Rig Bhashyam

नारायणं निखिलपूर्णगुणार्णमुच्च-

सूर्यामितद्युतिमशेषनिरस्तदोषम् । 

सर्वेश्वरं गुरुमजेशनुतं प्रणण्य

वक्ष्यामृगर्थमतितुष्टिकरं तदस्य ।।

Rig Bhashya occupies a special place among the works of Sri Madhwacharya. It is one of those very few texts which deals with meaning of the Vedas. Among the four Vedas, Rig Veda occupies a very special place. This very fact has led Sri Acharya to primarily comment upon the Rig Veda.

Central Theme

The central theme of this text is to establish that all Vedic words extoll Lord Vishnu. In order to establish this fundamental fact, the different words such as Agni, Indra, Varuna, Rudra that appear in the Vedas have been reconciled to refer mainly to Lord Vishnu and secondarily to demi-gods such as Indra, Agni etc. This reconciliation has been achieved with the help of ancient Nirukta works of Lord Vedavyasa and others.

Nature of Vedas

The Vedas are an eternal and infinite collection of Universal Truths presented in the form of Vedic Verses. The truths are presented as a combination of eternal letters (वर्णाः) which are always in a particular order. Hence the Vedas are considered to be unauthored. The Vedic letters which combine to form powerful Mantras, have the capacity to produce immense power by way of invoking the presiding divine forces. From ages, the power of the Vedas is used for peaceful purposes and to ward off any obstacles in the right path.

Rig Bhashya

Rig Bhashya, composed by Sri Madhvacharya, is a metrical work of a few hundred verses. Though, about 41 suktas from Rig Veda are commented upon, through them, it provides means to understand the true purport of the entire gamut of Vedic literature.

Through Rig Bhashya, Sri Madhwacharya has made several unique contributions to Vedic exegesis.

Salient Features of Rig Bhashya

» Reveals the majestic masterplan of the entire Vedas.

» Takes an integral approach towards the Vedic lore.

» Reveals for the first time many interesting details about old commentaries on the Vedas such as Vyasa Nirukta.

» Grants credibility even to the Karma Kanda portions in the larger scheme of Moksha Sadhana.

» Brings home the three-fold interpretation of the Vedas – Adhibhautika, Adhidaivika and Adhyatmika.

» Provides tools for Vedic interpretation enabling the reader to navigate easily in the domain of Vedic Meaning.

» For the first time, puts forth a Adhyatmic Interpretation of Rig Veda, hitherto unexplored by any of the Veda Bhashyakaras.

» All Vedic Suktas sing glories of only one God – Vishnu. He is the chief owner of all names.

» The abridgement of the Moola Veda into to Upa Veda and thereby into Avantara Veda is revealed.

» Definitions of Sukta and Anuvaka are given.

» Stresses the importance of knowing the Rishi, Chandas and Devata of each Mantra. At many places, corrects the errors committed in Anukramanika Text regarding Mantra Devatas.

Is Rig Bhashya Incomplete?

Sri Acharya has commented only upon some 41 Suktas that form a part of the first and second adhyayas of the first Mandala. This may give rise to a doubt in the minds of some that the Bhashya is incomplete. But on a deeper study we come to know that Acharya has planned it this way with a specific purpose. His chief aim is to teach the nuances of Vedic interpretation to the readers. So, he has commented upon the initial two chapters barring some portions in the middle to achieve his objective. He even employs a word with auspicious intent signaling the successful completion of his work.

Conclusion

Rig Bhasya is the greatest asset for students of Vedic lore. It is a treasure house of Vedic Knowledge. It is greatly successful in bringing home the true essence of the Vedas. It is a guiding light for Vedic Interpretation. It upholds the grandeur of the Vedas by establishing its authority. The chief import of all Vedic Hymns is to extoll the Supremacy of Lord Vishnu.

वर्ताभिगन्ता तरुता जेता चास्य न हि क्वचित् ।

युद्धं महाधनं त्वर्भं प्रसिद्धं धनमेव हि ।।