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The L. D. Institute of Indology has great pleasure in publishing the three lectures on 'The Upabrinhana and the Rgveda Interpretation', delivered by Dr. T. G. Mainkar in L. D. Lecture Series in November, 1974.
FOREWORD
two
The Rgveda is like an eternal pcem suggesting new meaning every time one reads it. It has been variously interpreted by scholars, Eastern and Western, Dr. Mainkar has chosen an interesting subject for his lectures. He has made a serious attempt in his lectures to interpret those unintelligible' hymns in the light coming from the Itihasa and the Purana. Assumption of the continuity of tradition underlies this method, and the learned lecturer accepts it. He is very conscious of the misuse and limitations of the method. But he maintains that on that account one should not discard it. If it helps us where nothing can help us in interpreting the Rgveda, we should seek its help. He has ably shown how the study of the Itibāsa and the Purana make intelligible the so-called unintelligible hymns. He has also demonstrated that sometimes the Rgveda helps us to understand and interpret the unintelligible portions of the Itibasa and the Purana. Thus for the understanding of the Veda, the study of the Itihasa and the Purāṇa is necessary; and conversely, for the understanding of the Itihasa and the Purana the study of the Veda is necessary.
I am thankful to Dr. Mainkar for these three lectures which he prepared at our instance, I have no doubt that the students, teachers, and others interested in this subject will find this book interesting and illuminating.
L. D. Institute of Indology Ahmedabad-380009.
15th July, 1975
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