The Quest to Decode Vedic Mantras: A Book Review of The Veda Mīmāṃsā

Anirvan had “an inner eye to see the Indian culture as a whole”. This is how Sri Ram Swarup, another eminent Hindu thinker had described this great sage and scholar’s approach towards studying the Indian spiritual tradition. This vision provided the foundation for Sri Anirvan’s unparalleled ability to interpret and present the depth of Indian spirituality with clarity and insight.

    And, this distinct approach shaped his vision to study and make interpretations that is vividly reflected in Anirvan’s magnum opus, The Veda Miṃaṃsā (Vol. I-III). This widely acclaimed masterpiece is considered one of the most profound commentaries made on the deeper and mystical meanings of the Vedic mantras, deities, and seers. Through this monumental work, Anirvan attempted to unlock the wisdom of the Vedas and make it accessible to seekers of all levels.

    The challenge of understanding Vedic literature lies in its structure and content. The Vedas abound with archaic expressions, replete with abstractions and mystical teachings, making it difficult for any beginner to comprehend them through simple reading. Unlike the epics—itihāsas and purāṇas—which are written in prose and follow specific storylines with largely ethical teachings, Vedic literature belongs to the oral tradition. It is primarily composed in verses (or hymns) and interspersed with a few short stories (ākhyāna), presenting a unique interpretative challenge.

    Therefore, one cannot approach Vedic literature with the same methodology and spirit as other spiritual texts in the Indian tradition. It requires rigorous training under traditional teachers, coupled with dedicated sādhanā, to decode its profound meanings. Keeping this context in mind, Anirvan’s brilliant exposition on the approaches and themes of Vedic literature is an invaluable resource. 

    Naturally, any curious seeker of Vedic literature would grapple with fundamental questions: What are the Vedas? How did they originate, and who composed them? What is the mantra śakti? Why are they called apauruṣeya? Are the Vedas three or four? How should one approach the hermeneutics of the Vedas? How do colonial and secular approaches distort their meaning? What does ‘Soma’ indicate? What is the structure of Vedic literature? How are different components—such as Saṃhitās, Brāhmaṇas, Āraṇyakas, and Upaniṣads—connected? Moreover, how does Vedic literature resonate with subsequent traditions like itihāsa, purāṇa, and tantra?

    Anirvan addresses and resolves these and many similar fundamental queries in the first volume of The Veda Miṃāṃsā. His work forms a bridge between the mystical depth of the Vedas and the intellectual curiosity of the modern seeker. Let us begin our journey into the first volume, exploring its insights within a civilizational context.

The Vedas: The Civilizational Core of Bhāratavarṣa

The Vedas are the foundational texts of Indian spiritual and cultural tradition. They have served as guiding lights for Indians since the dawn of our civilization, shaping its ethos and offering profound wisdom for every aspect of life. This reverence is evident in the common practice of tracing everything of significance to the Vedas. It would not be an exaggeration to state that India exists today, having survived for millennia, because of the strong foundation of Vedic wisdom and practices.

    Reflecting on this profound legacy, one is struck by how deeply the Vedas resonate in the collective consciousness of Bhāratvarṣa. They are not merely texts but living traditions that continue to inspire, unify, and rejuvenate India’s spiritual and cultural fabric. And, recognizing this very truth, Anirvan commences his work by emphasizing the Vedas' importance in the civilizational context of India, stating, "The Veda is the main source-material of Indian civilization, the fountainhead of Indian culture, so to understand the history of Bharata, the study of Vedic literature and sincere reflection upon it is essential”. Now, this assertion underscores the Vedas’ enduring relevance as both a historical and spiritual anchor for Indian culture.

    The Vedas are significant not only because of their antiquity but also because they serve as the ultimate unifier of diverse traditions in India. They serve as the focal point where all sampradāyas and darśanas, along with various arts, crafts, and ritual practices, trace their roots. This centrality allows the Vedas to act as the underlying source for all subsequent traditions that have taken shape in India over millennia.  Here, Anirvan aptly captures this unifying strand: "There is a running inner thread in the truths of varied spiritual traditions and practices in Bharata that had its beginning in the Rigveda. How for every Vedic concept, there is a Puranic, Tantric equivalent, and how the same truth occurs in Buddhism and how the same is true for medieval saints" (13).

