Interviewer:
Greetings, Gurudev.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Greetings.
Interviewer:
India is a land of spirituality, as you all know. The Vedas and Upanishads are the very soul of India. Unfortunately, in modern India, we don't see the practice and study of Vedas and Upanishads as much as we used to. In contrast, interest and study of these subjects have significantly increased in Western countries. However, we believe that Vedic and Upanishadic studies are especially necessary today. That is why we are here with Gurudev to discuss this valuable topic. Gurudev, could you please tell us something about the Vedas?
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
The Vedas signify knowledge. They are vast and used differently in various regions. The Vedas are divided into four parts: Rig, Sama, Yajur, and Atharva. The Rigveda is dedicated to Brahma. The Samaveda is offered to Narayana (Vishnu). The Yajurveda is dedicated to Shiva. Thus, they are dedicated to Brahma, Vishnu, and Maheshwara. The one who composed the Vedas is Bhagwan himself, and Maa Saraswati assisted and approved them. Brahma has four faces, and one is represented by the Atharvaveda. This Veda consists of the remnants or collections of the other Vedas. Historically, the Atharvaveda was taught to those from marginalized backgrounds—scheduled castes, tribes, or orphans gathered from the streets. You can still see children reciting the Atharvaveda in places like Puri and other pilgrimage sites.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Regarding the Rigveda, its primary seat is in regions like Rajasthan—places like Jaisalmer and Pushkar. That is Brahma's domain. The Samaveda, dedicated to Narayana, has been deeply adopted by South India. We, in this region, primarily follow the Yajurveda.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Each Veda has its own "Rig" (hymns). These are recited in various rhythms and meters. The Samaveda is recited through music, often requiring instruments like the harmonium and tabla. The Yajurveda follows a specific poetic rhythm. Today, Rigveda has a smaller footprint, Samaveda is prominent in the South, and we hold onto the Yajurveda, which is associated with Shiva and Durga. Samaveda is linked with Narayana and Lakshmi, while Rigveda is associated with Brahma and Saraswati.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
There is also a "Fifth Veda" called Rasayana (Alchemy/Medicine). In ancient times, physicians (Kaviraj) worked with this. It involves the study of plants and minerals—essentially what we know through Charaka and Sushruta. They maintained the chemical and herbal knowledge of the Fifth Veda.
Interviewer:
You mentioned Vedic recitation. The philosophy contained within them seems quite complex.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
It is complex because it is no longer taught as it once was. The Vedic age has passed. The Vedas were Shruti—knowledge passed down by hearing. Much has been lost over generations because it wasn't preserved properly. Because the practice has dwindled, people find the philosophy daunting, but fundamentally, it is all one.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Nowadays, people focus on various deities like Kali, Tara, or Durga, but in the Vedas, you find Brahma, Vishnu, and all deities represented through 24 principles. Even the Gayatri Mantra, which we consider a Tantra, is accepted by the Vedas. It was categorized for different social roles—Brahmin, Kshatriya, and Vaishya.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
The original Vedas are hard to find; what we have are compilations. Among the 24 principles, the first deity is Agni (Fire). Without fire, nothing can be accomplished. Whether it is Durga Puja or Kali Puja, the ritual concludes with Vedic mantras and the lighting of the sacrificial fire. Tantra has fully accepted this.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
The deities/principles include: Agni (Fire), Vayu (Wind), Surya (Sun), Vidhyut (Lightning), Yama (Death), Varuna (Water), Brihaspati, Parjanya, Indra, Gandharva, Pushya (the star constellation), Mittavaruna, Tvashta, Vasava, Marut, Soma, Angira, Vishvadeva, Ashwini Kumara, Prajapati (Brahma), Sarvadevata, Rudra, Brahma, Vishnu.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
These 24 elements constitute the Gayatri. In ancient times, before the concept of personal gods, there was meditation on the formless Brahma. Sages realized these natural forces through meditation. Above all, they recognized Hiranyagarbha (The Golden Womb). He exists in the cosmos; everything arises from Him and dissolves back into Him.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
In West Bengal, there wasn't much familiarity with Hiranyagarbha. I introduced this name during recitations. There are ten hymns dedicated to Hiranyagarbha, though one is lost. We practice the remaining nine. South India respects Hiranyagarbha immensely. You will find shrines for Hiranyagarbha in every temple and many homes there. This spiritual discipline is why South India is so prosperous and developed. They maintain these Vedic rituals daily. In Bengal, we have largely lost this practice over the last few centuries.
Interviewer:
Could you describe the form of Hiranyagarbha?
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Hiranyagarbha is envisioned as a golden egg (Hiranya means gold) in the sky. As the Upanishads state: "He who is the golden, immortal person in the heavens..." My soul is devoted to Him until death. This is Advaitavad (Monism)—there is only one Master of all.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Hiranyagarbhah samavartatagre bhutasya jatah patireka asit... (Translation: In the beginning was the Golden Womb; He was the sole Lord of all created beings...) To which deity shall we offer our oblation? We offer it to the one who gives us strength, the one whom the whole universe worships, whose shadow is immortality and whose shadow is death. He who is the life-breath, the king of the world, the protector of all two-legged and four-legged creatures.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
This is how we perform Homa (fire rituals). We worship the fire because it is the "all-knower" (Jataveda). (Recites Agni Vandana): Om agnim prajvalitam vande jatavedam hutasanam... (Translation: I salute the blazing fire, the knower of all births, the consumer of oblations...)
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Even today, every major puja ends with a Vedic fire sacrifice. Brahmins have not abandoned this. If one performs these rituals, the results are profound and swift. In South India, people wake up at 4 AM to perform these rituals. They use ingredients like turmeric and special rice in the fire, which they believe increases oxygen in the air and destroys negative energies. We have forgotten these practices and get caught up in trivialities.
Interviewer:
Gurudev, we have heard your valuable words on the Vedas, Tantra, and Hiranyagarbha. We will learn about these hymns in more detail in the future. Friends, please subscribe to our YouTube channel, "Gupta Sadhak Shyama Khepa." Next Sunday, Gurudev will be on Facebook Live from 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM. Please join us to ask Gurudev your questions.
Interviewer:
Greetings, Gurudev.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Greetings.