These quotations prove that the three kinds of cars can be made by mechanical skill with such materials as gases, fire, water and other earth-born substances.

'The three kinds of cars, the ships, etc., should be provided with means of comfort and they should be able to move at such a great speed that they may cross the watery ocean, the land, the upper region in three days and three nights, rushing on their course as if they were provided with innumerable feet. They should have six mechanisms, fire chambers for securing swift motion.

Let man travel comfortably in the three regions.

These cars are to be made with the help of the above mentioned Ashvins. they alone can move the cars properly and they also are the

Men can enjoy the best comforts by acting in this way but not otherwise.' Rigveda 1.8-8-4.

[In Uhathus by the anomalous use of the person the second person has been used for the third as is obvious. The Ashtadyayi III. 1. says 'Anomalies are optionally used.' On this the author of the Mahabhashya says: 'The author wishes to say that there are anomalies in the use of case, number, gender, person, tense, etc. This anomalous use of cases, etc., is optional.]

'Ye men! In the ocean full of eater and in the upper region where there is no means of support for hand, where none can stand you should travel, for success in your undertakings,

These apparatus should be fixed to the land conveyances, ships and aerial cars. These three kinds of cars should be constructed with a hundred mechanical devices, fastenings, appliances for making them steady. Such cars secure permanent and abiding enjoyments. Rigveda I.8-8-9

[The words Uhathus, Ashvinau, Bhujyuh are to be interpreted as before.]

"all men should exert themselves in this way, because it helps to secure enjoyments.

This power of the Ashvins is fit to be bestowed as a gift and a sit is conducive to happiness, it is invigorating. It is full of great capabilities and most praiseworthy. It is productive of excellent good to others. This fire is a swift horse which causes these cars to move rapidly on their track. We should employ this fire, the cause of swift locomotion, to our use. The merchants should use it in particular." Rig. !.8.8.1.

[The Vam there is the anomalous use of the person.]

The word Kirtenyam is formed by adding

In Bhut the past tense is used for the present.

The Nighantu I.14 gives Paidva as one of the names of ashva.

An [aphorism of Panini says the Arya is the name of Vaishya (merchant) and master.]

'For the production of smooth, graceful motion in a car and for swift locomotion there should be attached three sets of strong wheels and mechanical appliances and the artisans should construct three supports to make it firm and steady and to keep the various mechanical parts in their place.

The learned mechanics know that these cars lead to peace and comfort and the realization of desires. They should construct these cars with the help of the Ashvins because their use alone they

Now as to what kind of car for traveling upon land, water or in the air should be made.

It should be made of one of the three metals, iron, copper or silver. It should be such that the Ashvins, air, fire (gases, heat, electricity) may by means of mechanical devices move it forwards and backwards as swiftly as the move of the mind and the soul." Rig !.3-5-7.

"It should be provided with the apparatus for keeping it steady, retaining its balance and stopping it. It should be of spacious dimensions. Such a craft, when the horse, i.e., fire, is harnessed to it, is able to cross the great oceans with great speed.

[Indu is a name for water in Nighantu. It is formed from Undi by changing its initial letter u and i according to an aphorism of the first Pada of Unadikosha.]

"O men! Properly employ in the three kinds of cars mentioned above, the air, etc., whose velocity is as great as that if the mind by means of locomotive machinery. These air, fire ,etc., in conjunction with water generate steam which imparts swift motion to them." Rig I. 6-9.4

"Cars should be constructed for traversing distances upon land, water and in the upper

[Matayah occurs among the names of the wise in the 15th Khanda of the Nighantu.]

"O men when the swift moving horses, i.e. fires are lighted, under vessels containing water, with fuel, wood, etc., and are able to move the machinery then they make the cars made of earthly substances leap up into the bright firmament. I.e., carry then up. (When they get up full steam and move rapidly they produce happiness just as the land irrigated by water produces various objects for the enjoyment of men. Rig. II. 32-17.

There are many mantras in the Vedas dealing with this subject, but we do not quote all of them here for this is not the proper place for doing so.

It should be employed most frequently in all things. It possesses this property that when it is struck it transmits the current and brings success in all great and good undertakings. It is most helpful in defeating the opposing forces of the enemy and in securing victory to the home forces.

It helps forward the operations of human armies. Like the sun it brings to light events happening at great distances. Becoming well versed in the use of the Ashvins, the terrestrial substances and electricity, always make use of the telegraph apparatus. Rig I.8-21-10

"O God, thou art the great Healer! My the medicines, soma, etc., be our friends, promote our welfare and destroy diseases through Thy favor and may we know t hem thoroughly. May the pranas be our good friends. May they be unfriendly to and inflict pain on the oppose those unrighteous men or evil passions such as anger, lust, etc., and diseases, who or which oppose us or whom or which we oppose.

That is to say, medicines like friends destroy the afflictions of those who follow a proper regimen and like enemies inflict pain on those who violate it." Yaju VI. 22.

There are many verses in the Vedas which contain the root principles of the medical science. This not the proper place to quote them, but we shall explain them at the proper place.

"O God! Thou conductest our pranas. We pray Thee that we may be happy whenever we may assume another body after death. Grant us, O God! The eyes and all the other senses, the pranas and the inner senses in our future birth when we may assume another body after forsaking the present. Do Thou

[In this mantra, the eye (Chakshu) represents all the senses and prana the inner senses.]

