Vedic Beliefs and Practices (2 vols.)

by Dr. Sindhu S. Dange

The Vedic ritual reasonings (arthavada-s) glorifying the Vedic rites and rituals and initially springing from the 'sacred' tradition, bring directly or indirectly with them the beliefs and practices prevalent in the then Vedic society. At times are indicated in them the 'avedic' beliefs and practices. The arthavada-s thus bear relation to the 'secular' or profane tradition. Even admitting that the 'sacred' and 'secular' traditions are complementary to each other, more weightage has to be given to the 'secular' or profane tradition, for it has provided much matter to the sacred tradition.

The present book (in two volumes) dealing with the Vedic beliefs and practices, enables the reader to peer into the Vedic society of the hoary past and is an aid to know the cultural history of ancient India.

Contents:

Vol. 1 :

• Etymologies;
• Sun, Moon and Constellations;
• Quarters;
• Time and its Limits;
• Water;
• Trees,
• Plants and Varieties of Grass;
• Animals and Birds;
• Complementary Numbers.

Vol. 2 :

• Sense-Organs and Body -Parts;
• Varna-System;
• Family Life;
• Sacrificer's Code and His Immortality;
• Arthavada-s on Varied Topics (Miscellanea);
• Arthavada - A Pointer to Ritual Development.

About the Author:

Dr. (Mrs.) Sindhu Sadashiv Dange had been R.G. Bhandarkar Professor and Head, Department of Sanskrit, University of Mumbai (1984-1997). She has to her credit numerous research articles and 15 books (including the present one in 2 vols.) - 9 authored by her, one co-authored with Dr. Sadashiv A. Dange and 5 edited by her.

Well known in India for her contribution to the field of Sanskrit, she is particularly interested in Vedic myths and rituals and Puranic-Hindu customs and beliefs.

She was felicitated by the State Government of Maharashtra (1997), by the Ministry of Human Resource Development, New Delhi, through the Rashtriya Sanskrit Samsthan in the Sanskrit Year (2000) and by the Shriman Bastiramji Sarada Sadguru Shri Gangeshwaranandaji Pratishthan, Nasik by awarding her the prestigious Shri Guru Gangeshwaranand Veda-Vedanga Rashtriya Puraskar (2004), for her Vedic studies.