The Vedic lifestyle is an ancient way of living that aligns with nature, spirituality, and self-discipline. Rooted in the wisdom of the Vedas, the oldest scriptures known to mankind, this way of life encompasses daily routines, dietary habits, spiritual practices, and ethical values. In today’s fast-paced world, many are rediscovering Vedic wisdom to cultivate inner peace, physical health, and spiritual enlightenment.
Sanskrit Shloka: धम सव प्रतिष्ठतम | (Mahabharata, Karna Parva 69.58)
Translation: Everything is established in Dharma.
But why is the Vedic way of life gaining popularity now? The answer lies in its timeless relevance. From Ayurveda to yoga, from mindfulness to ethical living, the Vedic lifestyle offers solutions for a harmonious and fulfilling existence. Let’s explore its essence and how we can integrate its traditions into our modern lives.
The Significance of Vedic Wisdom in Modern Times
Sanskrit Shloka: समानी व आकतः समाना हृदयान वः | समानमस्त वो मनो यथा वः ससहासत || (Rigveda 10.191.4)
Translation: May your intentions be united, your hearts be together, and your minds be in harmony so that you may live joyfully.
In an age where stress, anxiety, and chronic diseases are rampant, the Vedic way of life offers a holistic approach to well-being. It emphasizes balance in all aspects—mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual. By following its principles, one can achieve a sense of purpose, peace, and overall wellness.
Sanskrit Shloka: ॐ सव भवन्त सखनः | सव सन्त नरामयाः | सव भद्राण पश्यन्त | मा किश्चत दःखभाग्भवत || (Shanti Mantra)
Translation: May all beings be happy. May all be free from illness. May all see what is auspicious. May no one suffer.
Sanskrit Shloka: असतो मा सद्गमय । तमसो मा ज्योतगमय । मत्योमा अमतं गमय ॥ (Brihadaranyaka Upanishad 1.3.28)
Translation: Lead me from untruth to truth. Lead me from darkness to light. Lead me from death to immortality.
Translation: May all beings be happy. May all be free from illness. May all see what is auspicious. May no one suffer.
Ancient wisdom isn’t about renouncing the world; rather, it teaches us how to live in harmony with it. Whether it’s practicing gratitude, eating mindfully, or meditating daily, the Vedic lifestyle presents practical tools for a healthier, more meaningful life.
Understanding the Vedic Lifestyle
A) What is a Vedic Lifestyle?
A Vedic lifestyle is a way of living that aligns with the natural order of the universe, following
the teachings of the Vedas. It is centered around:
- Spirituality: Seeking inner truth and enlightenment
आत्मा वा अर द्रष्टव्यः श्रोतव्यो मन्तव्यो न दध्या सतव्यो मत्रय, आत्मनो वा अर दशनन श्रवणन मत्या वज्ञाननद सव व दतम ॥(Brihadaranyaka Upanishad 2.4.5)
Translation: The Self, my dear Maitreyī, should be realised—should be heard of, reflected on and meditated upon. By the realisation of the Self, my dear, through hearing, reflection and meditation, all this is known.
Discipline: Following daily routines that promote health and clarity
यथा चत्त तथा वाचा यथा वाचा तथा कमण । (Mahabharata, Shanti Parva 337.27)
Translation: As the mind, so the speech; as the speech, so the actions.
- Nature: Living in harmony with the environment
माता भमः पत्रोऽह पथव्याः | (Atharvaveda 12.1.12)
Translation: The Earth is my mother, and I am her son.
Translation: The Earth supports all beings, and we must protect her in return.
- Purity: Eating sattvic food, practicing ethical living, and maintaining a pure mind
आहारशद्धौ सत्त्वशद्धः सत्त्वशद्धौ ध्रवा स्मतः । (Chandogya Upanishad 7.26.2)
Translation: When food is pure, the mind becomes pure; when the mind is pure, memory becomes steady.
The goal of a Vedic lifestyle is not just personal well-being but also the upliftment of society and the universe as a whole.
