The Rishis of ancient India were attuned to nature and had a spirit of enquiry. The basis of enquiry was also very scientific. One such enquiry was regarding the source of the live-giving water which is found in the famous Mantrapushpam chant. We will analyze some portions of this text.
योऽपाम् आयतनं वेद | आयतनवान् भवति |
He who knows the source of water becomes one with the source (realizes the source).
पर्जन्यो वा अपामायतनम् | आयतनवान् भवति |
Is rain the source of water? He who knows this becomes one with the source.
यः पर्जन्यस्यायतनं वेद | आयतनवान् भवति |
He who knows the source of rain becomes one with the source.
आपो वै पर्जन्यस्यायतनम् | आयतनवान् भवति |
Or is it that water is the source of rain? He who knows this becomes one with the source
यः एवं वेद |
He who knows this in this manner, truly knows.
After the analysis of this water cycle and the relationship between other elements of nature, the chant concludes that there is a supreme force. One who has the knowledge of this supreme force (Aatma) becomes established towards that.
