The Religion of the Veda: The Ancient Religion of India (from Rig-Veda to Upanishads) c5.12

c5.12

The transparent gods: their importance for the study of religion—Father Sky and Daughter Dawn—Sūrya, a god of the sun—Vāta and Vāyu, gods of wind—The most transparent god: Agni, Fire—Agni as the sacrifice fire—Prehistoric gods of fire—Birth and youth of Agni—Agni as god of the morning—New births of Agni—Agni on the altar, the agent of the gods—Priesthood and divinity of Agni—A hymn to Agni—Other myths of the Fire God—The translucent gods: definition of the term—God Vishnu—God Pūshan—God Indra, as an example of an opaque god—Traditional explanation of the myth of Indra and Vritra—Professor Hillebrandt's interpretation of the same myth—Renewed definition of the religion of the Rig-Veda—Renewed definition of Vedic practicalities—Conflicting prayers and sacrifices—The conception of faith—Faith related to Truth and Wisdom—Faith personified—Faith and works—The reward for faith postponed to heaven—Contrast between early “faith” (*çraddhā*) and later “devotion” (*bhakti*)—“Gift praises,” another sop to the sacrificer—The religious feeling of the Rig-Veda.—The utilitarian sense—The glory of the gods—Absence of real sentiment towards the gods—Poetic inspiration the true religious feeling—The complacent master-singers—The poets’ own estimate of their work—The divine quality of devotion.... 150-207