Page 18 - Acharya Vinoba Bhave in 21st Century ISBN

21oha “krkCnh esa vkpk;Z fouksck Hkkos dh izklafxdrk

The Veda is greater than thousands of mothers and fathers, in the matter regarding attainment
of welfare and goodness for the spiritual aspirant. He has, thus, seen the Veda as the ultimate source of
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noble teaching directing one to all beneficial dealings .
He explains the famous Mantra as under:-

,da ln~ foçk cgqèkk onfUrA(Rigveda I. 23.16)
The Truth (Ultimate Reality) is one, the aspirants of spiritual enlightenment narrate it by many

names. He briefly correlates the qualitative specialty of the Ultimate Reality which is variously present
in its different manifestations. He explains Agnias Vairagya-devata (God of detachment), Indra as

Samyama-shakti (Power of restraint), Savita asPreraka-shakti (Power of inspiration), Apodevata
as Shraddha (Faith), etc. and he, thus, assertively propounds the oneness or unity of many forms of

worship and contemplation.
The explanation of Gayatri Mantra, as presented by VinobaBhave, reflects his multi-dimensional

analytical insight.
Å¡ HkwHkZqo%Lo%A rRlforqoZjs.;a HkxkZs nsoL; èkhefgA

fèk;ks ;ks u% çpksn;kr~AA(Rigveda III.62.10)
He explains : Om is the name of Paramatma. Bhuh, Bhuvahand Svah are the physical (Deha),

vital (Prana) and mental (Manas) levels of aspirant. This Mantra is a prayer of devotee, to the
Almighty who is Inspirer (Savita). The devotee requests the Lord to guide his intellect and all its

functions (Dhiyah). The devotee meditates on the Light (Bharga) of the Lord, which burns his dirt and
ignorance, and enlightens his path. He indicates that by the word ‘Dhimahi’ (let us meditate), the

Mantra denotes its efficacy for common good for not only individual, but for all in general. Thus,
according to him, this Mantra spreads the message of devotion, intellectual pursuit, refinement,

enlightenment of all human beings (welfare of all), and importance of inspiration for progress and well-
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being of all .
Grama or village has been one of the dearest topics of contemplation for Vinoba. He
explains the following Mantra:-

fo”oa iq"Va xzkes vfLeu~ vukrqje~A(Rigveda I. 114.1)
Let us have the vision of healthy and nourished world (globe) in our village itself.

He further explains: Grama-dharma means – ‘Let villagers live together as one family’ and Vishva-
dharma means – ‘Let people living in different places and countries co-operate and help each other’.

Thus, he elucidates the concept of global village, and focuses on the two important requirements for
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citizens of global village – (1) nourishment, and (2) health .
He, thus, reveals the inner meaning of the Vedic Mantra, and correlates it with the modern context.
Vinoba has commented the following Mantra for indicating the importance of noble ones’ approval

required for attaining success in any endeavour.

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