Page:The Hymns of the Rigveda Vol 1.djvu/8

 PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION.

THIS work is an attempt to bring within easy reach of all readers of English a translation of the Hymns of the Rigveda which, while aiming especially at close fidelity to the letter and the spirit of the original, shall be as readable and intelligible as the nature of the subject and other circumstances permit.

Veda, meaning literally knowledge, is the name given to certain ancient works which formed the foundation of the early religious belief of the Hindus. These are the Rigveda, the Sâmaveda, the Yajurveda, and the Atharvaveda; and of these the Rigveda--so called because its Sanhitâ or collection of mantras or hymns consists of Richas or verses intended for loud recitation--is the oldest, the most important, and the most generally interesting, some of its hymns being rather Indo-European than Hindu, and representing the condition of the Aryans before their final settlement in India. These four Vedas are considered to be of divine origin and to have existed from all eternity, the Rishis or sacred poets to whom the hymns are ascribed being merely inspired seers who saw or received them by sight directly from the Supreme Creator. In accordance with this belief these sacred books have been preserved and handed down with the most reverential care from generation to generation, and have