Modern-Day Rishis

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Modern-Day Rishis

“Veda for the Masses” represents both a goal and a vision. The project’s goal is to authentically decode Veda in the language of the modern era. The vision conveys Veda’s revival as a household resource for the benefit of humanity. In the vision, sponsors are not simply monetary supporters. They are the modern-day rishis, or seers.

Swami Sri Atmananda says that Veda contains the solutions to any problem man may face, whether physical, social, mental, vital, or spiritual. Despite this great promise, a gap separates the print in a book and its application to life. The sukta sponsor naturally bridges these two.

A sukta sponsor receives:
the specific technique(s) of applying the sukta
the published book of the sukta
the audio file of the chanting of the mantras in the sukta.

When the sponsor practices the technique of applying the sukta, or listens to or practices the chanting of the mantras, the force of those mantras becomes stabilized in the person’s system. The sponsor transmits the vibration of these mantras and comes to embody the sukta. If the sponsor becomes familiar with the mantras and the appropriate occasions to apply them in life, eventually, the sponsor might serve others who need the mantra applied in their lives.

Protecting the Mantras

Skeptics may fret and say that now anyone will be able to get these secret mantras, either from the sponsors themselves or from the published volumes, whereas Vedas have historically remained in the custody of the brahmins (evolved spiritual beings). They may worry that Veda may fall into the wrong hands and be used for maligned purposes.

Returning to the origin of Veda soothes this doubt. Swamiji says that Veda was intended only for those in a high state of awareness and experience. He explains that Veda is pure knowledge and it was there even before the creation. It is not for any particular human being or religion. No one knows who revealed it in the beginning; no one wrote Veda. The seers discovered Veda.

If Veda is knowledge embedded in the creation, it naturally follows that a person needs to be in a higher state of consciousness to receive Veda. Swamiji further explains: “Veda is only revealed to those who have come to a phase of responding to prakriti’s signal. That is the sign of seerhood--not reacting, and never starting action out of desire motive, sensory urges, or vital compulsion or perturbation. Veda is revealed to those who never react, who only respond to prakriti’s signal that comes through someone or something.”

Swamiji adds, “Veda is self-revealing to one who loves Veda. If you don’t love Veda and are only trying to get quick recognition or money, the effect will not come.”

Any misuse of the Veda is further safeguarded by the inherent benefits of practice. A person’s nature is bound to purify while listening to or chanting the mantras--they are imbued with acknowledgement, gratitude, devotion, surrender and other positive qualities. A final protective layer comes with the sukta sponsor. If a sponsor, that is, the representative of a particular sukta, is approached to apply the mantra for someone or some situation, the sponsor can discriminate and determine whether the purpose is appropriate.

From Sponsor to Rishi

If the transformation from a simple sponsor to bona fide rishi sounds far-fetched, consider Sri Aurobindo’s statement that we are coming to a time when enlightened beings will be on every street corner. A rishi as per Swamiji’s description may seem hard to come by, but this doesn’t mean that rishis don’t exist or that the process to attain that heightened state is not underway in a person. The fact that a person becomes a sponsor indicates that the person’s consciousness is already evolved at least to some extent.

The vision does not imply that sponsors can or will be easily identified as wandering monks, or that life will change drastically. Rishis of ancient times also had the experience of life, like love, marriage, children. Without remaining in earthly experience, how can one hope to discover or receive mantras concealed in the physical creation?

The vision also does not require that sponsors take Sanskrit classes or study precise Vedic chanting techniques. If the chanting aspect spooks people, Swamiji offers assurance: “One is simply chanting. Even if you don't understand a single word, keep chanting with the right rhythm. How can you know that the rhythm is correct? A feeling will be produced. When you are able to feel, that's the right rhythm. If you are not able to feel, it is not the right rhythm. Keep chanting until you feel its power.”

A goal is met through discipline and perseverance. A vision is manifested through aspiration, but it is not an independent event. If the goal is not met--the foundation not built--the vision remains incomplete. Through the collaboration of many evolved beings, when discipline and perseverance marry aspiration, not only the goal but also the vision of Veda for the Masses will become reality. A community of rishis will once again be available to help fulfill humanity through wellbeing, prosperity, abundance and harmony.

How did the rishis “see”? Click here to listen to Swamiji speak about two of the greatest rishis in the Vedic era (blog article Oct 24th, 2007).

Click here to sponsor a sukta.

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

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