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Various truths downloaded by various Rishis gave rise to the ocean of Vedas.Veda Vyasa later compiled these Vedas and classified them.These is how the 4 Vedas came to existence.Each of these Vedas had many branches.Each branch had 4 components :
What we refer to as 'Medha Suktam' is a portion from the Aranyaka of the Taittiriya Shaakha ( branch ) of the Krishna Yajur Veda.The part of the Vedas found in the Aranyaka have their downloaders ( Rishi ) unknown.Hence,we do not know who received this shruti.
Medha Suktam word to word meaning :
medha devi jushhamaaNaa na aagaad
vishvaachii bhadraa sumanasyamaanaa
Medha = literally ' that power which retains my memory' ( me dhaarayati iti medha)
devi = feminine version of devata.Devata comes from the root sound 'div' which means 'to shine'.Devata / Devi literally means 'One who shines'.It refers to divine being
jushhamaaNa = delighting
naha = us
aagaat = upon coming
vishvaachi = root 'vish' pertaining to all-pervasiveness
bhadraa = auspiciousness
su-manasya-maanaa = please minded
Meaning and commentary :
The sound 'Medha' manifests the dimension of intellect.Pronunciation here is very crucial.If you say 'meda' instead of 'medha' ( as in not emphasising the expiration in dha ) , you refer to 'fat'.Meda = fat while medha = retentive power.
Medha Devi is all pervasive ( vishnu-tattva ).She is auspiciousness.She is One who is in the state of samadhi ( equanimity which is illustrated by a content/pleased mind) .These are the qualities exhibited by the state of enlightenment.Medha Devi is verily the manifestation of absolute consciousness.Her very manifestation delights us such that we attain oneness with Her.This oneness shall have us imbibe Her qualities.
tvayaa jushhTaa nudamaanaa duruktaan
bR^ihad-vadema vidathe suviiraaH
tvayaa = your
jushhTaa = pleased
nudamaanaa = from root 'nud' which means foolish talk.
duhu + uktaan = difficult + word utterers
bR^ihat = great
vadema = speak
vidathe = root 'vid' which means to know.
su-viiraaha = su + viiraahaa = superb + heroism
Meaning and commentary :
With Your grace,even those who are verbally handicapped ( those who speak foolishly and those who have difficulty with speech ) are transformed into great speakers who are intellectually brilliant.They become superb heroes who manifest your Medha Shakti.
tvayaa jushhTa R^ishhir-bhavati-devi-tvayaa
bramhaa.a.agatashrii ruta tvayaa
tvayaa = your
jushhTa = pleasure
R^ishhihi = sage
bhavati = becomes
devi
tvayaa = your
bramha = bramha
aa-gata = comes
shriihi = of 'shri' ( lakshmi )
uta = also
tvayaa = your
Meaning and commentary :
With Your grace,one becomes a Rishi.One realises that he is Brahman ( Brahman = Absolute Consciousness = Atma ) As per Vedas,one who knows Brahman becomes Brahman.This is because Godhood is our true nature.One attains Lakshmi.
tvayaa jushhTash-chitraM vindate vasu saano jushhasva draviNo na medhe
tvayaa = your
jushhTaha = being pleased
chitram = picture ( the diversity of creation across the cosmos )
vindate = gets
vasu = wealth
saa = she
naha = us
jushhasva = upon being pleased
draviNe = by wealth
naha = us
medhe = in reference to medha
Meaning and commentary :
By your grace,we know the various dimensions of the Universe.We get wealth.Wealth does not only refer to monetary possession.Wealth refers to good character,intellect,position,achievement etc
medhaaM ma indro dadaatu medhaaM devii sarasvatii
medhaaM me ashvinaavubhaavaadhattaam pushhkarasrajaa
medhaaM = In reference to Medha
me = to me
indraha = lord Indra ( who is the deity who is the master of the senses )
dadaatu = to provide
medhaam
devii
sarasvatii = saa rasena sarati iva ( one who flows like fluid is Sarasvati ).Sarasvati is the deity of speech ( which flows like a fluid )
ashvinau = the two ashvins ( the celestial doctors )
ubhau = both
aa-dhattaam = to come and support
pushhkarasrajau = adorned with lotus flower garlands
Meaning and commentary :
The manifestation of Medha Shakti may come to me through Indra ( Indra is the symbol for mastery over the senses.The Medha Shakti one attains when he gains mastery over the senses is that of Indra ).May the manifestation of Medha Shakti come in the form of Sarasvati ( the intelligence associated with power of speech.The Medha shakti which enables one to have speech that can flow like a river )
May the manifestation of Medha Shakti come in the form of the two Ashvins who are adorned with garlands ( the celestial doctors in the Vedic tradition ).This refers to the dimension of intellect associated with healing powers.
