The Vedic way of Life

According to the vedas, ‘Agni’ is the source of creation and the first hymn of the vedas (Rigveda) begins with an oblation to ‘Agni’- अग्निमीळे पुरोहितं. Another verse from the Yajurveda- उत्तिष्ठत  मास्वप्त अग्निमिच्छध्वं भारताः  | says Hey Bharathiyas. Arise! Awake! Worship the Agni.

 Agni mentioned in the Vedas is not the physical fire. It is a force, that is responsible for one’s manifestation and absorption. Bha denotes light and one who worships this light (aspect of agni) is called “Bharatiya”. That is one of the reasons why India of the vedic era was called ‘Bhaaratam’ and the Indians were called ‘Bhaarati’. The above quote from the Yajurveda emphasizes the importance of agni upasana as agni is the source of the creation. All the practices and rituals envisaged in the vedas are built on the principle of Agni and keeping the Agni alive through vedic practices. Hence the common Vedic path begins through the upasana of Gayathri and Agni.

The Vedic tradition emphasizes a disciplined and structured approach to life, beginning from Brahmacharya. Brahmacharya in its broader sense signifies a regulated and purposeful way of life, a focused dedication to understanding and embodying Vedic principles. This disciplined approach, including the proper study of the Vedas, doing nitya sandhyavandana, gayatri japa, etc ultimately prepares individuals for a fulfilling and successful dampatya – the sacred partnership of marriage. This principle is not exclusive but embraces both men and women equally, recognizing the spiritual significance of this union within the Vedic framework. Furthermore, the Vedic understanding reveals that Karma (action) and Jnana (knowledge) are not isolated paths but deeply intertwined aspects of a single reality. To truly grasp this, one must trace their origins back to their common source. Just as a tree's branches and roots are part of the same organism, so too are action and knowledge inseparable expressions of a fundamental truth. Therefore, the notion of a separate path solely dedicated to knowledge, or Jnana-marga, is not a complete understanding. There is ultimately one integrated path, the Veda-marga, the way of the Vedas, and its natural culmination, its most complete expression, is found within the sacred and balanced life of dampatya.