The 10-day series titled “Vedic Vision in the Light of Sri Aurobindo” offered an in-depth study into the hidden spiritual significance of the Vedas, brought to light through Sri Aurobindo’s visionary insights. Conducted by Dr Vladimir Yatsenko, the sessions guided participants through a symbolic, psychological, and evolutionary understanding of the Vedic texts with an emphasis on their continued relevance in the journey of Integral Yoga, where the goal is collective transformation.
On day one, the series opened with Dr Vladimir sharing Sri Aurobindo’s personal encounter with the Veda, revealing how the silent Brahman, symbolic language, and inner experience converged in his Yoga. The Veda was shown as a living scripture of man’s evolutionary journey, where Agni — the flame in the heart — calls down divine powers for transformation. The centrality of the Divine Mother, Aditi, and the mantric power of the Word were underscored as essential to the Vedic vision. The Earth was affirmed as a psychic being, and India as its spiritual heart, destined to play a central role in humanity’s future. The Veda emerged not as a closed book of the past, but as a blueprint for conscious evolution in time and space.
On day two, the session traced the unfolding of Vedic literature from the Shruti texts to the Smriti scriptures, highlighting the deep architecture of Indian spiritual culture. The Rig Veda, Yajur Veda, and Sama Veda were seen as expressions of physical, vital, and mental consciousness. Through the Ashrama system, human life was designed as an educational journey toward the Spirit. The vision of the Rishis was described as timeless, drawn down at the dawn of each Manvantara for the soul's remembrance. The Vedic process of transformation was rooted in the integration of body, mind, and spirit, not in withdrawal, and the psychic presence within the body was central to this unfolding.
In the third session, the mystery of creation was explored through the lens of Sri Aurobindo’s metaphysical thought: Delight is the purpose, and Truth its path. The four original emanations — Consciousness, Bliss, Truth, and Life — were described as falling into their opposites, laying the field for evolution. The psychic being, a spark of the Divine, was identified as the force of Love that entered darkness to redeem it. Three creations were presented: the fall, the descent of Spirit, and the future supramental transformation. The double soul of man — Jivatman and Psychic Being—was a key insight, showing two paths to the Divine: one that accepts all as Divine, and one that seeks only the Divine.
In the fourth session, the Adityas, sons of Aditi, were seen as expressions of the Divine Mother’s faculties, along with mentioning Vivasvat, the Involved Son. The role of Surya-Savitri as the supramental consciousness projecting these faculties into time and space was elaborated. A reflective structure emerged: the movement from transcendence into embodied multiplicity, held together by the Supermind.
In the fifth session, Dr Vladimir shared about the Vedic myth of the Angiras Rishis and the recovery of the lost cows of dawn that revealed the deep psychological and spiritual movement of man toward Truth. The Panis, keepers of hidden Light, represent the karmendriyas disconnected from inner being. Their transformation becomes essential for integration. The struggle between Light and darkness, sacrifice and inertia, was shown as intrinsic to the soul’s evolution. The Dawn, Usha, is the Mother of Truths, and her illuminations must be rescued from the caves of the subconscient. The seeker is an Aryan, a pilgrim on the path of progressive truth and immortality.
In the sixth session, the tenth mandala's myths of creation, especially the cracking of the golden egg, presented as metaphors for the first separation of Heaven and Earth, was discussed in detail. Agni, Vayu, and Surya emerged as triple divine energies linking the physical, vital, and mental realms. The realm of Antariksha — the vital space — was described as a battlefield where forces of darkness and light contend. Earth and Heaven were not separate, but luminous firmaments held together by the sacrifice. The individual soul’s journey was placed between the extremes of the Superconscient and the Inconscient, with the body acting as a sacred fortress for conscious growth.
The seventh session began with a meditative reading of the Rig Veda’s first hymn, where Dr Vladimir elaborated on the journey of the Flame—Agni — from Earth to Heaven and back. Through interpretative translations grounded in Sri Aurobindo’s insights, each verse unfolded the ascending aspiration and descending grace of Divine Will. The Rishis’ timeless presence was felt in the repetition of the sacrifice through new dawns. The shift from invocation to surrender, from effort to receptivity, marked the soul’s movement toward oneness with the Divine.
