Book Reviewed: Dialogue Hymns of Rgveda, by Satya Dev Chaudhari

Book Reviewed: Dialogue Hymns of Rgveda, by Satya Dev Chaudhari

Rig-Veda: The wisdom of the ancient seers expressed in the dialogue hymns

There are eleven dialogue hymns in Rigveda (Rig-Veda) including two in monologue forms. The author has translated the original text into English and discussed the work of various interpreters with regards to meaning of these dialogues. It is inferred that the names and the conversations are symbolic. This conclusion is made by the authors of Brahmana-granthas and also the Niruktas. Almost all interpreters of Rigveda treat them as symbolic, including Yaksha, one of the prominent interpreters. The author suggests that the original meaning of the Vedas faded away during the very early period of Rigveda, and one of the reasons is that strict fidelity in the oral transmission of hymns and their recitation during Vedic sacrifices led the practitioners to forget the meaning of the verses. In fact there are several different recitations such as; pada-patha, ghana-patha, jata-patha, karma-pahta, etc. In one of his commentary, Yaksha remarks that seers instructed the meanings to their disciples but soon it was forgotten (Nirukta 1.20; 10.10.2).

Rigveda 1.179 has six mantras that constitute an interesting dialogue between rsi Agastya and his wife Lopamudra; and the devata of the conversation is Rati (the goddess of Love). The story of the hymn is that Lopamudra wanted her husband to make love and perform his conjugal obligations and help consummate the marriage for begetting (progeny). Agastya responds to the needs of Lopamudra and a disciple secretly overhears the private conversation of his revered guru and feels shameful and sinful. Rigveda 10.10 has 14 mantras that discuss the forbidden love between a twin brother and sister. Yami passionately ask Yama for copulation and to produce an offspring, but Yama counsels her as a sensible sibling to avoid the forbidden love and seek another man to fulfil her fantasies. The conversation focusses on how the Vedic gods would treat such a relationship.

Rigveda 1.165 focusses on the conversation between Indra and Maruts about each other's power and rsi Agastya's benediction. Rigveda 3.33 has 13 mantras in which sage Vishvamitra requests the overflowing rivers Bias and Sutlej to lower the water level so that he and his disciples can safely cross to the other side; the two rivers politely obey the seer. Rigveda 10.85 has 47 mantras and this is known as wedding hymn in which Surya, the daughter of Sun weds Soma (Moon). Some of the mantras are recited even today during wedding ceremony. Rigveda 10.95 has 18 mantras in which Urvashi, the wife of Pururavas, a nymphomaniac and pregnant with his child wants to leave her husband on earth and go her to heaven. Pururavas uses all his wisdom to convince her to stay and help him in ruling his kingdom, but she refuses. She believes that she will be happy in heaven and that would be her final decision. This is an interesting dialogue between a man and his wife in a difficult relationship.

One of the leading hypotheses is that many Vedic gods represent natural forces. Indra is the wind; Maruts is the hurricane. Yama is the day and Yami is the night; another interpretation is Yama is fire and Yami is the flame. Surya is Dawn (daughter of Sun) and Vrsakapi is the rising or setting sun. Similarly Pururavas is the roaring cloud and Urvashi is the glittering and glowing lighting. Some scholars suggest that this is the mating of Pururavas and Urvashi that result in the birth of their son Ayus (water); another dimension added to this conversation hymn is that when the faculty of a man is lessened, the spark of creativity vanishes. Swami Dayananda, a leading exponent of Rigveda provides moral based interpretations of Rigveda. In addition, the followers of Dayananda believe that Rigveda is a divine knowledge and it is not composed by a human being but a revelation of God: It is eternal (Rigveda 10.90.9). The authors of Brahmana-granthas, owing to the influence of Yajurveda and the importance of yajnas (ceremonial sacrifices) attributed the names in these verses for Vedic gods. Some of these hymns are also found in later scriptures like Shaunaka's Brhddevata, the Brahmanas, Ramayana, Mahabharata and the Puranas. This is a very well written book and I very much enjoyed reading it. The discussions are quite illuminating.