Vedic view on sorcery, magic, worthless worship and astrology

As indicated in the following Shruti hymns, Vedas (Rig Veda and the Gita for example) strongly condemn the practices of sorcery, black magic and magic etc. Moreover, all those rituals that are not ordained by the genuine scriptures should be avoided, so declares the Veda. In this regard, the use of magic, incantations, charms and talismans etc. in the Atharva Veda also seems to be in direct conflict with the Rig Veda (1), implying that Atherva Veda is not a genuine Veda and that it probably appeared at a much later date after the original Veda (Rik, Yajur, Sama).

Vedas strongly disprove of feeble and worthless rituals and sacrifices. Furthermore, there is no support for astrology in the Vedas. Thus while the Vedas consider yajna (worship of deity) as an auspicious activity, it can be conducted by a worshipper on any occasion without worrying about the influence and alignment of planets and stars.

O God, let not the fiend of witchcraft-workers reach us: may Dawn drive off the couples of Kimidins.
Earth keep us safe from earthly woe and trouble: from grief that comes from heaven mid-air preserve us.
" ... Rig Veda (Book 7: hymn 104.23)

"O God, slay the male demon, slay the female, joying and triumphing in arts of magic.
Let the fools' gods with bent necks fall and perish, and see no more the Sun when he arises.
" ... Rig Veda (Book 7: hymn 104.24)

"O God, with the light whereby thou scatterest gloom, and with thy ray impellest every moving thing,
Keep far from us all feeble, worthless sacrifice, and drive away disease and every evil dream.
" .. Rig Veda (Book 10: hymn 37.4)

Men of sattva (light) worship the deity of Light (truth, wisdom); men of rajas (fire) worship the personalities of power and wealth; and men of tamas (darkness) worship the ghosts and spirits of night – demons of ignorance.” ……… Gita (Ch. 17: V. 4)

There are men selfish and false who moved by their lusts –
and passions perform terrible tapas (austerities) not ordained by Veda (scripture): fools who torture the powers of life in their bodies and Atman who dwells in them. Know that there work is tamas (darkness)
” …… Gita (Ch. 17: V. 5, 6)

"Any act of austerity involving self-torture or intended to hurt another person reflects the dullness of mind or mode of dark nature (therefore undesirable)."......... Gita (Ch. 17: V. 19)

References

(1) Subhash C. Sharma, “Compatibility of a text with the Srutis”, Sept. 2, 2006, http://www.geocities.com/lamberdar/sruti_compatibility.html

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By: Dr. Subhash C. Sharma
Email:
[email protected]
Date: May 11, 2009

link to: Related topics by the author

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