Veda

Beyond Sustenance: Mealtime Rituals Part II

By Mahadeo Foundation0 Comments

On June 5th, 2025, we shared our newsletter, Beyond Sustenance: How Ancient Vedic Wisdom Transforms Mealtimes into Sacred Rituals in which we discussed in Vedic approach to accompany meals with Prayers. In this brief article, we share the links to our Vedic Verses for contemplation during and at mealtime. In the Vedic tradition, grain (food grains), (Anna) is revered not merely as sustenance for the body but as a divine gift, a sacred energy that nourishes life at all levels – physical, mental, and spiritual. The act of preparing and consuming food is often seen as a form of yajna…

From Unreality to Reality

By Mahadeo Foundation2 Comments

From Unreality to Reality: The Brihadaranyaka Upanishad's Invocation for Truth: Asatoma sad gamaya To listen to this article as a podcast, please visit https://youtu.be/zgzT2crRNtk This ancient mantra is from the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad (1.3.28). It is called Pavamaana mantra, that is, a purification mantra (pavamaana means being purified). This unique mantra comprises three powerful lines, each a plea for guidance from a state of limitation to one of expansive reality. It is a profound invocation that encapsulates the very essence of the human spiritual quest. In its philosophical depth, it transcends mythological interpretations to offer a timeless prayer for enlightenment and…

The Water Cycle

By Mahadeo Foundation1 Comment

Let's take a look at the all-important Water Cycle of the Earth and what the Rig Veda tells us about it. You can listen to this article as a podcast here. The hymns of the ancient Rig Veda echo with a profound understanding of the natural world. Within its verses lies a remarkable observation about the very lifeblood of our planet: water. One particular passage, from the Rig Veda Book 2, Chapter 12, Verse 3, offers a poetic yet insightful glimpse into the workings of the water cycle, revealing an early appreciation for the sun's power and its intricate dance…

I am blessed – Part II

By Mahadeo Foundation2 Comments

अनुगृहितोऽसि – You are Blessed.अनुगृहिता अस्म्यहम् – I am Blessed. This is Part II of "I am blessed" You can listen to this episode by clicking here. The Upanishads favor us with a powerful concept, तत्त्वमसि (Tat-tvam-asi). In simple terms, this means "That I am." This unique and powerful statement, at one level, allows us to reflect on God, contemplate Godly qualities, and inculcate them into our lives and lifestyles. Let us consider for a moment - each of us has a spark of that supreme consciousness that has given:- life to this body made of lifeless matter,- energy to…

I am blessed – Part I

By Mahadeo Foundation1 Comment

अनुगृहितोऽसि – You are Blessed.अनुगृहिता अस्म्यहम् – I am Blessed. During this month of February 2025, we contemplate the blissful nature of God and try to appreciate how truly and massively blessed we all are. God is bliss; he blesses us all the time. His Creation of the sun, earth, moon, planets, stars - and all of nature - provides a basis for our very existence - and He gave us the gift of life! The Yajur Veda (40.1) and the 1st verse of the Isha Upanishad remind us that He has created the world and everything in it for…

Swami Veda Bharati

By Mahadeo Foundation1 Comment

Mahamandaleshwara, Guru, Leader, and Scholar par excellence.Swami Veda Bharati has had an outstanding life of service and dedication to peace and tranquility. His astonishing life was an example of dedication, discipline, and success. At a tender 4 years of age, he started memorizing the Sanskrit rules and was respected as a child prodigy who, at 9 years of age, began to teach the Vedas, which were fully memorized.As Pt Usharbudh Arya, he gave thankless service to the Arya Samaj movement and contributed significantly singularly to its militancy in Guyana. He birthed the Arya Vir Dal Movement, a militant youth movement…

Pt Usharbudh Arya, Swami Veda Bharati

Gems from the Vedas

Compiled by Dr Yog Mahadeo This is a special selection of verses from the four Vedas. These verses are scientific as well as emotive and would have inspired many years of thought and contemplation. The verses included are: [glossary_exclude] Subject MatterMantraBless our country with noble and good citizensAa brahman brahmaṇo Yajur VedaGrant me luxury, fameAnnadyena yashasa Atharva VedaEver-living, ever-young LordArchantya-arkam Saama VedaProtect me, O LordAsau te senaa Saama VedaSpiritual filter for my sensesBhadram karnebhih shrinuyam Rig Veda, Yajur VedaHe brings Wealth & ProsperityBhago na chitro Saama VedaGenesisBrahma jagyaanam prathamam Saama VedaTruth is One though explained differentlyEkam sat vipra bahudhaa vadanti…

First & Last Mantras of Vedas

This section captures the first and last mantra of each of the four Veda. There is uniqueness in the introductory verse and departure verse of each Veda. For example, the first mantra of the Rig Veda deals with the concept of the singular force of God and his powers of creation and preservation. The last verse of the Rig Veda outlines the necessity for unity amongst all so as to develop common Goals and Common Worship, that is for the entire society to focus on developing a singular and united goal in life. Rig Veda - page 2Yajur Veda - page 3Saama Veda - page 4Atharva Veda - page 5

