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Rig-Veda
Rig-Veda
BACKGROUND: The Rig-Veda is a collection of sacred hymns; it is among the oldest examples of Sanskrit literature and of Hindu religious texts. The name comes from the Sanskrit words rg (praise) and veda (knowledge). The Rig-Veda is one of the four canonical Hindu texts, each of which has a specific religious and social function. Sections of these Vedas are still recited as prayers, an indication of long cultural continuities that survived the processes of political change. For at least a millennium, the Vedas survived only orally, with specific formulas, performance, and mnemonic markers serving to maintain remarkable continuity. The Rig-Veda is organized into 10 mandalas (books) of varying lengths and purposes. The following selection tells a story of creation through sacrifice.
Thousand-headed Purusha, thousand-eyed, thousand-footed—he, having pervaded the earth on all sides, still extends ten fingers beyond it…When the gods performed the sacrifice with Purusha as the oblation [sacrificial object], they sprinkled with sacred water upon the sacrificial grass. With him as oblation, the gods performed the sacrifice, and also the Sādhyas [class of semi-divine beings] and the rishis [ancient seers].
Thousand-headed Purusha, thousand-eyed, thousand-footed—he, having pervaded the earth on all sides, still extends ten fingers beyond it…When the gods performed the sacrifice with Purusha as the oblation [sacrificial object], they sprinkled with sacred water upon the sacrificial grass. With him as oblation, the gods performed the sacrifice, and also the Sādhyas [class of semi-divine beings] and the rishis [ancient seers].
From that wholly offered sacrificial oblation were born the verses and the sacred chants…from it horses were born and also those animals who have doubled rows of teeth; cows were born from it, from it were born goats and sheep.
From that wholly offered sacrificial oblation were born the verses and the sacred chants…from it horses were born and also those animals who have doubled rows of teeth; cows were born from it, from it were born goats and sheep.
When they divided Purusha, in how many different portions did they arrange him? What became of his mouth, what of his two arms? What were his two thighs and his two feet called?
When they divided Purusha, in how many different portions did they arrange him? What became of his mouth, what of his two arms? What were his two thighs and his two feet called?
His mouth became the brāhman [priests and nobles]; his two arms were made into the rājanya [warriors and administrators]; his two thighs the vaishyas [merchants, cattle herders, artisans]; from his two feet the shūdra [servants and unfree peasants] was born. The moon was born from the mind, from the eye the sun was born; from the mouth Indra and Agni, from the breath the wind was born. From the navel was the atmosphere created, from the head the heaven issued forth; from the two feet was born the earth and the quarters from the ear. Thus did they fashion the worlds…
His mouth became the brāhman [priests and nobles]; his two arms were made into the rājanya [warriors and administrators]; his two thighs the vaishyas [merchants, cattle herders, artisans]; from his two feet the shūdra [servants and unfree peasants] was born. The moon was born from the mind, from the eye the sun was born; from the mouth Indra and Agni, from the breath the wind was born. From the navel was the atmosphere created, from the head the heaven issued forth; from the two feet was born the earth and the quarters from the ear. Thus did they fashion the worlds…
With this sacrificial oblation did the gods offer the sacrifice. These were the first norms [dharma] of sacrifice. These greatnesses reached the sky wherein live the ancient Sādhyas and gods.
With this sacrificial oblation did the gods offer the sacrifice. These were the first norms [dharma] of sacrifice. These greatnesses reached the sky wherein live the ancient Sādhyas and gods.
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