Maharaj Manu in his Smriti Granth says that the Brahmins should compulsorily study the Vedas and not be lazy about it.( Manu Smriti 4—147).

They must always do Tapasya ( Penance) and spend time studying the Vedas to know the Self.

( Atma Gyan).

Patanjali also says that it is the duty of the Brahmins to study the Six Vedangas and the four Vedas and know the Tattva or the teachings encoded in the Mantras.

Shri Krishna Bhagwan says “ Among the Vedas I am Saam Ved” (Bhagwat Geeta Ch 10 –Shloka 22).

There are 1875 mantras in Saam Ved but in this ‘Vaaman Saamved’ ( compiled by Pujya Gurudev Swami Gangeshwaranandji Maharaj Udasin ) there are only 99 mantras .

The Lord appeared as a dwarf in one of His incarnations and was called Vaaman Dev and , therefore this name is most appropriate for this book.

Out of the 1875 mantras in Saam Ved , 99 mantras are presented in this book entitled VAAMAN SAAMVED.

Gurudev Swami Gangeshwaranadji has presented a commentary /Bhasya in Hindi along with the Ram Bhasya in Sanskrit .

Gurudev presents in His own unique style the confluence of Bhakti and Gyan and the Vatsalya (paternal) love of the Lord for His devotees.

Gurudev also gives advice to His devotees regarding Navdha Bhakti, Shranagati ( surrendering to the Lord) and how to appeal to the Lord for protection and happiness in Lok and Parlok.

( A SMALL INTRODUCTION BY Swami Govindanandji )

VAAMAN SAAMVED

PURVARCHIK

PRAYERS TO AGNI DEVTA

( ADHYAYA 1 —KHAND 1——RICHA 10 )

A Sadhak prays to Bhagwan that Oh Lord Agni , You are the foremost among all Devtas and also their leader.May you motivate us to perform Karmas that gets us an abode in places like Swarg and Vaikunth.

Oh! Lord you are our guide who makes us walk on the right path. You are our Swami and the deity to whom we worship. Oh ! Lord please grant us Bhakti so that we can witness your presence.

This proves that with Bhakti it is possible to have Bhaagwat Shakshatkaar/realization of true nature.

IN PRAISE OF FIRE —

-DIVINITY THAT CAN BE PERCEIVED AND FELT.

( ADHYAYA 1—- KHAND 7—- RICHA 1 )

Bhagwan tells His devotees—“Hey! Bhakt jan! All of you offer me grains and other food items with complete devotion to appease me.
Make your ANTAH KARAN (inner self), pure by performing Nishkaam Karmas (duties rendered) without expectation of anything in return.

In the Vedas I am described as the one who devours everything during the great PRALAY (Deluge) and I am also described as the one who takes care of the whole BRAHMAND (creation), and the one who gives His devotees whatever they desire.

Make me sit in your heart and do my DHYAN –meditate on me.
Offer your prayers with Pushpanjali and Namaskar to the one who is the FOREMOST DEVTA (Agni).

(ADHYAYA 1— KHAND 9— RICHA 2)

PRACTICAL TIPS ON HOW TO KNOW OUR TRUE BEING.

Bhagwan says—“The Veer Manushya (courageous one ) who performs the Sadhana of YAM and NIYAMS and thereby develops the power of TAP(penance) and prays to me, without having any feelings of discrimination and performs Havan (fire sacrifices) , to this effulgent form of mine is sure to know me.

He should merge his Atma and meditate on the ONENESS or AIKYAM of JEEV and PARMATMA and light up the fire of knowledge —-YOGA AGNI.

He should perform Yoga Sadhana for an unlimited period of time and then he will surely be a witness to my real form. He will have SAKSHAATKAAR (realization of one’s true self).

When that happens he will surely revel in bliss and happiness and be free from the cycle of birth and death.

He will attain Anand Swaroop Mukti( freedom from the cycle of birth and death) and enjoy bliss, because of Brahm Saakshatkaar.

(ADHYAYA 1— KHAND 9 —RICHA 10)

DHARM MEGH SAMADHI and RITAMBHARA PRAGNYA.

The SADHAK Yogi prays to Parmatama and does this STUTI—“Hey! Agni – the foremost among all Devtas. You take the form of Dharm Megh Samadhi and show yourself to your devotees. You show your devotees the right path to take in life by always being with them. You are their companion and have no malice at all towards anyone.
This Dharm Megh Samadhi form of yours which is the Yoga Agni is the progeny of

‘Kashyap’ (the practice of Vairagya (renunciation)).
Its mother is ‘Shraddha’ (Pure faith).
The mind is like that of Manu always showing the right path.
It is well known that in Yoga Shastra, Dharm Megh Samadhi is described as the means of Self Realization.
This Dharm Megh Samadhi can be achieved by Vairagya (renunciation) and Shraddha (faith).

