Ishwa helper Reged: 03/03/02 Posts: 553

Re: What's vedas? [Re: jesuslovesyou] #27060 - 02/11/03 12:40 AM Edit Reply Quote

Dear JLY, the problem with any translation is that it is always a faint representation of the original. The power of Sanskrit is in the sound and hearing and its effect on the listener and reciter. Secondly, the meaning is coupled with the rythm and melody of the words. See how more powerful the original language of both the Old and the New Testament are, compared to every following translation. To understand the symbolism of Hindus, one has to plunge in Hinduism. The Vedas are not more complex than Hinduism is. But it is difficult to understand for outsiders, who are not familiar with the symbolism and concepts. That is, because Hinduism contains many different exemples to reach the same goal. Hinduism doesn't favour just one perfect path. There are as many paths as there are creatures, but the goal is the same. That is confusing for a lot of people. Vedic scriptures describe this manyfoldness in a fluid symbolic way, which is no problem for any Hindu, when it is recited and explained, in a way the Hindus are familiar with. The words 'Shiva' or 'Vishnu' for instance are more for Hindus than merely the word meanings. Behind these words are whole concepts and explanatory elaborations expressed in the form of stories, dealing with the interconnected (astro)physical, psychological and spiritual levels. Some expressions may seem to deal with natural phenomena, at a first glance, while they express actually at the same time the psychological and the spiritual levels. These inner levels are no problem for people who are familiar with the symbolism and concepts behind them.