    As any reader would make an attempt to capture Anirvan’s observations, he would be reminded of how seamlessly the Vedic legacy connects different epochs and traditions, weaving a spiritual tapestry that transcends time and space. It reaffirms the idea that unity in diversity is not just a modern mantra but an ancient reality rooted in the Vedic worldview. He further elaborates this synthesis: "The Vedic civilization acts as the central core of Indian culture round which has gathered, in a grand synthesis, all the pre-Vedic and non-Vedic cultural elements on the one hand, and from what have issued the great religious movements on the other, sometimes chalking out new lines of thought and expression for themselves” (24).

Reconciling Mantra and Mīmāṃsā 

    The Vedic literature, with its vast expanse and profound teachings, can initially appear as an intricate labyrinth to the uninitiated. It is divided into four primary components: the Mantra Saṃhitā, the Brāhmaṇa, the Āraṇyaka and the Upaniṣad. Among these, the Mantra Saṃhitā represents the original composition of mantras, whereas successive literature interprets these mantras from various perspectives. The remaining three divisions are somewhat partial expositions, selecting one perspective over others to explain the teachings of Saṃhitā. The Brāhmaṇas and the Āraṇyakas, with few exceptions, primarily focus on the ritualistic aspects of the mantra, while the Upaniṣad explains it through a philosophical lens. One can also see here the potential seeds of future distinctions between Karmakāṇḍa and Jñānakāṇḍa of Vedic interpretation. Over time, these streams crystallized into the Pūrva-Mīmāṁsā and Uttara-Mīmāṃsā schools of thought.

    One must also note that the tradition of Mīmāṃsā is as old as the creation of Mantras and how from the very beginning, they are historically connected to each other. Moreover, reflecting on this division, one can find it fascinating how the same source of wisdom, the Vedas, has given birth to seemingly contrasting approaches, each enriching our understanding of life and the cosmos. It’s a reminder of the multifaceted nature of truth and how varied perspectives can coexist within a single tradition.

    Anirvan underscores the intrinsic relationship between Mantras and Mīmāṃsā, tracing their origins to the same root. He eloquently states: “Both the expressions (Mantras and Mīmāṃsā) have been derived from the same root. The Mantra may be described as spontaneous radiation of a mind deeply engrossed in divinity; and the effort to capture this within the realm of reason and comprehension through practice is what Mīmāṃsā is” (28).

    Despite their shared origin, a gulf often emerges between the spontaneous expression of mantras and their systematic analysis through Mīmāṃsā. This divergence is particularly evident in the ritual-centric explanations of the Brāhmaṇa and the mystical insights of the Upaniṣad. Anirvan observes this rift and brings to our notice, highlighting its implications and problems: “None of the extant Mimamsa is directly a commentary on the Mantra division. In the Brahmanas, we find the earliest explanation of the Mantra division. As I have already said above, this explanation is ritual-centric and therefore is one-dimensional in most places and usually only a literal gloss. The Purva-Mimamsa is founded on this. The objective is to give an unalterable shape to the blueprint of rituals. So we cannot expect in it the deep impenetrable mystery of the Veda. The mystic element is found in the Upanishad, but like the Brahmanas there is no explanation of the Mantras in the Upanishad. Apparently the Upanishad seems to be far away from the sacrificial doctrine (Yajnavada) …… It is this gulf between the Upanishad and the Samhita that has complicated the analysis of the Veda” (31).

    This rift between ritualistic versus philosophical analysis of mantras is ironic, looking at the larger Indic tradition of synthesis among various philosophical expositions, within and outside the Vedic arena. The gulf between ‘the path of action’ as compared to ‘the path of knowledge’ often resulted in a partial understanding of Vedic literature, especially the saṃhitā part. And thus this separation between the ritualistic and philosophical approaches often creates a fragmented understanding of Vedic literature. In this context, the most important questions that have sparked debates shaping the hermeneutics of the Vedas are listed below.

