ABSTRACT
The Vedas, whose acquaintance we have been making, are the principal, ultimate, and basic scriptures of India. The Ramayana is generally regarded as the first poetical work of purely human origin in the literature of India, and its traditional author, Valmiki, as the first Indian poet. From the beginning the Ramayana and the Mahabharata have exercised a profound influence upon India. The beneficent effect upon the vast masses of the Indian population can scarcely be exaggerated. The tradition finds especially complete expression in one of the Smrtis, a subordinate, derivative epic known as the Adhyatma Ramayana. This poem, whose authorship and date are alike unknown, tells over again in briefer form Valmiki’s tale, and in doing so, makes perfectly plain, throughout, its second or symbolic meaning. The Mahabharata, like the Ramayana, is an auxiliary scripture. That is to say, it follows, expands upon, illustrates, the all-important Vedas.