On the eighth day, the Gods of the Veda were examined as functional aspects of the Divine, each representing powers engaged in the soul’s transformation. The Adityas, Maruts, Vasus, Rudras, Ashvins, and Soma were presented not mythologically, but as forces and faculties of consciousness. The feminine powers — Ushas, Aditi, Diti, Prishni —were seen as aspects of the Divine Mother in Her many roles. Minor deities and the undivine forces were also discussed, showing the dynamic interaction of opposing tendencies within the soul. The Angiras Rishis’ discovery of the flame in the heart marked a shift toward love and surrender, distinct from the earlier austerities of the ancient seers.
Day Nine focused on ‘The Word (Vak)’ and Dr Vladimir shared how the ‘Word’ is the central force of creation — creative, cognitive, and transformative. Sri Aurobindo’s vision of language and consciousness merged in the understanding that speech is not mere communication but the expression of the self’s evolution. The myth of Brihaspati and Indra illustrated how the infinite Word was captured by the finite mind, giving rise to language. Sanskrit, carrying the memory of spiritual intention, was seen as a bridge between the word and the object, between the inner and the outer. All manifestation —silent or verbal — was shown to be a revelation of the Word seeking to become real.
In the concluding session on the tenth day, participants shared their learnings and experience during the coursework, and a few concepts were discussed by Dr Vladimir based as a reflection on these sharings. Some reflections were around the central aim of the Vedas — Immortality, along with drawing from Savitri and Indian myths, the deeper truth of death as a transition and transformation was unfolded. Yama was redefined not as a killer of the body, but as the saviour of the soul. The four emanations of Death —Darkness, Ignorance, Suffering, and Falsehood — were to be converted through conscious sacrifice into Light, Knowledge, Bliss, and Truth. Our voice should be given to the highest and deepest in us, and no other creature should possess our voice to express in this world because we are the world; 
whatever we say, think, or feel is what we make and become. It is the future that kindles our aspiration - this aspiration to grow/progress makes us Children of Immortality (we are constantly on the move/never satisfied)
The participants deeply benefited from this coursework. The Veda, as rediscovered through Sri Aurobindo, is not a historical relic, but a living revelation guiding the evolutionary journey of the soul. It affirms the sacredness of the body, the transformative power of the Word and the integral movement toward Divine manifestation. This 10-day immersion reaffirmed the central truth: the flame within must rise and call the Gods —not to escape the world, but to transform it. The Message of the Veda/Integral Yoga is clear: we are not yet what we have to Be. We have to become something.
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“Awesome and comprehensive in providing perspective on Veda and Savitri.”
“My experience about the whole webinar is like a connecting of the dots and forming a clear image. All my bits and pieces of surface knowing got wholesomely connected together and sometimes it was even far deeper than what my current capacities of understanding could provide. At the end of the webinar, I am left with a stronger aspiration to connect with Dr. Vladimir and to enhance my current capacities of learning even more so, the deeper aspects could also be understood and explored.”
“Course was easy to follow but Veda itself are very symbolic and cryptic, Dr Vladimir made them so easier to understand its deeper aspects.”
“Yes, all the sessions were helpful to connect wisdom of the past dawn to the noons of the future which Savitri highlights.”
“So enlivening. Felt like being in presence of Dr Vladimir as modern Rishi and rest of the participants as future generations of Rishis.”
“The course set the right perspective (सम्यक द्रष्टि) about Integral Yoga. Kindle the aspiration more stronger to put into practice and ask more strength and knowledge from the divine Mother to practice even more deeper, higher and longer because antiquity of Vedic Vision reveals that this journey is much, much longer and the path of Integral Yoga is to be followed strongly, resolutely and knowingly in all future lives as well. Needless to say, this course of Dr. Vladimir has created an impetus that has widen the horizons for spiritual efforts to a very long extent.”
This was a life-changing, course which laid out the framework of Veda and the Integral Yoga of Sri Aurobindo and The Mother.
This was a life-changing, course which laid out the framework of Veda and the Integral Yoga of Sri Aurobindo and The Mother.