1. Which is superior: knowledge or action?
2. What is the ultimate aim of Vedic literature?
3. Can enlightenment be attained without rituals? 

    These seemingly innocuous queries over fundamental assumptions led to divergent opinions. These also influenced the hermeneutics of Vedic literature.  An exclusive approach resulted in partial interpretations, providing many times incoherent explanations. Once attacked from the rationalist side on the superiority of knowledge over action, ‘the doctrine of rituals has gone down in people’s estimation. The ritualist side, on the other hand, has kept their focus only on the ceremonial part, glossing over the mystical meanings of mantras. 

    It seems that the task of the Vedic interpretation becomes complicated with such an inherent tension over fundamental ideas. This made it impossible for any seeker to explore the holistic interpretations of the mantras. However, Anirvan reminds us of the ultimate goal of the Vedic literature to resolve this conundrum, he states: “If we keep in mind that the objective of the Vedic seers was to elevate the consciousness to a transcendental plane, then irrespective of the mode of practice (Sadhana) that might have been adopted, it would be the feeling of rapture that would naturally come uppermost submerging the ritual” (36).

    Indeed, the goal of ‘elevating consciousness’ provides a more comprehensive approach to studying Vedic literature. It also helps unite external worship or rituals with inner sādhanā, helping us understand the purpose of elaborate rituals analogous to simple and less ceremonious ways of worshiping.  And, thus we find this perspective as a humbling lesson in embracing both action and knowledge.

Vāk, Mantra, and Apauruṣeya: The Origin of Language

The idea that language, rooted in divinity, could express the ineffable truths of existence is both humbling and exhilarating. It invites us to look beyond the rigidity of intellectualism and embrace the fluid, intuitive dimension of understanding. Just as the Vedic ṛṣis drew from the wellspring of the divine, we, under Sri Anirvan’s guidance, are too are called to approach these texts with reverence, curiosity, and openness.

    The interpretation of the Vedas is deeply intertwined with several fundamental convictions. Among them is the source of the mantra and its connection with divinity, encapsulated in the concept of apauruṣeya —the belief that the Vedas are not of human origin. This idea elevates the Vedas as the ultimate source of knowledge (pramāṇa), free from error (bhrama), carelessness (pramāda), deceit (vipralipsā), and incompetence (karaṇāpāṭava).

    The concept of apauruṣeya links seamlessly with the divine origin of language (vāk) as the ultimate expression of brahma. Interestingly, the same concept of divine source also explains the manifestation of language through human agency using the four-fold spectrum beginning from parā, paśyantī, madhyamā, and vaikharī.

    In the Vedic worldview, vāk represents not only linguistic phenomena but also a goddess, the divine embodiment of speech and the inspiration behind the poetic effusions of Rishis. These effusions—whether known as ṛk, mantra, gir, uktha, or Brahman—arise spontaneously from the depths of the Rishis’ hearts, resonating with transcendental truth. By grounding interpretation in historical context and spiritual practice, Anirvan offers a timeless roadmap for bridging the gap between the earthly and the eternal, reminding us that vāk, as the voice of the divine, still resonates within the seeker’s heart. Anirvan eloquently elaborates on this idea, stating: “Mantra is not the symbols of signs created by humans that get transmitted from the elders to children. This is a spontaneous expression—the pulsation of language compatible with the feeling (bhava). After taking the three strides, when language or speech progressively reaches the fourth stage, then only it takes again the help of man-created signs” (41).

    This profound insight reveals that mantras are supra-human in their origin, requiring an extraordinary interpretative framework. For this, the Vedic tradition entrusts the task to spiritual luminaries, known as āptas, whose intuitive realizations unfold the deeper meanings of the Mantras. These expressions are designated as āptavākya – truthful insights from illumined minds.

    In this context, Anirvan critiques the inadequacy of purely intellectual or empirical methods in deciphering the meaning of Mantras. Thus he exposes the lack of training of various Western scholars (or perhaps many Indians imitating them) in this field.  He emphasizes: “If the deepest meaning of the Veda-Mantra is the product of illumined seers’ direct apprehension of the truth, then its inner meaning will be unfolded to a Vijnani alone” (48).

