Quest - The Vedic Answers-Chapter 2

Answer: There are many mantras in The Vedas, which say that there is only One God without a second to it. God is Omniscient, Omnipotent, Omnipresent, worship is due to Him alone. Here are some mantras as a proof to show that God is one:

“Eko Anyachyakripe Vishwamaanushaka” (Rigveda 1-4-4-14)

“Indra Choshkooyase Vaasu”(Rigveda 5-8-17-41)

“Sa Vishwasya Karunaspesha Eko” (Rigveda 1-7-9-7)

“Hiranyagarbhah Samavartataagre Bhutasya Jaatah Patireka Aaseet, Sadaadhaara Prithivim Dyaamutemaam Kasmai Devaya Havishaa Vidhem”(Rigveda 10-21-1)

“Vishvatashchakshuruta---------------Janaya Deva Ekah” (Yajurveda 17-9)

Rigveda-- [(8-58-2), (1-164-46), (10-14-5), (10-114-4), (10-121-3), (8-58-2), (6-15-11), (8-13-9) ]

Yajurveda-- [(17-26), (13-4), (17-9), (17-21), (13-4)]

Atharvaveda-- [(8-5-26), (2-2-1), (8-5-20), (13-4, mantras from 1 to 56)]

In Rigveda-- volume # 3, chapter # 55 and mantra No. 1 to 22, and in the same volume, in chapter # 56, 57, 58, 59, by referring all these mantras, it is authentically proved that God is One without a second.

All mantras (20,416 -- Twenty Thousand Four Hundred And Sixteen) in all the four Vedas glorify that God has many names according to His nature, characteristics and attributes but He is One without a second.

Quest # 15: How can one say that God is blissful then who feels / experiences this bliss?

Answer: Atma i.e. the soul (only) experiences the bliss of God. What is felt by the senses is called pleasure, but bliss is the hunger of every soul, which calms down only when the soul attains bliss.The soul has enjoyed the bliss of God many times in their previous birth that is why it (the soul) always tries to get it again and again. The search for bliss is seen in humans. Worldly pleasures can never please the soul that is why, in its lifetime the soul wanders for something else which is nothing but the bliss of the Supreme Being.

GOD is full of bliss, which He flows continuously to be experienced by the souls, but the Quest arises how to get it? And that is the main purpose (aim) of human's life.

GOD is blissful "Swaryasya Cha Kevalam" (Atharvaveda 10-8-2) so he who is very near to Him feels / experiences His bliss which is called "Ananda". For example---one feels hot when he is near fire, because he gets the attributes of fire and in the same way when some one is near ice, he feels cold. By communion with God the soul experiences the bliss i.e. "Ananda" because God is full of Ananda.

It is natural that by communion with the dead inert matter i.e. Prakriti, one gets the attributes of Prakriti, and in the same way, by communion with the Super Being, one acquires the attributes, characteristics and nature of God. God and the soul i.e. Jiva are both conscious entities. The soul is without bliss and God is full of bliss "Swaryasya Cha Kevalam" this eloquent is from The Vedas that God is blissful. The soul who is near to God enjoys His bliss. Also it is authoritative that in the state of final realization, (i.e. in state of “Samaadhi”) in Yoga one can experience the bliss of the Supreme Being. What sages and knowledgeable people have said can also be taken as proof that bliss is in God Alone. "Mandra" Means God is bliss personified.

Quest # 16: Which mantras of the Vedas prove that God is beginning less and endless too?

Answer: There are many mantras in the Vedas where God is said to be beginning-less and infinite. Here are some mantras as proof:

"Paramam Vyoma" (Yajurveda 23/62)

"Rriyo Aksharo Parame Vyoman" (Rigveda 1-164-39)

"Twamasya Paarerajaso Vyoman" (Rigveda 1-52-12)

"Yo Asyaadhyaksha Parame Vyoman" (Rigveda 10-129-7)

"Sa Bhumim Sarvato Vritvaat" (Yajurveda 31/1)

"Naamyaa Aadeesadantariksha Shishyate Dyauh Samavartaa" (Yajurveda 31/13)

"Purna Madah Purnamidam Putnat Purnamuduchyate, Puryasya Purnamaadaaya Purnamevaa Vashishyate”.

God is all pervading like space, which means He is beginning-less and endless in all directions.

