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mantras were revealed, are there; let those Rshis as well as Mantras, be auspicious to us“ (Rg. VII-22-9). Våsishtha comments as follows:
“Oh Indra, the reputed old Rshis as well as the new ones gave birth to Mantras; let all those Rishis and Mantras be friendly and auspicious to us.”
Similarly the Mantra of Madhuchchandas:
“Agni is praised by the ancient Rshis as well as by the new ones. He goes to the other gods." (Rg. I-1-2). Våsishta comments as follows:
“Both by the ancient Rshis as well as by modern seers of Mantras, the God Agni is capable of being praised.”
By referring to Rshis, the Mantra means that no one who is not a Rshi will be able to praise the god properly; by referring to new Rshis, the Mantra indicates that there is no time limit for Rshis to be born and see new Mantras.
It is only the want of proper and high degree of Tapas and capacity which is the cause of there being no revelation and no Rshi and not any other reason of want of time or occasion or opportunity. Moreover, that kind of revelation of Mantras alone makes the Rshi.
So, the conclusion is that by Tapas one should develop the capacity of the head and heart and the wonderful inner instrument of the soul to see new Mantras. It is that instrument which will be able to attain the highest Reality. This is beyond any doubt.
Thus says Väsisththa Ganapati Muni.
Thus ends the Preface to the Commentary called Võsishthanvaya Bhashya'.
