Page:The Religion of the Veda.djvu/14

 XIV Contents PAGES pretation of the same myth-Renewed definition of the religion of the Rig-Veda-Renewed definition of Vedic practicalities-Conflicting prayers and sac- rifices The conception of faith-Faith related to Truth and Wisdom-Faith personified-Faith and works-The reward for faith postponed to heaven- Contrast between early "faith" (fraddha) and later "devotion" (bhakli)"Gift praises," another sop to the sacrificer-The religious feeling of the Rig-Veda. -The utilitarian sense-The glory of the gods Absence of real sentiment towards the gods-Poetic inspiration the true religious feeling-The com- placent master-singers-The poets' own estimate of their work-The divine quality of devotion....150-207 LECTURE THE FIFTHI. THE BEGINNINGS OF HINDU THEOSOPHY. Statement of the problem-Time when theosophy origin- ated-Metempsychosis and pessimism unknown in the earlier Vedic records-Place where the higher religion originated-Priest philosophy at the sacrifice -The theosophic charade-Specimens of the theo- sophic charade-The riddle hymn of Dirghatamas Interrelation between the sacrifice and theosophy On the supposed origin of theosophy with the royal caste-Criticism of this view-Transition from rit- ualistic polytheism to theosophy-Early scepticism -"Götterdämmerung"-Failure of God Varuna- Monism, or the idea of unity-The creation hymn- Translation and analysis of the creation hymn-At- tempts at Monotheism-Prajapati, the Lord of Creatures-Viçvakarman, creator of the universe, and kindred conceptions-Purusha, the world man -Brihaspati, the Lord of Devotion-Transcendental monotheistic conceptions: "Time," "Love," etc.- Defects of the earlier monotheistic and monistic attempts... ..208-248