The Rig-Veda and Vedic Religion: With Readings from the Vedas

The book begins with a note explaining that Clayton was originally asked to revise Dr. Murdoch’s Account of the Vedas, but found that a new treatment was necessary in order to reflect more recent knowledge and interpretive methods. The work is therefore presented as a careful compilation rather than an original research monograph. A note on Sanskrit spelling and pronunciation follows, intended for general student-readers rather than specialists. The main text is divided into seven chapters. Chapter I introduces the Aryans, their early homeland, entry into India, relation to the Dasyus, domestic life, food, agriculture, artisans, marriage, women, kingship, morality, warfare, gambling, entertainment, and early scientific ideas. Chapter II discusses the Vedas of the Aryans, including the history of Western study and publication of the Vedic texts. Chapter III examines the nature of Vedic gods, while Chapter IV gives a classified account of those gods. Chapter V studies the sacrifices of the Aryans, Chapter VI their prayers, and Chapter VII the religious message of the Rig-Veda. The second major part provides readings from the Veda, followed by appendices on Vedic traditions, metres, Sanskrit, and the contents of the four Vedas.