"Be gracious, O Lord! To grant that in our rebirths the earth may give us prana born of food and strength, the bright light of the sun may give us prana and middle region may give us life; the juices of medicines such as soma, may give us body (bodily health and vigor). O God! Thou art the giver of strength and nourishment, show us in our rebirths the path of virtue (dharma). We pray that happiness be our lit in all our births through Thy grace. Rig VIII. !. 23. 6 & 7.

"O Lord! May we get, through Thy favor in our rebirths all the senses and that force which sustains the pranas. may we be endowed with the noble riches of knowledge and have firm devotion to Thee. May we get human bodies so that we may be able to tend the fires, Ahavaniya, etc. O Lord of the Universe! May we have the same form, intellect and good bodies as we were endowed with in our previous birth so that we may be able with the help of intellect to discharge our duties properly in the world of our rebirth and may we never suffer pain on any account.

[This is the lesson conveyed by God in the first half of the verse.]

It is the nature of the soul that it reaps the fruits of its good and had actions done in a future birth. After leaving its old body it enters such substances as the air, water, medicinal herbs, etc., and then through their agency it enters into a new body according to the fruits of its former good or bad deeds.

The jiva which obtains a full and complete knowledge of the Vedas, the word of God, obtains the body of a learned man like its former body and enjoys happiness; but the jiva which acts in violation of the dictates of the Vedas and virtue gets the body of lower animals and suffers pain." Yaju IV. !5; Atharva VII. 6-67-1; Atharva

"We have heard that there are two paths in this world for enjoying the good and suffering the bad consequences of virtue and vice. The first is the path trodden by the pitris (the wise) and the devas (the learned) and such men as are devoid of knowledge and wisdom. The first is divided two fold i.e., the pirtriyana and the Devayana. That in which a jiva obtaining a body from the father and mother enjoys happiness as the fruit of its good actions and suffers pain as the consequences of its evil and deeds and again and again, i.e.,

When the Jiva, leaving it's previous body and wandering about in the air, water or vegetable kingdom enters the body of the father or the mother it becomes and embodied spirit." Yaju XIX. 47.

The author of the Nirukta also supports the doctrine of rebirth in the following couplets:
"I died and was born again, and having been born I died once more. I have tenanted thousands of different bodies.
"I have tasted many kinds of food and have sucked many kinds of breasts. I have

The great sage Patanjali in the Yoga aphorisms and his commentator Veda Vyasa also have established the truth of the doctrine of rebirth.

'Flowing by its potency the fear of death affects even the learned.' Yoga !. 2-9

The fear of death which is exhibited, from the very birth, by all (living beings) shows that there are births and rebirths. Even a newly born ant, as well a learned man, is subject to the fear of death. This shows that without experience of death in a former life, there would be no impressions of it in this. With out the impressions there would be no remembrance

Similarly, the most learned sage Goutama in his Nyaya Shastra, and Vatsyayana in his commentary thereon express their belief in the doctrine of rebirth.Pretyabhava."Nyaya Sutra. I.1.19

[Pretyabhava is to leave an old and to assume a new body. It is composed of two words, Pretya which means, having died, and Bhava which means coming into being. So a jiva after departing from here is born again and assumes a body.]

Here those who believe in one birth only say: 'If there was a former birth why is it no remembered?'

We reply: 'Open the eyes of understanding and see. There is no remembrance of the pains and pleasures which we experienced up to the age of five years since our birth, nor, of all the

Q. - 'If God awards us in this existence of fruits of our good and bad actions, which we did in our past life, in the form of pleasures and pains, God becomes unjust because we know them not and also because we are not reformed thereby.'

A. ~ We say: 'Knowledge is to two kinds, direct and inferential. Suppose fever affects the body of a medical man and also of a layman. The medical man, on account of his special knowledge, putting the cause and the effect together, infers the cause of the fever. Not so with the lay man, but he, too, though devoid of this special knowledge of the medical man, knows that there is no effect without a cause and as he experiences the effects of fever comes to know that he must have been guilty of some irregularity in diet, etc. Similarly, God, who is just, cannot give pain or pleasure to any body without his having done bad or good actions. We see that in the world that

The holders of one birth theory raise many similar objections. They should be answered after due consideration. It is not necessary that everything should be explained in black and white to intelligent persons. They can understand a good deal by a few hints only. Besides this, we do not write more on this subject in this place for the fear of increasing the bulk of the book.

"O virgin! O young maiden! I take thy hand i.e., I marry the and thou marriest me for accomplishing the purpose of begetting children. Lady! Mayes thou grow old in my (thy husband's) company and may I grow old in thy (my wife's) company and may we, in

As to how the husband and the wife should conduct themselves after going through the marriage, God ordains:

"O husband of the house-holder and may separation never take place between you and on account of quarrel or (permanent) residence in a foreign land. May you, by My blessing, always discharge your duties, do good to all, remain devoted to Me and live up to old age full of joys of various kinds. May you live happily

From this it is clear that one man should have only one wife and one woman only one husband. That is to say, the marriage of one man with many women and of one woman with many men is prohibited, because in all the Vedic verses only the singular number is used (for the husband or the wife.

There are many mantras in Vedas dealing with the subject of marriage.

"O married couple! Where do you pass the night, where do you pass the day, where do you earn your living, where is your private

These questions are put to the husband and the wife and the dual number is used for them. This shows that one man should have only wife and one woman only one husband, that there should always be mutual love between them, that they should never separate from each other and that they should not be guilty of adultery.

