One of the most stupendous manifestations of the Spirit is undoubtedly that which has been handed down to us under the generic name of the Vedas. The Vedas are still too much neglected not only in the world at large but also in their country of origin. This Vedic anthology will make direct and fruitful knowledge of the Vedas available to a wider range of people than the small elite of pandits and Indologists.

This anthology collects the most crucial text of the Indian Sacred Scriptures - in all more than 500 - newly translated into contemporary English. Dr. Panikkar's principle has been to select and place together texts so as to offer a selection of texts that cover the full range of 'The Vedic Experience' and at the same time to show how they manifest the universal rhythms of nature, history, and Man. Excerpts are taken from the oldest hymns, such as the Rig Veda; from the Brahmanas, the Aranyakas, or "Forest Treatises", and finally the Upanishads, which represent the mystical and philosophical culmination of the Vedas.

This is a book for meditation, for reading, public and private, as well as for thorough study at this wellspring of human wisdom. It should moreover, facilitate that meeting of East and West so long desired and delayed, and now so Imperative.

About the Author:

Raimundo Panikkar is Professor of Religious Studies at the University of California, Santa Barbara. His books include The Unknown Christ of Hinduism, Worship and Secular man, The Trinity and the Religious Experience of Man, The Intrareligious Dialogue and Myth, Faith and Hermeneutics.

Preface

1. An Anthology
2. Of the Vedas
3. For Modern Man
4. And Contemporary Celebration

1. The Vedic Literature
2. Sanskrit Pronunciation
3. The Recitation of the Vedas

1. The Hymn of the Origins
2. Creative Fervor
3. The Cosmic Pillar
4. The Birth of God
5. The Primordial Man
6. The Sacrifice of God
7. In the Beginning
8. The Transcending Immance

9. Revelation
10. The Divine Word
11. Sharing in the Word
12. The Knowledge of the Sacred Word
13. The Origin of the Word
14. The Interior Word

15. The Primordial Waters
16. The Divine Waters
17. The Waters of Life

18. The Mighty Earth
19. Hymn to the Earth

20. The Blowing of the Sprit
21. The Gifts of the Spirit

22. The Refulgent One
23. The Friend of Man
24. The Master of the Universe
25. The Heroes of Sundry Exploits
26. The King of Heaven and Earth
27. Measurer of the Three Worlds
28. The Supreme Lordship
29. The Savior

30. Now Light Has Come
31. Daughter of Heaven
32. Lady of Light

33. Desire for a Son
34. The First Birth
35. Ceremony After Birth

36. Acting Faith
37. Thinking Faith
38. Loving Faith

1. His Golden Arms the Godhead Has Extended
2. Inspirer of Heaven and Earth
3. The Dispenser of Blessings from on High
4. The One Invoked by Both Sides in the Battle
5. The Breath of Life
6. The Treasure of Life
7. Above Time is Set a Brimful Vessel
8. Upon Time All the Worlds Repose
9. The Discovery of the Nontemporal

10. A Sacred Meal for Gods and Men
11. Food of Eternal Life

12. Loftier Than the Gods
13. The First Seed of Mind
14. The Ritual

15. May All the Divine Powers Join Our Two Hearts in One
16. I Am He, You Are She
17. The Rite
18. Husband and Wife

19. Lord of the Field
20. A Harvest Blessing
21. As a Spring Gushes Forth in a Thousand Streams
22. For a Bountiful Harvest
23. For Prosperity at Home
24. You Have Poured Down the Rain
25. Sprite of the Forest
26. Priestly Task
27. The Diverse Callings of Men
28. The Sacrifice of Secular Man
29. May I Attain the Span of a Hundred Winters
30. The Cows Have Come
31. The Blessing of a House
32. This House is Built by Worship
33. A Merchant's Prayer
34. Increase of Wealth
35. The Joy of Fearlessness
36. Light, Fearlessness and Blessing
37. Prayer for Happiness
38. May Peace Bring Peace

1. The Joy of Every Single Eye
2. The Supreme Light
3. The Dispeller of Darkness
4. The Mediator
5. The Universal Lord
6. The Inner Light
7. The Splendor of God

8. The Whole Man
9. Give Sight to Our Eyes
10. Prayer for Well-being
11. Giver of Life
12. Man's Glory
13. Human Splendor

14. Creation of Sacrifice
15. The Origin of Sacrifice
16. The Fire Sacrifice
17. The Drop of Life
18. The Pressing Stones
19. The Sacred Tree
20. The Sacrificial Horse
21. The Struggle for Immortality
22. Life-Giving Immolation
23. Sacrifice Is Man
24. The Desire of Heaven
25. Fidelity and Faith
26. The Anthropocosmic Sacrifice
27. The Anthropocentric Sacrifice
28. The Sacrifice of the Mind
29. The Integral Action

