| …In Pathvisukta of Atharvaved (12-1-47) there is a mantra.
Dr.Vasudeosharan Agrawal has defined and explained it as follows: –
1.There are many paths, ways in this Earth.
2.These pathways are important factors for travelling for people.
3.The tracks for chariots are built on these roads. (In Olden times the chariot was the fastest travelling vehicle.)
4.The roads were also useful for the carts loaded with goods.
5.Everybody whether good or bad has equal rights to travel on this road.
6.But there shouldn’t be danger from the wild beasts of dacoits on this road.
7.If these paths are safe and fortune giving to the travellers, then these paths are the symbol of richness dwelling on the earth.
Through Vedic literature we are informed that the Aryans travelled in groups on wide roads, on which chariots could run (Atharvaved 14,1,63,14, 6-9). They described this path. They say the paths stood at a feet height, then the surroundings and the trees bordered the road.
Aitareya Brahmanas (7,14) in its Charaiwato Mantra emphasises on speedy travelling, whereas Atharvaved (12,1,40) reminds us of Aryans.
The contemporary historians also think along these lines and state that the origin of Aryans is not ‘Bharatvarsha’, but they are foreigners. One of the historian is Mr. Fushe. He states that Aryans came to India from Balakh through Hindukush. The Afghanis move along with their women and children and luggage. The Aryans travelled in a similar manner.
There is a story in ‘Shantapath Brahamana’. Videgh Madhav (a rural) started from the banks of Saraswati to spread the Vedic religion. He was accompanied by his family priest Gautama, and Atin the symbol of Vedic religion. They travelled disturbing the rivers, burning down the forests and reached the banks of the river Gandak. According to Shatpath (1,4,1,10-17) at that time, the Brahmanas were already residing on the other bank of the river. Already it was the centre of Vedehi Vedic Culture (Vedehi entered soul of Brahma) when Videha Madhav asked Agni about its original place, he told it was from East. Sadanera was the dividing line in Kousal and Vidahi.
There is no doubt, that in Indian culture the guest is respected as God. But there is a difference in motivation of a merchant and a traveller. The traveller is worshipped but not the merchant.
According to Vedic Index, Pam Pratipan and Atharvaved (3,15,14) have resemblance. They suggest to evaluate and perform bravery.
Pani was a rich merchant of those times. But because of his misery he was disliked by Brahmins. Hence he is condemned in many mantras of Rigveda. The gods were requested to wage war against Panis.
In Vedic times, the merchants used to travel over a longer distance. Their aim was to earn money through various means, to invest money for profits, to send goods to countries far away.
The trade was being continued by the Indian merchants and merchant’s who came by sea.
Boob has a place in Panis literature. He is called as a mesmerizer and hoarder.
Which people are referred to as Panis is impossible to tell.
According to St. Petersberg’s dictionary Pani originated from the root ‘Pan’ i.e. usage. So Pani is the person who did not give anything without his profits.
Ludwig says that these Panins were gypsies who moved in Caravans like the Arabs and people fro Northern Africa.
May be, these panis were not Aryans and they did not believe in Vedic Religion. So Aryans were unhappy with them.
In Vedic literature we get references of the trade through sea near Sindhu river. There are references about the ships.
Vedic Aryans did trade through the sea (Rigveda – 1.47,6,7,7). They used to trade commodities like pearls. This trade also helped to acquire knowledge.
Shatpathi Brahmanas (1,6/3,11) calls Arabic ocean as ‘Prachyor’ and the Bay of Bengal a udichya. Afterwards they are referred as Ratnakar and Manodidh respectively.
In Rigveda there are references of Sea-voyages. Bhujayu’s ship was wrecked in storm at sea. Many investigators were sent to search for it. Erections of ‘direction showing crows’ was also done.
In this way we had a glimpse at the transportation by road and water. Due to these sea-voyages there were many adulterations in the streams of society, so sea-voyages were criticized. Manu also opposed sea voyages. But the sea voyages regained its importance during ‘Buddha’s reign’.
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NON-MILITARY APPLICATIONS OF ELECTRICITY:
According to the descriptions found in Atharvaveda, electrical energy can be utilized in many useful applications such as creation of powerful engines, illumination, agricultural machinery, hydroelectric power plants, manufacturing plants, biomedical engineering, extraction of medicines, etc. and thus serve to greatly enhance the daily life of people.
Chapter 1: Hymn VII
Verse 2: Nav Yo Navati Puro bibhed bahvotjasaa
Ahi Cha vritrahaavadheet
Electricity , which breaks, by the energy of its arms the 99 cities, destroys the cloud, which covers the rays of the sun, the source of all energy and power.
