A Hindu Perspective by Balliram Chadee. M.Hin.

 www.thehanumanmission.com. bally@thehanumanmission.com

or Bally 416-992-2487.

Question: Are there major differences between the interpretations of the Vedas by traditional commentators and modern interpreters?

Ans: In my opinion, I would say YES!

I share this opinion for various reasons; some stemming from challenge, some from doubt, some due to conflicting thoughts and theories while others yet emanating from other reasons. Despite the reasons or opinions expressed, implied or submitted; we have seen across the globe by Hindus and non Hindus alike, the challenges arising from the Vedas and its philosophy. The modern day man and scholars with usually a higher scientific perspective on this philosophy and scriptural doctrine seem bent on trying their very best in many cases, to tarnish the authenticity and spiritual supremacy with which the Vedas have been referenced for centuries. In this modern or contemporary world with science, technology and atheism on the rise, we find that anything godlike, holy or spiritual; seem to be challenged usually in a non friendly and un-accommodating manner. In the western world it is even worst as the Hindu Religion and Culture seems to have been on the receiving end of negativity and un-acceptance of its traditions from various groups.

We find today that as Hindus living a western society, we are faced with many more challenges from non Hindus and that on many occasions we find ourselves trying to defend various aspects of Hinduism. In many cases as Hindus ourselves, we are neither equipped nor educated to defend these various aspects of Hinduism and Sanatan Dharma, re: the Vedas, the Rituals, the ideals of worship etc. and find ourselves helpless in the attacks made against us through interpretations from modern interpreters and scholars. Hindus for the most part over the centuries relied on the interpretations of “Indian” expertise and scholars with an “inborn” and “heredity trait” of knowledge of the Vedas, which was accepted as being “superb” knowledge passed down to new interpreters from the guru-shisya relationship of learning and teaching. In later years with the advent of many “new” scholars and learners of the Vedas, we see a shift from a conventional “spiritual” view of analyzing the Vedas to a more “scientific view of challenging the Vedas.

Though the majority of challengers and commentators of Vedas today have shifted from being mainly Indian or Hindu practitioners, we see even contentious debates over who is right and the supposedly “correctness” of analysis from westerners and non Indian commentators, partly due to religion, race, traditions, customs and practices. It can be said that Sanatan Dharma; re Hinduism, has been and continues to be an accommodating religion which allows for investigation, interpretation and scrutiny by all other faiths and religions. Commenting and analyzing a fact is one thing but condemning for the sake of disagreement is another. We have seen a majority of the latter when considering the differences in interpretations of traditional and modern commentators, at least in the western world where Hinduism and the philosophy of the Vedas has been under the microscope with a heavy handed fist and very little room for interpretation accuracy over the years

My personal belief as a Hindu living in North America is that modern interpreters try to bring the light of the Vedas in a realistic setting of today, with the good intentions of “fitting” their interpretations of the Vedas as spiritual reservoir rather than a religion ocean. However we find that traditional commentators of Vedas brought the light of Vedas in purely a spiritual and religious perspective, while modern scholars bring their versions in a more philosophical dimension. It has been said repeatedly that though the messengers and medium of delivery of Vedas and Vedic knowledge have changed, the message have remained the same. In this thought, it can be concluded that there are definitely differences between traditional and modern commentators or interpreters based on different times, eras, locality, academics and perspectives.