30. At Home in Both Sear, East and West
31. Without Urge and without Identity
32. The True Yogin

1. Spare Us, O Burning Fever
2. Away, and Come No More!
3. Sickness... Keep Off!
4. Deliver Us From All Afflictions
5. Decrease and Old Age

6. Beyond Sorrow and Suffering
7. You Should Not be Distressed

8. Break the Chains That Bind Us

9. The Origin of Evil
10. Heaven and Earth Deliver Us From Evil
11. May the Lord Burn Away Our Sin!
12. Lament of a Rueful Gambler
13. Cleanse Me From My Sins
14. Forgive Us Our Debts
15. Free Us From Our Creditors

16. He Counts the Blinks of Every Eye
17. Let the Thread of My Song Not Be Snapped While I Sing
18. I Question Myself on My Sin
19. Forgive, Lord, Have Mercy!

20. The Cleansing Bath
21. Purifying Knowledge
22. The Fire of Wisdom

1. The Twin of Gods and Men
2. Drinking Soma With the Gods
3. Within Death There Is Immortality
4. Two Ways Are Given to Mortals
5. The Last Journey
6. The Breaking of the Death-Cycle

7. The Forerunner
8. Let Him Come Back Again
9. Deliverance and Freedom
10. Prayer for the Fulfilment of Life
11. Go Forth Into the Light of the Living
12. The Last Surrender

13. The Rites
14. Escorted by the Gods
15. Effacing the Traces of Death
16. Putting on a New Life

17. The Deluge
18. In Whom All Things Dissolve
19. The Nightfall of the World

20. The Bottomless Abyss
21. Men Dismembering Each Other
22. The Triple Gate of Hell

23. Where Light Unfailing Ever Shines
24. The Community of Saints
25. The World of Goodness
26. Paradise
27. The Everlasting World
28. The Gates of Heaven

1. The One
2. The One Only

3. The Absolute
4. Consciousness

5. The Self
6. The Absolute Self

7. The Person
8. I
9. I am Brahman without a Second

10. You
11. Liberation

12. The Sacred Syllable

1. Gracious Disposition

2. To the Divine Craftsman
3. You Who Shine Forth, Bring Blessings to Men
4. Lead Us to Pastures Green, O God
5. O cleansing Drink, Make Us Perfect
6. All is Enveloped by the Lord

7. The Divine Architect
8. Dawn Spurns None, Whether Lowly or Mightly
9. Most Loving God, Guard Us From Evil
10. Lord, We Desire Your Friendship
11. He Moves and He Moves Not

12. The Divine Creator
13. Dawn, Emblem of the Immortal
14. The Divine Inspirer Arises
15. Inspire Us to Skill of Mind and Hand
16. In Him Dwells All Wisdom

17. Know, O People, a Mighty mystery
18. Light Up Our Path Lead Us to Worship
19. The Priest of All Joy
20. Pure and Ever More Pure
21. Passing Over Death

22. Grant to Us Life, Power and Riches
23. O Dawn, Convey to Us Joy
24. The Inspirer of All Men, Heart's Delight
25. Born for Glory, Come Forth for Glory!
26. Immortality

27. In Whom Dwells All That Lives and Breathes
28. Dawn has Arisen, Our Welfare is Assured
29. May He Who Knows Lead the Way!
30. Drive Far All Sorrow!
31. Unveil Your Face That I May See the Truth!

32. Divine Grace

33. You are of All Men the Brother
34. We Praise You in Our Homes
35. Night Immortal, Bless Our Rest
36. The Search Within

37. Liberal Lord, Grant Us Your Treasure
38. The One Who Brings Comfort to All Men
39. Keep Watch, O Night, We Pray
40. The Self Within

41. Rise, Lord, Direct Your Bow at Our Foes
42. Our Closest Kinsman and Friend
43. O Kindly One, Guard Us as We Sleep
44. The Cave of the Heart

45. From You Springs Inspiration
46. In Praise of a Generous Giver
47. You Have Come, Blessed Night
48. Only By the Spirit

49. May the Lord Find Pleasure in Our Praises
50. Your Minds Be of One Accord!
51. Sinless, O Night, Lead Us to Dawn
52. He Who Was and Ever Shall Be

53. Be Present, O Lord
54. Like spokes Round a Hub
55. We Call on the Gods, Again and Again
56. The Pure Water of Understanding

Sanskrit Glossary

Table of Quoted Scriptures

Index of Texts and References

General Index