It is for this reason Shraddha and Vairagya are called the mother and father of this kind of Samadhi.
KASHYAP—the practice of renunciation and its methodology is described in the commentary.
KASHYA—the control of the senses with great difficulty
PAYATI—that which dries up or destroys these desires of the senses

Therefore this practice is called ‘KASHYAP’
In the same way Dharm Megh is called YOGA AGNI.
This AGNI of Dharm Megh Samadhi destroys the darkness of Avidya and gives RITAMBHARA PRAGNYA.

EXPLANATION of DHARM MEGH SAMADHI
When a sadhak is a thoroughly discriminating man, always knowing the difference between God and Creation, and when fully contented by God, he no longer seeks any siddhis or any powers or external fulfillment from his meditation, he then dawns the Samadhi called DHARM MEGH SAMADHI or a state of Samadhi called RAINCLOUD OF GOODNESS.

In this Samadhi the realized soul becomes a rain cloud that showers all kind of blessings on the world.

EXPLANATION of RITAMBHARA PRAGNYA

Ritam (rhythm), Bhara (full of), Pragya (mind), in other words means a “mind full of rhythm”. It represents a state of mind where the thought waves are synchronous with the order of the universe. It is also the state of the mind where the microcosm and macrocosm are in coherence with each other..

This is also the state where one experiences Siddhis/Powers.

(ADHYAYA 1— KHAND 10— RICHA 2)

NISHKAAM KARMAS.
Bhagwan says—“Hey Manavs. Those devotees who obey my instructions obtain the highest rank on this earth—Bhu Lok while they are still living.

On their death they get the status of Brahm Lok very easily just as a victorious king who conquers all the three worlds and many beautiful cities that come in his way.

Summing up his proclamation Bhagwan says-“Those who have love for me are sure to attain victory in Dhu Lok (Heaven) and Bhu Lok (Earth). Besides that, all their desires get burnt when they perform Nishkaam Karmas(selfless actions).

( ADHYAYA 1, KHAND 10, RICHA 3 )

PARMATAMA IS ONE ALTHOUGH INVOKED WITH DIFFERENT NAMES.

A Jeev prays to Ishwar.

“Oh! Parmatama – you, who are visible on the earth as AGNI, we humbly pray to you for the great wealth of knowledge which will enable us to get liberation. Please do not forget, therefore we are reminding you to help us get liberation.

Oh! Parmatama you who fulfills all the wishes of your devotees. Please grant us the qualities of Bhagwat Bhakti and other venerable qualities so that we are able to perform Yagyas and charity that will get us the peace and happiness which is equivalent to a place in heaven.

The happiness of performing charity and Yagyas is a result of Bhakti, so why can we not get happiness in our life and in heaven by performing these Yagyas and charity.

Therefore we appeal to you to grant us BHAKTI.”

We should not forget that when these mantras are chanted in praise of Agni and other Devtas they are actually an invocation to Jagdeeshwar Parmatama.

It is for this reason only that in several of the mantras Agni is addressed as the foremost among all Devtas.

In this Richa it has been explained clearly with proof. According to Nirukta –There are three Devtas-

Agni
.Vayu or Indra
Aditya

Agni is the Devta that is on the Earth.
Vayu or Indra is in the Antaraiksh or Sky.
Aditya is the Devta of the heavens.

The Shruti also says that the one whom we invoke as Indra, Mitra, Varuna and Agni is likened to the divine bird GARUDA resplendent with strong wings.

In other words the great speed of Garuda symbolizes that ONE principle and is addressed by learned men as Agni, Vayu and other names.

A question can be raised that if the CREATOR is one then why is He addressed with so many different names? This is a contradictory statement that the principal is one but is invoked with many different names.

This doubt can be resolved in the context of VYASTHI and SAMASTHI.

Yasmak, the learned scholar has commented on this topic. He says from the standpoint of Vyashti many men are called NAR, but when spoken in the context of the nation the word used is RASHTRA (nation).

Waking, Dreaming and Deep sleep states of the Atma from the standpoint of VYASHTI is addressed as Vishwa, Taijas, Pragnya.
From the SAMASTHI viewpoint this Atma is called VIRAT, HIRANYAGARBHA and ISHWAR.

In Vyasthi many trees are called VRIKSH.

In Samasthi they are called VAN (forest).

In the same manner from the standpoint of Vyasthi that same principle of Devtas are called Agni and other Devtas.

From the standpoint of SAMASTHI the reference is to the unparalleled form of PARAMATMA.

Therefore we must deduce that the many Richas invoking Agni etc are actually in praise of that ONE Parmatama.