“This was a life-changing course which laid out the framework of Veda and the Integral Yoga of Sri Aurobindo and The Mother.”
“This course better equipped me for my work of articulating the Veda in Catholic Christianity.”
“Every day of presentation was equally engrossing as together they helped support a unified vision. I am very interested in "the Word", therefore this was particularly delightful for me, but I found all the presentations of equal value and enjoyment.”
“There is nothing easy to understand about this topic, but Vladimir did a great job of giving us entrance into its depths.”
“My grasp of Veda, Integral Yoga and even Catholic Christianity is deepened by this course. As someone who leads Christian prayer and comments on Biblical readings, I have gained tremendous perspective in my work.”
“Each day was a new beginning for me. Even though we have done some classes with Vladimir on the Rig Veda and hymns to Agni, it was seeing it with new eyes again. The one and a half hours flew by and I wish for once there was no time or space! A deeper and wider understanding has come into my life of the Vedas.”
“The mind has expanded so much. The understanding is clear. The heart yearns for more. Sri Aurobindo has left us gems and we are so very fortunate to have a Seer like Vladimir explain to us that each word becomes a living experience.”
“First, I’m so grateful to be born a human in this earthly plane to experience life in this beautiful creation where the Divine himself plunged. There is so much more motivation to keep progressing. To learn all about the divine and undivine forces in our lives too. And to be very conscious of our speech as call is so important the way it is said and the intention behind it and the most important and powerful was today, the deep meaning of the 4 boons in Savitri.”
“Each part of each day was profound. For me the first day stood out when Vladimir spoke of the 2 creations and the last day the symbolism of the Vedas in Savitri and the 4 boons and their true meaning. How the Psychic Being first has to come in front, then the Cosmic spiritual realization, then Transcedental and last Supramental which is immortality.
“The sessions were so deep and the way Vladimir explains is so vivid that it is like living it and the whole day is possessed by this power. Even my dreams were full of learning!”
“Beautiful and serene atmosphere. It was like experiencing Heaven on Earth. Even though I had to vacuum and cook it was a Delight doing even that! Because all the time the thoughts were in some higher realm that nothing mattered anymore. Thank you James for all your support and efforts to help us on the Integral Yoga journey of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother.”
“Excellent course material & presentation. 10 continuous days keep the momentum & immersion. Having the same presentation versus multiple presenters helped with understanding, comfort, & Q&A.”
“A lot of the content of the Veda was new to me. Listening to the recordings helped to understand the course material.”
“So many layers within the being that need to be offered & transformed. Created more awareness within me.”
‘The facilitator, Vladimir, is one of the most knowledgeable person on Veda and Sri Aurobindo's philosophy I have met. Yet, he presented all the material so simply that at that moment everything was clear. Other participants views/questions also enriched the overall understanding of the concepts for me.
“It is very difficult to write in words the experiences I gained (or I must say I got some glimpses of the Truth). It opened a whole new world of study for me. Being an Indian one knows most of these stories and heard/chanted mantras but it was this class which opened the doors of knowledge hidden in these verses. The second week was very intense and I am going to watch these videos again and again to gain understanding.”
“Every day was a new takeaway. But three things stuck my mind: 1. The concept of Agni; this life being a sacrifice for evolution of consciousness and calling out Agni to come help us. 2. The concept of Panis; Panis are our Karmedriyas which do not know how to surrender and work with the divine will. And in doing so they steal the light (knowledge, power). This is a very powerful concept to apply in everyday activities. This viewpoint has changed how I see things and evaluate my own behavior.3. I came to this course to know about Vedas and see connection of Vedas with Savitri. Because in Savitri, Sri Aurobindo describes the higher realm in Book 1, Canto 5 as "The text and glossary of the Vedic truth Are there;". Vladimir's sessions have kindled the aspiration to know more about Vedas and Savitri. I pray to The Mother to give me strength to understand and explore it for many years to come.I would like to note here that after each session there was some more calm in the heart. In fact, at some level I do not have any questions or answers any more. Just Silence is Ok.”