    This assertion invites a reflection: are modern interpreters—both Indian and Western—equipped with the requisite spiritual discipline and meditative insight to engage with these ancient texts? The answer often tilts toward skepticism, as Anirvan highlights that the comprehension of Mantras demands bodhi (insight), buddhi (intellect), and a nuanced understanding of India’s historical context.

    As Anirvan explains, Mantras are the outcome of inner illumination (dhī) and meditative realization arising from an awakened consciousness. He acknowledges the challenges in interpreting such intuitive expressions, noting: “The meaning of Mantra is difficult to comprehend as it demands that our consciousness must have the requisite receptivity for luminous intuitive perception.” This insight resonates with a personal realization: understanding Vedic literature requires a synthesis of intellect and intuition. This interplay between reason and revelation echoes the larger Indic tradition's quest for holistic knowledge. 

A Civilizational Continuum

    Anirvan’s perspective finds a deeper unity among the various manifestations of Indian spiritual traditions, from the Mantras of the Vedas to the practices of Tantra. He asserts that these traditions are connected by an invisible thread that spans millennia, highlighting the importance of a holistic and historical understanding. He cautions against fragmentary interpretations, stating that “it is not possible to understand the meaning of the Vedic ritual unless we understand the Tantric practices. Similarly, it is not possible to comprehend the vision of the Veda unless we have a close acquaintance with the vision of the Purana” (49). In this quote we also find how Anirvan further underscores the necessity of integrating the Yoga system’s methods of meditation and its science of consciousness into the study of Vedic texts. Without this integration, any attempt to interpret texts like the Upaniṣad or Vedanta becomes mere arrogance.

Cinmaya Pratyakṣa: The Foremost Hermeneutics of the Vedic Mīmāṃsā 

    The profound concept of cinmaya pratyakṣa, as presented by Anirvan, unveils a spiritual hermeneutics of the Vedic Mantra where the inner reality harmoniously merges with outer symbols, illuminating hidden meanings. This approach not only redefines perception but also bridges the chasm between subjective intuition and objective sensory experience, creating a path for profound spiritual insights. To make his case for cinmaya pratyakṣa, Anirvan contrasts it with the Semitic understanding of God and reality. As we see, in Semitic traditions, God is transcendent, existing beyond creation. The material world remains separate, secular, and profane. In stark contrast, Vedic divinity is both immanent and transcendent, where gods and goddesses manifest in every aspect of creation, from the infinitesimal to the infinite. This perspective alters how reality itself is perceived. Creation, being divine, reflects the higher source of existence and serves as a pointer toward that deeper truth. Anirvan elucidates this beautifully: “If Devata is in everything, then He can be reached not through inner experience only, but through external sense organs as well. What is most distinct is most effulgent to the external senses, is nothing but His manifestation – it is in fact He himself …. In this way, whatever we perceive through our senses, it is Him that we perceive. We thus see the Vast, the pulsation of life of that One in everything …. we perceive Him with our very senses. This theory of the direct perception of the luminous consciousness is at the heart of Vedic religion” (74).

    In such luminous perception, the outer symbols become manifestation of inner reality, opening pathways to the melodious and profound expressions found in the language of the Vedic Mantras. As Anirvan notes: "What we sense as objects in the world without through sensory organs, we experience the same within us as our consciousness through intuitive perception. In this way the space outside becomes tranquil, all-encompassing bliss in the inner mind, the externally visible Sun becomes the luster of profound faith in our souls, the wind outside becomes the driving life force of mind, the dawn in the outside natural world becomes the consciousness of the internal awareness, and so on” (80).

    Adding to this interpretation, another eminent Vedic scholar Dr. R. Rangan in “What Is Dharma?” offers a similar perspective without explicitly using the term cinmaya pratyakṣa. He elaborates on how the seers of the Vedic tradition synchronized natural phenomena with divine insights, visualizing the cosmos as an extension of the Self. For instance, the rising Sun symbolizes wisdom, the moon represents bliss, and fire embodies divine will. He states: “In this way enjoying the rising sun as the Self wisdom and, the waxing moon as the Self bliss, synchronizing the fresh air with the vital force, visualizing Fire as the Divine Will, symbolizing the water force as the Divine Law, enjoying the flow of water as inspiration, seeing electric charge produced in the clouds as the cosmic strength, and actualizing  the whole cosmos as the Self, the seers expressed the impersonal wisdom through the verses, the whole collection of which constitutes the Vedas.”

