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of Vedic
mantras.
This brief essay of only four to five pages, is indeed
worthy of a Doctorate. The third part of the series 'Vedic Texts' is
called
Grihastha. It
is based on Rig Veda's
mantras
nos. 1/50/1-3.
The three essays, though authored separately,' were published in
the same year (1888). These were successful experiments at what
was to evolve as Guru Datta's very own idiom of Veda
Bhashya
(Vedic interpretation). The essays were written probably to establish
the
Vedas
as the treasury of all truths. These booklets were composed
at Kashiram Printers and published by Guru Datta's friend and
associate Master Durga Prasad at his Virjanand Press, Lahore.
Ishopanishat
Vajasneya Samhitopanishat
or
Ishopanishat
was published with an
English commentary sometime after August 1888. It is one of the
Upanishads
recognised by Rishi Dayananda. Not only the followers of
Vedic Dharma
but also people of others faiths and nationalities have
sung glory to the
Upanishads.
Mansoor and Sarmad paid with their
life but did not abandon the principles of Upanishads. Dara Shikoh
remained an ardent and life long admirer of these scriptures.
Schopenhaur has gone to the extent of writing, "In the whole world
there is no study, except that of the originals, as beneficial and so
elevating as that of the
Opanikhat.
It has been the solace of my life, it
will be the solace of my death". Yet, many scholars have failed to
comprehend their serious content. That's why interpretations by
western scholars like Max Muller and Indian scholars like Raja Ram-
mohun Roy have been flawed, misleading and out of depth. Guru
Datta was deeply pained to read these. He noted in his diary, on 30th
August, 1888, "I have read Mullar on the
Upanishads.
How wrong he
goes ! Sorry ! no one to correct him and disabuse our half-educated
country-men of their folly." When Guru Datta delved deep into this
limitless ocean of wisdom, his intellect unearthed many a glorious gem.
His ecstasy comes through in the words that he wrote in his diary, on
5th September, 1888: "What a blessing is religion ! But one must
understand the general system of providence to feel the happiness that
religion brings." To enlighten the masses, he put his thoughts to paper
and began the translation of
Ishopanishad.
He then records on 7th
September 1888, "Wrote some 2 pages on Ishopanishad. I have not yet
finished the Ist
mantra.
But as I proceed, the subject grows more and
more attractive, sublime and dazzling, so that I can only enjoy to write
viii