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To the Reader
This translation of the ‘Hymns of Yajurveda’ is an English
Version of the Yajurveda for the common reader who wants to
acquaint himself or herself with the content of this divine message
of the dynamics of Karma, both human and divine, in the context
of the nature, structure and purpose of the universe and the
condition and position of the human being in it. While the opening
mantra launches the human being on life with the exhortation:
“Be vibrant as the winds”, the closing mantra seals the success of
vibrant humanity in action with the final achievement of “Om
Kham Brahma” with Grace Divine.
Life according to the Yajurveda is a journey from the
beginning-less beginning to the endless end with the message:
Immortal child of Divinity,
Your roots go deep to Eternity,
Your reach is unto Infinity.
And your path is up and onwards,
Never never downwards.
This version is a scientific translation of the text within
the parameters of Yaska and Dayananda with rational
understanding of Sayana at the one end and the western scholars
at the other. Sayana’s translation is ritualistic especially with
reference to yajna. It came at a time when the “Renaissance, Re-
awakening of Learning” was far off, not yet just at the next door.
Even communication between the East and the West was not as
hectic as it became after the advent of the East India Company
into India. Thus mutual criticism and appreciation too was silent
rather than vocal. Hence Ritualism was just the thing acceptable
to a society settled on the side of stagnation more than of
fermentation.
Ritual, of course, is sacred. It is the most meticulous
programme of action in pursuit of a holistic plan of life and living
which arises from a spiritual vision of Divinity. It is conducted
with unreserved commitment of will in faultless action, and
completed with total surrender in absolute faith. For this reason
yajna in Veda and Upanishad, is described as the highest human
( xxiii )
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