ABSTRACT
WE have stated in the last chapter that certain pious and learned families obtained pre-eminence in the Vedic Period by their knowledge of performing religious sacrifices and their gift of composing hymns i that kings delighted to honour and reward these farnilies ; and that it is to them that the Aryan world is indebted for handing down the Vedic hymns from generation to generation. Modern Hindus take a pride in tracing their descent [rpm these ancient families, and their names are a household word in modern Hindu society. SOI:-:e account of these ancient Rishis,-the revered pioneers of the Hindu religion, --:will therefore not be unwelcome to Hindu readers.
