Reviews

Purusha Suktam is a famous and commonly used Hymn in almost all Hindu rituals. Therefore it is important to know its meaning and significance so that the chanters will benefit better.

There are many commentaries available now. Here is yet another unique commentary by Mr. Parag Bhalerao. He has done a very good job in connecting the thoughts of the Rishis to the modern scientists' discoveries. It is a unique commentary with word by word meaning of sanskrit text and its religious significance along with the scientific explanation to satisfy the modern rational mind.

My best wishes for the success of this book and may it enrich the readers with respect and adoration to our hoary culture.

With Love and Om,

Swami Shantananda

Acharya - Chinmaya Mission, NJ

Swami Shantananda is the resident acharya of Chinmaya Mission in New Jersey and the President of Chinmaya Mission West, which overseas all centers in the USA. He is also the guiding acharya for Chinmaya Ganapati. Before his life began anew as a Sanyasi, he served as Gurudev’s secretary and ran a business in Taiwan. He also established the Chinmaya centers in Hong Kong and Taiwan. Swamiji’s talks are filled with valuable insights that we can apply to our daily lives.

I was excited to read Shri Parag Bhalerao’s book “Creation of the Universe - Decoding Theory of Creation of The Universe”, a compilation and commentary from the ancient Vedic hymn Purusha Sukta. Purusha Sukta, commonly recited in all Hindu Vedic rituals and ceremonies is an exploration of the mystery of creation of universe. This is the most famous hymn in adoration of the supreme Lord, the “Purusha” or Cosmic Being and the creator of the universe.

Shri Parag Bhalerao has diligently attempted decoding of the various verses (called mantras) from Purusha Sukta with a scientific mindset; and has explained them secrets in simple english.

There is only one “Purusha” in the entire Universe and he is called Virat Purusha or Cosmic Being. Shri Bhalerao takes you through the definition and scientific explanation of verses and characteristics and attributes of this “Purusha”

Shri Parag Bhalerao, a dedicated member of our Chinmaya Mission, is also a Bala Vihar volunteer sevak. He teaches eternal values from the Hindu literature, dharma and culture to our youth; the future citizens of the world.

May we all as seekers recognize our oneness with the Supreme Lord & Cosmic Being through a deeper understanding of the verses this hymn.

My best wishes and hearty congratulations to Shri Parag Bhalerao.

May lord Narayana’s grace, the Cosmic Purusha and Pujya Gurudev Swami Chinmaynanda’s blessings be upon him and his family.

Swami Siddhananda

Acharya - Chinmaya Mission, PA

Swami Siddhananda is resident acharya for Chinmaya Mission Pennsylvania centers. Swamiji has inspired generations of youngsters through his love and dynamic active association with the Chinmaya Yuva Kendra and has worked with them in many spiritual and social projects. Swamiji is the in-charge of Chinmaya Publications. He regularly conducts adult and Bala Vihar classes, satsangs, and camps, in the Tri-state area (NY, NJ, PA).

Swamiji is an artist and a singer, and has composed many bhajans and brought out a number of albums.

Parag and I are inspired by one individual, Dr. Padmakar Vishnu Vartak.  Dr. Vartak emphasized with his own research and sadhana that while Adhyatm and Vijnan have made great strides, both have a long way to go.  Adhyatma is refined vijnan and Vijnan is refined Athyatm and it is only through individual efforts the growth of knowledge takes place.

Parag’s decoding the ‘Purusha Sukta’ is very much driven by this desire to grow our comprehension of Adhyatm and Vijnan.  Purusha Sukta occurs in Rigveda, Yajurveda, and Atharvaveda.  The words of Veda carry are to be interpreted in the context not unlike the theories of science and thus multiple interpretations are not only possible but are intended. The beauty of Shruti is such that it is never burdened by multiple meaning and interpretations one may draw but rather this beauty becomes manifest through multiple interpretations.

I thoroughly enjoyed simple and crisp, adhyatmic and vaijnanic interpretation of Parag. He has provided me with additional insights for contemplation. I chant Purusha Sukta every day as I take my shower where I visualize Sahasra droplets of water as Sahasra Ashirvad of Parama Purusha.  Give it a try.

Nilesh Nilkanth Oak

Author, researcher, speaker

Nilesh Oak holds BS & MS in Chemical Engineering and Executive MBA. He is interested in Astronomy, Archeology, Geology, Genetics, Quantum Mechanics, Economics, Ancient narratives and Philosophy.

He has published many books including

• • When did the Mahabharata War Happen? The Mystery of Arundhati

  • The Historic Rama – Indian Civilization at the end of Pleistocene

  • Bhishma Nirvana

It is a great pleasure to find people learning Vedas and try to interpret the contents with modern concepts.

Shri. Parag Bhalerao has attempted at explaining the concept embedded in Purusha Sukta thus.

Sanskrit texts can provide you minimum three meanings. One is word by word grammatical meaning; it would be an allegory conveying a hidden philosophical thought and some scientific processes.

Purusha Sukta, the formula of the Dynamics of The Cosmos, thus lends itself, apart from word by word meaning, the philosophical thought of how Paramatman differentiates Itself into World of Names and Forms, thus conveying both Advaita and Dwaita.

Purusha Sukta also contains scientific thoughts as well. By interpreting Purusha Sukta verses in a specific way, Electricity is being generated. The prototype and the battery have been designed and are working. Similarly the Vaimanika Sastra, despite it being criticized, has inspired a well researched book that proves that the Ancient Aircraft design by the Indians work and the design has been verified. One can go on adding in this vein.

Purusha Sukta is Apaurusheya, that is not man made, that is, it is not created or complied by anyone. It is grasped from the Ether. Those who grasp are called Drashta. Drashta may be described , loosely, as one Who Perceives, here Perceive is used in the sense of being inspired/urged to reveal. Those when they reveal are called Rishis. So a mantra has Drashta, Rishi, Devata and Adhi Devata. Such is the nature of the Vedic Texts, they reveal the information in line with one's Spiritual Evolution.

Truth is multifaceted. It allows to perceive it from the angle you perceive. And Sri. Parag has been placed in such a position to perceive Truth from a unique angle and presented his views.

Sri. Parag has spent a lot of time to study the difficult verses of Purusha Sukta and has gone deep into the meaning of each word and it's various imports. He has, with an understanding the Thoughts embedded in Sanatana Dharma, such as Indriyas, both Karma and Gnana, the evolution of Cosmos from the position of Sankhya System and explains. He has grasped the essentials of Sanatana Dharma and tried to interpret from various angles without confining himself to one system of thought.

The result is refreshing and reveal a Seeker after Truth. And this book, written in simple language, conveys the thoughts clearly.

May this book be the harbinger of many such books by Shri. Parag and inspire others to go to Vedas and bring out the treasures that lie there.

May Goddess Abhirami Bless You All.

Venkata Ramanan

Author, Speaker, Lecturer

Shri Venkata Ramanan is,

• Retired Senior Management Professional.

• Lectures on Indian Philosophy,Hinduism, Comparative Religions.

• Researching Philosophy, Religion.

• Free lance Writer.Blogger,Tedex Speaker