electricity in atharva veda

8/13/2019 Electricity in Atharva Veda

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Electricity in the Atharva Veda

For centuries, the history of India and in particular Hindu culture has been presented in the mostdistorted and falsified fashion. Most recently, Western historians and Indian historians influenced by

the West have constantly portrayed it in an absolutely erroneous manner. The most significantexample of this type is the aberrant analysis has been applied to the greatest and most profoundHindu literature of all time, namely the Vedas.For Hindus, the Vedas are of completely divine origin. We believe that the Vedas are words of divinewisdom from the eternal source of Supreme Consciousness itself. Over many centuries, men ofsupremely exalted wisdom called Rishis compiled these eternal spiritual and natural laws intoseveral volumes, which are called Vedas. However, according to self-styled analysts like MaxMueller and thousands of Western as well as pseudo secular Indian historians, the Vedas are nothingbut a bunch of ritualistic hymns connected with nothing more spiritual than charms and incantations.These people would have us believe that the profound heights of spiritual philosophy that areexpressed in the Vedas, are nothing short of tribal superstitions upheld by a primitive people.

Of all the Vedas, none has been more maligned than the Atharva Veda. Many historians have even

gone on to say that it is nothing but a manual of black and white magic. Such exceptionallyignorant statements make it clear that sacred Hindu literature is being treated in the most demeaningand prejudiced way. Take for example such statements as Above all the principal aim of the Atharva

Veda is to appease the demons, to bless friends and to curse by V.M. Apte, an Indian writer ofmodern times, or There are then numerous verses in the Atharveda, which according to theircharacter and often also in their contents, differ just as little from the magic formulas of AmericanIndian medicine-men and Tarter Shamans.. by Winternitz. These type of views clearly demonstratethe prejudices and biased approach that Western-educated historians bring to their analysis. Not onlythat, but it also shows that their views are conditioned by Western outlooks and ideals, bundled withthe misgivings that the Christian viewpoint displays in dealing with anything mystical and alien totheir own perception of spiritual strictures of moralityWhile reading the Vedas, one must keep certain facts in mind:

The Vedas are NOT historical accounts. They are not biographies of great kings and the battles theyfought with demons, nor are they mythical legends about emperors and intrigues that existed longago.The Vedas date MUCH further back than any Indus Valley Civilization. Long before the Harappansexisted, these spiritual, scientific and natural laws had been collected by numerous brilliant Rishis andcompiled into several unified compositions, all of which were given the general descriptive label of

Vedas.The Vedas are compilations of the eternal laws governing human existence. Moreover each of thefour Vedas was a treatise on particular subjects, specific only to itself. The word Veda itself means

sacred or pure knowledge , having come from the root Vid meaning to know.

Of these, the Atharvaveda consisted of nine branches or sakhas, according to sage Patanjali. Thesewere1) Paippalada2) Tauda3) Munda4) Saunakiya5) Jajala6) Jalada7) Brahmaveda8) Devadarsa9) Charanavaidya


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Of these nine, we know of only two, namely Saunaka and Paippalada branches. Even in thisincomplete form, the Atharvaveda was the source of development for such immense philosophicalsystems as Tantra and practical systems like Ayurveda. Often, Hindu scriptures have been criticised,as being too vague and full of profoundly difficult philosophical flights and abstract concepts that areimpossible for the common reader to grasp. In fact, the Atharvaveda is a prime example of how themajority of Hindu scriptures DO delve into practical and material matters that affect every day human

life. The Vedas are a wealth of information, not only about philosophical and spiritual ideals, but alsoinvaluable reference manuals that clearly explain the laws governing scientific phenomenon, practicalapplications, and the methods for utilization of awesome natural resources. Scientists,mathematicians, manufacturers, computer programmers and many others can greatly benefit fromthis vast repertoire of information and knowledge.

Although most people today concentrate on significant aspects of the Atharvaveda such as medicinalplants and healing practices, many other fascinating subjects such as marriage rites, the healingproperties of water, atomic and solar energy, electricity, and the states of the SupremeConsciousness are also discussed. (I will expound more on these subjects in future articles)

One of the most exciting topics covered in the Atharvaveda is electricity and specifically, the detailed

description of valuable applications that harness and utilize this immense source of energy. Some ofthe applications described, include important specifications for a control system that harnesses theintense power of electricity for use as a deadly weapon, utilization of hydroelectric power formanufacturing and the fission properties of electricity. These are only some of these amazinginstances that clearly demonstrate how the most advanced scientific laws and phenomenon aredescribed in the Atharvaveda.

