Lesson of Inequality (असमत्व पाठः)

Lesson of Inequality (असमत्व पाठः)

Veda Mantra Contemplation (वेदमन्त्रमननम्)

Rigveda 10.117.9 (ऋग्वेदम् १०.११७.९)
Mandala 10, Sooktha 117, Mantra 9 (मण्डलं १०, सूक्तं ११७, मन्त्रं ९)
Rishi – Bhikshu (ऋषिः- भिक्षुः), Devata – Indra DhanannadaanaPrashamsaa
(देवताः– इन्द्रः धनान्नदानप्रशंसा), Chandas - Nichrthiswanushtup
(छन्दः: - निचृत्तिस्ष्डुप), Swara - Dhaivata (स्वरः – धैवतः)

समौ चिध्दस्तौ न समं विविष्टः संमातरा चिन्न समं दुहाते ।
यमयोश्चिन्न समा वीर्याणि ज्नाती चित्सन्तौ न समं पृणीतः ॥९॥
Samau Chiddhasthau na Samam Vivishta: Sammatharaa china Samam Duhaathe.
Yamayoschinna samaa veeryaani Jnaathi chithsantho na samaam pruneetha:. (9)

Meaning:- We cannot work with both hands with equal efficiency, though they are similar. Two cows, born to the same mother, cannot produce milk equally. Relatives of similar type cannot satisfy each other equally.

Explanation:- Veda teaches us the reality that the world is full of difficulties, differences and dissimilarities, through various examples. In any body, the strength of right and left hands are not the same. Two calves born to the same mother cow never give the same quantity of milk. Even twins are not having same abilities, strength or intelligence. Two relatives never do same type of charity. In this world of creation, these kinds of dissimilarities are quite evident. Looking at this, we should never learn the opposite meaning of it. For example, if my elder brother doesn’t do charity, so never even think that I also don’t have to do charity. We should always try to help/assist/serve the ones who are struggling, suffering and poor.

In Rigveda 10.71.7, it beautifully describes about this kind of dissimilarities. It is an amazing Mantra describing charity and knowledge.

अक्षण्वन्तः कर्णवन्तः सखायो
मनोजवेष्वसमा बभूवुः
आदघ्नास उपकक्षास उत्वे
ह्रदा इव स्नात्वा उत्वे ददृशे ॥ (ऋग्वेदम् १०.७१.७)


Akshavantha: karnavantha: sakhaayo
Manojaveshwasamaa babhoovu:
Aadadhyaasa upakashaaya uthve
Hradaa iva snaathwaa uthve dadrushre (Rig Veda 10.71.7)

Meaning:- Friends with similar eyes and ears, not necessarily have the same mental ability/capacity to learn. Some are like a shallow lake, others like a deeper lake where we can swim, others like a very deep lake where we can swim, dive and enjoy being there. Students mostly have eyes and ears. Still, only a few excel in studies. Some students cannot understand in spite of repetitive listening, viewing, etc. the reason for this is that everybody’s mind is not similar (dissimilarity of minds is the reason of this phenomenon). Due to difference of minds, some become real scholars, some with medium knowledge and some others become really ignorant.

This dissimilarity is not accidental. Just as the mind does not allow people to be similar, it is the mind again which does not allow people to do similar actions. The basic reason for dissimilarities is the diversity of actions. It can be easily concluded that it is the difference in tastes of living beings which is the root cause of dissimilarities resulting from variety of actions. Living beings, with their limited knowledge, can easily get involved in actions which easily lead to bad results. That can result in making us help others. The knowledgeable ones with kind hearts, who know about this, always try to get rid of the sorrow and pain of the suffered. In case everybody is equal, then this kind of service becomes irrelevant. The knowledgeable ones (scholars) should be able to make self-internal-progress, utilizing dissimilarity of diversity of actions. The wise should always be active, realizing that service, kindness, charity, etc. are the modes to implement this.

(This is a humble attempt to translate the amazing interpretation of the Veda Mantras by Narendra Bhooshan, greatest Vedic scholar of recent times, my Guru & Acharya. The original Malayalam Bhashya-interpretation was first published in Arshanadam, June 2010. Arshanadam is the only Vedic-Philosophical magazine in Malayalam started by Acharyaji in 2010. For original Malayalam Bhashya-interpretation of these mantras can be found in http://bharathiyata.blogspot.com/
I am unable to translate the full essence of these Mantras from Malayalam to English. Vedic scholars forgive me for any errors which are fully mine and all credits goes to Acharyaji & Arshanadam team.)