According to mathematics, when an infinite amount is deducted from another infinite amount, what is left is also infinite. (Rigveda 10-8-12, 1-100-15, 1-52-14, 6-27-3.)All these Mantras prove that God is “Anaadi” and “Ananata” means God is beginning-less and infinite.

Quest # 17: Where does God stay in this body?

Answer: "Indranna Yajyaishchitayanta Aayavah" (Rigveda 1-131-2) which means man has enlightened God in his heart by "Yajna" * i.e. a religious sacrifice.

[*Some people pronounce “Yajna” as “Yagya”, which is actually wrong.]

"Asti Jyaayaan Kaneeyasa Upaare" Which means the elder brother (God) resides with the younger brother i.e. the soul that means “God resides with the soul within the heart in the body”.

Again the Rigveda 8-84-12 says, “God resides in humans in their hearts”.

Rigveda: ----{(6-11-2), (10-82-7), (10-177-3), (10-181-2), (8-39-6), (10-135-7), (9-64-8), (10-124-2), (1-31-2), (9-68-5), (10-114-4), (5-11-6), (9-69-6), (10-43-6), (6-45-4), (1-164-31), (9-96-5), (1-22-21), (4-2-1), (7-86-6), (6-11-2), (10-82-7)}. It is said in the Atharva Veda (18-9-4) that the mind is the living place of the Supreme Soul and the Vedas are the theology of God.

One can visualize God in the temple of his mind's mirror because God is felt only in a clean mind. (God is not a thing to be seen by these materialistic eyes, because He is Nirakara i.e. Formless, but He is experienced by the soul who is away from all sins and evil deeds. and has a pure-mind. In the state of final realization (i.e. in state of Samaadhi) in yoga, one can experience the bliss of the Supreme Being and that feeling of " Ananda " is called "Visualization of God.”

Quest # 18: Is God easily available or difficult?

Answer: All things are not easily available except God. To get material things, one must have knowledge, action, place, time, intellect and environment and lastly all is possible with the grace of God, if not, it is impossible. One has to reach the place where the right thing is available. It consumes time and favorable condition, and all these are not possible without persuasion and proper knowledge. After all these, the grace of God is necessary, to obtain anything.

GOD is Omnipresent, Omniscient hence pervading in the hearts of all living beings. God exists where the soul exists. For one who desires to meet God, it is not necessary for him /her to go here and there or anywhere outside, as God resides within him/her only.

GOD can be experienced any time, anywhere and in any condition. The only condition is that one should have faith, love, pure knowledge, pure deeds and pure communion. If one is entangled in this material world, God is difficult to be realized. He is easily available if the material world is renounced. It seems difficult for an ordinary man, whereas for a true Yogi (one who practices yoga), God is easy to be realized any time and anywhere. There are two paths open for the soul, one is Prakriti i.e. nature and second is the path of God. If one is entangled in the material world, how can he meet God? So it is advisable to detach contacts from the material world to realize God.

Love and detachment are natural feelings (Yoga Darshana 1/29), which can also be created (Yoga 1/20).

The "Preya marg"--- is a path open towards colorful glittering Prakriti which is easy and attractive in the starting but ends in disastrous situations and the "Shreya marg"--- leads to the path of God, which is difficult and detached from the Prakriti but all-blissful and the soul is emancipated in the end.

Quest # 19: God is One with many names, so what is the Original name of God?

Answer: It is a Quest which is often asked "what is the original / personal name of God?

Anything, which has many, attributes - actions - nature may be called by many names, though it has only one personal name. In the same way God has many names but His personal or original name is One, which is written as “OM”.

Vedic and other Holy texts are in support of this view, here are a few quotations from the Vedas and the Upanishads in support of the statement that "AUM" (OM) is the highest name of God.

The Vedas say: "OM Krato Smara" (Yajurveda 40/15) means “Oh! Energetic man, (Assiduous man) always remember the name of God that is “OM”.

"OM Kham Brahma" (Yajurveda 40/17) which mean "OM” is the Great God who is Omnipresent (Like ether).

"Tasya Vaachakah Pranavah" (Yoga Shastra, Chapter 1/27) which mean God’s personal name is “OM”.

It is said in the Chhandogya Upanishad in mantra # 1 that "He alone, whose name is AUM, who is Immortal, is worthy of our adoration and none other."

Manduk Upanishad, 1/1, says: --" All the Vedas and the Shastras declare “OM” as the primary and natural name of God. All other are His secondary names."

