Sadhaka: What is the main lesson that the Rg Veda teaches?

Sai: The Rg Veda teaches Unity. It exhorts all men to pursue the same holy desires. All hearts must be charged with the same good urge; all thoughts must be directed by good motives towards good ends. All men must tread the one Path of Truth for all are but manifestations of the One.

People believe today that the lesson of the unity of mankind is quite new and that the idea of progressing towards it is very praiseworthy. But, the concept of human unity is not at all new. In Rg Vedic times, the concept has been proclaimed much more clearly and emphatically than now. It is the pre-eminent ideal of the Rg Veda.

All are parts of God, His Power, His Energy. The Atma that is the Reality in everyone is, in truth, the One manifesting as the Many. The Veda demands that difference and distinction should not be imposed. This universal inclusive outlook is absent among men today. They have multiplied differences and conflicts and their lives have become narrow and restricted. The Rg Veda, in the ancient past, pulled down restrictive barriers and narrow feelings and proclaimed Unity.

Sadhaka: What is the Yajur Veda? Why is it known by that name?

Sai: The name is derived from the root 'Yaj'. It has a large number of derivatives, each with a particular meaning. But the meanings most current are 'Worship of God' (Devapuja) and charity, granting gifts. The Yajur Veda describes the modes and methods of performing Yajna and Yaga to propitiate the Gods. Adhwara also means 'a sacrifice'; so, Yajur Veda is sometimes referred to as Adhwara Veda.