|
Rigveda samhita is a vast book of more than ten thousand verses in
several metres in ancient Sanskrit. Inspite of its antiquity - its
age is six millennia or more - its ideals are relevant for the
moderns also who are enamoured of the slogans of the French
revolution of the eighteenth century namely, equality, liberty and
fraternity. Rigveda is the only scripture among those of all
religions in which the wisdom was revealed to both women and men
sages. In which religion other than Hinduism, do we find women
having the status of prophets? The idea of equality for all
persons, particularly women, is evident in several hymns such as
10.85 [sūkta 85 of tenth mandala] where the hymns urge that
the daughter-in-law be treated as a queen. It is the only
scripture where the sceptics are specifically mentioned and
treated with respect without mentioning the threat of hell if they
do not change their beliefs. The concept of hell does not find a
place in Rigveda. It mentions the presence of several religions
and languages AV (12.1.45). It calls upon all persons to strive to
become noble in that pluralistic society RV ( 9.63.5).
The Rigveda is full of spiritual and psychological wisdom and is
also magnificent poetry. It is the earliest book to declare that
knowledge is infinite like a vast mountain, in which each peak
corresponds to one branch of knowledge; RV (1.10.2). They welcomed
knowledge from all sources, RV (1.89.1).
|
