The Vedic Concept of Aatma

This book is the first in a series of books to be brought out by the author on the concept of Atman as formulated by our sages. The present vol- ume entitled "Vedic Con- cept of Atman" contains a critical account of the concept of Atman as is available to us in Vedic literature comprising the Vedas Brahmanas and the Upanisads. The contribu- tions of Madhusudan Ojha, a rare Scholar who flourished in Jaipur during the first half of this century have been highlighted in this book. In addition some relevant extracts from his original writings have been ncluded at the end of this volume.

The other books that wi II soon follow are:

I. Atma Gati. (Vedic Eschatolgy)

2. The concept of Atman in Bhagavad Gita.

3. Concept of Atman in the Darsanas.

4. Interpre.ation of the Atman concept by the three great Acharyas.

Seventy two year old Dr. A.S. Ramanathan is a scientist b career. He retired as Deputy Director General of Meteorology. Government of India. He worked as a Research fellow of Indian National Science Academy for a few years.

Dr. Ramanathan has made a thorough study of Indian scriptures like Vedas, Gita, Philosophical works of all great Acharya and great Sanskrit epics.

About fifteen years ago he came across the works of Pandit Madhu Sudan Ojha and Pandit Moti Lal Shastri on Vedas. He came to Jaipur and devoted lot of time to study them. He came to the conclusion that both the scholars had done novel work on Vedas, which no Acharya had done in the past. Dr. Ramanathan goes to the extent of saying the Pandit Madhu Sudan Ojha was the greatest scholar of Vedas after Vedavyasa. He named Ojha as Vyasavatar. Pandit Moti Lal was chief disciple of Ojha. Dr. Ramanathan devoted many years to study the works of both the scholars and is still doing. He is completely dedicated to Vedic works.

For past few years he has been writing in English on Ojha's works. He thinks that the works of Ojha must come to the notice of world scientists and scholars because Ojha has highlighted the scientific aspects of Vedas which deals' with the creative process of the universe and evolution. Never before this kind of work was done. Dr. Ramanathan firmly believes that Ojha's work can contribute a lot to the scientific understanding of the Vedas and can lead to move organised studies and research today.

This is the fourth publication of the author. Earlier he has published three books “Weather Science in Ancient India" "What is Veda" and "Vedic Concept of Soma". These days he is working on" Alma Gati".

Dr. Ramanathan is also interested in guiding researchers who want to go deep into Vedic Science. He thinks, it is high time we unearth this knowledge and propagate it all over the world.

Seventy-two years old Dr. A.S. Ramanathan is a scientist by career. He retired as deputy Director General of Me teorology, Government of India. He worked as a Research, Fellow of Indian National -Science Academy for a few years

Dr. Ramanathan has made a thorough study of India, scriptures Like Vedas, Gita, Philosophical works of all great Acharyas and great Sanskrit epics.

About fifteen years ago he came across the works 0 Pandit Madhu Sudan Ojha and Pandit Moti Lal Shastri on Vedas. He came to Jaipur and devoted Lot of time to stud them. He came to the-conclusion that both the scholars had one novel work on Vedas, which no Acharya had done in th past. Dr. Ramanathan goes to the extent of saying that PanditMadhu Sudan Ojha was the greatest scholar of Vedas after Veda Vyasa. Pt. Ojha wrote about 280 small and big books covering the entire spectrum of Indian thought. There were ten hypotheses in vogue before Vedas were compiled by Vyasa. Pt. OJha wrote a book on each and every hypothesis discussing them in detail. Then he wrote one separate book an all the ten taken together.

There are six Angas of Vedas. He wrote on all the Anga and brought out several books. These Angas are Shiksha Chhandas, Nirukta Kalpa, Jyotisha and Vyakarana. He di. not bring out a transLation or a commentary on Vedas bu reveaLed the hidden meanings of Vedic terms and wrote man. books on various aspects of Vedas. The meanings of Vedi terms were lost and therefore the correct knowLedge of Veda was also Lost. Pt. Ojha presented the scientific aspects of Veda in the form of Brahman and wrote more than a dozen 'book on Brahmavijnana alone.

Besides Vedas he wrote on Puranas (Mythology), Gita Brahma Sutras, History and few other subjects. Pt. Ojha es tablished that Puranas were older than Vedas and hoLd th. vital key to understand Vedas. Looking at the magnitude of Ojha's works Dr.Ramanathan was thoroughly convinced that Ojha was the greatest scholar of Indian thought and he strongly feels that all his works must be brought to light.

As regards the study of Vedas, there are different schools. of thought and practice. There is difference between north & south India. Dr. Ramanathan thinks that Pt. Ojha cut across all boundaries and dealt on purely the scientific aspects as conceived by the seers of Vedas. The author of the book says that science is based on reason and logic and Pt. Ojha showed that reason and logic were the basis of Vedas.

In the interpretation of Vedic terminology Dr. Ramanathan closely follows Pt. Ojha's method of approach. All his statements are anthenticated by quotations from Vedic literature. He names Ojha as Vyasavatar. Pandit Moti Lal was chief disciple of Ojha. Dr. Ramanathan devoted many years to study the works of both the scholars and is still active. He is completely dedicated to Vedic works.

For the past few years he has been writing in English on Ojha's work., He thinks that the works of Ojha must come to the notice of world scientists and scholars because Ojha has highlighted the scientific aspects of Vedas which deals with the creative process of the universe and evolution. Never before this kind of work has been done. Dr. Ramanathan firmly believes that Ojha's works can contribute a lot to the scientific understanding of the Vedas and can lead to more organised studies and research today.

This is the fourth publication of the author. Earlier he has published three books "Weather Science in Ancient India", "What is Veda" and "Vedic Concept of Soma". These days he is working on "Atma Gati". Dr. Ramanathan is also interested in guiding researchers who want to go deep into Vedic Science. He thinks, it is. High time, we unearth this knowledge and propagate it all over the world.

The understanding of the concept of Atman as formulated by our sages is fairly difficu-lt. But it has been rendered more difficult by the commentators who have created difficulties for us in two ways. Many of them are of the opinion that the subject of Atman is dealt with only in the Upanisads, and therefore the Vedas and Brahmanas do not have much relevance for the purpose of understanding this subject. In fact they have given birth to a new generation of scholars who have no scholarship in Vedas and Brahmanas and yet in the opinion of many of us give excellent exposition of the concept of Atman as conceived by our sages. Because they are unfamiliar with the Vedas and Brahmanas, they have created meanings for the technical terms occuring in the original literature in their own way, causing utter confusion in the minds of the readers who find that each scholar interprets thetechnical terms in his own way. To add to the confusion of the readers, there are other scholars who find no use at all for all the ancient literature to understand the working of our mind or under- stand the self or God. Probably many of us are not also aware that must of what these scholars say are already contained in the expressions of our sages available in various places in our ancient literature. It is in this context the writings of Madhusudan Ojha are extremely relevant to the modern reader. With his encyclopaedic knowledge of the entire cross section of ancient literature, Madhusudan Ojha presents the wisdom of our sages in every field, in the most thorough and logical way. The author is very much indebted to him in his presentation of the material contained in this book.

The author is also deeply indebted to Shri Karpur Chand Kulish, Founder Editor of Rajasthan Patrika who has not only ar- ranged for the printing and publication of this book but also has kindly made available the original manuscripts of the writings of Ojha included as appendices in this book.