It is said in Kath Upanishad, 7/15, that "He, Whom all the Vedas declare worthy of homage, to whom all devotion and righteous actions lead, and for Whose realization, the life of chastity i.e. Brahmacharya leads, is called OM.

Men have given many names to God, according to circumstances, place, time and their own beliefs e.g. Ishwara, Paramatma, Bhagwan, Brahma, Vishnu, Mahesha, God, Lord, Holy Spirit, Allah, Khuda, Khodaa, Khudaayaa, Rabba, Sai, Naath, Vaheguru, Omkar, Maalik, Parvardigaar, Maulaa etc. etc. but one enjoys and experiences "Bliss" by listening or chanting the One and Only name of God, which is ----"OM."

The Vedic and other Holy texts are in support of this view, that the Primary and Personal name of God is “AUM”, which is pronounced as “OM”.

Quest # 20: If God’s personal name is OM, then what is the personal name of the soul?

Answer: You have asked an appropriate Quest. In the answer of the previous Quest (# 19), we have given an eloquent of the Vedas, in which God has spelt out His eternal Son by the name of "Kratu"

"OM Krato Smara" Oh! Assiduous man, do remember OM.

There are many more names of the soul in The Vedas, according to its nature, actions and its attributes, such as:

*Atkam: Who is illuminated with the contact of physical body (Rigveda 1-77-1)

*Patanga: Who moves from one place to other (Rigveda 1-177-2).

*Anipadyamanama: An eternal or everlasting (Rigveda 1-177-3).

*Amartya: An immortal or eternal (Rigveda 1-164-38).

*Avyasah Avyapaka: Infinitesimal unity (Atharvaveda 19-68-1).

*Amrita: Ever mature or imperishable (Atharvaveda 10-8-26).

There are many more names of the soul in the Vedas, but the most popular name is "Kratu" i.e. "Energetic man" and "Atma"

Quest # 21: Are pain and pleasure a souls natural or casual attributes?

Answer: An attribute is that which is dependent upon or resides in a substratum which itself cannot possess an attribute, and is not the cause of combination or of division into parts, and is independent of another attribute.

An attribute, which is instinctive and does not separate from a substratum, is called its natural or instinctive attribute. And when a natural attribute of some substratum, comes into another substratum with a connection, is called its casual or fortuitous attribute. Coolness of water, heat of fire, God’s knowledge and bliss etc. are called the natural or instinctive attributes, whereas when water is heated, that heat is called the casual or fortuitous attribute of water.

"The immortal, eternal principle which is endowed with attraction and repulsion, feelings of pleasure, pain and consciousness, and whose capacity for knowledge is limited---even that I believe to be the soul."(Light Of Truth --- A statement of my beliefs).

The writer of Nyaaya Darshana (the Philosophy of Justice)-- Goutamaachaarya, Kanaad Muni the writer of Vaisheshika Darshana (the Philosophy of Extraordinary) and Great sage of Modern era--Swami Dayanand Saraswati do believe that "pain and pleasure are casual attributes of the soul and not natural.

Quest # 22: In the state of emancipation, do pain and pleasure remain with the eternal soul?

Answer: Oh no, Never! If pain and pleasure remain emancipated in the soul, then what is the meaning of that emancipation? Of course! In the state of salvation the emancipated soul is free from all pain because it is said in the Nyaaya Shastra (1-22/2) that “Everlasting freedom from pain alone is called Emancipation. Because it is freedom from false ideas, ignorance, vices (such as covetousness) and from engrossment in sensual gratification and contraction of evil habits, and consequent immunity from birth and pain, that brings about Emancipation which is everlasting.

It is said in the Chhandogya Upanishad (8-12-1)----" Physical body is the dwelling place

Of the formless and immoral soul, which is, therefore, constantly afflicted with pain or engrossed in pleasure, because an embodied soul can never ever be free from worldly joys or sorrows. On the other hand, the non-bodied, emancipated soul that lives in God can neither be affected by joy or by sorrow. It continually enjoys perfect bliss."

Quest # 23: What is the best way to get rid of " Dukhas " i.e. pain and sorrow?

Answer: There is only one medium to overcome pain in this world and that is----By always remembering God, in every place and in every situation. This is the main "Dharma" i.e. duty of all human beings as God alone can remove our sins.

“Sansar sarpadashta namekameva subheshjam, Sarvada sarvakaleshu sarvatra Harichintanam.”

Raja Bhartri Hari has said: --"kale naiva yato vayameva yat" which means, we have not conquered time, but time has conquered us hence by utilizing time in a proper manner, we can overcome all sought of pain from our lives.

“Dhuhkha Janma Pravriti Dosha Mithyaajyaanam, Uttarottaraapaaye Tadanantraapaayaadapavarga”. (Nyaaya Shastra 1.22.2)

Means: -- "One can get rid of pain by finding its root cause. The cause of all pain is Ignorance; ignorance is created from false ideas, which are the products of engrossment in sensual gratification and contraction of evil habits, and consequent immunity from birth and pain. One can realize that the main cause of all pain lies in birth alone. If there is no birth, there will be no death, and if one can conquer death all problems of pain will be solved.”

Quest # 24: Does God also experience pain and pleasure?

Answer: Joy, sorrow, etc. are the attributes of the soul that distinguish it from the Supreme Soul. God is away from all these things. When the soul is embodied, these attributes manifest themselves only so long as the soul is present in the body, but cease to do so as soon as the soul leaves it. God is formless so He can never ever be embodied (Yajurveda 40/8); hence the attributes of pain and pleasure etc. never exist in God. Only embodied souls experience pain and pleasure.

According to Vedic theory, the doer is the one who reaps the fruits of his deeds. Jivatma i.e. the soul acts only when it is embodied and receives the fruits (pain or pleasure) of its actions. God is all-blissful. He is complete so how can He experience pain?

"Anashnannyo Abhichaakasheeti" (Rigveda 10-164-20) which mean God is only Observer/Viewer and not the reaper of the fruits. He is holy and away from all evils.

God is called "Vrijan" in The Vedas (Rigveda 1-102-11) i.e. there is no pain in God, in other words God is painless. (Vrijan means painless). Pain lies in passion.

God is away from all evil (Nirvikara)----Rigveda 8-47-9, 1-162-22, 10-111-3, and 1-164-39.

“Akaamo Dheero Amritah Swayambhoo Rasena Tripto na Kutashchanonah, Tameva Vidvaan Na Vibhaaya Mrityoraatmaanam DheeramajaramYuvaanaam”. (Rigveda: 10-8-44)

The Veda says that God does not possess a physical body. He is Omnipresent hence for Him to possess a physical body is impossible. He always remains Untouchable and away from ignorance, birth, envy, pain, hunger, etc.

Pain and pleasure do not imply with God. God is infinite by nature. His essence, powers, attributes are all infinite. He can therefore, never be subject to ignorance, pain and bondage, etc.

Quest # 25: What does it mean that God is Omniscient i.e. All knowing?

Answer: You have asked an important Question, what is the meaning of Omniscient?

The meaning of Omniscient is----Knower of everything, i.e. all knowing. He who is all pervading becomes All knowing and He who is All knowing becomes Omniscient. There is just One Omniscient and there cannot be anyone else like Him. Being Omniscient, His actions cannot be Quested.

Jiva (the soul) is an Infinitesimal unity, it resides in one place, has limited knowledge, hence it is incomplete and most of the actions of the soul are faulty.

"Sa Stomyah Sa Havyah Satyah Satvaatuvikoorbheehi" (Rigveda 8-16-8) God is Omnipotent and Eternal, because

"Sahastrayaamaa Pathikrid Vichakshanah" (Rigveda 9-106-5) which mean He is Omniscient, the Master and teacher of infinite paths, because,

"Sahastrasheersha Purushah Sahastraakshah sahastrapaat" (Rigveda 10-90-1) mean the Supreme Being who is Omniscient, has an infinite number of heads, eyes and legs i.e. God is All pervading and knows everything about when, where and how to create--sustain--dissolve the Universe. He only creates, sustains and dissolves the Universe. God knows all about the Universe (when-where-how-why etc. to create, sustain and dissolve) and makes the laws of nature.

Omnipresent can only become omniscient and there will be only One Omniscient i.e. All knowing, who is none other than God whose knowledge is uninterrupted in three period of time i.e. There is no increment or decrement of knowledge. There can be recollection in knowledge, it is called "Aavriti".

Quest # 26: God is Omniscient, then does He know about the future?

Answer: God is Omniscience about His work i.e. to create, sustain and dissolve the Universe. God knows all about the Universe (when-where-how-why etc. to creates, sustain and dissolve) and makes the laws of nature, which are called "Ritta".

