Vedic Beliefs and Practices Through Arthavada (2 Vols-Set)

Contents: Vol. I. Preface. Introduction. 1. Etymologies. 2. Sun, moon and constellations. 3. Quarters. 4. Time and its units. 5. Water. 6. Trees, plants and varieties of grass. 7. Animals and birds. 8. Complementary numbers.

Vol. II. 9. Sense-organs and body-parts. 10. Varna-system. 11. Family-life. 12. Sacrificer's code and his immortality (!). 13. Arthavada-s on varied topics (miscellanea). 14. Arthavada--a pointer to ritual development. Bibliography. Index.

"The Vedic ritual reasonings (arthavada-s) glorifying the Vedic rites and rituals and initially springing from the 'sacred' tradition, bring directly or indirectly with them the beliefs and practices prevalent in the then Vedic society. At times are indicated in them the 'avedic' beliefs and practices. The arthavada-s thus bear relation to the 'secular' or profane tradition. Even admitting that the 'sacred' and 'secular' traditions are complementary to each other, more weightage has to be given to the 'secular' or profane tradition, for it has provided much matter to the sacred tradition.

The present book (in two volumes) dealing with the Vedic beliefs and practices, enables the reader to have a peep in the Vedic society of the hoary past and is an aid to know the cultural history of ancient India." (jacket)