The Religious Quest of India

"The Religious Quest of India: The Religion of the Rigveda" provides an in-depth and scholarly examination of the foundational text of the Vedic period. As a critical study of one of the world's oldest religious documents, this work explores the complex theological and mythological world of the ancient Indo-Aryans. The book meticulously analyzes the hymns of the Rigveda, offering detailed insights into the nature of primary deities such as Agni, Indra, and Varuna, and the ritualistic framework of the early Vedic sacrifice.

The study goes beyond mere translation to explore the philosophical underpinnings of the text, including the concept of Rta-the cosmic and moral order-and the evolution of religious thought from nature-based polytheism toward more abstract spiritual inquiries. By situating the Rigveda within the broader context of Indian history and comparative religion, this work serves as an essential resource for those seeking to understand the roots of Hindu belief and the historical development of Indian spirituality. It remains a vital contribution to Indology, offering a clear window into the social, ethical, and religious life of ancient South Asia.

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you may see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.

This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.

As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.