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Post No. 10,676

Date uploaded in London – –    20 FEBRUARY   2022         

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We have covered up to Mantra/Stanza 55 out of 63 of Bhumi Sukta (Hymn to Earth) in the Atharvana Veda. Now let us look at the hymns from 56.

Please see the attachments for the originals.

In Mantra/stanza 56, the poet praises the earth and says that he will tom-tom the glory of the earth in every nook and corner in the villages, forests, cities and assemblies and councils. Here two words are notable. Assemblies and Councils; in Sanskrit Sabhas and Samitis. Both the words are in the Rig Veda too.

Sabha is used in Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha and Tamil Nadu Satta Melavai ; Sabha becomes Avai in Tamil because Tamil grammar bans the use of Sa as initial letter.

Samiti is seen in the word ‘Committee’; we wrongly pronounce it Kamitti because of the confusion in letter ‘C’; in some words, it is S and in some other words it is K.

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In stanza 57/ Mantra 57

Here the Vedic poet gives a beautiful simile:  the earth scatters the people like a horse scatters dust from its feet, but it protects the green mantle, that is the forest. In 2000 year old Sangam Tamil literature, a poet talks about the impermanency of life and he says the earth had seven kings in one day! And another poet adds that the ‘lady earth’ cries saying all kings leave her alone and depart. In Hindu literature kings are the husbands of ‘Madam Earth/country’.

It shows the historical sense of the Vedic poet. Because there are other Tamil and Sanskrit verses where they say earth has seen innumerable kings- similar to the dust particles on the banks of rivers or sea shores.

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Stanza 58 speaks about the necessity of using sweet words. It is in every Hindu law book ethical poem like Tirukkural and Manu Smrti. And his affectionate look makes everyone his friend.

In Tirukkural,

If a man utters well considered pleasing words, he will grow in virtue while his sin will decrease – Kural 96

Pleasing words which do no harm to others will give happiness to a man in this world and in the next – Kural 97

Manu says,

satyam bruyat priyam bruyat na bruyat satyam apriyam
priyam ca nanrutam bruyat esha dharmah sanatanah

Speak truth in such a way that it should be pleasing to others. Never speak truth, which is unpleasant to others. Never speak untruth, which might be pleasant. This is the path of eternal morality, sanatana dharma (Manu Smrti 4-138)

Vedic poet adds, if anyone is unkind to him, he will pay that person back in the same coin.

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Stanza 59 compares loving earth to a loving mother.  The poet prays for plenty of milk like an affectionate mother feeds her baby. He also praised the earth sweet smell.

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Stanza 60 talks about the divine architect Visvakarman shaping the earth beautifully .

Stanza 61 praises mother earth as the fulfiller of peoples’ wishes. Poet adds she is never in shortage, because Prajapathi, the creator, replenishes her. All positive images.  So one can get whatever one needs.

In Stanza 62, poet prays for the welfare of the entire community. He prays for everyone to lead healthy and long life.

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But the last stanza 63 has added significance because it finishes with two auspicious words that are found in the last sloka of the Bhagavad Gita (18-78). He asked for prosperity and blessings for everyone. The words the Vedic poet used are Sri and Bhuti. One gets Fortune, Victory, Welfare and Morality.

Compare stanza AV 12-1-63 with 18-78 of Bhagavad Gita:-

यत्र योगेश्वर: कृष्णो यत्र पार्थो धनुर्धर: |
तत्र श्रीर्विजयो भूतिध्रुवा नीतिर्मतिर्मम || 78||

yatra yogeśhvaraḥ kṛiṣhṇo yatra pārtho dhanur-dharaḥ
tatra śhrīr vijayo bhūtir dhruvā nītir matir mama

BG 18.78: Wherever there is Shree Krishna, the Lord of all Yoga, and wherever there is Arjun, the supreme archer, there will also certainly be unending opulence, victory, prosperity, and righteousness. Of this, I am certain.

–subham–

tags–

Bhumi Sukta, Last part, Hymn to Earth, Sabha, Samiti, Bhagavad Gita, Sri, Bhuti