On Mar 16, 2005, at 12:19 PM, mark robert wrote:
OK, we agree that a lot of “Vedic” literature is not really Vedic at all. But does that discredit the content of the RV-Soma texts? Do any of your points (inc. Brahmin recitation) really discredit their content? Or is it just that you feel that since RV-soma texts do not include something you would prefer, they MUST not be valid. You have been supplying direct translations on this list; what do you think they are really saying?
While I think an external substance does exist, I have my doubts that it is an enlightenment panacea. I think these are ancient stone-age texts which attempt to describe the subjective "rishi" experience using the bizarre monosyllabic root-based structure of Sanskrit as their vehicle. The "rishI" is not historical in other words, it a POV in awareness. It's a way of putting the ineffable into vocalized speech. Samadhi-into-speech. Pure twilight language. The flight of Garuda/Garutman, Sarasvati, the transformations of Agni and soma. IME, soma is a liquid which pours thru the sieves of the sahasara, opening new doorways of awareness and new dimensions of existence.
Similar texts are still being grokked today by yogis. RJ mentioned the Song of the Vajra, that's one example IMO. The problem with Rig Ved is it is such a long lineage, it's hard to squeeze anything practical out of it. But it's great reading for consciousness explorers.