(ADHYAYA 2—KHAND 4— RICHA 10)

PRANAYAMS.

Yogi Gurudev tells all humanity that Hey Manavs!

All of you kind and gentle people practice the two pranayams —

Rechak and Purvak and take the benefit because these two pranayams are the door to shanti (peace) and are situated on the two paths of the nose lying in the midst of the other sense organs.

In other words these two are the paths to peace.

(ADHYAYA 2 –KHAND 6– RICHA 8.)

BENEFITS OF RECHAK AND PURAK PRANAYAM.

The Sadhak prays to Bhagwan-“ Hey ! Bhagwan the two paths of Pranayam, Rechak and Purak are situated at the highest height—— on the face just below the forehead within the Nasika Pradesh (the nose).

You give advice to your Manavs enjoying the fruit of their karmas , to go on the path of the two Pranayams to obtain the fruit of peace.

Not only we , but may our children also listen to this advice of yours and follow this path and thereby fulfill this birth of being a Manav ( human).

(ADHYAYA 2 KHAND 7 RICHA 3 )

KIRTANAM AND VANDANAM.

AATHARVA Rishi ,the son of Atharva , addresses himself and says-“Hey ! Aatharvan , Sing the praises of Brahman .Oh Rishi who glorifies the effulgent Brahman and the one who destroys the darkness of Ajnana this Savita Devata throws light on the whole world therefore you should sing His praises—STUTI.

(In this Richa the word Stuti is written as a plural to denote respect and reverence just like to a person of status we do not address him as TUM but we say AAP )

In this mantra we see the indication of Kirtan Bhakti which is the second rung of Navdha Bhakti and also Vandan Bhakti the sixth step of Navdha Bhakti.

The words used are GAANA and STUTI.

Sing the glories of the Lord and praise Him .

(ADHYAYA 2 — KHAND 8 — RICHA 6 )

PLEASING THE LORD WITH BHAKTI RAS and SOM RAS.

Jeeva says that Parmatma appears in His own form for the YOGIS or shows His true form within their Atma.

OH Lord ! please appear before us also in your true form
with all your glories.

Who is there among the common man who can please Parmatma with Som Ras or Bhakti Ras?

May the Lord surely grant us this benediction and wealth of Samadhi.
May Parmatma fill us with the wealth of Sadhana to achieve the state of Samadhi. and the fruit thereof—which is lots of wealth.

(ADHYAYA 2 — KHAND 9 –RICHA 3.)

PARMATMA IS BENEVOLENT.

Gurudev tells his devotees, “ Hey ! Manavs . Paramatma in the form of Indra wants to always shower His benedictions . The delay is only from your end , hence you should perform His Pooja and Bhakti without any ego.

The one who does His Pooja the Parmatma is sure to be by his side. The devotee becomes worthy of His grace. The one who does not enjoy His mercy it is purely because they have not done any Pooja and Bhakti.

Therefore you should do the Poojan everyday.

The effulgent Parmatma will never let any harm approach His devotees and nor will any calamity befall them.

He is sure to shower compassion. He saves you from the world which is a sea of sorrow.”

The gist of this mantra is that by nature Parmatma is not cruel, but He is very merciful and showers grace on his children just like a father.

You only have to approach Him stripped of your ego with complete devotion and express your faith for Him .

You can then be rest assured that you have made yourself worthy of His benevolence.

This mantra indicates ARCHANA the fifth rung of NAVDHA BHAKTI.

(ADHYAYA 2 — KHAND 10 — RICHA 6.)

SAT CHIT ANANDA- (सच्चितानन्द)

Jeeva prays to Parmatma and says-,

“ Oh ! Parmatma you, who has unlimited glories ( Aishwarya) please bless us so that we can partake of your Upadesh Amrit( nectar of devotion) .

Oh ! brave Lord you remove all calamities and adverse situations. May we spend our time in serving you and obtain your Bhakti and become your ardent devotee.

May we inculcate the desire to listen to the Upadesh of great ones and partake the nectar.

Oh ! Parmatma you are ever JOYFUL and full of POWERS ( Shakti).

May we realize our true nature—Brahm Bhav by destroying our Avidya and be established in the SAT CHIT ANAND form of the Lord.

In other words may we be immersed in the Love for the Lord which is actually the only means to achieve that state.

(ADHYAYA 2 — KHAND 10 — RICHA 9 )

PRAYER FOR GRACE.

Jeeva prays Oh! Parmatama, you who is endowed with unlimited wealth may you bless the following—

Those who are doing intense penance and practicing Yoga according to your injunction and have a quiet countenance and nature.

AND

Those who have done great Tapasya (penances) and become worthy of your darshan.