This initial description describes the inherent properties of of electrical energy. Here the “arms of electricity” refers to positive and negative currents. The 99 cities refers to the 99 elements, as known to modern day scientists. In Vedic terminology, these essential elements were known as “Bhogas”.
Verse 3: Sa na Indrah Shivah sakhashwavad gomadvavama
Urudhaarev dohate
That very electric power may be our peaceful friend, providing us with the horse-power to drive our machines, light to light up our houses, and power to produce grains in the fields. Let it bring on prosperity and well-being for us by flowing into numerous currents.
These verses clearly refer to the various useful applications of electricity. The mention of horse powered driving machines is a direct reference to electronically powered vehicles like automobiles, aircraft, etc. In our times, even prototypes of electric cars are a very recent development. In the present era, Electric car prototypes were created due to the dawning realization that gasoline fuel is a perishable resource as well as polluting to the environment. It looks like thousands of years ago, our Rishis were already aware of these dangers and used electric engines in their vehicles, as one of their primary modes of transport as well as for motors, etc. for other types of machinery. This verse also clearly mentions that electricity was used to light up buildings, just as we do today. In addition there is a reference to electrically powered agricultural machines, which helped in the manufacture and processing of crops from the fields.
Verse 4: Indra Kratuvidang sutang somang harya purushtut
Piba vrishaswa taatripim
Let electricity, so highly spoken of by many learned people, help extract the essence of medicines, thus produced by those, who are well-versed in manufacturing things. Let it keep safe and shower, on us the rain, satisfying all.
In modern times, we have discovered that certain electronic devices such as centrifuges, deep refrigeration, etc. are extremely helpful in deriving medicinal extracts. Apparently our ancient scientists were well aware of these methods and perhaps even more advanced than us in their knowledge. The last sentence refers reverentially to the role of electricity, which in the form of lightning is instrumental in creating life giving rain for the entire planet. The picture that emerges from these verses is that of an extremely advanced culture, that utilized superlative technology and yet maintained an enormous respect and reverence for the ecosystem and the natural environment. The proponents of Vedic culture saw spirituality everywhere, and held sacred the power of all divine forces, from water, to electricity. Not only this, but they had analysed the properties and laws of all these natural energies and thus comprehended perfectly the best way to utilize them.
Chapter 3 :Hymn XXXI
Verse 1: Taa Vajrinam Mandinam Stomyam mad indram rathe vahato haryataa haree
Purunyasmay savanaani haryata indraaya somaa harayo dadhanwire
Those two speedily moving forces of attraction and repulsion propel the electric current, powerful like the thunderbolt, pleasant and praiseworthy, in this pleasant plane or car. Manifold are the generating powers for the refulgent electricity borne by speedy moving Somas – various kinds of liquid fuels.
Verse 2: Arang Kaamaay Haryo dadhanwire sthiraay hinvanharayo Haree tura
Arvadbhiyor Haribhijorshameeyate so asya kaamam harivantamaanashe
The above mentioned speedy forces of two kinds set in motion strong currents, capable of maintaining steady progress in the attainment of one’s objective in plenty. Whatever complex is attained by these fast moving horsepowers, is enough to achieve the beautiful objective of his, the manufacturer.
Here the principles of electromagnetic force discussed are being used to generate motion. In addition, the reference to a liquid fuel propellant, informs us that a combination of high-speed and intense electrical power was used to produce a number of favourable results like exceptionally fast vehicular modes of transportation, as well as efficient manufacturing processes. For example, extremely fast centrifugal force is used to separate genetic materials in Biomedical labs today. The combination of speed and power is certainly desirable to increase the efficiency of manufacturing plants.
Chapter 2: Hymn XV
Verse 2: Adha te vishwamanu haasadishtaya aapo nimneva savanaa havishmatah
Yatparvate na samasheeta haryata indrasya vajrah shnathita hiranyayah
Just as all productive works of the manufacturer depend upon waters flowing down with speed, so do all the desired objects of him depend upon you (Electricity), as its powerful striking force cannot be obstructed by any cloud, or mountain in the way. It smashes all impediments, with its radiant energy.
This verse acknowledges the immense power of electricity and proves the Vedic community’s understanding of its intensity. Electricity does have the power of striking through any element. The portion about productive works depending on waters flowing with speed is an obvious reference to harnessing hydroelectric power. It is obvious from this verse that Vedic society was well aware of methods that harnessed the power of electricity through systems like hydroelectric power plants. Once harnessed, they incorporated the force to implement manufacturing concerns and power machinery.
http://ashoktiwari.tripod.com/eved.html
http://www.indiainnings.in/108Facts/transport
http://vedpradip.com/articlecontent.php?aid=76&linkid=1&vedid=1&catid=7&subcatid=16 |
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