It will be fully apparent from the following verses that Electrical Energy and its properties were fullyunderstood by Vedic sages. It was definitely used in everyday technological applications as much (ifnot more), as it is for us today. It is also clear that Vedic scientists knew far more about theproperties of electricity than us. It was not till very recently, that modern day scientists discoveredand began research on the potential usage of electrical energy in military science and related areas.

What these verses clearly demonstrate to us is the fact that Vedic Society was at an extremelyadvanced state of technological advancement and fully utilized Electricity in innumerable productiveapplicationsI have followed a standard format to make identification of the verses easy. All of the verses havebeen taken from Kanda (Book) XX of the Atharvaveda translated by Devi Chand. The Sanskrit versesare highlighted in maroon where as their translations are highlighted in Blue. Each verse can bereferenced directly in the order of Chapter (Anuvaka), Hymn (Sukta) and Verse number.

NON-MILITARY APPLICATIONS OF ELECTRICITY:According to the descriptions found in Atharvaveda, electrical energy can be utilized in many usefulapplications such as creation of powerful engines, illumination, agricultural machinery, hydroelectricpower plants, manufacturing plants, biomedical engineering, extraction of medicines, etc. and thus

serve to greatly enhance the daily life of people.

Chapter 1: Hymn VIIVerse 2: Nav Yo Navati Puro bibhed bahvotjasaaAhi Cha vritrahaavadheetElectricity, which breaks, by the energy of its arms the 99 cities, destroys the cloud, which covers therays of the sun, the source of all energy and power.

This initial description describes the inherent properties of of electrical energy. Here the arms ofelectricity refers to positive and negative currents. The 99 cities refer to the 99 elements, as knownto modern day scientists. In Vedic terminology, these essential elements were known as Bhogas.

Verse 3: Sa na Indrah Shivah sakhashwavad gomadvavamaUrudhaarev dohate

That very electric power may be our peaceful friend, providing us with the horse-power to drive ourmachines, light to light up our houses, and power to produce grains in the fields. Let it bring on


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This verse acknowledges the immense power of electricity and proves the Vedic communityunderstanding of its intensity. Electricity does have the power of striking through any element. Theportion about productive works depending on waters flowing with speed is an obvious reference toharnessing hydroelectric power. It is obvious from this verse that Vedic society was well aware ofmethods that harnessed the power of electricity through systems like hydroelectric power plants.Once harnessed, they incorporated the force to implement manufacturing concerns and power

machinery.

Verse 3: Asmay Bheemaaya namasaa samadhwara usho na shubhra aa bharaa paneeyaseYasyadhaam shravase naamendriyam jyotirkaari harito naayaseO well-versed engineer make use of this terrible electric power fit to be utilized for useful purposes bycontrolling it, for non-violent, brilliant light like the dawn. It has the potentiality to help hearing,control energy and spread light in all quarters.

This confirms the fact that electricity was a topic that was researched and explored in great detail.Skilled electrical engineers used to devise specific utilities and controls for electric power. Illuminationwas certainly one of its widely used applications. From the last line, we can also glean the informationthat electronic devices were used as hearing aids and sound magnifiers. Sophisticated systems for

controlling electricity and measuring electricity were in place, and electronic panels that aided incontrolling other forms of energy were also used.

MILITARY USAGE OF ELECTRICITY:Now lets turn to the truly amazing descriptions of electricity being utilized as a weapon in militarycombat. Up until very recently, modern day scientists were not even aware of this potentiallydevastating aspect of electricity being utilized as a weapon. It is only in the past decade or so, thatscientific research has begun concentrating on the potential use of Electricity as a deadly weapon.Electrical bombs can be utilised to destroy all sorts of vital equipment and inflict massive damage.Topics like the EMP effect and the consequent possibilities of using electrical weapons, wererudimentary information to Vedic people, whereas we have barely begun our explorations on thistopic.

The Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP) effect was first observed during the early testing of high altitudeairburst nuclear weapons. The effect is characterised by the production of a very short (hundreds ofnanoseconds) but intense electromagnetic pulse, which propagates away from its source with everdiminishing intensity, governed by the theory of electromagnetism. The Electromagnetic Pulse is ineffect an electromagnetic shock wave.

This pulse of energy produces a powerful electromagnetic field, particularly within the vicinity of theweapon burst. The field can be sufficiently strong to produce short lived transient voltages ofthousands of Volts (i.e. kilovolts) on exposed electrical conductors, such as wires, or conductivetracks on printed circuit boards, where exposed.

It is this aspect of the EMP effect which is of tremendous military significance, as it can result in

irreversible damage to a wide range of electrical and electronic equipment, particularly computers andradio or radar receivers. Subject to the electromagnetic hardness of the electronics, a measure of theequipments resilience to this effect, and the intensity of the field produced by the weapon, theequipment can be irreversibly damaged or in effect destroyed. The damage inflicted would be thesame as that of striking the equipment with huge bolts of lightning.

Computers used in data processing systems, communications systems, displays, industrial controlapplications, including road and rail signalling, and those embedded in military equipment, such assignal processors, electronic flight controls and digital engine control systems, are especiallyvulnerable to the EMP effect.

What amazes one is the fact that Vedic Rishis clearly KNEW about the EMP effect and have composed

vivid descriptions of the usage of electric weapons as the verses below will demonstrate:


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Chapter 2: Hymn XVVerse 6: Twam tamindra parvatam mahaamurum vajrena vajrinparvshashchakartithaAvaasrijonivritaah satarvaa apah satraa vishwam dadhishe kevalam sahahJust as the thundering electricity reduces the vast cloud to nothing by its thunderbolt, so do you, OKing, equipped with piercing weapons like the thunderbolt, smash into pieces the vast armies of theenemy, consisting of various units, by your striking power like the thunderbolt. Just as the waters of

the cloud released by the electricity, fall down and flow over the earth, similarly the well-equippedarmies of the enemy; being subdued by the might of the king are duly regulated by him. Truly do youalone, O King, hold all the power to subdue the foes.

The inference is quite obviously to weapons utilizing electricity. Piercing weapons like thethunderbolt is a clear pointer to surges of exceedingly high voltage. The lethal electric weapons areused to counter various units of the army. This is another clue, for as discussed above, the EMPeffect can be used to advantage for a number of targets ranging from computers, to communicationsystems. Apparently electricity was employed as one of the primary weapons in military combatduring the Vedic era.

Chapter 4: Hymn XXXVIII

Verse 5: Indra Idhyorah sacha sangmishal aa vachoyujaIndro vajri HiranyahElectricity is well mixed up with Prana and Apana, the 2 horsepowers, yoked to power of speech.Electric power has the striking power of a deadly weapon and is full of brilliance.

Here we find it stated starkly that electricity has the striking power of a deadly weapon. There can beno greater proof of the deployment of electrical weaponry during the Vedic era. An interestingsuggestion is also made in the first line of this verse, that electrical energy is also present in the formof Prana and Apana, within the human body. Prana means breath according to Tantra Yoga,wheras Apana is the Prana that exists in the area below the navel. According to Tantric thoughtPrana is charged with negative ions while Apana is charged with positive ions. When Prana is forcedto enter through the central canal (Sushuma or Brahma Nadi) in the spinal column, the result isfusion of the negative and positive ions. This fusion generates an immense amount of energy, which

awakens the dormant energy called Kundalini that lies at the base of the spine. Once Kundalini or thevital life force is awakened, it destroys the ignorance of the mind and results in enlightenment.We know now of course, that the cerebrospinal system is a great generator of electrical energy andhas a fantastic network of nerves that serve as connectors. The cerebrum as it is called keeps onproviding electrical energy. Through fine nerves, this energy is constantly supplied to the organism,providing life force. Thus we can see how these and other type of systems described in the

Atharvaveda have a purely scientific basis.Chapter 3: Hymn XXX

Verse 1: Pra te mahe vidathe shansisham hari pra te vanve vanusho haryatam madamDhritam na yoharibhishcharu sechat aa tva vishantu harivparsang girahO electricity, I fully praise thy two forces of protection and destruction in this great universe, which isa great sacrificial place or battlefield of life. I highly cherish your beautiful exhilaration, destroying theevil forces of the enemy. You shower various forms of fortunes through your blessing powers of

speedy action, like waters from the clouds. Let all praises find their abode in you of charmingsplendour.

