History of Mediaeval Hindu India (being a History of India from 600 to 1200 A.D.) v1.c10.16

v1.c10.16

his Brahmin relatives, having in their hands flowers and fruits and reciting Vedic Sūktas to be recited on a journey.” Such is the interesting picture of the religious side of the life of a great Brahmin of the seventh century (who was not a priest). As compared with the life depicted in the old Gṛihyasūtras (see even the picture drawn by Kālidāsa of the starting of Śakuntalā) we find that his religion was still chiefly Vedic. He recited the Vedic mantras and sacrificed to the Vedic fire. But he also worshipped idols of Śiva or Viṣṇu or other gods and believed in many practices based on astrology. In modern times on the other hand the Vedic worship has gradually dropped and the worship of idols and astrological practices have remained. Thus in religion too, Harsha’s time stands as a transition period between ancient and modern Hinduism.