Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v1.c7.s7.t17.2

v1.c7.s7.t17.2

**Evolution and Relevant Literature** - Lokayata dates back at least to the Vedic Age or earlier. Some scholars think it is associated with the earliest Ganges civilisation and primitive Indian folk beliefs. In the *Vedas*, we can see that some hymns are doubtful of the existence of Gods, and this is consistent with later atheism of Lokayata. In the Upanishads, material and element theories mentioned in some texts are quite close to those of Lokayata.