The Positive Background of Hindu Sociology c9.s12.4

c9.s12.4

According to Hillebrandt⁴³ the general opinion among scholars to the effect that the rituals owed their origin to the megalomania and egotistic interests of the priests is wrong. He takes an anthropological viewpoint and observes that this ritual arose out of the customs and rites of the folk. The ceremonies belonged to the people and were developed by them as parts of their life. The priests only systematized them. Their contribution to the tradition by way of new creations is very little.