Here again, we find the mention of the dual nature of electrical energy. It can be destructive as in theEMP effect, and it can be protective as in the cerebrospinal system.

Verse 3: So asya vajro harito ya aayso harinirkaamo harira gabhastyohDhumni sushiproharimanyusayaka indre ni roopa harita mimikshireHere is the blue-green coloured thunderbolt of iron of the king. There is also the beautiful horse ofiron of high speed. Here is also the horsepower of the rays of electricity. There is also the shiningarrow, capable of destroying the pride of the enemy and having a very high speed. In short manykinds of weapons have been made through electric power for the king.

These verses appear to be describing different sorts of electrical weapons. The beautiful horse of


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iron of high speed apparently refers to some type of metallic car/aircraft which can reach extremelyhigh speeds. The horsepower for the engine for a craft or automobile of this sort was provided byelectricity. The shining arrow can mean an exceptionally powerful ballistic missile loaded with anelectric warhead. The missile was superfast and probably covered vast distances, it was apparentlyone of the main weapons that could be used to target the central command and control center of theenemy. Here we find a reference telling us that many advanced weapons utilizing electricity had been

deployed in this era.

Verse 4: Divi na keturadhi dhaayi haryato vivayachadvajro harito na ranghayaTudadahi harishipro yaaayasah sahastrashokaa abhavadharibharahLike a radiant spot, it is well placed in the heavens, then with a high speed, the terribly destructivemissile, made of iron, possessing speed of electric power, crushing the serpent natured enemy,becomes lit up with thousands of lights and loaded with destructive ray of various kinds.

This makes the previous verse even more apparent. The missile being described seems to generateimmense power and would be exceptionally destructive. It is possible that the electric weapons usedby Vedic society may have been equivalent in destructive power to nuclear weapons, or perhaps evenmore lethal. They may also have been used for preliminary strikes before the actual use of nuclear

weapons. A conventional electronic combat campaign, or intensive electronic combat operations,would initially concentrate on saturating the opponents electronic defences, denying information andinflicting maximum attrition upon electronic assets. The massed application of electromagnetic bombsin the opening phase of an electronic battle would allow much faster attainment of command as itwould destroy electronic assets at a much faster rate than possible with conventional means. Afterthis phase, it would be childs play to completely destroy the enemy.

Chapter 3: Hymn:XXIVerse 7: Yudha yudhmup ghedeshi dhrishnuya pura puram samidam hansyojasaNamya yadindrasakhya paraavati nibrahyo namuchi naam maayinamO mighty King, you can easily get at the striking power of the enemy by your overwhelming strikingforce. Being well-entrenched in your sheltered place of defense, you can thoroughly break the

defenses of the enemy to smithereens. Completely crush the deceitful enemy, unfit to be left alive,through your faithful ally, although stationed at a distance.

This particular reference is apparently to a remotely controlled electronic weapon system. This versedirectly points to unleashing a tremendously high voltage surge that can blast into the defensiveelectrical equipment belonging to the enemy. The last sentence describes remote initiation of thebombing sequence, while the controller is stationed at a safe distance.

Verse 8: Tvam karnyajmut parnayam vadhistejisthayaatithigvasya vartaniTvam shatavaddagridasyaabhintpuronaanudah parishuta rijishvanaO mighty electricity, you kill the violent enemy, equipped with speedy means of communication likecars or airships, a hindrance in the way of people who are worthy of respect, cows or land by yourconsuming and splendorous power. You shatter the 100 forts of the adversary who obstructs your

communications or breaks your regulations and does not pay tribute to you established bystraightforward negotiations.

In the case of electricity, 100 forts refer to 100 elements. It breaks all these through the power offission, overcoming all resistances and obstructions in the way. Any trained electrical engineer musthave complete knowledge of the complex laws and limitations governing electrical energy. There is anevident respect for electricity demonstrated here, for it is an awesome power indeed. Transportinfrastructure can also be destroyed with the use of electromagnetic bombs. Railway and roadsignalling systems, where automated, are most vulnerable to electromagnetic attack on their controlcentres. Significantly, most modern automobiles and trucks use electronic ignition systems which areknown to be vulnerable to electromagnetic weapons effects.Modern land warfare doctrine emphasises mobility, and manoeuvre warfare methods are typical for

contemporary land warfare. Coordination and control are essential to the successful conduct ofmanoeuvre operations, and this provides another opportunity to apply electromagnetic weapons.


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Communications and command sites are key elements in the structure of such a land army, and thesehave concentrated communications and computer equipment. Therefore if the enemy is attacked withelectromagnetic weapons, the entire command and control of land operations would be completelydisrupted. Employing tactics like launching an initial attack with electromagnetic weapons wouldcreate a maximum of confusion, and if followed by an all-out attack with conventional weapons wouldcompletely obliterate the enemy.

Verse 9: Tvametam janrajyo dwidarshaabandhuna sushrvasopajagmushahPashisht sahastra navatinava shruto ni chakrena rathya dushpadavrinakO electricity, you can by your circular motion like the wheel of a chariot, which is too powerful to bechecked, well keep under control all these 20 basic elements, 6099 organic and inorganic bodies, by asingle transmitter of high quality, with no other force to help it.

In technological terms, coupling is the means to create an electric connection of two electric circuitsby having a part common to both. One of the mechanisms, which can be exploited to improvecoupling is the polarization of an electric weapons emission. Polarization simply means orienting theemission in a particular direction. If we assume that the orientations of possible coupling aperturesand resonances in the target set are random in relation to the weapons antenna orientation, a

linearly polarized emission would only exploit half of the opportunities available. A circularly polarizedemission would exploit all coupling opportunities. A single transmitter of superior quality can controlthe entire emission.

Verse 10: Tvamaavitha sushravasam tavotibhistava traambhirindra tuvrayaanamTvamasmaykutsamatithigvamaayum mahe raagye yoone arndhanaayahO electricity, you keep in safety this good listening set, by your means of safety and protect thecommander, with speedy mobile forces by your strong means of defence. You control the sharpweapons, equipped with the striking power of limitless time and speed for this great, youthful king.

Other electronic devices and electrical equipment would also be destroyed by the EMP effect.Telecommunications equipment can be highly vulnerable, due to the presence of lengthy copper

cables between devices. Receivers of all varieties are particularly sensitive to EMP, as highly sensitiveminiature high frequency transistors and diodes in such equipment are easily destroyed by exposureto high voltage electrical transients. Therefore radar and electronic warfare equipment, satellite,microwave, UHF, VHF, HF and low band communications equipment and television equipment wouldall be destroyed by the EMP effect. This verse apparently refers to a defence mechanism created withthe aid of electricity, which protects both the commander as well his entire system of wirelesscommunications. It may be referring to some sort of shield which makes things unsusceptible to theemission. The advanced and deadly missiles of unlimited speed are controlled by electronic controlpanels.

Chapter 4: Hymn XXXVIIVerse 4: Tvam nibhinirmano devavitao bhooreeni vritraa haryashava hansiTvam ni dasyum chumuridhuni chasvaapyo dabhitaye suhantu

O electrical currents of high voltage, safely carried by electric wires, you kill many enemies in the war,waged by learned persons or through the help of natural forces. To keep all the evil forces undercontrol, you, being well-equipped with good means of destruction completely lay down to lastingsleep (death) the evil forces that rob and harass the general public.This verse is a simple testament to the intense power and utterly destructive force of electricalweapons.

CONCLUSION:There are many more such references to electrical energy in the Atharvaveda, however in theinterests of keeping this article to a reasonable length, I have not reproduced every one of them. Thediscovery of such amazing truths in the Vedas clearly undermines the very foundation of our smugassertions that Civilization and scientific advancement proceed forward in a linear fashion. It is high

time for us to thoroughly analyse and learn from the invaluable resources that our forefathers haveleft us in the form of the divine Vedas and other profound Hindu literature.

electricity in atharva veda

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