Gems from the Vedas

Rig Veda 9.63.5 presents a powerful and actionable philosophy rooted in the understanding of the One Supreme God. It moves beyond passive devotion to embrace a proactive role for humanity in shaping the world according to divine principles.

Strengthening Divine Power (Indram vardhantaḥ): The Interplay of God and Devotee:

The phrase इंद्रम् वर्धन्तः Increasing/strengthening the divine power/valour (Indra) is deeply profound. It does not imply that the One Almighty God lacks power, but rather that human consciousness and righteous action can serve to manifest, reveal, and amplify this divine power within the world. When individuals act with valor, truth, and dedication, they become conduits for the Supreme God’s strength to flow more abundantly into existence.

This is a reciprocal relationship: we draw strength from the Divine, and by utilizing that strength in noble ways, we make the Divine’s presence more potent and visible in the earthly realm. It’s an active partnership in the unfolding of cosmic good.

Apturaḥ: The Imperative of Zealous, Purposeful Action:

The term अप्तुरः being zealous, active, emphasizes that the transformation described in the mantra is not achieved through mere contemplation or passive hope. It demands vigorous, dedicated, and purposeful engagement. This spiritual zeal is a gift from the Divine, empowering individuals to overcome inertia and act with conviction.

Philosophically, this points to the importance of Karma Yoga – the path of selfless action. Every endeavor, big or small, when performed with apturaḥ (zeal and dedication) and aligned with divine purpose, contributes to the larger goal of global upliftment.

Kṛiṇvanto Viśhvam aaryam: The Divine Vision of a Noble Humanity:

This iconic phrase, “making the whole world noble,” is the core mission. आर्यम् (aaryam – noble) here transcends any narrow definition, encompassing qualities of moral excellence, spiritual wisdom, ethical conduct, compassion, harmony, and adherence to universal truth (Dharma).

This is the Supreme God’s ultimate desire for creation: not just individual salvation, but the collective spiritual and social transformation of all humanity and the world itself. It’s a call to move beyond fragmentation and conflict towards a global civilization rooted in shared values and mutual respect, where divine principles are universally recognized and lived. It encourages the creation of systems, cultures, and societies that reflect this nobility.

Apaghananto Araavṇaḥ: Eradicating Obstacles through Light, Dharma, and Education:

Crucially, this requires the devotee to first take the personal respobsibility to be noble. One cannot effectively teach Dharma or eradicate ignorance externally without first embodying purity, wisdom, and compassion within oneself. It is by living a life of Dharma that one becomes a living example, and this inner transformation then naturally radiates outwards, inspiring others and dissolving negativity in its wake. This process ensures that the forces of disharmony lose their power, making the path clear for the aaryam (nobility) to flourish.

The phrase अपघ्नन्तो अराव्णः refers to destroying the hostility and unkindness and similar negative inclinations – we must remove the bad habits in ourselves and then encourage others to do the same. To build a noble world, one must also actively confront and remove forces that impede nobility. अराव्णः refers to those who are malicious, intolerant, selfish, or obstructive to progress. The dissolution and eradication of ignorance (अविद्या), intolerance, and evil wherever they may manifest. This is achieved not through physical force, but through the radiant power of enlightened consciousness and righteous living. This is accomplished by studying, knowing, teaching and preaching of the Vedas – sharing timeless spiritual truths and universal principles (Dharma). It is primarily through education—in its broadest sense, encompassing both intellectual knowledge and moral cultivation—that darkness is dispelled and hostile tendencies are transformed.

It is important to note that the Vedas, in teaching us to uphold dharma, expects us to put our own lives in perspective first before attempting to teach others. Thus, अपघ्नन्तो अराव्णः is about eradicating all forms of negativity—not just external enemies, but also internal vices (ignorance, hatred, greed, prejudice) that prevent our own nobility and infect the collective. This is a process of purification and dismantling of harmful ideologies or actions, clearing the path for the Aaryam to flourish. It acknowledges that the path to a noble world involves both construction and necessary resistance against destructive forces.

In summary, Rig Veda 9.63.5 is a powerful call to action. It inspires us to strengthen the divine power within ourselves through zealous, ethical conduct. It mandates us to actively engage in the grand work of “making the whole world noble” by embodying virtues and diligently eradicating all forms of intolerance and evil. It is a profound testament to God’s vision for a harmonious, excellent, and spiritually enlightened global existence, actively manifested through awakened human beings.