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APPENDIX.
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the Vedas were composed. We can call them savages only if we shut our eyes to their achievements of which a sufficiently long list is given in the two preceding quotations. What, then, is the explanation of the almost childish worship of Agni, Indra and the like to whom the hymns of the Rig Veda are addressed ? It seems inconsistent with good reason to hold that men of such brilliant attainments as the Hindus have been shown to be, from the intrinsic evidence furnished by the Vedas themselves, could be so backward in respect of intellect as to be struck with wonder and awe at the sight of fire (Agni), and to compose a series of hymns to propitiate a force which they could themselves produce with the greatest ease. The fact is that the Vedic gods are not the personifications of the physical forces of nature, but of the spritual powers of the soul. As the singing of the praises of the soul is the direct means of 'waking' it up from the lethargy of karmic somnolence, the poet-rishis of the Rig Veda addressed a number of hymns to the most important ones of the spiritual faculties, so that they should come into manifestation in the conciousness of him who chants them with intelligence and understanding of their purport. They also personified many of the minor functions of life -breathing, etc.,-- as will be shown later on. All this, however, presupposes a profound knowledge of certain spiritual truths on the part of the rishis, and is fully in keeping with the highly advanced civilisation of the Aryans of the Vedic period.
But while a presupposition of the knowledge of spiritual truths is a condition precedent in the composers
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