B) The Core Principles of Vedic Living
- Dharma (Righteous Duty): Living ethically and following one’s responsibilities
- Artha (Wealth): Practicing kindness towards all beings
- Kama (Satisfaction through rendering duties or Karma): Speaking and living with integrity and achieving satisfaction in life.
- Moksha (Salvation): Following a structured routine for mind-body balance and achieving ultimate salvation from life sufferings.
From self-study of the teachings and dharmic scriptures (Veda, Shastra, Bhagwad Geeta, Guru Granth, etc.) of past and present religious leaders and Mahatmas of all religions, only one conclusion can be drawn that the aim of human life is to achieve meaning, religion, work in life. And salvation is to attain these four things.
This is also his Dharma.
The brief description of these four aspects is as follows –
1) Dharma
It is said in the Vedas that doing auspicious deeds is called Dharma (duty-karma) which leads to happiness in both this world and the next world.
Therefore, it is the duty of a living being to perform those duties by acquiring knowledge of one’s moral duties by studying the Vedas and staying away from sin.
Manusmriti 2/6
वदोऽखलो धममल स्मतशील च तद्वदाम। आचारश्चव साधनामात्मनस्तिष्टरव च ॥ 6 ॥
Translation: The Vedas are the ultimate source of Dharma, followed by Smriti and righteous conduct. The behavior of the virtuous and inner satisfaction also constitute Dharma. And In Bhagavad Geeta verse 3/15
‘कम ब्रह्मोद्भव वद्ध ब्रह्माक्षरसमद्भवम । तस्मात्सवगतं ब्रह्म नत्य यज्ञ प्रतिष्ठतम।।”(Geeta: 3/15)
Translation: Action originates from the Vedas, and the Vedas originate from the imperishable Brahman. Hence, the all-pervading Brahman is always established in yajna (sacrifice).
2) Artha(Wealth)
All four Vedas and every scripture have told man to earn wealth through hard work.The need for money is essential in Grihastha Ashram and every other Ashram.To accumulate wealth according to efforts and religion.Only wealth earned in accordance with dharma gives happiness.Strengthen and put into practice the idea that devotion to God is mandatory for attaining wealth, otherwise the wealth gained is never pleasant.
वद्या ददात वनय, वनयाद् यात पात्रताम, पात्रत्वात धनमाप्नोत, धनात धम ततः सखम II
Knowledge gives humility, From humility comes eligibility or worthiness, from worthiness one attains wealth, from wealth comes righteousness, and then happiness.
3) Kama (Satisfaction through Auspicious Work or Karma)
The nature of work is to make a decision through study, dhyana(meditation) and give up inauspicious deeds(vikarma) and wish only good things(sukarma).
By fulfilling one’s own duties or karma as per the dharmic guidance, the said person achieves ultimate satisfaction of his life and hence achieves kama or total satisfaction.
4) Moksha(Salvation)
The ultimate cessation of suffering is called salvation in Sankhya Shastra Sutra 1/1.
अथ त्रवधदःखात्यन्तनवत्तरत्यन्तपरुषाथः ।1।
It is understood that when a living being gets liberated from all the bondages of karma by performing auspicious deeds and by worshipping God which has been going on since time immemorial, then that seeker attains the best happiness and salvation in the world. Without attaining moksha, the living being sometimes gets a lot of happiness and sometimes remains very sad according to his karma, after attaining moksha, the living being attains happiness by being situated in the omnipresent God.
The living being is pure, conscious and a form of happiness, but due to false knowledge, i.e. due to being attracted towards the qualities of nature, it has forgotten its own nature, due to which the living being suffers sorrow after getting a human body as per its karma. The happiness of salvation is said to be the best in the Vedas.
The form of the living being is pure, conscious and the form of happiness and the living being is also the form of happiness.
Therefore, after coming into human life, every living being should have mutual love and faith in all the scriptures like Vedas, Shastras, Upanishads etc., do good deeds and attain salvation which is said to be the main goal of life by worshiping God.
By incorporating these principles into daily life, one can cultivate harmony, happiness, and long-term well-being.
