The Religion of the Veda: The Ancient Religion of India (from Rig-Veda to Upanishads) c9.s1.17

c9.s1.17

Next, faith is wisdom; faith is the sister of wisdom: The fool saith in his heart, "there is no god." In order to disprove his folly it becomes needful to couple the ideas of Faith and Wisdom. From a later time we have very interesting accounts of the initiation of disciples, and their instruction in the Vedas. Teacher and pupil in a kind of dramatic dialogue carry on the solemn action: "Teach me the revealed books (of the Veda), my Lord!" saith the pupil. "I teach thee the revealed books," replieth the teacher. "Teach me the Vedic tradition, my Lord!" saith the pupil. "I teach thee the Vedic tradition," replieth the teacher. "Teach me Faith and Wisdom, my Lord!" saith the pupil. "I teach thee Faith and Wisdom."¹ In another text, as the pupil puts on the sacred girdle which he wears during disciplehood, he addresses it: