and what is the subtlest ingredient, that becomes Prana.
    VI-v-4: ‘Hence, dear boy, mind is made up of food, Prana is made up of water, and speech is made of fire. ‘Explain it further to me, revered sir’. ‘Be it so, dear boy’, said the father.
    ---
    VI-vi-3: ‘Dear boy, of the water that is drunk that which is the subtlest part rises upwards and that becomes Prana.

    I find this interesting, we know blood is 75% percent(someone probably tell me it is more) water, it becoming Prana is intriguing, Pran Yayu we breath and water we drink the subtlest part which become Prana what is the connection?
    never realized same process that happens in the outer world take place in the inner world. the saying Jo pindMa Wo BrahmandMa i should not be surprised.

    Jai Shree Krishna
    Rig Veda list only 33 devas, they are all propitiated, worthy off our worship, all other names of gods are derivative from this 33 originals,
    Bhagvat Gita; Shree Krishna says Chapter 3.11 devan bhavayatanena te deva bhavayantu vah parasparam bhavayantah sreyah param avapsyatha Chapter 17.4 yajante sattvika devan yaksa-raksamsi rajasah pretan bhuta-ganams canye yajante tamasa janah
    The world disappears in him. He is the peaceful, the good, the one without a second.

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    Re: What do the Vedas say about water on earth

    namaste Atanu, GP and others.

    Atanu, welcome, hope you will stay on. I found an interesting talk about the connections between the panchabhUtas and our senses, here:
    http://www.sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume23/sss23-18.pdf
    रतà¥à¤¨à¤¾à¤•à¤°à¤§à¥Œà¤¤à¤ªà¤¦à¤¾à¤‚ हिमालयकिरीटिनीमॠ।
    बà¥à¤°à¤¹à¥à¤®à¤°à¤¾à¤œà¤°à¥à¤·à¤¿à¤°à¤°à¤¤à¥à¤¨à¤¾à¤¢à¥à¤¯à¤¾à¤‚ वनà¥à¤¦à¥‡ भारतमातरमॠ॥

    To her whose feet are washed by the ocean, who wears the Himalayas as her crown, and is adorned with the gems of rishis and kings, to Mother India, do I bow down in respect.

    --viShNu purANam

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