ABSTRACT
IN the sixth century before Christ, India witnessed the commencement of a great revolution. Her ancient religion, which the Hindu Aryans had practised and proclaimed for fourteen centuries, had degenerated into
. forms. The gods of the Rig Veda, whom the ancient Rishis had invoked and worshipped lovingly and fervently, .had come to be regarded as so many names; and Indra and Ushas raised no distinct ideas and no grateful emotions. The. siraple libations of the -~omajuice, or offerings of milk, corn,' or flesh, which the Rishis of old' had offered with a fervent heart to their gods, had developed into cumbrous ceremonials, elaborate rites, unmeaning forms. The descendants or successors 0(.' those Rishis had now stepped forth as a powerful and hereditarj: caste, and claimed the right to perform elaborate 'religious <...·ites and utter sacred prayers for the people, The "people were ·taught to believe that they earned. merit by having these rites performed and prayersuttered by.hired 'priests. The religious instinct, 'the, grateful emotions which had inspired the composers of' the Vedic hymns, we[e dead; vast ceremonials, dead forms, remained.
