Introduction to the Study of The Holy Quran — Page 54
54 the remaining 75 being later additions. Even about the 1900 mantras he admits that they include some of the Shakvari mantras. These statements, with the significant qualifications, show that nobody really knows the truth and that everybody is trying to speculate. But can speculations be made the foundation of spiritual aspirations? The truth seems to be that the genuineness of Atharva-Veda has ever been in doubt and the Yajur-Veda and the Rig-Veda also are so similar in their composition that it is most likely that the two have freely borrowed from each other. When confusion is so rife, who can say what mantra is genuine revelation and what is not, what is a fabrication and what is not? A book open to so much doubt cannot serve as a guidance for man. It must be replaced by another book free from all confusion and immune to human interference, upon which man can rely and which he can regard as a revelation with the same certainty with which he can regard "the choir of heaven and the furniture of earth" and indeed his own existence. Only such a book can inspire man with confidence in his search after God. Such a book is the Quran. Savage Teaching of the Vedas We quote some examples of the savage teaching of the Vedas: (i) In Atharva-Veda (iv, 22:7) we have: Consume, with lion aspect, all their hamlets, with tiger aspect, drive away thy foemen. Sole lord and leader and allied with Indra, seize, conqueror, thine enemies’ possessions. (ii) In Sama-Veda (Part II, ix, iii, 8) we have: Blind, O my foemen, shall ye be even as headless serpents are: May Indra slay each best of you, when Agni’s flame hath struck you down. (iii) In Sama-Veda (11:1) we have: O god Indra, may the Soma juice given by us make you happy and intoxicated. Grant to us wealth and power and our enemies defeat and disgrace. (iv) In Sama-Veda we have: Ye slay our Arya foes, O Lords of heroes, slay our Dasa foes, Ye drive all enemies away (Part II, ii, ii, 8). Trample him down beneath thy feet, him who watches for and aims at us. (Part II, iv, i, 16). (v) In Atharva-Veda (XIX, 28:4-10) we have: Cleave through, O Darbha, amulet, my foes, mine adversaries’ heart. Rise thou and batter down their heads like growth that covereth the earth. Cleave thou my rivals, Darbha, cleave the men who fain would fight with me…Tear thou my rivals, Darbha…Hew thou my rivals, Darbha…Cleave thou my rivals, Darbha…Pierce thou my rivals, Darbha…Pierce the men who hate me, Amulet. (vi) In Atharva-Veda (XIX, 29:1-9) we have: