6 days ago
Glory of the Vedas
The Vedas are considered the supreme. People revere the Vedas with the highest esteem. There is no work greater than Vedas. All the scriptures, Puranas and Ithihasas are appendices of the Vedas, explaining the nuances of dharma.
Thirukkudhandhai Dr. Venkatesh explained that the expanded term 'Veda' refers to that which reveals or informs (vedayathi ithi Veda:) What does the Veda reveal? It explains in detail the unique concepts that people cannot easily understand. It narrates about the spiritual doctrines, which revolve mainly around five concepts: the Supreme Being, the nature of one's self, the ways and means of reaching the Supreme Being, the various obstacles that stand in the way, and the ultimate fruit of the efforts.
Seven important features add glory to the Vedas. The Vedas are the basis for Sanātana Dharma. They are not authored by anyone. They have no beginning. People cannot trace the origin of the Vedas. It is called 'Anaadhi'. Vedas are indestructible. They are denoted by the term 'Nithyam,' which refers to imperishable. Vedas have no boundaries — 'Anantha Vai Veda:', which means Vedas have no end. They are the most reliable authority. Vedas dictate the dos and don'ts. The Vedas have been learned hereditarily through listening and recitation. The divine vibrating sound is called 'Sruthi.' They are to be learned only through an Acharya. No one should attempt to learn the Vedas on their own without formal instruction from a Guru.
The invocation poem before the start of 'Thiruvaimozhi' by Nammazhwar states that it describes the nature of God, human beings, the righteous paths to follow, past deeds, and the ways to overcome them. Thiruvaimozhi is considered the essence of the Vedas, sung in a sweet melody, and it resonates with the music of a stringed instrument.
