The Religion and Philosophy of the Veda and Upanishads v2.c41.s6.18

v2.c41.s6.18

Definite proof of the Indo-European character of burial of the dead would be afforded if it were possible to accept as proved Peake's⁶ identification of them with the Kurgan people of the steppes east of the Dnieper, who certainly buried their dead in a contracted position, the skeletons found being thickly covered with red ochre, a custom which is attested as early as Aurignacian times. The evidence, as has been mentioned, for this theory is inadequate to establish it, but it may be noted that the Vedic Indians appear to have agreed with these people in their tendency to simplicity and economy in regard to the offerings deposited with the dead, for the Vedic offerings are, as we have seen, strictly limited in quantity and quality. The contracted position of the dead may have been induced by the desire to reproduce the character of a foetus, awaiting new birth in the world to come, and the idea of rebirth as an embryo is conspicuous in the Vedic Dīkṣā ceremonial. The barrow may be compared with the Vedic memorial mound.¹ It might further be conjectured that the use of burning was influenced by the practice of the neighbouring peoples of Tripolye culture² who regularly, if not invariably burned their dead. But we have no real means of arriving at any valid conclusion.