(A bride should approach the groom) as a widow approaches her second husband by Niyoga. For authority see Nirukta III. 15 which says "a devara so called because he is he second husband.' A widow is

(In case they become widowers (or widows) they should enter into Niyoga. A second marriage is never allowed among the twice-born. It is allowed in the Sudra Varna only, because the Shudras are devoid of learning and of the usage (of the learned).

"This widow, forsaking her dead husband and desiring conjugal happiness comes to thee, O man! Her (second husband), i.e., approaches thee by way of Niyoga. Do thou accept her and beget children upon her. Observing the ancient rite sanctioned by the Vedas she accepts thee as her husband by Niyoga. Do thou also accept her and make her bear children in this world and make her pregnant." Atharva XVIII. 3-1-1.

O widow! If thou desirest to enter into Niyoga after the death of thy husband by marriage then approach a man whose married wife is dead, and become happy by giving birth to children. Rig X:18-8

The following verses enumerate the children that can be begotten by Niyoga, i.e., how many times a Niyoga can be contracted and how many children can be begotten

"O married man! Thou art the giver of seed, make her the mother of noble children and make her supremely happy. Make

The meaning is that if such a dire calamity happens that the husbands die one after the other the woman is allowed to contract Niyoga, for the purpose of begetting children, with ten persons one after the other.

Similarly, the widower, if after the death of this wife by marriage the wives by Niyoga with ten widows one after the other. But if a widow or a widower do not desire to contract Niyoga she or he may not do so." Rig VIII. 3-28-5

The next verse gives the names of the different husbands one after the other.

"O woman! Thy first husband by marriage is called

• Soma (gentle) because he possess

the quality of gentleness, etc.
• The second husband who accepts thee by Niyoga after they widowhood is called Gandharva because he knows what sexual intercourse is.
• The husband with whom thou contractest Niyoga for the third time gets the appellation of Agni, because the substances of his body burn as if they were on fire when he enters into Niyoga with thee who hast had intercourse with two men already.
• O woman! Thy husbands from the fourth up to the tenth are known by the name Manushyayah because they are possessed of ordinary strength and vigor.

"O woman! Thou servest thy first husband by marriage and thy second husband (by Niyoga). Mayest thou, acquiring benign ib>
observing the good laws in household affairs, treating the domestic animals with kindness, accompanied, with excellent grace and knowledge, devoting thyself to the bringing up of children, giving birth to valiant progeny, desiring to have a second husband by Niyoga, the Ahavaniya, etc., and perform all household duties." Atharva XIV. 2-18

These verses sanction the institution of Niyoga to be observed by men and women in times of distress.

"As the two kings, the sun and the moon, shed luster on all corporeal objects, so just and enlightened acts of sunlike and moonlike qualities adorn the three assemblies. By these assemblies men gain many joys such as those

All these assemblies should, in ordinary matters, co-operate with one another for promulgation of all good measures among the subjects. Wherever the learned and the righteous persons, in these assemblies, after a consideration of what is useful and of what is harmful, encourage people to do their duties and restrain them from doing what they ought not to do, there the subjects always remain happy and contented. Where there is an absolute monarch the subjects always remain happy and contented. Where there is an absolute monarch the subjects are oppressed. It is certain. God says that the common weal is promoted only in those States in which the governments is in the hand of an assembly.

[The word Keshah means solar rays.]

"O God Thou art the source of kingly functions and the promulgator of the laws of government. Be gracious unto us and make us instrumental in the protection of the State

"That country, in which there is not opposition between Brahma i.e. God, Veda and the God-knowing Brahmanas and the Kshatriyas possessed of such qualities as valor, fortitude, is to be considered holy and endowed with a desire for performing the yajnas. The subjects can be happy in that country alone in which the learned walk with God and perform the yajnas such as agnihotra, etc." Yaju XX 25.

God says:-

"O President of the Assembly! Among the creatures of God, the self-refulgent and the

I sprinkle fragrant waters on thy head in order that thou mayest display such virtues a justice etc., and disseminate deepest learning. I appoint thee for obtaining excellent strength with the help of the highest glory of God and full and complete knowledge for attainment of the glories of universal empire, for acquiring most excellent renown and for performing the kingly functions."

"O God! Thou art all bliss, render us also happy by granting us the blessings of good government. Thou art possessed of supreme happiness, make us also perfectly happy by bestowing upon us the boon of parliamentary government. We seek Thy protection for abiding happiness. We adore Thee to give us benign rule. O God of true renown! Lord of bliss and Giver of welfare and happiness! The

"Let the President of the Assemblies, and also their members, believe that the kingly glory is like is head, noble renown like his mouth, the luster of truth and justice like His beard and hair, God and the air residing with in his body, the cause of life, like his King, the bliss of emancipation, the Veda, like his suzerain and overlord, and the display and dissemination in various ways of such qualities as truth and learning like his eyes and ears. Let all men know that these are the limbs of the president and the members of the assemblies. Yaju XX. 3,1. and 5.

"Noble strength is like my arms, a mind

"The kingdom is like my backbone, he army and the treasury are like my shoulders (lit. the roots of the arms) and the abdomen respectively, to adorn the subjects with happiness and make them enterprising are like my buttockto make the subjects proficient s, in the trade and commerce and in the mathematical sciences is like my thighs an to maintain complete harmony between the subjects and the State Assemblies is like my knees.

these aforesaid acts are like my different limbs. As a man feels affection for his bodily organs and is deeply interested in protecting an strengthening them even so should all consider the protection and prosperity of the people the objects of their love and concern." Yaju. XX. 7 and 8.

I alone pervade everywhere. Those who carry on the duties of Government depending on Me as the Lord of their desire are always victorious and prosperous. All officers of the Government should always govern the people according to the light of justice and knowledge, so that justice and ignorance may be destroyed."

"For achieving victory is every battle I seek the protection of Indra (God), the protector of the universe, the most glorious, the fighter of noble battles, the most valiant, the mightiest, the king of the universe, the strong and brave soldiers and governing His kingdom with justice. May Indra (God), the giver of

"O learned members of the State Assemblies! Discharge with the glory, the noble functions of government in your present kingdom which is free from the enemy and the thorns (disturbances) with the object of making its government matchless, establishing all business on the basis of the highest knowledge, exercising sovereign authority among the learned, shedding the light of justice and dispelling the darkness of injustice like the sunlight and rendering this people as happy as possible. You should also know that among the members versed in the Vedas such a person alone can be the king after his election to the president-ship of the

May (Indra) God or the Parliamentary government ever achieve the highest victory and may He or it never come by defeat. May the king of kings, the Ruler of the Universe be always celebrated with His truth, justice and splendor among us whether we may happen to live in great empires or smaller kingdoms. The Ruler of the universe, alone who is worthy to be worshipped by all men again and again, is fit to be adored, praised, saluted and depended upon by us Mayest thou O Lord the emperor of emperors be duly honored in this kingdom; (for, by honoring thee we shall always be honored in this great empire).

"Let the State assembly and the people acknowledge God, the King of all kings and the President of the State Assemblies, after anointing him, as their king and let them fight under his orders and let the army of brave soldiers fight, having regard to the commands of God and in obedience to the orders of the President in Council and of their own commander." Atharva XV, 2, 9, 2.

God says to al men:-

"O friends! Propitiate the glorious God and please your commander who is the killer of foes, skilled in war, fearless and illustrious. In this way commence your battles for

"O God! Thou art (the element of) good in the assembly, protect my assembly. [The word me means our and refers to all men]. May the members who sit in our assemblies and who are well versed in their business protect our threefold assembly mentioned before.

O universally adorable God! May those presidents and the members obtain happiness who acquire knowledge of State-craft with Thee (i.e., who remember thee in the administration of the state). May we, duly protected by parliamentary government, live up to a happy (old) age of hundred years."

"Let the learned and the righteous men of the State assemblies always conduce to the happiness of the good men among the subjects and deal gently by them and adopt a stern attitude towards the wicked. The duties of a king have a twofold aspect, i.e., mild and forbearing and stern and terrible.

Sometimes, owing to the exigencies of time, place and the subject in hand, they have to be tolerant; at others, they have to be otherwise and have to visit the wicked persons with severe punishment. The Kshatra or Statecraft consists in the bringing happiness to the doers of good deeds, and in inflicting pain on the wicked and in the possession

"The act of Government (Kshatra) is the greatest of all. By protecting the weak it conduces to the best kind of happiness. By following the principles of Government described above men can improve the administration of the State, but not otherwise. For this reason art of government is the most important of all. It gives happiness to the people, unto the officers of the State, like their ownself and is the source of uninterrupted happiness and peace to the whole world. For this reason, the art of government exceeds in importance all other acts."

[Here by the word Brahma is to be understood the Brahmana Varna well versed in all sciences.] The duties of governing a State are established in it, because the improvement and preservation of State administration are not possible without true knowledge. And true knowledge is established in the Kshatriyas; for, without them its preservation and progress cannot be possible. For

"The officers of State should always keep from harm their senses (and passions) which are so powerful and indomitable i.e. they should always keep them under control; for, it has been said that moral courage and strength are (Kshatra Rajanya) kingly power. Hence a man makes the government prosperous and promotes its happiness in every way my moral courage and strength. The art of government requires constant solicitude and is the greatest of all acts."

"Let all men being actuated by such desires as the following put forth their manly exertions. May I rise with all good qualifications and enjoyments in the assembly in which are the most excellent learned men, for attaining, through God's favor, the position of the president of the assemblies or for obtaining sovereign power over lesser kings, for exercising the authority of the ruler of worldwide empire, for ruling over and protecting the kingdom

"The business of the State should be commenced after saluting God three or four times. That country or State, which places itself under the divine control, prospers and grows rich the becomes full of valiant persons. Valiant persons are born in such a state only and nowhere else. Such is the divine commandment." Aitareya VIII 2, 3. 6 and 9.

We anoint as our king and universal ruler this most noble person who is fit to fill the position of the ruler of a world wire empire, able to protect and achieve the best enjoyments, a brilliant statesman, shining with the light of such qualities as true knowledge in his heart, able to protect the self-governing State, the light-giver of various kings, fit to be appointed ruler of the best state, and elected to preside over this great kingdom.

The empire of the person who is so anointed is happy. In it are born brave soldiers (Kshatriyas), the president of the assemblies fit to rule over all livings beings, the destroyer of the wicked subjects, the demolisher of the cities of the enemy, the killer of the evil doers and the unrighteous,

When a man who desires to rule over a state is anointed and elected King in the aforesaid manner which leads to the attainment of all glories, he becomes invested with the kingly state and becomes victorious in all battles. He is everywhere triumphant and acquires all good worlds (states). He obtains the most exalted rank and nobility and commands (the greatest) respect, as mentioned above, among the kings. He obtains that highest state which results from the joy of victory over the enemies and from the humbling of the foes, [or here the "highest state" may be taken to signify the highest position in the State assembly and then

They call that government the best wherein people are properly governed by means of parliamentary institutions, which obtain desired happiness, put and end to the evil doers and endeavor to make people contented.

He alone is fit to be called a Brahmana who knows God and the Veda. He alone is

The strength of a Kshatriya lies in war. Great wealth and happiness are never secured without fighting. In Nighantu II. 17, Mahadhana, 'great wealth' is given as a synonym for war, because, by it or through it are obtained great riches. High respect and great wealth are never obtained without it.

The Ashwamedha of a Kshatriya is the government of the kingdom and not the killing and burning in homa fire of a horse.

When a Kshatriya endowed with the qualities mentioned above puts forth his glory and greatness and valor he becomes able to govern a worldwide empire. A Kshatriya should,

Shat.XII. 8-2; XIII. 1-5; XIII. 1-6; XIII. 1-9.

State policy enlightened by knowledge and other good qualities is the empire itself. The glory of the empire is also its burden and it is its central part (the heart). Protection of the subjects is the sleep of the empire i.e., as refreshing and undisturbed as sleep. The subjects

Consequently, the administration of the State should be vested in the assemblies. In those countries in which there is (an absolute) monarch, he things the subjects as his food, fit to be devoured and oppresses them. (An absolute) monarch is said to eat his subjects because he seizes upon their valuable possessions for his selfish purposes and thus oppresses them.

As a meat-eater seeing a fat animal desires to kill it (for food) so an absolute monarch being jealous of his subjects outshining and surpassing him cannot bear the prosperity of any man. For this reason, administration of the State by means of the assemblies is the only form of good government. Shat. XIII. 2.3.

The Nirukta II. 3 says the word varna is derived from the root vri, 'to choose, to appoint'. It , therefore, means 'one to be chosen', 'worthy of choice', or, 'that to which one is appointed or elected with due regard to his attributes and works'.

That man is entitled to the position of a

The two arms of a Kshatryiya are to minister to the happiness of all and the possession of that excellence while which springs from good qualities; or, the two arms of a Kshatriyas are his strength and prowess. The valor of a Kshatriya increases by conferring the essence of prana, i.e. happiness on the people. The arrows of Kshatriya should always shine (prevail). Shata V.1.1: V.4.3: V.4.

[The word Ishavah has been used here as representative term for weapons and missiles.]

The stages of life also are four (in number),

In this way, a man should duly obtain, be these four stages of life, (the four ends of human existence) virtue, wealth, desire and emancipation. Out of these, in the period of studentship one should duly acquire such good qualities a true learning and good training.

The preceptor, i.e., the teacher of learning having invested a Bramahachari (student), with the sacred thread instructs him to remain firm in his vows and bears him in his womb, as it

"With the fuel of homa the Brahmanchari renders earth, the shining firmament happy i.e., with learning and homa he confess happiness on the living beings dwelling in those regions. By adopting the symbols of Brahmacharya, viz., the agnihotra, and the girdle, etc., and by his industry as well as by his virtuous conduct, teaching and preaching he makes all beings happy and strong."

The Brahmachari, who has made it his nature (as it were) to move in (i.e. study) the Vedas, performs the most difficult austerities, knows the Vedas and God, is the first (i.e.) his ashramas being the first point of order he is the embellisher of all the ashramas and remains

"The Brahmachari glowing with the aforesaid knowledge, wearing deerskin, etc., with hair and beard which he was worn for a long time, and having been inititated obtains highest happiness and at once passes from the ocean of the practice of Brahmacharya to that of the Grihasthashrama, 'the life of a householder' and collecting all worlds that are fit for living in (i.e. performing righteous acts and duties

Brahmachari learning the Vedic lore, acquiring a knowledge of the pranas, and of the sensible and visible world, proclaiming God - the Lord of Creatures, Who manifests Himself in many ways, entering into the womb of emancipation, i.e. living regularly in knowledge like a fetus, in the womb equipping himself thoroughly with learning, shining like the sun, and driving away the doers of evil deeds, the ignorant, the hypocrites of malevolent and mischievous disposition, as the sun drives away the clouds and the night, becomes the displayer of all the good qualities and the destroyer of the bad qualities.

By observing Brahmacharya a king acquires special ability to protect his subjects. By acquiring knowledge through the performance of Brahmacharya a teacher is able to take Brahmacharis (as his pupils) but not otherwise.

[The Nirukta I.4 says that an Acharya (preceptor) is so called because he forms the

By observing Brahmacharya a maiden arriving at the age of puberty (youth) obtains a young husband of similar qualifications. She cannot wed before that age, or can she marry a husband of dissimilar qualifications. The ox and the horse are filled with a desire to conquer their adversaries - the other animals - in battle by means of Brahmacharya. It is, therefore, clear that men must needs observe Brahmacharya.

[The word anadvan, 'ox' is here used as a class name to signify all swift and powerful animals].

The learned by the force of Brahmacharya (but not otherwise), i.e., by acquiring learning, the knowledge of God and the Veda, and by performing the dharma-duty or virtuous acts - always overcome the pains of birth and death. Verily, the sun is able to illumine and please the organs of sense by observing Brahmacharya i.e., by obeying the laws (appointed) arya, i.e., by obeying the laws (appointed for him by God). Thus no one can properly

Atharva XI - 3, 6, 7, 17, 18 and 19.

[The particle ha is used in the sense of verily].

May all he meritorious acts that we have done as householders living in (towns and) villages, such as the dissemination of knowledge, the procreation of children, the promulgation of good social laws, and other acts calculated to promote the general weal, or as dwellers in the forest such as the meditation of God, the acquisition of knowledge by self-study, the performance of austerities, acts conducive to the good of the society and good acts of the senses and the mind, may all these have the attainment of God and emancipation as their motive and whatever sins we may have committed knowingly or unknowingly those we may destroy by the observance of the rules of the Ashramas (stages of life).

God commands that men should speak thus (to one another):-

Give me knowledge, money, etc. for my benefit, I also shall give thee in return; treat

"O men! Desirous of entering the life of a householder marry according to your free choice and establish a home for yourself. Do not be afraid of performing the duties of a householder and do not tremble (at the thought). Aspire to obtain the objects (of the world) with courage and strength. (address the other householders as follows):- 'i come to make my home among you fortified with courage and strength, with pure mind and excellent intellect.'

A man remembers the house in which he ha lived with great comfort and their owners. He, therefore, invites to his house the persons

"O God! May I have an abundance of domestic animals, land, sense organs (i.e., vigor of body), knowledge, light and pleasure, etc. in the householder's stage by Thy favor. May the sheep and goats be friendly to me. Besides the aforesaid objects may I have in my house the excellent juices of edible things. O ye objects! i.e., those which have been mentioned above, I acquire you for my protection and pleasure. May, I by acquiring you, obtain the joys of this world and the bliss of emancipation in the next world. Living in the houses-holder's stage all men should promote the twofold happiness which has been referred to above."

[Here there is an anomalous use of the person (the 2nd person being used for the third

They are called ashramas (resting places) because meritorious acts are performed in them. Acquiring learning and making oneself sure about God and the dharma in the Brahmacharya ashrama, putting to practice what one has learned and increasing and improving one's knowledge in the Grihasthashrama and then resorting to a lonely palace in the forest and there determining what things and acts are right and what are wrong and finishing the (duties of) Vanaprasthashrama one should become a Sanyasi.

There is a difference of opinion as to when a man should become a Sanyasi. Some say that one should become a householder after finishing the Brahmacharya ashrama and then should go to dwell in the forest and then one should become a Sanyasi. According to the others, one may enter Sanyasa after finishing

The Sanyasis renounce the world on account of their desire to see (realize) God - the most beautiful (lit. worthy to be seen). The excellent Brahmanas, who know God, are free from all doubts, possessed of perfect wisdom, dispellers of the doubts of others, and learned and desire to know God, but, they have no desire for a householder's life and children.

With beaming faces they say, "What should we do with children (i.e. we have nothing to do with them, the object of our desire is this most beautiful God.)" and thus renouncing the desire to beget children, the desire and efforts for gaining material wealth, the desire for renown, fame and honor and aversion from notoriety in the world, they [live on alms i.e. enter the stage of renunciation.] For, a man who possesses

No riches of the world can equal the riches of the bliss of attaining God. One, who is established in God, no more desires than other honors of the world. He is compassionate to all men and renders all men happy by his true preaching. The only object, he sets his heart upon, is universal benevolence and the propagation of truth.

Chhandogya II. 23.2:Shat. XIV. 7. 2.

The Agnihotra of the sanyasis is the burning (i.e. the control) of their in-breathings and out-breathings, the turning away of the senses and the mind from sins and the performance of the true Dharma. The agnihotra of the sanyasis is not that the performance of which is enjoined upon the members of the other three ashramas, nor is it devoid of all activity.

True preaching is the Brahmayajna of the Sanyasis, the worship of God their Devayajna, the honoring of the wise their Pitriyajna, the gift of knowledge to the ignorant, compassion and non-injury to all beings, their Bhutayajna;

wandering about for the purpose of doing good to all mankind, free from pride, honoring all men by the preaching of truth to them, their Atithiyajna. Thus the five great duties of the Sanyasis consist in true knowledge and the performance of Dharma. But the worship the supreme Brahma, who is one without a second, and possessed of such attributes as almightiness etc. and the following of the true Dharma are common to all the ashramas.

Since man obtains those desires and those places which he desires with a pure mind (the inner sense), one desirous of glory should always respect and honor the sanyasis who know God. By their company and social intercourse with them and by honoring them alone can man obtain the worlds full of bliss and the objects of his desire.

No one should show respect to the preachers of falsehood, those who are devoted to their own self-interest (the self-seeking) and he hypocrites, for, to show respect to them ins useless and its fruit is misery and suffering. Mundak, III, 1.10.

The method of learning and teaching (the Shastras) is the same as described in the chapter on Reading and Teaching. The method of meditation and worship at the (two twilights is the same as given in my book named 'The Pancha Mahayajna Vidhi.'

'Ye men! Do ye always kindle the fire with purified substances, ghee, etc. and fuel, with a view to benefiting others by means of purifying the air, the medicinal herbs, the vegetables and the rainwater. And carefully burn in the fire the purified substances which possess the property of destroying disease, and are strength-giving, sweet to the taste and sweet-scented and fit to be burnt. Do ye perform the agnihotra always in this manner and through this act benefit all creatures.' Yaju III. 10

'Let a performer of the agnihotra entertain such thoughts: " I establish in front of me fire which is the messenger for carrying the objects to be burnt in homa to the regions of the air and the cloud-hand." Fore is called the

"God, the Lord and protector of the household and its inmates, adored and worshipped in the mornings and evenings, bestows on our health and happiness and most excellent objects. For this reason, He is called by the name of Vasudana, the giver of wealth. O God! Preside over our imperial activities and our hearts. May we grow strong in body by proclaiming Thy glory.'

