An esteemed scholar Sri Atul Kumar Kuthiala shared thoughtful insights in our previous discussions on Veda Vyasa, prompting us to delve deeper into the wisdom surrounding this revered sage. Each week, we aim to uncover key elements of this profound knowledge, sharing with you the foundational truths cherished by seekers across generations.
The Vedas are known for their three unique characteristics: apaurusheya (not of human origin), anantha (endless), and anadhi (beginningless). They form an unbroken chain of wisdom passed down through each Yuga—Satya (Krita), Treta, Dwapara, and Kali—in a proportional ratio of 4:3:2:1. For instance, if Satya Yuga spans 16 years, Kali Yuga would span 4 years, adjusting accordingly in scale. Ancient research by scholars like Jayasree Saranathan and Professor Nagaswamy confirms that the current Kali Yuga began in 3101 B.C. and will span a total of 432,000 years. We are presently 5,125 years into this era (as of 2024) and find ourselves in the 28th cycle.
Vyasa's role in preserving Vedic knowledge is both monumental and cyclic. As time passes, portions of Vedic knowledge sometimes diminish, resurface, or are consciously concealed by spiritual Masters. Each Vyasa in each era undertakes the crucial task of compiling and preserving knowledge relevant for that time, ensuring it serves as a beacon for seekers to transcend their cycle.
There is a unique distinction between the Veda, which is a compilation of eternal knowledge, and the Mahabharata, which was composed. While the Veda encapsulates spiritual wisdom, the Mahabharata weaves this knowledge into the stories of people’s lives, forming our ithihasa or "thus it was," allowing us to understand the application of these principles.
The process of composing the Mahabharata was not without its challenges. Before beginning, Veda Vyasa approached Brahma, who advised him to seek Ganapati as a scribe. Ganapati agreed on the condition that Vyasa must narrate without pause. Vyasa, in response, cleverly set a rule that Ganapati would only transcribe once he fully understood the meaning. Thus, the epic text Jaya, comprising 18,000 verses, was born. Within this, the Shrimath Bhagavad Gita stands out as a distilled essence of the Vedic knowledge, providing us with the divine words of Shri Krishna Himself.
The Vedas are often revered as the nurturing foundation of knowledge, akin to a motherly figure, as embodied in goddesses like Saraswati and Vageshwari. The invocation verses of the Gita, attributed to Swami Madhusudana Saraswati, remind us of the need to approach the text with reverence, recognizing that the Gita’s teachings are designed to nourish our intellect and spirit, helping us assimilate and internalize its lessons.
While mastering the Upanishads may seem daunting, attaining a deep understanding of the Shrimath Bhagavad Gita is a more accessible yet powerful goal. It is a pathway to the essence of Upanishadic wisdom, guiding us towards Moksha, or liberation. If you are drawn to these timeless teachings, consider engaging in a structured study under a teacher rooted in living traditions where the ultimate aim is Moksha.
In this journey through the Veda, Mahabharata, and Gita, we are reminded that this knowledge is not merely historical; it is a vibrant source of wisdom, ever-relevant, and deeply transformative for all seekers.
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