DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.636#0025
Vedism. 13
And yet it is remarkable that this sacred plant has fallen
into complete neglect in modern times. When I asked the
Brahmans of Northern India to procure specimens of the true
Soma for me, I was told that, in consequence of the present
sinful condition of the world, the holy plant had ceased to
grow on terrestrial soil, and was only to be found in heaven1.
Nor were these the only offerings. In process of time,
animal sacrifice was introduced. At great solemnities goats
and other animals were killed by hundreds. Portions of the
flesh were consumed in the fire, and portions were eaten.
Gods, priests, and people feasted together. Of course all
offerings and libations were accompanied with hymns of
praise. A certain amount of ceremonial was gradually added.
The whole sacrificial service was called Yajna.
I close this sketch of Vedism by citing portions of transla-
tions of a few remarkable hymns in the Rig-veda, as given by
me in ' Indian Wisdom.' One hymn (Mandala X. 129) at-
tempts to describe the origin of creation thus :—
In the beginning there was neither nought nor aught;
Then there was neither sky nor atmosphere above.
What then enshrouded all this teeming universe ?
In the receptacle of what was it contained ?
Was it enveloped in the gulf profound of water ?
Then was there neither death nor immortality ;
Then was there neither day, nor night, nor light, nor darkness,
Only the Existent One breathed calmly, self-contained.
Nought else but he there was—nought else above, beyond.
Then first came darkness hid in darkness, gloom in gloom ;
Next all was water, all a chaos indiscrete,
In which the One lay void, shrouded in nothingness.
Then turning inwards, he by self-developed force
Of inner fervour and intense abstraction, grew.
First in his mind was formed Desire, the primal germ
Productive, which the Wise, profoundly searching, say
Is the first subtle bond, connecting Entity
And Nullity.
1 A creeper, said to be the true Soma, was pointed out to me by the
late Dr. Burnell in Southern India, and is still, I believe, used by those
orthodox Brahmans in the Maratha country who attempt to maintain
the old Vedic worship.
And yet it is remarkable that this sacred plant has fallen
into complete neglect in modern times. When I asked the
Brahmans of Northern India to procure specimens of the true
Soma for me, I was told that, in consequence of the present
sinful condition of the world, the holy plant had ceased to
grow on terrestrial soil, and was only to be found in heaven1.
Nor were these the only offerings. In process of time,
animal sacrifice was introduced. At great solemnities goats
and other animals were killed by hundreds. Portions of the
flesh were consumed in the fire, and portions were eaten.
Gods, priests, and people feasted together. Of course all
offerings and libations were accompanied with hymns of
praise. A certain amount of ceremonial was gradually added.
The whole sacrificial service was called Yajna.
I close this sketch of Vedism by citing portions of transla-
tions of a few remarkable hymns in the Rig-veda, as given by
me in ' Indian Wisdom.' One hymn (Mandala X. 129) at-
tempts to describe the origin of creation thus :—
In the beginning there was neither nought nor aught;
Then there was neither sky nor atmosphere above.
What then enshrouded all this teeming universe ?
In the receptacle of what was it contained ?
Was it enveloped in the gulf profound of water ?
Then was there neither death nor immortality ;
Then was there neither day, nor night, nor light, nor darkness,
Only the Existent One breathed calmly, self-contained.
Nought else but he there was—nought else above, beyond.
Then first came darkness hid in darkness, gloom in gloom ;
Next all was water, all a chaos indiscrete,
In which the One lay void, shrouded in nothingness.
Then turning inwards, he by self-developed force
Of inner fervour and intense abstraction, grew.
First in his mind was formed Desire, the primal germ
Productive, which the Wise, profoundly searching, say
Is the first subtle bond, connecting Entity
And Nullity.
1 A creeper, said to be the true Soma, was pointed out to me by the
late Dr. Burnell in Southern India, and is still, I believe, used by those
orthodox Brahmans in the Maratha country who attempt to maintain
the old Vedic worship.