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In the second lecture Muller grapples with another mischievous
prejudice which considers the Hindus an ‘inferior race,’
totally different from Europeans in moral character and more
particularly, respect for truth. He is critical of the role
played by some Europeans, like Mill, in underestimating India.
Muller puts forth vivid accounts from epics and the Vedas,
which give beautiful insights into the conception of truth and
the nature of reality.
The third lecture
focuses on the significance of Sanskrit literature. "To a
classical scholar I can only say that between a Civil Servant
who knows Sanskrit and Hindustani, and another who knows
Hindustani only, there is about the same difference in their
power of forming an intelligent appreciation of India and its
inhabitants, as there is between a traveller who visits Italy
with a knowledge of Latin, and a party personally conducted to
Rome by Messrs. Cook and Co." Emphasising the historical
importance of Sanskrit, the author says, "In Sanskrit we
find the Aryan man, whom we know in his various characters, as
Greek, Roman, German, Celt and Slav, in an entirely new
character." Highlighting the philosophical aspect of it he
describes that if the highest wisdom of Greece was "to know
ourselves," the highest wisdom of India is "to know
our self."
There is an
interesting discussion on the importance of Rig Veda in
the study of evolution of religious thought. Commenting on the
originality of the Vedic religion he says, "In India alone
and more particularly in Vedic India, we see a plant entirely
grown on native soil and entirely nurtured by native air. It is
full of lessons which the student of religion could learn
nowhere else."
Muller assigns the
term ‘Kathenotheism’ (as against monotheism and polytheism)
to define the nature of Vedic worship and to explain the deeper
meaning which underlies the Veda. His mind and intellect
reflects a high degree of maturity and integrity. The very use
of words "our Vedic ancestors" reflects the author’s
sense of identification with this ancient literature. Many
researchers, till today, believe that religion sprang from fear
and terror. Refuting this observation, Muller says religion is
trust, and trust arises from the impression made on the minds
and hearts of men by the order and wisdom of nature. He
elucidates this point by discussing the concept of various gods
in the Vedas.
In a lecture on Veda
and Vedanta, he narrates the ways in which the strotriyas
memorise the hymns of the Rig Veda which are preserved by
means of an oral traditions. He elucidates the essence of Vedanta,
which lies in the discovery of ‘The Self’. He recognises the
Vedas as historical documents, aye, the most ancient
documents in the history of human mind.
The book, an
inquiry into the wisdom of the Vedas, can be helpful in
establishing an important link with our ancient culture.
However, the book contains certain facts, which through further
research have become more refined and need to be clarified.
Despite this, the work can serve as a journey into the realm of
our mind.
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