How can we know that the original Vedic scriptures have not been changed over many generations?
From: Vivek Kulkarni
Q1. Do the original texts of Vedic Scriptures (Vedas, Bhagvadgita, Bhagvatam etc) exist today? If yes, then where?
Q2.Vedic Scriptures (Vedas, Bhagvadgita, Bhagvatam etc) were handed over from one generation to the next by aural reception. Human beings have tendency to commit mistakes as well as to cheat. What if someone might have altered / added into / deleted from contents of these texts purposefully or by mistake? How can we verify that the scriptures which we see today are exactly the same as original?
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Sir,
Everyone reads nursery rhymes during childhood say “twinkle twinkle little stars………………” etc. May be this rhyme was made by someone some centuries ago, but still we know the original poem which is uncorrupted. Same way, our ancestors/sages used to preach their disciples these scriptures in a rhythm, which is easy method to remember the verses. When I had my sacred thread ceremony, the sanskrit language was alien to me, I found it very difficult to even read it, my Guru told me to recite with him for few days. Then after 15 days, I remembered each and every verse and ritual prescribed to me. It has been over 15-16 years now and still I remember the things taught to me. In olden days, the pundits used to conduct debate and seminars on spirituality. Competitions were held under the king’s supervision. And lastly daily practice of recitation was compulsory for every Brahmin. This way the corruption of the vedas is least possible.