Page:An Essay On Hinduism.pdf/75

 arguments for philosophical and doctrinal controversy. Naturally, people do not look to the Vedas for actual moral and social guidance. Society is generally guided by the current moral ideas, whether incorporated in any scriptural work or not. The moral ideas in the community influence and are influenced by the ideas and practice of the higher classes. The moral ideas of the higher classes today are partially subject to the various Indian philosophies, partially due to the social and civil ideals as they may be reflected in the Indian writings on dharma, and in the European and modern Indian writings, specially of the evolutionary and utilitarian schools.

The spiritual life, that is sentiment towards divinities, is guided by compositions in Sanskrit and modern Indian languages, and by the ideas which those works generated or expressed. There are very few devotional hymns in Sanskrit of high character, excepting those in the Vedas addressed to forgotten Gods. The devotional songs abound in modern languages, which are considered as vernaculars, and they are not infrequently written by men of Shūdra Varņa. To speak in incorrect but popular language, Sanskrit literature gives “religion" to philosophers, while common people derive their "religion” from the vernacular literature. In fact, most of the vernacular literature is devotional and semi-sacred, and came into existence only to save the people. In the Maratha country a great contribution to this vernacular literature is made by the Brāhmaṇas. These Brāhmaṇas were either apologetic or militant in their attitude for their innovation of writing in the vernacular.

"What, the Sanskrit language is made by God; has the Prakrit (the modern language, vernacular) come from