The first portion means the same as the above. The meaning of the additional portion is:-
'May we by performing the agnihotra and worshipping God in this manner remain prosperous fro a hundred winters i.e. a hundred years consisting of a hundred winter seasons. It is our desire that by performing this act we may never come to grief and suffer loss.' Atharva XIX, 7. 4.

The verses to be recited at the time of the morning agnihotra:-
"With a view to benefit the whole world by obeying His commands we offer (this) one Ahuti (oblation) to God, who resides in everything that moves or is stationary, who is the illuminer of all luminaries and who is the life of all.'

'With a view to God who, on account of His being the indwelling ruler of all, instructs

'With the view.to God, who pervades the luminous orb of the sun, and Jiva, who dwells within the dawn illumined by the sun's light and in the mental faculties of the Jiva and who is the self (i.e.) the enlivener of all. May He with His divine love and kindness make us wise by endowing us with the excellent qualities of knowledge, etc.

These four ahutis are to be offered at the time of morning agnihotra.
The ahutis at the evening agnihotra are to be offered with the following mantras.
'With a view to .. to God who is all knowledge, the illuminer of luminaries.

The performer of agnihotra may perform it at evening with these mantras or he may perform the agnihotra once only with all the mantras.

'O God may this act of ours which we have performed with the intention of doing good to others be successful through Thy grace. We, therefore, surrender this act to Thee.'

The following mantras are recited at the morning as well as at the evening agnihotra.

In these mantras the words Bhuh, etc. are the names of God. Their meanings have been given in the exposition of the Gayatri mantra Q.V.

Agnihotra is that 'in which something is thrown into fire for the purpose of purification of air and water or in the name of God or for the sake of obeying God's commands. It is obvious that when by burning fragrant, tonic, sweet, intellect -improving,

The third yajna - the Pitri yajna.
Pitriyajna is of two kinds. One is called the Tarpana the other the Shraddha

Tarpana is the act by means of which we seek to satisfy and make comfortable the learned, the devas, the rishis and the pitris. Shraddha means to serve them faithfully and sincerely. These acts (Tarpana and Shraddha) are possible only when the learned is alive but not possible to serve them, they being absent, and also, because, the object of the act is

There are two characteristics, viz., truth and falsehood which divide men into Devas and manushyas. The devas resort to truthful act, the

One should, therefore, always speak the truth, believe the truth and act the truth. The deva who has taken a vow of truth becomes glorified among the glorious and the manushaya goes down to the reverse state. Shatapatha. I.1.1
Hence here the learned alone are the devas. Shatapatha III. 7.6.

He, who takes up the work of teaching, is said to do the act pertaining to the rishis. he, who offers good things to the Rishis, the devas and the students and always devotes himself to the acquisition of learning, becomes learned and of great mental caliber and attains to the yajna of the highest knowledge. All men should, therefore, accept this as the act pertaining to the rishis. Shatapatha I.4. 5. 3.

'May the wise protectors, the pitris, who are of a peaceful and tranquil disposition and experts in extracting and preparing the juice of the soma plant, and also, who with the object of gaining happiness in this world believe firmly in God and who use and employ material fire for the performance of agnihotra and for

'O Pitris! make us happy by giving us the gift of knowledge in this assembly or school, and accepting what we offer you in accordance with your learning apply yourself gladly and enthusiastically in the work of the gift of knowledge and the preaching of the truth. May you move freely among us, being pleased with our proper reception and good manners. Yaju II. 31

We honor and respect you again and again. Fathers! Impart to us a knowledge of household affairs. Fathers! We offer you all things over which we have control so that we may obtain knowledge from you the may we never obtain knowledge from you and may we never deteriorate. Fathers! Be pleased to accept clothes, etc. which we offer you. Yaju II.2.

'May the glory, which is full of true knowledge and other similar qualities, of my living and learned preceptors who are devoted to religion, God and the good of all men, who follow the exact mean in matters connected with religion, God and such excellent objects as true knowledge, and who behave without such defects as fraud, etc. towards their pupils and disciples in imparting them true knowledge, etc.' remain firm for a hundred years, so that we may always remain happy.' Yaju XIX. 46.

'May we approach the pitris and obtain instruction from them in matters connected with the acquisition of such excellent qualities as learning, etc. and in beneficial acts in which the mind feels intellectual pleasure. They possess a knowledge of God who is, as it were, the vital fluid in the bodily organs of all. They always

[The words samanah and samanasah have already been explained.]

'The learned pitris who are presiding judges of courts of justice find everlasting joy in the administration of justice and dispense the benefits of the kingly duty viz., the protection of the subjects) become common among us. We offer our respects to such dispensers of truth and justice. May true and conscientious officers of justice always reside amongst us.' Yaju XIX 45.

Let all men obtain the objects of their desire by acting in this way.

'May the learned pitris, who are masters of Brahma Vidya, the highest of all sciences, and whose activities are always directed towards the greatest good and protection of all,

'May the pitris, who are the masters of Brahma Vidya and who taste the juice of the soma plant with their food, come in this place after having drunk the soma juice. May I have full acquaintance with the pitris mentioned above, who are givers of knowledge and other good qualities. By knowing them and associating with them may I acquire a knowledge of the all-pervading God, of His manifold world formation and of the imperishable

[Here there is anomalous use of the atmanepada and the suffix of the first person is elided.] Yaju XIX. 56.

