Vedic Culture

Those who have formed their opinion about the Vedas and Vedic culture from the writings of foreign orientalists and European historians, will find in Mr. Upadhyaya's book on Vedic Culture plenty of material to revise and correct their views. Mr. Upadhyaya, whose book gives ample proof of his erudition and careful study of the Vedas, has succeeded in demolishing the a priori conclusions of non-Hindu writers on the subject. He has pointed out that the Vedas contain positive and ample indication of a greatly advanced civilization and culture as witnessed by copious reference to subjects like agriculture, to various kinds of foodgrains, care of cattle, arts and crafts, industry, trade and commerce, to the art of building residential houses and to the composition and classification of Vedic society in accordance with qualifications and occupations and character of various sections of the community. Mr. Upadhyaya has also shown with the help of many quotations from the Vedas what the ideal of family life and conjugal relations should be according to the Vedas.

A notable feature of Mr. Upadhyaya's work is the distinction that he has drawn between Vedic culture and the current materialistic notions of civilization and culture. He has pointed out that the Vedic conception of culture is emphatically theistic and the whole trend of Vedic teachings is spiritual development, not only in one life time but in life after life till perfection is attained.

I have no doubt that the book will be found most instructive by all those interested in history and sociology.

**Contents and Sample Pages**