The Knowledge in the Vedas - Sridhar Chitta | Book Review

 A book worth reading!Very Insightful!

At a Glance:  

• Title - The Knowledge in the Vedas
• Author - Sridhar Chitta
• Pages - 624
• Publishers - Story Mirror Infotech Pvt Ltd
• Format - Paperback 
• Publication date - 3 Jan 2022

Blurb: 

The book explores the relation between the Divine Reality and the ritualistic worship practiced by Hindus. The first chapter describes interpretations of the symbols used by Rishis in Rig Vedic hymns and of important slokas of Isha Upanishad and also describes the Vedic and Sankhyaic Paradigms, which are frameworks for the knowledge embodying Creation. In the following three chapters, discussions of the origins of the Vedas and the evolution of Vedic auxiliary texts are provided. In most Hindu households, worshippers seldom discuss the spiritual significance of mantras and sthothrams making it appear that the Gods they worship are different from reality. The fifth and following chapters are interpretations of the Lalitha and Vishnu sahasranaamas, Ganapathi Vaibhavam, Sri Rudra, and Gajendra Moksham including their spiritual context.

My Review:

It took me almost a month to finish this book! Taking advice from the author who has rightly mentioned that this is not a book to be read in one sitting, I read it chapter by chapter taking breaks in between.  The subject is indeed heavy and hence needs some time gap to grasp and assimilate the theory of it.

I grew up in a household listening to and chanting mantras which was a part of the morning routine and my Guru has explained the meanings of them so that we can understand their significance and not just chant or impetuously follow a ritual. So when this book came up for review I was delighted. The Vedas and mantras is a topic that gives you insight into so many aspects of our life and it is not only about religion.

The book is divided into 9 chapters and also has a separate list of Telugu words used in the Spiritual discourses along with the meanings.

This book will give you a comprehensive knowledge about the symbols used in the Vedic hymns and other slokas, the origin, and evolution of the Vedic and its auxiliary texts, and finally the elucidation of the various shlokas  - Lalitha sahasranama, Vishnu sahasranama, Ganapathi Vaibhavam, Sri Rudram, Gajendra Moksham.

Reading the book, I have come to understand that the author Sri. Sridhar Chitta has taken time to do the research and find the meanings and relevant things needed to explain the Vedas and has put it together in a way that the common man can read and absorb and get clarity on the subject.

With the links to the various youtube channels, the gist of each section of the talk is indicated by the minute of play on the video giving us the essence of the subject of the lecture. The other links to the various websites and youtube channels are a very good resource to explore the subject further.

Meanings of words, be it English, Sanskrit or Telugu, have been given which is a great aid in understanding the verse or the passage, thereby increasing the comprehensibility. There are also some photos, maps, and sketches to explain the various elements discussed in the book.

The chanting of Vedas and following the Vedic rituals have been going on for the past several centuries. But there is not much understanding about the deeper meaning or the purpose of chanting them or carrying out the rituals associated with the mantras. This book dispels myths or misconceptions associated with the Vedas and gives clarity on the inner meanings and this leads to a better understanding of the mantras and the rituals making it even more fulfilling.

The chapters that I liked are the Origin of Rig Veda and Know the Vedas. I am yet to go back and view more of the youtube links to the various discourses and website references for certain topics given in the reference section at the end of chapter 1.

My Recommendation:

A highly recommended book for those looking to understand the doctrines of Hinduism, especially the Vedas. This book will give you a clearer perspective on the various facets of spirituality and religion. You can keep this book as a guide and go back to it often. The discourses and website references mentioned in each chapter have plenty of resources that will give you a broader notion of the subject. This book will not only be a valuable asset in your library but also be an instrument in enlightening you on Vedas and related topics.