Early Indian Religious Thought (2 Parts in 1 Book)

About the Book This book is divided into two parts. The part deals with the pre-vedic thought which contain proto-australoid beliefs, Mediterranean, Indus Valley Culture, Mother-Goddess figurine, Tree worship, the Siva armlet, etc. The Vedas, Aryan entry, Brähma, Linga, Brahmaņas, Āran yakas, India, Upanisads, Buddha, his teachings, Bhagavat Gitä, Yoga teachings, Samkhyan viewer, etc. are some of topics discussed in the first part of the book.

The second part is about Hinduism, caste, Buddha, the eighth deliverance, season, and buddhi, meditation, poet-seers of Rg Veda, Yama, Karma, justice, sin, evil, religions, nirvāņa, love, sex and marriage, etc.

The contents of the book are so interesting and the language of the book is so simple that it will prove to be very useful and inadable for the invaders.

Preface Whilst the main bulk of the book deals with early Indiant Religious Thought, I have occasionally drawn upon other religious teachings, especially upon those in the Old and New Testaments.

In the presentation of the subject matter of the first part of this book, I have availed myself of the work done by a number of distinguished scholars, both non-Indian and Indian, in the field of Indian Religious Thought. Those points on which I am not in sympathy with the evaluations or judgments of some scholars, are included among the questions treated in the second part of the book. The reader will understand, therefore, why certain statements in this second part, or the implications of these statements, are either inconsistent with or directly contradict those in the first part.

Through long years spent in the West, I have had the good fortune to come to know the heart of Christian civilization. To know means to love and to respect. Only he who loves may enjoy the privilege of being outspoken. I have exercised this privilege in a few pages of this book.

My grateful thanks are due to Dr. William Stede for help in the translation of the Bhagavad-Gitä, VIII. 1-4; to Dr. and Mrs. R. W. Haines for critically reading the script of part two of the book, and for corrections and suggestions; and to Mr. M. C. Pitts for remarks and suggestions in connection with pages 451 to 468. I am most deeply indebted to Miss I. B. Horner.

She read the entire script, and made valuable suggestions and corrections. She carefully revised all the translations of the Pali Texts quoted. She has given most generously of her time and her ripe scholar ship. Her encouragement and help have been invaluable. It would have been my sorrowful loss not to owe, and always to owe, so great a debt of gratitude to Miss Horner, one of the very true and quiet friends and servers of India and of the Buddhist world.

**Contents and Sample Pages**