apsaraasu cha yaa medhaa gandharveshhu cha yanmanaH
apsaraasu = in apsaraa ( apsaras - the celestial dancers who are overwhelming in their charm )
cha = and
yaa = she
medha
gandharveshhu = in gandharvas ( celestial musicians who have supernatural abilities )
cha
yat = as per
manaha = mind
Meaning and commentary :
May I be graced with the dimension of intellect expressed by Medha Devi in the form of art ( dance ),patroned by apsaras.May I be graced with the dimension of intellect expressed by Medha Devi in the form of the field of music,patroned by Gandharvas
daiviiM medhaa sarasvatii saamaaM medhaa surabhir-jushhataa(gge) svaahaaH
daiviiM = devii
medha
sarasvatii
saa = she
maam = to me
medha
surabhihi = fragrance ( all pervasiveness )
jushhataam = juhomi = offer into fire of yaaga
svaahaa = a call to deity.Used in yaagaa
Meaning and commentary :
Medha devi is multi-dimensional.Her dimensions spread in all layers like a fragrance.May we call upon the multi-dimensional Medha Devi to manifest in us
aamaaM medhaa surabhir-vishvaruupaa hiraNya-varNaa jagatii jagamyaa
aa = come
maaM = to me
medha
surabhihi
vishvaruupa = all pervasive form
hiraNya-varNa = golden coloured
jagatii = all pervading
jagamyaa = sought upon by seekers
Meaning and commentary :
May Medha Devi,in Her all-pervasive nature,multi-dimensional expressions,golden hue,who is sought upon by everyone come to me
uurjasvatii payasaa pinvamaanaa saa maaM medha supratiikaa jushhantaam
uurjasvati = rich with elevating energy
Payasaa = by milk
Pinvamaanaa : nourish and energise
Sa = she
Maam = to me
Medha
Supratiika = su+pratiika = superb + auspicious signs
Jushhantaam = to be pleased to grace me
Meaning and commentary :
May Medha Devi, who is vibrant and full of inspirational energy, enlighten me with milk ( grace that is enriching, pure and fluid like milk ).May Her grace bestow me with all auspiciousness.
Here,we are reminded on how Tirugyaana sambandar, the revered shaivite saint,as a toddler got enlightened when Miinakshi Devi fed him milk.
In our culture,milk has been the means of passing enlightenment or supreme knowledge.
mayi medhaam mayi prajaam mayyagnistejo dadhaatu mayi medhaam mayi prajaam mayiindra indriyaM dadhaatu mayi medhaam mayi prajaam mayi suuryo bhraajo dadhaatu
mayi = my
medhaam = of Medha
prajaam = progeny
agnihi = Lord Agni ( God of Fire )
tejaha = tejas ( lustre )
dadhaatu = to provide and sustain that which has been provided
indra = Lord Indra
indriyam = the five senses
suuryaha = Lord Surya ( Sun God )
bhraajaha = enlightenment
Meaning and commentary :
May my lineage and I be graced by Medha Devi in the form of Agni who provides the glow,vibrance and lustre.
May my lineage and I be graced with Medha Devi in the form of Indra ( The deity who resembles mastery over senses ) who enables us to control the senses
May my lineage and I be graced by Medha Devi in the form of Lord Surya who enlightens us
Here,Medha Devi is awakened in our DNA.This is why the verse talks about progeny.Progeny here denotes the awakening of the DNA within one through the invocation of Medha Suktam.May Medha Devi permeate our entire being.
Read More :
(1) Significance and benefits of Medha Suktam
Very useful.. Thank you so much .
ReplyDeleteDivine and gloriuos way of explanation
ReplyDeleteSalutations.
Beautiful 👌 it is really very useful. Its put more essence when we chant Mantra after knowing and understanding its meaning. Thank you very much sir for Sharing 🙏🙏
ReplyDeleteExcellent narration and chanting too.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful recitation from Pongsakorn. Wonderful teaching and sharing. Pranaam
ReplyDeleteHappily, stumbled upon your YT channel and website.
ReplyDeleteMight be useful to add the devanagari text too when you share the shlokas.
Please keep it up.
Will be provided if one learns with me.
DeleteThe script will not be put in public in view of possibility of mislearning.
Thank you so much for putting words to the experience of her.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the meaning of Medha suktham mantras.The recitation of the Thai learner shows his shraddha and your mastery in teaching mantras. Vaazhga Valathudan!
ReplyDelete