In English
Scriptures dealing with rituals are comparable, it is said, to , the jungle. They are called . The terms used in the scriptures have many meanings and it is hard to trace the straight meaning and prefer it to the crooked and deceptive one. For example, the or Horse Sacrifice, does not mean the ritual killing of home. The name given to the horse describes it as an animal which is restless all the time - symboling the mind which is agitated, both while awake and while dreaming. The horse can never becalm and quiet. Its legs, tail, or ears will be quivering or shaking always. The banyan tree is called , since its leaves will ever be shaking, wind or no wind. What is recommended is 'sacrifice' of the wayward mind, dedicating it to God so that it becomes stable and calm and not bringing a living animal and killing it. That is adherence to the outer literal meaning of the injunction, not to the inner and valid import. Listen to the significances of Vedhic aphorisms and rituals and scriptural injunctions with selfless, pure and joyful concentration. Treasure them in the heart for practice in daily life and for sharing with other earnest souls.