Ancient Indian Education (Brahmanical and Buddhist) c9.73

c9.73

These various expressions of the conception of the Absolute reach their culmination in the tenth Maṇḍala of the Rigveda in its hymns, 72, 81, 82, 90, and 129, as the fundamental feature of Rigvedic thought and religion. Hymn 72 describes at length the process of creation, the existent springing from the non-existent (*asataḥ sadajāyata*), the Earth from Uttānapada and the regions from the Earth, Daksha from Aditi, and after Aditi, the gods. It was Brahmaṇaspati who blew forth these births like a blacksmith (*etā saṁ karmāraḥ ivādhamat*). Hymn 81 calls the Absolute as the *Hotā*, the Sacrificer, Who sacrifices the whole Creation to Himself at its dissolution and remains as the sole Father of all, *Pitā*. Then He the One again wishing (*āśishā*) to be Many, wishing (*ichchhamānaḥ*) for the enjoyment of creation (*draviṇaṁ*), concealed his primary Self (*prathamachchhat*) and created Objects into which He penetrated (*avarān āviveśa*). He the *Viśvakarmā*, Architect of the Universe, the *Ṛishi* All-knowing, the *Viśvachakshāḥ*, All-seeing, created Earth (*Bhūmi*) and Heaven (*Dyā*) by His own power (*mahinā*) out of His own Self, the Self-supporting and Self-sufficient, for Whom there was no external support (*adhishṭhānaṁ*) or material (*ārambhaṇaṁ*). He, the self-shining One (*Devaḥ Etaḥ*), produced Earth and Heaven and comprehended the universe within the reach of His Eye or Mouth, Arm or Foot (*Viśvataśchakshuḥ Viśvatomukho Viśvatobāhuḥ Viśvataspāt*). What was the Wood and what the Tree out of which He, the Divine Carpenter, fashioned out (*nishṭatakshuḥ*) the Heaven and Earth? Let the wise who have achieved mastery of their minds (*Manīshiṇaḥ*) ask themselves in their own minds by what support He holds the universe (*yat adhi-atishṭhat bhuvanāni dhārayan*). Hymn 82 continues the theme. He, the Creator of the eye, i.e. the objective world (*chakshushaḥ Pitā*), engendered the water (*ghritam*) and then the two, Earth and Heaven, floating, undistinguished, on the waters. *Viśvakarmā* is mighty of mind, *Vimanā*, and power, *Vihāyā*, the Maker, *Dhātā*, the Dispenser, *Vidhātā*, the Most High (*Paramā*), and All-seeing, *San-drik*, the One beyond all (*Paraḥ Ekam*). He is our Father, *Pitā*, Progenitor, *Janitā*, Dispenser, *Vidhātā*, to Whom are known the different planes of existence (*dhāmāni*), all the worlds (*bhuvanāni*) and the whole universe (*Viśvāḥ*), the One who bears the names of many gods (*Yaḥ Devānām nāmadhāḥ Eka eva*). He, the Unborn, *Aja*, resting upon the waters of His own creation, upon Whose navel was placed the Brahmāṇḍa or Germ of the Universe: Him ye cannot perceive, Him Who is of a different stuff from ye, sentient beings, possessed of individual consciousness (*anyat yushmākam antaram babhūva*). Him they cannot perceive, wrapped up as they are in mists of ignorance (*nīhāreṇa prāvṛitāḥ*), giving themselves up to vain pursuits (*jalpa*), pleasures of life in this world (*asu-tṛipaḥ*) and prayers for gain in the next world (*ukthaśasaścharanti*).