“Even though Vladimir's lucid explanations made me feel that I got the idea. I would be lying if I say that I grasped even 5% of what was presented. I feel that the content of this course is a journey which one undertakes for not just 10 days, 1 lifetime but for several lifetimes. I am grateful to LaGrace, Namah , James and Vladimir to bring this content in online mode so that I can start the journey. Thank you.”
“I have read some parts of The Secret of the Veda earlier. I did not understand anything but I would get peace after reading it which will continue for the whole day. This course has inspired me to read it again and now with the connections presented in this course, hopefully I will understand something!”
“The sessions gave me starting-point to explore more. I will be revisiting the videos, and material again. I have already started making study notes on this and plan to keep exploring for next few years (or the whole lifetime).”
I” have attended many of the programs organized by NAMAH and as always the participants of these sessions amaze me. They inspire me. Even though I have not met anyone physically (only online), they give me a sense of Sangha, that I am not alone and there are others like me trying to walk the path led by Sri Aurobindo and The Mother.”
“My being is still vibrating from a knowledge that has been transferred from Vedas into my “being. Beautiful and profound course.”
My reality shifted dramatically. I feel like death became a myth and a legend and “immortality a new reality.”
Absolutely, after this I shall dive deep into study of Rig Veda Hymns to fully understand the experience of ancient Rishis. Also better understanding of Savitri and four boons will be a guidance throughout my everyday life.”
“Yes, it was very easy to follow.”
“Yes, I am even more certain that this is my path and that concentration on a psychic being coming forward are crucial for our transformation. I shall be learning more Sanskrit words and meanings to deepen the experience.”
“Absolutely, to enter into study of Sri Aurobindo’s text on the Vedas is impossible without a guidance. The same applies for Integral Yoga. This course was the Mother’s blessing.
“Very joyful and sacred. James and Vladimir have presence of peace that I could feel throughout. And the unity of so many people from different parts of the world in one place made it very special.”
“Yes, this is the path that I shall follow for the rest of my life. Namaste.”
“Very organized and structured presentation. It fuelled my interest in taking up the study of Vedas in details.”
“The Vedic Vision as a foundation of our culture and heritage. Psychotherapeutic principles from the Veda and Integral Yoga are planned to be applied in my “psychotherapeutic practice.”
Yes, very lucid. The presentation was structured. it is now time to dive deeper.”
“From the beginning it appeared to be that we are indeed one family.”
“The experience was very good, because the course was well-structured, illustrated, explained and participative. There was a lot of information and the pace was intense.”
“I learnt a lot about the Vedic tradition, foundation to Sri Aurobindo's philosophy. Since there were references to stories and myths, the experience was enriching and vast.”
“The hymns were a great source of exploration due to the symbolism and intricacies of Sanskrit. Vladimir did an excellent job of explaining in detail each line. I have now a new appreciation for the Vedas.”
“The atmosphere was friendly and comfortable. The follow-up of summaries and Presentations made was very regular and timely. There was a lot of space and time for questions and discussions.”
“The course did deepen immersion into the yoga. Looking forward to a second immersion now. Thank you.”
“It was an amazing course which brought together many strands of things I had heard of but was not integrated into a whole.”
“The realization that the living Divine is in all beings and all matter/substance, and that we are moving through this 'sea' of divine creation. Awareness of this moment to moment is something to work toward.”
“Vladimir has a gift of verbalizing and explaining complex and sophisticated subjects easily and simply, with great personal insight.”
“It broadened the scope of my awareness.”
“There was so much to take in, I am still overwhelmed. I will have to go back and listen to the classes again. Perhaps several times more, and keep reading the texts.”
“Vladimir's reciting of some of the Sanskrit verses gave me an insight into how the sound and the meaning combine to make a harmonious and clear understanding of the hymns. I could sense the message (slightly) from the chanting of the verses. It made me realize how fortunate it would be to understand the Sanskrit.”
“It is very dense material, but very well organized. The basic elements were clearly presented. I feel that there are many of these elements that make connections between Savitri and the Life Divine, and The Mother's Agenda. It also connects things with the ancient traditions to give a greater sense of human spiritual aspirations and realizations through time.”
