Sambodhi 2002 Vol 25

Author(s): Jitendra B Shah, N M Kansara
Publisher: L D Indology Ahmedabad

Page 65

Prof. D. G. VEDIA
SAMBODHI In Avesta the root vaen (ven) means to see. So T. Chawdhary takes it in the sense of observer. The Sun is the seer, the observer, the watcher. The persian verbal base 'bin' also denotes the same sense. Dandeker R. N. connects with 'Paśyat'. The seer or Rishi is so called on account of observing or percieving.
Thus we find all the meanings based on the combination of the two theses ::. (i) The Seer theory and (2) Gandharva theory. Vena, the true seer, carries the meaning to see. As a Gandharva he was conceived of a divinity that kept a careful eye on the Soma plant as a protector of Soma plant. He did ag
ma plant as a protector of Soma plant. He did aguire a sort of special prominence and he became the protector of all secrets. Ultimately the act of seeing gradually was developed into knowing which is equal to darśana of the seer as Prof. Dandekar remarks. “Gandharvas become associated with Apsarases and both with Indra. Vedic mythology closely associates Soma with Indra. Indra is an epithet of Sahasrāksa. Sahasrākṣa also denotes the connotation of seeing which resembles with the Vena's meaning to see. Thus Vena, the seer, is Gandharva. Their female counter-parts Vena and Gandharvi are found in the last stage of Rgvedic compilation of 10th book. In the middle stage Apsarasas took their place and the Gandharvi disappeared. Vena is called beloved of Soma which was protected by Gandharva. The venas are Gandharvas. Av. mentions Vena together with vena, the boiler (Ukhāh), the cup, the supporter, the sustainer, the Unyoking and the mist-felted care and significantly with BỊhaspati. In Av.XV1- 3-2 head and preserver denote the highest position of Vena. The VS. BK. XIII-3, Av. IV-1.1 and TS. IV. 28 refer to the creation of Vena who was created by Brahman i. e. over spreaded as the bright ones from summit, disclosed his deepest and nearest revelations, womb of existent and none existent. Griffith calls Brahma,. a prayer and bright ones the bright flashes. RV. X-123-1 and TS. 1-4-8 refers to śukragraha, the cup ot śukra the offering for śukra which seems to be the piece of gold according to VS. This developed the conotation of Sukra-Venus in the gradual stages.io
All these references show the origin of the world through the Solar aspect. Vena denoting the meaning to see, bright flashes, Protecting for the near, associated with Soma-Gandharva, Apsarasa, the material cause of the Ukhah i. e. boiler, origin of the world, i. e. male and female parts from which resulted in the various bright stars and planets like Venus through Indra i. e. energy of light and sound together etc. It is interesting to note that the Vena is used in the sense of pain at the time of the delivery in Gujarati language which closely resembles with the meaning of generation of the bright flashes. This connotation gradually