Please be satisfied with all of them and bless even those who have yet to become ADHIKARIS to be worthy of your grace.

Please shower your KRIPA on both.

The ADHIKARI and the one who is yet to become a ADHIKARI ( competent or worthy).

(ADHYAYA 2 — KHAND 12– RICHA 2.)

PRAYERS SAID WITH SHRADHA

Jeeva says even when the Stutis are recited with in correct pronunciations and with grammatical errors they still get fructified and please Parmatma who is Himself a storehouse of knowledge and effulgence.

Paramatma hears the childlike words recited by His devotees and is very happy with the pure bhakti and showers His Grace.

The Richa further states that certainly the Stutis chanted in broken words still have the capability to increase our Bhakti and helps us in loving Him.

Bhakt says I am sure that my prayers even if spoken in a slipshod manner will still help me in pleasing the Lord.

(ADHYAYA 2 — KHAND 12 — RICHA 4.)

SINGING THE PRAISES OF THE LORD

Jeeva says-Hey ! Jagdeeshwar. Please be pleased with my Stutis-praises that I sing of you. May you bless me with horses, cows, and other animals . Please bless our sons.

Make us head of state –Rashtrapati, so that we can easily get the wealth of all the animals and thereby be adored by the people.

(ADHYAYA 2– KHAND 12 — RICHA 9.)

PRAYING TO THE LORD FOR MOKSHA

Hey Parmatma, you who is invoked as Indra please help those who are engaged in Yoga Sadhana and help us get Moksha—the Param Purusharth ( best of activities ) which is the desire of people with high values in life.

Please grant us the strength of YOG BAL Oh! Lord you are appeased by the Yagya named SATR.

Please grant us the best of all endeavors in life———Moksha.

(ADHYAYA 3 — KHAND 6 — RICHA 6.)

PROSTRATIONS TO THE LORD.

Whenever Man prays to Parmatma and praises Him with STUTIS to please Him so that Paramatma can fulfill all his desires , then it becomes compulsory for him to do a Dandavat Namaskaar / Prostrations to that controller of the Jagat , the one who removes all calamities , Parmatama in the form Varun Dev .

He, the devotee should pray and adore Him with his mind ( mann se ) and also continuously meditate and do Namaskaar.

Merely singing praises and using the vocal chords is not enough!

It is imperative that the mind , body and soul should also be attuned to Paramatma and the devotee should seek a place at His holy feet.

Only then can the Lord tide away all the difficulties of the devotees.

(ADHYAYA 3– KHAND 7– RICHA 2.)

SING STUTIS TO THE LORD AND EXPERIENCE BLISS.

The devotee tells Bhagwan—“Hey ! Paramatma! Those desirous of seeing your form sing your praises. They are your Sevaks with a quiet countenance. They stand before you with Stutis.

May you fulfill them with an abundance of BRAHMANAND – supreme bliss and may you listen to their STUTIS .

Hey ! Bhagwan—you are the one who is adored and showered with STUTIS , therefore please fulfill all our desires.”

(ADHYAYA 3– KHAND 7– RICHA 6 )

CLEANSE THE MIND.

A devotee prays –Hey Paramatma , you are endowed with all the AISHWARYAS and therefore you are the ruler, teacher and the beacon of light showing the path to truth.

Please remove all unwanted thoughts that make a place in my mind . Thoughts that are not ordained by You or are not according to your rules and regulations. Please throw out such thoughts away which have made a permanent home in my mind!

Hey ! Prabhu who is endowed with all the riches. Please increase our love for you and make it worthy of attaining you. Increase good thoughts in our heart .

Our mind which is like a home to all kinds of thoughts, may you remove all bad thoughts and replace them with auspicious ones.

(ADHYAYA 3– KHAND 7– RICHA 7.)

A DEVOTEE PRAYS FOR SPECIAL MERCIES.

The devotee prays—Oh Presiding deity of our ROOP and the Presiding deity of our intellect and the Presiding deity of all Mantras and all other devtas.

Oh ! Parmatama you are the one in which all Devtas reside. You are a store house of beauty, and you are also the nectar that is experienced in the state of samadhi and you are also Lord of the whole Brahmand.

Please be gracious and listen to our worldly pleas!

Please protect us and grant us all that is desirable by us.

Prabhu! Your Maya shakti is able to annihilate everything but please see it does not annihilate our three inner sadhanas of DHAYAN , DHARANA , SAMADHI and the outer sadhanas of YAM, NIYAM, ASANA, PRANAYAM,PRATYAHAR.

Please see that there are no hindrances in our Sadhanas and it is for this reason that , we are saying –“BACHAO BACHAO ( help, help!).

To be able to reach this message to you is not easy!