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English Translation of Vedic Hymns: An Opinion
Dr. Tulsi Ram Sharma has taken an uphill task of
translating all the four Vedas in lucid and thought provoking
English. Most of the translations of Vedas by European
scholars depend on the ritualistic meaning given by the
medieval commentators like Sayana and others. But Dr.
Sharma has taken a new course of translation. He agrees with
the idea that the Yajurveda basically propounds the theory of
Karma which it explains as Yajna, which neither denotes
sacrifice nor mere ritual (Agnihotra etc.). The term Yajna
carries a threefold meaning: the worship of God, unification
of diverse factors of human society, selfless charity and
replenishment of nature and the environment.
The hymns of the Yajurveda carry lofty ideas of
spiritual and ethical significance. Most of these mantras are,
however, complicated and tough. It is difficult to make out
useful meaning and draw important conclusion out of the
text. But Dr. Sharma has fully succeeded in drawing out the
natural and meaningful content of these mantras. In brief I
can say that the present translation of the Vedas will be
appreciated by the scholars of this Vedic lore as well as by
the lay man who wants to understand the deep meaning of
the Vedic texts or at least the basic knowledge hidden in these
ancient works. It is all the more satisfying that Dr. Sharma
has followed the dicta laid down by Maharshi Yaska and
Swami Dayananda Saraswati in translating and explaining
the inner wisdom of the sacred mantras.
—Bhawani Lal Bhartiya
Ex. Chairman and Professor
Dayananda Chair for Vedic Studies
Punjab University; Chandigarh
( xviii )
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