    This perception of the highest order embraces duality and non-duality simultaneously. It transcends intellectual understanding, becoming a verifiable experience through sādhanā. Anirvan describes it as a spiritual process where the boundaries of duality dissolve, and the inner and outer merge as manifestations of supreme reality. He writes: "In the Vedic spiritual quest there was a complete harmony between the ascent and the descent; the luminous plane and the earthly spheres are both Devatas. God is not only a supra-sensual entity comprehensible only to intelligence; He is directly apprehensible by my luminous perception. In the expansion of my luminous self I feel completely absorbed into the Devata and then I myself become the Devata” (89).

    Hence the devatās exist not only outside but reflect and mirror the inner reality. And here lies the problem of all modern interpretations which lack this illuminating insight, and Anirvan opines that “they are merely the product of intellectual gymnastics”. And, before moving to the next section and reflecting on this harmony between inner intuition and external experience, one can't help but feel a sense of unity with the universe. It evokes the thought that perhaps the true essence of understanding lies not in separating but in integrating—perceiving the sacred in the mundane and finding the extraordinary in the ordinary. Could this perspective not serve as a guiding principle in our modern pursuit of truth and meaning?

The Modern Interpretations

Anirvan critically examines modern interpretations of the Vedas through the lens of cinmaya pratyakṣa, emphasizing their failure to grasp the luminous insight essential for understanding Vedic knowledge. He highlights the biases of colonial and secular interpretations, which often lacked reverence and relied on alien frameworks. He exposes their various assumptions and biases, leading to gross misinterpretations of the Vedas. The ‘progressive’ interpretation, assuming the Vedas as the product of barbarian and savage minds, was thoroughly dealt with, revealing their unfounded and diabolical assumptions.

    He found that these efforts of interpretations primarily lacked reverence and insights, having an alien framework to Indic ethos. He laments that “it is amusing that those who are not mystics regard themselves as the most competent to explain the Veda”. At the same time, he also explains the contribution of two important schools of modern interpretations – the Ārya Samāj and the Pondicherry school (Sri Aurobindo). These schools played an important role in providing commentary on the Vedas, aligning with traditional mores, expressed in contemporary idioms; making the meaning of the Vedic Mantras accessible to modern seekers. The efforts of Pondicherry School get special mention, as it resonates with cinmaya pratyakṣa. He found Sri Aurobindo’s contribution in this field as the “landmark monuments in the field of Vedic research as they have provided new insights into the meaning of the Veda”. He found Sri Aurobindo’s contribution in this field as the “landmark monuments in the field of Vedic research as they have provided new insights into the meaning of the Veda”.

    Reflecting on these contributions, the readers can feel a resonance with the necessity of reverence and deeper spiritual inquiry while interpreting ancient texts. The connection between intuition and intellect reminds us that understanding the Vedas is not merely an academic pursuit but a journey into self-realization. Sri Anirvan’s The Veda Mīmāṃsā thus bridges the intricate spiritual depth of the Vedas with the intellectual rigor demanded by modern seekers. His work illuminates the nuanced interplay of ritual and mysticism, action and knowledge, within the Vedic tradition. By resolving fundamental tensions and emphasizing the transcendental goals of the Vedic seers, Anirvan offers a holistic lens to decode their eternal wisdom. In this monumental work, he reaffirms the Vedas as a living legacy, harmonizing India's cultural and spiritual diversity across millennia. Having laid the strong foundation of Vedic hermeneutics in the spiritual tradition of India, he continues with his analysis and starts delineating the structure of Vedic literature in the remaining part of the first volume.

(This is the first part of a detailed book review of Sri Anirvan's The Veda Miṃaṃsā (Vol. 1). Click here to read the second part. If you wish to read the original text by Sri Anirvan, here is a link: The Veda Miṃaṃsā)

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