Manaavartan sootra

मनावर्तन सूत्र: Oh Mind, come to the center In the Yoga Vashishtha, Rama queries of Rishi Vashishtha: "What is mind?". The Rishi responded, "Space is the emptiness in which matter appears, and mind is the emptiness in which space appears." While the power of the mind is within our grasp, we are often controlled by the mind (instead of the other way around). Depression, sickness, anger, jealousy...the various negatives that affect us can be resolved by control of the mind and control of our relationship and attachment with the world and things of the world. The Vedas address the concept of the…

Fearlessness (अभयं)

Fear is one of the most primal emotions that drive us, touching every aspect of our lives. According to the Yoga sutras of Patanjali, Fear is born from ignorance (Avidya) and Asmita or I-am-ness, which causes us to misidentify our real self with our physical self that is subject to birth, death and decay. In fact, fear of death (Abhinevesha) is one of the fundamental Kleshas or afflictions that affect the human mind. Fear drives us in so many tangible and intangible ways and is the source of mental and physical pain and illnesses, including anxiety and depression. It is…

Family welfare verses

Sukta 30 of the Atharva Veda provides instructions and guidance on family relationships and fostering long-term love and respect among family members. List of versesSa-hridayam saamanasyam - Atharva Veda 3.30.1Anuvratah Pituh Putro - Atharva Veda 3.30.2Maa bhraataa bhraataram - Atharva Veda 3.30.3Yena deva na viyanti - Atharva Veda 3.30.4Jyaayasvant-aschittino - Atharva Veda 3.30.5Samaanee prapaa saha - Atharva Veda 3.30.6Saadheechinan vah - Atharva Veda 3.30.7 Sa-hridayam saamanasyam सहृदयं सांमनस्यमविद्वेषं कृणोमि वः। अन्यो अन्यमभिहर्यत वत्सं जातमिवाघ्न्या॥ Sa-hridayam saam-manasyam-avidvesham kriṇomi vah.Anyo anyam-abhi-haryatavatsam jaatam-iva-aghnyaa. Live with sincerity and unity. Live in harmony, without wishing or causing injury to others. Remain connected with each other, and…

Birthday/long life

Tach-chakshur-devahitam तच्चक्षुर्देवहितं पुरस्ताच्छुक्रमुच्चरत् ।पश्येम शरदः शतं जीवेम शरदः शतंश्रृणुयाम शरदः शतं प्रब्रवाम शरदः शतंअदीनाः स्याम शरदः शतं भूयश्चा शरदः शतात् ॥ Tach-chakshur-devahitampurastaach-chhukram-uch-charatPashyema sharadah shatamjeevema sharadaḥ shatamShriṇuyaama sharadah shatamPrabravaama sharadah shatamAdeenaah syaam sharadah shatamBhooyash-cha sharadah shataat.(Yajur Veda 36.24) That Almighty One is aware of everything; He permeates every particle of energy in the world. He protects and blesses those who maintain a noble life. May we be so favored by Him to see and perceive; breathe/function and be healthy; hear and retain positive sounds and words; speak, teach, and spread (the Vedas); and be independent and free from any negative for a hundred years and more.. Notes:1. This verse is used in several ways:- as a Birthday Prayer- as a prayer given during सूर्य अवलोकन (soorya avalokan) in…

Universal Prayers

These verses are for the upliftment of the society and the world at large. It is said our individual happiness lies in the happiness of all. Our level of individual well-being is dependent on the well-being of all. List of verses (click to select)[glossary_exclude]Sarveshaam svastir bhavatu[/glossary_exclude][glossary_exclude]Sarve bhavantu sukhinah[/glossary_exclude][glossary_exclude]Lokaah samastaah sukhino bhavantu[/glossary_exclude][glossary_exclude]Dyauh shantir-antariksham shaantih[/glossary_exclude] Sarveshaam svastir bhavatu सर्वेषां स्वस्तिर्भवतु ।सर्वेषां शान्तिर्भवतु ।सर्वेषां पूर्णंभवतु ।सर्वेषां मङ्गलंभवतु ॥ Sarveṣhaam svastir-bhavatuSarveṣhaam shaantir-bhavatuSarveṣhaam poorṇam-bhavatuSarveṣhaam maǹgalam-bhavatu. May all be blessed with auspiciousness (swasti);May all be blessed with peace (shanti);May all be blessed with fulfilment (poornam);May all be blessed with prosperity (mangalam). सर्व - all, everyone शाम् -…

Shiva Sankalpam Sukta

शिव संकल्प सूक्तShiva Sankalpam Sookta Prayers for the protection of the mind (with English translation of Pt Usharbudh Arya) The Shiva Sankalpam Sukta consists of six verses and is from the 34th chapter of the Yajur Veda. The Shivasankalpam sukta infer a special संकल्प Sankalpa - desire/intent. Everyone has intents and desires, which can easily become an obsession. However, when a Sankalpa (a specific intent) is backed by the purity of thought/mind, it is Shiva-like. An intent that is not harmful to the self or to others is inherently good. It becomes focused, meditative, benevolent, auspicious, and powerful - and yet with…