Book Reviewed: Mysticism in the Ṛgveda, by T.G. Mainkar

The sense of spiritual mystery in the Rig-Veda

Most experts of Vedic literature, especially the Western scholars shy away from explicit statements that Rig-Veda has metaphysical and spiritual concepts. These hymns are largely treated as sacrificial prayers and regard Rig-Veda as a primitive religion that worshiped Vedic gods. However some Indian scholars have reasoned that Upanishads, rich in its philosophical discussions, came into existence only after Vedas. Hence they suggest that a reexamination of some hymns of Rig-Veda reveal mystical and even metaphysical components. In this book, author Trimbak Govind Mainkar reevaluates the hymns of the Rig-Veda and discusses the mystic nature of the seers through their work. In light of numerous commentaries of both Indian and western scholars, he observes an inspiring sense of spiritual mystery in the writings of some Vedic seers. This work contains the sincerity and sublimity of rishi’s imagination. They were simply god-loving souls and their work sounds like devotional prayers. It is through their devotion to their gods, sacrifices and surroundings they perceive the truth and unity in their belief. Some of the authors were priests, poets, philosophers and aesthetes who experienced mysticism that translated into philosophical reasoning during the age of Upanishads.

The author discusses three seers in particular with respect to mysticism. He uses the rational of the samhitakaras of Rig-Veda who arranged hymns according to the authors thus helping the readers to understand the mind of the seer. Vasishta emerges as one of the most interesting sage from Rig-Veda who speaks of his communion with God Varuna and hopes to reach “salvation.” After studying the Vasistha’s verses, the author concludes that Vasishta was a mystic and had visions of his deities and mystical qualities. The second interesting personality the author considers is Dhirgatamas (Rig-Veda I.158.4; 147.3; 152.6; and 158.6). If Vasistha’s mysticism comes out of devotion, emotion and submission and that of Dhirgatamas’s comes out of intellectual quest for self-realization. This is reflected in his hymns and his life story. The third example is Kavas Ailusa. He is the author of hymns X.30-34. From his hymns we learn that he was wayward individual and almost an outcast, but eventually through perseverance he wins a place among Vedic seers and thereby showing the rest of us that there is a way for sinners towards liberation and sainthood.

There are many prayers and hymns connected with women in Rig-Veda like; Lopamudra, Apala Aitreyi, Yami, Vasukraptni, Kaksivati Ghosa, Surya, Urvashi, Brahmajaya, Vak Ambhrni, Indrani, Sraddha Kamayani, Vaivasvati, and Paulomi. Sraddha Kamayani speaks of faith and its importance. The hymns of Vak, the daughter of sage Ambhrni suggests mystical importance of speech with the perception of unity in the universal wisdom. In Upanishads, it is said that all things depend, and have beginnings in speech. In Chandogya Upanishad 6.1., it is said “Vak alambanam, Arambhanam.”

According to Sri Aurobindo and Kapali Sastriar’s esoteric interpretation, the Rig-Vedic gods are not just natural forces but they are a manifestation of the universal power and contains the elements of “Supreme Being.” It is said that the Vedic altar which is the seat of sacrifice is referred to as the farthest extremity of Earth. Paro antah prithvyah (Rig-Veda I.164.35) as the nodes of Truth, Rtsya nabhih (Rig-Veda V. 10.13.3). In some places the sacrifice is referred to as an entity with conscious activity, Tatramtsya cetanam yajnam te tanavavahai (Rig-Veda I.170.4) and the gods themselves perform conscious sacrifice, Cetanam Yajnam.

The author evaluates several hymns of Rig-Veda in four chapters; Ritualistic Mystics, Philosophical Mystics, Nature Mystics, and Love & Beauty Mystics. The discussion reads flawlessly and the literature is handled thoroughly despite the fact that this is a small book (125 pages). Very highly recommended to readers interested in Rig-Veda, the Vedic literature, and ancient history of Hinduism.