A Vedic Reader For Students:: Excerpts and Choice Selections: An introduction to the Dramatis Personæ of the Rig Veda - Softcover

“The gods were conceived as human in appearance. Their bodily parts, which are frequently mentioned, are in many instances simply figurative illustrations of the phenomena of nature represented by them. Thus the arms of the Sun are nothing more than his rays and the tongue and limbs of Agni merely denote his flames. Some of the gods appear equipped as warriors, especially Indra, others are described as priests, especially Agni and Brhaspati. All of them drive through the air in cars, drawn chiefly by steeds, but sometimes by other animals.”

Excerpts from a Vedic Reader for Students is a great and often revelatory introduction for all students of Hinduism, who want to gain a grater understand of the Rigveda. Written in 1917 by the noted Sanskrit scholar Sir Arthur Anthony Macdonell, it still stands as one of the great guides to understanding the Rigveda. This book was written with the sole purpose of introducing people to the profound and timeless teachings of the Vedas.

1. AGE OF THE RIGVEDA. 2. ORIGIN AND GROWTH OF THE COLLECTION. 3. EXTENT AND DIVISIONS OF THE RIGVEDA. 4. ARRANGEMENT OF THE RIGVEDA. 5. LANGUAGE. 6. METRE. 7. RELIGION OF THE RIGVEDA. 8. SECULAR MATTER IN THE RIGVEDA. 9. LITERARY MERIT OF THE RIGVEDA. 10. INTERPRETATION.