vEda vaaNee is a quarterly e-magazine published by Veda Samskruthi Samithi. Dr. Krishnamoorthy (Subbu) Subramanian is an honorary editor of this magazine. It contains several essays and research articles highlighlighting the various aspects of Sanatana Dharma (i.e.) a way of life and culture rooted in the Vedas (ancient scriptures from Indian Sub-continent).
The complete issue is posted here:
Readers can see a brief summary of this issue of veDa vaNee through the editorial in the magazine and copied below:
Veda Samskruti Samiti vEda vaaNee – ISSN 2583-9020 Volume 2, Issue 4, January 2025
Editorial…
The Editorial Team is delighted to inform its readers’ that this is the eighth issue of vEda vaaNee e-journal. We are pleased to bring out this issue as part of the continuing effort of Veda Samskruti Samiti (VSS) to document and share essays and viewpoints of many scholars from diverse perspectives on Sanatana Dharma. We capture here a summary of the articles published in this issue.
Patron’s page has brought out the ethnic history of Bhaarat and origin of name ‘Bhaarat’ to present India based on the authentic shlokas from Vishnu Mahaa Puraanam. It articulates the decline in knowledge and education on Santana Dharma over many centuries or more. In India even after independence from foreign rule, due consideration was not given to re-establishing the past education systems. Instead, we have continued to follow the western educational system. While that was important to keep up our present population on par with western-based knowledge, due consideration could have been given for traditional education too in parallel. Moreover, the importance of Samskrutam was removed from the school curriculum systems. As a result, the wealth of Samskruta vaangmayam has lost attention. Those in the present generation ignorant of our traditional culture and history are drifting away from principles of Sanatana Dharma. Such development not only promotes a decline in tradition-based knowledge and languages, but they have a more corrosive long-term impact on the future generations and their sense of identity. Under these circumstances a list of the most important needs have been recommended to be considered by the Intellectuals and Government of India (GOI) with utmost priority.
Section 1 of this issue contains five research papers:
The editors have taken a novel approach to curate the knowledge aggregated by VSS through their Webinar series. One of the very valuable webinars presented in April 2024 is titled “A Peep into Indian Culture”, presented by the eminent Swami Chidrupananda of Chinmaya Mission. With his permission, this webinar has been transcribed and edited into an essay. We are pleased to present this excellent summary on various aspects of Sanatana Dharma, with kind permission and blessings from Swamiji.
‘The Primacy and necessity of Ayurveda in the system of Education’ is addressed by Dr. VedaPrakash Joshi in his essay composed in Samskrutam. He suggests that if Ayurveda is taught in both theoretical in basic and intermediate levels and practical in advanced levels from childhood, it would be easy to build a cadre of professionals and learned Ayurvedic vaidyas (professional doctors). They will be readily available to society.
In his article titled, ‘Divine Mother Worship and Śrī Cakra’, Dr. K. K. Sankaran has created a mosaic weaving together geometry, construction of Sri Chakra, music, prayer/worship, and construction of human body among others. In this article, geometry of the Śrī Cakra, its construction and its various Āvaraṇas (coverings) are described along with how the Divine Mother resting on Sri Chakra acts to help the spiritual aspirant overcome their obstacles and reach bliss, the union of Śakti with Śiva.
Professor Matcheri Keshavan from Harvard Medical School, MA., USA. and his associates at National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Bangalore, India have been working on techniques for holistic mental health care, which includes Yoga, Meditation and analytical application of the principles of Vedic Philosophy. In their article, ‘The Karma path to positive mental health’, the authors describe Karma Path (Course of action) or Karma Yogas as having the will to do things, doing the right things, and doing them well! They state that the principles of Karma Yoga such as autonomy, intrinsic motivation, mastery, flow, growth mindset, higher purpose and value driven self-less action, equanimity and balance are convergent with current knowledge of how the brain works (i.e.) neural circuitries, neurotransmitter systems and epigenetics and how this mediates brain plasticity. These authors conclude that the above concepts have significant implications treating and preventing psychological afflictions.
Dr. Madhunadhabi Sasmal has authored the paper titled, “Relationship between Bhakti and Mukti – A Study in the Light of Gauḍīya Vaiṣṇava Philosophy.” The joy of mokṣa dwindles into insignificance before the infinite bliss of prema, according to this school of thought and worship. It is considered impossible to relish the bliss of bhakti if craving for enjoyment or liberation lurks in the heart. In this article, an attempt has been made to study and analyze the relationship between bhakti and mukti (liberation) as noted in Gauḍīya Vaiṣṇava philosophy.
Section 2 of this issue begins with an essay on
‘Veda Mantras for Peace, Prosperity and Problem Solving’ by Dr. Raghava S. Boddupalli. Chanting the Veda mantras daily contributes to overall personal development and repaying our debt to the Ṛṣis who have bequeathed us this great body of wisdom. Chanting and reflecting on the meaning of the Veda mantra instills in us an urge to develop medha śakti or capability of the mind to grasp and retain knowledge. He explores the meaning and context of one popular mantra in this issue. The author intends to introduce a series of mantras in the future issues, and provide the Veda inquiry, word meaning, translation and explanation of the Veda mantra.
“Vaishwaanara Aatma Vidyaa – The study of Universal Self” is the subject of study and analysis by Dr. S (T) Visalakshi. In this essay Dr. Visalakshi explains an episode from Chandokya Upanishad. Six Brahmins approached Ashwapaty, the king of Paanchaala and requested him to teach them about Vaishwaanara Aatma Vidyaa. He enquired about whom they worshipped as ultimate reality and explained about the merits and demerits of their worship. He advised them that the ultimate reality should be worshipped in toto but not partially. By such worship, the saadhaka transcends the limitations and attains ultimate reality. This is called as Viradupaasana, by which one attains spiritual growth and gets united with Universal Self, the Aatman.
Human life is largely a matter of managing our mind and its emotions. Scriptures like Baghawath Geetha teach us that all our emotions are reflected through three connectors and their effects witnessed as Tranquility, Turbulence and Inertia. Our merits and demerits are judged rigorously through our ability to manage these connectors (Guna). Dr. Subramanian narrates an episode from a discourse on Bhakthi traditions through which one can witness the valor of the Lord through his judgement on our ability to manage the Guna. We are also blessed with the compassion of the Goddess through her lenience and forgiving nature. Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi work together in harmony through their blessings of Valor and Compassion. The author describes with a schematic diagram that as human beings and as a matter of practice, one can assess our Valor and Compassion in daily life through the three Guna, that underly in them. Excellence in both valor and compassion sets us in a path towards divinity in daily life.
Sri T. K. Ragunathan offers his perspectives on Mantra Pushpam, a famous and well-known Vedic chant from the Yajurveda Taittiriya Aranyanka chanted at the end of every Puja (Prayer Service). This concludes Section 2 of this issue on Sanatana Dharma.
We welcome all comments and suggestions as well as your ideas to improve and enhance this vEda vaaNee publication. We also solicit research papers, essays, poems and other written articles that are based on Sanatana Dharma. The goal is to learn, spread and assimilate the vast body of knowledge and promote a culture that seeks the goal of Sanatana Dharma: “Sarve JhanaH Sukhino Bhavanthu: May everyone and indeed everything remain happy, in peace and harmony!”
– DhanyawaadhaaH –
Editorial Team
vEda vaaNee e-journal
Spirituality In Practice 
Leave a comment