ऋग्वेद - The Rigveda Mandala-II (Agni Sukta)

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About the Book In the history of the Vedic interpretation 1Virukta is the first treatise which offers some systematic method towards interpreting the Rigveda. Even before Yaska there were many schools of Vedic interpretations. Their treatises are no more in existence but the tradition must have been immensely enriched through their contributions. Tradition did not die after Yaska. It continued but with a slow pace. The oral tradition was deep-routed and none could rout it out. During the sixth century A.D. the great exegetes Skandasvamin attempted to interpret the Rigveda. It paves the way for a proper and systematic course of Vedic interpretation. After Skandasvamin we hear the name of Narayana and Udagitha.

After Udgitha’s commentary we come to Mildhavabhaya and Vetikata-madhava's commentary Rgarthadipika which opens a new chapter in the history of Vedic interpretation. Though brief but complete, Which exemplifies a profound sense of exegetical enquiry. The height and lofty ideals of interpretation are discernible through the peaks of Savanna’s commentary on the Rigveda. This is the only commentary which takes the entire Rigveda in its preview and all traditional views of interpretation culminate in it.

Some occidental scholars presumed that they could interpret the Veda in a better way than Selyatra, but judging from their works, it appears that they could not move without Sayana's help and their pretentions were based on wrong edifices. These two methods of interpretations have also influenced the modern minds immensely.

Therefore, whatever has been possible within the scope of the study has been taken in to account. This humble but sincere effort will open some new dialogue in the field of the Rigvedic interpretation.

About the Author Late Dr. Siddh Nath Shulda (1938 - 84) was a renowned Vedic Scholar. He taught at the Allahabad University (1976-84) and before that he was associated with Indian Institute of Advanced Study, Shimla as Visiting Fellow for the year 1971-75. Dr. Shulda has contributed more than twenty research papers on the Veda and Avestan studies, five books, viz. Rigveda Chayanika, Veda-manjari, Veda our Avesta, Atharvavediyabhamisukta and A Critical & comparative Study of Sayana-bhasya and other interpretations on the Rigveda Mandala III.

Dr. (Mrs.) Usha Shukla, b6rn in the village Teoran of Allahabad district and received her traditional education in Shri Shivasharma Sanskrit Mahavidyalaya, Allahabad. Thereafter she graduated in Philosophy, Ancient History and Sanskrit from University of Allahabad and from the same alma mater, got a first class master's degree in the Veda group in the Department of Sanskrit before enrolling herself as a Vidyavaridhi (Ph.D.) student at the Ganganath Jha Campus, Allahabad (Rashtriya Sanskrit Samsthan, Deemed University) to work on the topic Vaidikavarimaye Agnitativasamimamsa under the guidance of Prof. G. C. Tripathi. She received her Ph.D. degree in 1992 and after that received Post-Doctoral Research Associate ship from UGC and was associated with Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri Rashtriya Sanskrit Vidyapeetha, New Delhi to work on the project Bharatiya cintana mein Agni evam tejas tattva ki avadharana evam uska svarapa from May 1995 to April 2000 as well as from April 2004 to March 2009 to work on the project on Rigveda Mandala She attended many seminars and has presented a number of papers on Vedic literature. She has contributed more than six articles and two books, viz. Vaidikavarimaye Agnitattvasami-kyinam and the Rigveda Mandala II.

At present she is working as an independent researcher on the Critical and Comparative Study of Sayana-bhasya and other interpretations on Rigveda Mandala II -VII. Her work related to the Indra-sakta of the Rigveda Mandala II is also in the press. In addition to her academic activities, she is providing her assistance related to various ongoing projects of Shri Kallaji Vaidika Vishvavidyalaya, Nimbahera, and Distt. - Chittoregarh (Rajasthan).

Book's Contents and Sample Pages