'O venerable Pitris! you are our invited guests. Occupy these comfortable seats of excellent manufacture. Accept our hospitality and renew your visits again and again and have honored us with your visits hear our questions and answer them. Protect us always be bestowed on us gifts of knowledge and instructing us in affairs of the world.' Yaju XIX. 57

Honor us with your stay at our home or in the assembly and makes us rich with the riches of knowledge, etc. which make men strong and brave so that we may always have among us brave commanders, strong in mind and body and rich with the treasure of true knowledge.' Yaju XIX. 59.

'May we always learn true knowledge and the art of living according to truth and justice from the Pitris, who are well versed in the science of electricity and devoted to the cultivation

'O Men! Invite ye the Pitris who possess tact that and resources and know when to act and serve them even as we invite and serve them.

'O God! Thou knowest the Pitris who are present in our midst and whom we know, and also those who live in distant lands and are not here and for this reason whom we do not know. Do Thou bring about our meeting with them and bring to us the learned Pitris who are not here.

Do Thou supply our well-performed yajna with articles of food and drink and other accessories so that we may be able to successfully perform the action-portion which is productive of prosperity in this and of happiness in the next world.' Yaju XIX 67

'O God! Desiring Thee, we install Thee in our hearts as our Lord and as the dispenser of justice in our kingdom. O Lord of the universe! May we always hear and recite to

'O God ! desiring Thee, we install thee in our hearts our Lord and as the dispenser of justice in our kingdom. O Lord of the universe! May we always hear and recite to

'We offer good and other excellent things to the fathers who give us knowledge and are called Vasus on account of their efforts to make the science of immortality i.e. moksha their own or on account of their having acquired knowledge by observing Brahmacharya for 24 years, and their being engaged in tutorial work; to the grandfathers, who are called Rudras because after having studied for 44 years, observing Brahmacharya, they are performing the duties of teachers; to the Pitris the great grandfathers, Adityas, because observing Brahmacharya for 48 years they have become complete masters of knowledge and

O Fathers! Grandfathers! And great grandfathers! Purify us again and again by your words, thoughts and acts and make us do pure deeds by advising us to perform pure and holy acts and to observe Brahmacharya so that we may live up to a hundred years. [The verb 'purify' is to be repeated three times thus; O fathers! Purify us, O grandfathers! Purify us, O great grandfathers! Purify us in order that men may become centenarians and obtain

Let a Brahmana perform daily the homa of Vaishvadeva in the household fire according to the prescribed rules in honor of these devatas with cooked food. Manusmriti III. 84. Texts on the performance of Balivaishvadeva.

As sufficient fodder is placed before a horse so we too in obedience to Thy commands,

The verse quoted after this viz. Yaju XIX. 39 has been explained in the section on Tarpana. Svaha to agni (i.e. self-effulgent God.)

[The word agni has been explained supra] Svaha Soma i.e. God the creator of the whole universe and the giver of happiness to all, svaha to agnihoma, the in-breathings and the out-breathings [The meaning of this word has been given

One should place upon the earth morsels from one's daily food for the dogs, for those

According to this couplet one should place six morsels on the ground. Having in this way divided the food among all living creatures one should secure their contentment.

Yajna, the Atithi yajna.

'Service is due to the atithi who possesses the above-mentioned qualities, who is endowed with the most excellent attributes and whose time of going and coming is not fixed, and who arrives suddenly and as suddenly departs according to his own sweet will."

Whenever an atithi may happen to come to the house of a householder, he should rise to receive him and saluting him with great pleasure should offer the best seat. After rendering him proper service he should ask him: "O the best of men! Where did you stay (last night). O, honored guest! Accept this water. As you satisfy us and our friends, etc. with your truthful advice we also try to please you (with our service). O learned man! We are ready to do your pleasure, order us to bring the thing you may have a liking for. O atithi! we are resolved to serve you according to your will and pleasure. We shall serve you in the

After performing the homa with these mantras one should offer the Bali (oblation).

[The word namah (obeisance) is derived from the root 'nam' which means to make obeisance, to honor, to speak. It means that men obtain true knowledge by thought preceded by good action.]

Our obeisance to God the glorious, whose attributes are eternal; obeisance to the supreme self, who possesses the attribute of dealing out impartial justice; obeisance to the supreme Lord the most excellent, who has the attribute of highest of knowledge; obeisance to the Most High, who is giver of happiness

[The meaning of the word adbhyah has been given in the explanation of the mantra Shannodevi etc.]

Obeisance to the Lord of the worlds; (or may we derive benefit from the great trees, the lords of forests which God has created with good qualities) Obeisance to God, of the highest glory, whom all men serve and who is full of all bliss and beauty; (or may we derive joy from the beauty of the universe created by God).

Obeisance to the power of God which provides happiness for all. Obeisance to God who is the author of the Veda which contains all the arts and sciences; (or who is the Lord of the universe.) Obeisance to God who is the Lord of akasha, the residing place of all creatures. Obeisance to all the learned.

[The meaning of the words Vishvebhyo devebhyah has been already explained].

May the creatures

[The words Om pttrihhyah svadhayibhyah svadha namak has been explained in the section on Tarpana. The word namah denotes humility for one's own self and respect forothers].