SAKSHI Trust in collaboration with Sri Aurobindo Society, Jawahar Lal Nehru University, Central Sanskrit University, BEST Innovation University, Vedic Wellness University & Bhisma School of Indian Knowledge System organized a two day conference on ‘Interpretation of the Veda in the Light of Sri Aurobindo’ from 15th-17th Dec, 2023.
Dr Kishor Kumar Tripathy, Member Secretary, AuroBharati, Sri Aurobindo Society attended the conference and presented a paper on ‘The Secret of Veda in the Light of Sri Aurobindo.’
Referring the two significant issues related to the Vedas, i.e. “back to the Vedas,” popularised by Swami Dayanada Saraswati (1824-1883), and the other is “away from (or away with) the Vedas,” as represented by Thomas Babington Macaulay and other modernizers, he strongly presented the views for the correct interpretation of the scriptures as well as preservation of the heritage.
Highlighting the vision of Maharishi Aurobindo, Dr. Tripathy referred some of the significant lines from Savitri:
There is the Book of Being's index page;
The text and glossary of the Vedic truth
Are there; the rhythms and metres of the stars
Significant of the movements of our fate:
The symbol powers of number and of form,
And the secret code of the history of the world
And Nature's correspondence with the soul
Are written in the mystic heart of Life.
(The Yoga of the King: The Yoga of the Spirit's Freedom and Greatness)
He discussed the views of the western scholars in interpreting the tradition ‘The hymns of the Veda are the sacrificial compositions of a primitive and still barbarous race’ and strongly presented the intangible aspects of the Vedas and its application in exploring the intangible cultural heritage of humanity.
He presented the views of Maharshi Aurobindo on the Vedas ‘The wisest then depended on inner experience and the suggestions of the intuitive mind for all knowledge that ranged beyond mankind’s ordinary perceptions and daily activities.’
Referring the psychological interpretation of Sri Aurobindo, he referred to some of the Vedic terms with special emphasis on symbolism and the deeper psychological thoughts which reveals the secrets of the Vedas.
He stressed on the modern psychological theories for the interpretation of the Vedas and emphasized on the proper application of Veda Mantras including psychological interpretations.
The Foundations of the Psychological Theory of Sri Aurobindo was also one of the significant factors of the presentation, where as he highlighted the vision of Maharshi Aurobindo ‘whether there is, part from figure and symbol, in the clear language of the hymnsa sufficient kernel of psychological notions to justify us in supposing at all a higher than the barbarous and primitive sense of the Veda. And afterwards we have to find, as far as possible from the internal evidence of the Suktas themselves, the interpretation of each symbol and image and the right psychological function of each of the gods.’ The presentation was included some of the other areas including comparative philology which can address significant issues related to intercultural understating and intangible cultural heritage.
The conference was held at Suvarnamukhi Ashrama in Vadarahalli, lies in the outskirts of Bangalore. It was a wonderful experience to spend time at the beautiful Suvarnamukhi Ashram. The ashrama was lies on the banks of a small river and is surrounded by coconut trees and barren land. The ashrama believes in Pyramid energy and spiritual learning. They also have a pyramid structure for meditation.
The Secret of the Veda in the Light of Sri Aurobindo :
Click here for Video link.
Click here for YouTube Videos of the conference.
Click here for Living Veda - Bangalore Edition (Photos).
