The Religion of the Veda: The Ancient Religion of India (from Rig-Veda to Upanishads) c7.53

c7.53

The religion of the Rig-Veda, much like the later hieratic religion of the Yajur-Veda and the Brāhmanas, is the religion of the upper classes. Even to this day only rich Brahmanical Hindus are in the position to perform Vedic sacrifices. So it was in olden times. The popular religion, the religion of the poor, or of the modest householder, with its humble rites, and its even more childish reliance upon sorcery and the medicine-man, runs from the start side by side with the hieratic religion. It is the religion of the Atharva-Veda and the so-called "House-books."¹ It happens to lie outside of the scope of these lectures, though I have for my part been drawn on by its simple yet tense humanity to the publication of several volumes.² The religion of the Rig-Veda presupposes an established household of considerable extent; a wealthy and liberal householder; elaborate and expensive materials; and many priests not at all shamefaced about their fees.