CHRIST IN RIGVEDA

                    Part - II

    (Continued from the post dated 04.04.21)

Further, in the Mundakopanishad, we see, "Plava hyere adrudhayagnarapah" - The timbers bark of sacrifices are unsound.

In Skanda Puranam Yagna Vaibhava Khandan, 7th chapter, we read: "Plava eyete sura yagna adrudhasheha na samshayah" - Ye god's, sacrifices are like the timbers of a bark; there is no doubt that they are unsound.

Tandya Maha Brahmanam says, Sru: "Yagnota avati tasyachhaya kriyate" - It is a sacrifice that saves. What is being performed, is the shadow of sacrifice.

In Rig Veda, we read, Sru: "Armada baladah tasya chhaya-mrutam yasya mruatyuh" -  He whose shadow and death becom nectar shall,  by his shadow and death, confer the spirit and strength.

The above sayings clearly reveal that the sacrifices performed do not themselves confer salvation but they are the type and the shadow of a great salvation-giving sacrifice.

Aitareya Brahmanam says Sru: "Yaja-manah pashuh yajamanameva suvargam lokam gamayati" - He who offers the sacrificial animal; therefore, he who performs sacrifices goes to heaven.

In the Satpatha Brahmanam, we read,  "Prajapatir yagnah" - God Himself is the sacrifice.

In Tandya Maha Brahmanam of Sama Veda, we read, Sru: "Prajapatir devebhyam atmanam yagnam krutva prayachhat" - God would offer Himself as a sacrifice and obtain atonement for sins.

Satapadha Brahmanam says, "Tasya prajapatirardhameva martyamasidardhamrutam" - God became half mortal and half immortal. This means that He United in Himself the human and the divine.

In the Purusha Sukta, we read that the God Brahma is sacrificed. What is evident from the above teachings is that the true and great redeeming sacrifice would be the one performed by the Sovereign Lord of this world, who putting on both mortality and immortality and becoming incarnate as God-man, would Himself be the sacrificial animal and offer Himself as a sacrifice to redeem mankind from their sins.

This is what Rig Veda says about the sacrificial animal.

I. It must a goat without blemish.

II. The "balusu" bush must be placed round its head.

III. It must be bound to a sacrificial post.

IV. Nails must be driven into its four legs till they bleed.

V. The cloth covering of the goat should be divided among the four priests.

VI. None of its bones must be broken.

VII. The goat should be given a drink of Soma juice.

VIII. After it has been slain, it must be restored to life again.

IX. It's flesh should be eaten.

Now these details lead us to conclude that the sacrificial death of the incarnate God-head must have answered this description in full. Thus it is said that God Himself must become man, and then become a sacrifice to save sinners. But we do not read any such thing written about the incarnations of our country nor in the Sasthras. There is no God-incarnate man, who died a sacrificial death to save sinners. But there is a country called Palestine in the west of Asia, on the Mediterranean coast, in the center of the great land mass of the world. In this country was born of holy virgin's womb, the incarnate God, in Whom were fulfilled all the details of the description given about the God- man. He was absolutely without blemish. He lived a perfectly holy life. He was both mortal and immortal. That is to say, He was both human and divine. From the beginning, He foretold His sacrificial death to save the mankind and then of His living again as death's conqueror. He voluntarily surrendered Himself into the hands of wicked men, who loved sin, hated His teachings and wanted to kill Him. If we examine the way in whic He was killed,  we find that like the sacrifice of God Brahma as described in Purusha Sukta, everything said about the sacrificial animal in the Rig Veda, was clearly fulfilled in this incarnation in the following manner.

I. He was the sinless God-man

(1 Pet 2:22)

II. A crown of thorns (balusu) was placed on His head (Mark 15:17)

III. He was crucified on the cross

(Sacrificial Post) (Mark 14:24-25)

IV. He was nailed hands and feet to the cross (John 19:18)

V. Those who nailed Him to the cross divided His garments among themselves (Math 27:35)

VI. Not one of his bones was broken ( John 19:36)

VII. He was given vinegar (Soma juice)  to drink (Math 27:34)

VIII. He rose again as death conqueror (Math 28:5-6)

IX. Before His death, He told His disciples that they should eat His flesh and drink His blood which were sacrificed for the redemption of the world, and that they should, while often remembering His death, symbolically partake of bread and wine; and for this purpose, He instituted a Sacrament. This Sacrament continue to be observed to this day. (Math 26:26-29)

Since the incarnation that took place in Palestine was fulfilled the atoning sacrifice for the salvation of sinners, it is evident that this was the true incarnation of God Whom sinners should take hold of for their salvation. This incarnation is the Lord Jesus Christ. The name "JESUS" means the One Who saves His people from sins (Math 1:21). "Neither is there salvation in other: for there is none other name (except Jesus Christ)  under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved (Acts 4:12)

Concluded.

(Indebted to the facebook post Christ in Rigveda)

K V George

kvgeorgein@gmail.com