“Riveting, but I will have to take time to review and digest it. I am glad it was recorded as I will be able to get much more out of it than if I had just attended it and taken notes.”
“I felt the grace. Every time I would focus on connection it was more substantial.”
The Learnings :At the outset I would like to convey my sincere gratitude to Vladimir ji for this exhaustive journey in Vedic vision which has been meticulously engineered by him through the dense forests of the profound Vedic knowledge which served as a foundation and basis for Sri Aurobindo’s Integral Yoga concepts .Here are the few highlights of the knowledge gained in the 10 day course .
1, The role and importance of Veda in the ancient times and the spiritual experiences of the Vedic Rishis who received the inspired knowledge as a revelation . Sri Aurobindo says that Veda is the beginning and Veda is the end.
2. Vedas and the Upanishads are the two great syntheses of knowledge . Vedanta or Upanishad follows Veda .
3. The Smruti ( revelation received from above ) canon consists of the Samhita texts of the Vedas , the Brahmanas , the Aranyakas and finally the Upanishads and the Gita. This covered a period from 6000-500 BC.
4. Then came the various Smriti scriptures from 600 BC starting from Mahabharata , Ramayana, Sankhya; Patanjali Yoga Sutras, Puranas, Tantras; then Brahma Sutras..Mahapuranas ; and then Kavya literatures Kavir, Sikhism..and finally Sri Ramkrishna, Vivekananda and Sri Aurobindo and The Mother.
5. The key to Veda is the idea of “ Sacrifice “ which is the impelling and upward force of the Agni constantly transforming our nature by spiritual presence . The mantras uttered during the sacrifice convey the power and presence of consciousness bringing great illumination in the minds . Sanskrit was the knowledge on which the whole Indian tradition was built.
6. We learnt about the i) “ Cause of Creation”, the First creation (The eternal night), ii) The Second creation ( The ascent to light); the ranges of the Brahman/ Spirit and the Self/Atman.and iii) The Third creation ( The Supramental Manifestation) .
7. Vedic symbolism and the Vedic gods Adityas, the four transcendental godheads; the triple status of Supermind ( unity , many, many in one and one in many); the three gods of the Supermind ( Daksa, Amsa and Surya or Savitr ) are of great significance.
8. The knowledge of the Triple worlds are of great relevance . The connection of the various levels of the mind,vital and physical to the world and the Super Mind is illuminating.
9. The two fundamental myths ..the myth of the Dawn and the myth of Angirasav are the major foundations of the Vedic knowledge. The lost light and knowledge and its recovery from the subconscious cave of darkness and the conception of the Dawn are the key to the secret of the significance of the Vedas. The idea of the Divine Dawn fascinates me.
10. Agni is the main God after Indra to whom most of the hymns are dedicated. The very first hymns are dedicated to Agni : the mystic fire.These are the symbol of sacrifice as the ascending journey of Agni.
11. The hymns to the Sacrifice of the Purusha have been studied which are of great significance. “ Our life is a holocaust of the Supreme.”
12. The concept of the Divine word the “Mantra”...the creative function of the word is of great significance. The mantra carries the godhead and has the power to illuminate and awaken the thrill of the infinite, leading to Delight is a miracle of the Supreme utterance. It is the highest power of speech and is of poetic nature .
13. Learning of the Gods and Godheads of the Veda : The great Godheads, Minor deities, undivine and anti-divine forces , Rishis of the Rig Vedas and their significances were discussed.
14. Then we come to know the myth of Savitri and Satyavan and the Four Boons which Savitri could bring through her stupendous tapasya and sacrifice.
“The entire course gives us a comprehensive and clear idea of the origin of creation step- by-step and how the Divine Mother decided to undertake the redemption of this world . The knowledge of the Vedas give us a definite clue as to how we should approach the works of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother and how the vedic ideas are related to the various works of Sri Aurobindo especially Life Divine and Savitri.The idea of Agni as the fire of sacrifice , the Divine Will who is the leader of the spiritual journey is something is amazing.The knowledge of Triple Transformation ..the Psychic transformation, the Spiritual Transformation and the Supramental Transformation and the Supramental Transformations are so inspiring and uplifting and calling us high in the domains of the higher minds.”
“Surely , it has intensified the spiritual urge, the aspiration and will are concrete and taking shape which is being observed. The being has become calm, rooted , self focused with a will to pursue effectively the practice of Integral Yoga.
“I am a member of the study group on " Secret of the Vedas " and I already made a firm decision that I will go through deep into the studies on Veda . And I attended this course to know and understand the structure and foundation of the Veda and its various limbs and the significance of the various parts and the keys to get the the inner essence of the Veda . So I would like to know and realize the inner significance of the Veda in its entirety. My next approach will be to go through the Riks and understand . As a first step I would like to go through the Hymns of the Mystic fire . I need to study Sanskrit more in depth with a little prior knowledge , and which I have already started.”
“The atmosphere was one charged with deep spiritual, as if the gods of the higher planes made their presence felt . It was as if we were take into a high summit where the gods dwell making us familiar with them so that slowly we understand their beauty and might and adore them.”
“Surely the course has deepened my understanding of Integral Yoga. The various grades of the mind is clearer starting from the ordinary mind to the various planes going up to the Supermind and Overmind are a bit clearer. The process of conversion inwards , going and trying to find out the inmost psychic being ,aspiring and invoking the Agni and slowly trying to develop it through the practice of Integral Yoga in all its parts will be the next step.To approach to the higher regions of the mind and guided by the progressive development of the psychic being and effectively using the vital life energy and utilizing it for a greater purpose and bring new creations within and outside . This will be the present goal and aim. We have to aspire and strive constantly for that. The rest depends on the grace of the Divine Mother.”
“Being part of Vladimir’s sessions in this 10-day intensive format has been a profoundly moving and illuminating experience. Though I have attended his study circles before, this “immersive engagement allowed for deeper absorption and inner movement.”
The sessions offered a multi-layered experience—intellectual, intuitive, and spiritual. Each talk felt like peeling back layers of the Self. I often left with more questions in the first week but in the second week it was something else. An inner understanding and a sense of being inwardly stirred and kindled. A deep yearning arose—not just for knowledge but for transformation, for the veils of ignorance to be pierced.”
“There were many takeaways, but the most practical for me was the emphasis on receiving with silence, on developing the capacities of Inspiration, Intuition, and Revelation through attentive inner listening. It gave me a deeper appreciation of how inner stillness is not passivity but a receptive power. Also, the aspect of surrendering the 'Soma' experience. This has given me a different insight on Aspiration, rejection and surrender.”
“Vladimir’s mode of speaking in a gentle, luminous, and soul-inspired way helped tremendously in carrying the essence across, even when my intellect lagged behind. The circle also helped me feel safe to share and learn collectively.”
“There has been a noticeable inward shift. A stronger pull towards silence, a deepening of aspiration, and more faith in the inner process.”
“I feel more drawn than ever to intensify my reading of The Secret of the Veda not just as a text but as a living force. I keep reading a few pages at a time, here and there but not in its entirety. Now I feel the pull to go into its depths. The Veda no longer feels remote or esoteric, but profoundly relevant.”
“Vladimir’s ability to unpack the symbolism of Vedic deities and link it with Sri Aurobindo’s spiritual psychology created a clear map. Terms like Angirasas, Dawn, Agni, and the Gods were not just explained but brought alive in our consciousness. The movement from darkness to light, from seeking to revelation, became experiential rather than merely conceptual.”
“The atmosphere felt like a sacred holding space. Many were known faces and it felt like one big family coming together with an intent to learn, transform and quench our thirst. Vladimir’s humility and depth, combined with the sincerity of fellow participants and the support from James and Lagrace, made this programme feel like a living yajña. The spirit of offering, listening, and shared growth was palpable throughout.”
“The sessions helped me see how the Vedic journey of ascent and transformation directly aligns with Sri Aurobindo’s path of Integral Yoga. Concepts like the Triple Transformation, the descent of the Supermind, and the four powers of the Mother became much clearer. More importantly, I felt these were no longer distant ideals but inner realities already at work within, awaiting recognition and collaboration.”