[The word “Ritta”, in its various forms, occurs more than 120 times in the Rigveda; 14 times in the Yajurveda; 43 times in the Samaveda and 32 times in the Atharvaveda. All the meaning have their own importance ”Ritta” in their context but the most importance ”Ritta” of them are cosmic order or law of nature and the moral law. These two aspects of Vedic “Ritta” carry very deep philosophical consideration. If all their details are thoroughly examined they will lead to the belief that the Veda is not only the scripture of religious rituals and sacraments but it is also a repository of all true knowledge. It is the knowledge which God, the Lord of this universe, revealed for the well being of mankind. ["Science in the Vedas"]

The soul is a free agent (“Swatantra” i.e. he is called a free agent who has the body, the vital forces, the senses and the mind subordinate to his will) hence man is not submitted to Divine laws in the matter of suffering pain and misery or reap the fruits of his deeds, until and unless he/she has not thought, planned or performed any action.

God is Omnipresent and Omniscient. He is always with the soul. He is the controller of all from within. He knows everything about the soul. He knows its capability and in present life, how far can the soul improve its deeds, God knows from its impressions of its previous lives.

God’s knowledge is always uniform and uninterrupted hence there is no increment or decrement in it.

Quest # 27: God is Omniscient, then does He know our future?

Answer: What do you mean by our future?

Quest # 28: That, what kind of work are we going to do in the future?

Answer: If we have planned to do any work, then certainly ”Ritta” God knows about it, because He is All pervading, hence He is aware of each and every intention of ours. But If we have not decided or thought of any future action yet, then God does not know about it. God’s knowledge is always uniform and uninterrupted. He always lives in the present. It is true, though, that the knowledge of three periods of time can be said to exist in God when it is spoken of in relation to the actions of the soul, but not absolutely.

Quest # 29: Then God would be ignorant? How can it be possible?

Answer: An interesting Quest indeed! GOD can never ever be ignorant, we are ignorant and shall always remain the same. God is All knowing i.e. Omniscient, on the contrary we have little knowledge. God is an Eternal Infinite Unity whereas we are eternal infinitesimal unities.

Up to now what you have read (Doubts and Answers) and must have realized an account of the wonders of the Universe around us and the surprises that we come across in the behavior of tiny little living cells. Nothing in all these three is disconnected or isolated. Everything exhibits a master plan and a master design. When we postulate the existence of an Omnipotent, Omnipresent and Omniscient God, it is not a hypothetical postulate that based on faith.

It is a rational approach to ascribe the orderliness that we find in this creation to a Supreme Masterhand. God is an intelligent designer, who knows his art, who has the capacity of the accomplishment, and who works with a set purpose. Nothing in this Universe is without meaning. It is an amazing wonderland, well-knit and well-woven, everything in it in its own place, every bit of it throbbing with activity, nothing stationary, every bit of it endowed with supreme activity. Ponder over a small Quest. Is it all by a chance that we have such a Universe? What is the ultimate source of the energy that we find in this Universe? Who has set all these planets stars, asteroids, and galaxies in a well designed beautiful pattern on the carpet of Space, and set all of them in motion? Can you imagine a time when this Universe did not exist? Billions and billions of billions years ago, the Universe existed and shall continue to exist for that period of time. When was it born and what are its dimensions?

Beyond this Universe, both in space and time, is the Mighty and Supreme Supervisor, who looks to all the details, big or small, and who has been taking care of this vastness since an infinite time.

Admire this Universe and admire Beyond this Universe, both in space and time, is the Mighty and Supreme Supervisor, who looks to all the details, big or small, and who has been taking care of this vastness since an infinite time. The HANDS behind it, This Universe of ours, most beautiful, perfectly designed, in order and most purposeful, at each stage well co-ordinated, stretching beyond the borders of time and space.

The Supreme Potter has the Supreme intelligence; He is Omniscient and Omnipresent and He has been incessantly working in the entire space and time, and the orderliness economy and purposefulness that we see in this creation are due to Him. He is one without a second, the Great Co-ordinator, and a Master planner. [*"Man and his religion" by Swami Satya Prakash Saraswati.]

Quest # 30: Does Omniscient God know the death of the soul?

Answer: All souls are eternal, imperishable, everlasting and immortal like God and the Matter. Of course! God is Omniscient, He knows that all existing souls are eternal, imperishable, everlasting and immortal, hence can never ever be destroyed, devastated or dead in any circumstances whatsoever. They always exist like God and the Prakriti.