DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.635#0030
CHAPTER II
THE HINDU EPICS----HERO-WORSHIP
In order to follow the further development of Hindu
religion and society from the time the Kasis established
themselves in the valley of the Ganges, it is necessary
to understand the political situation which confronted
the Aryan settlers in northern India. They were by
no means a united people, but composed of numerous
tribes and clans, not all of pure Aryan stock, often
fighting with each other, and surrounded not only by
savage aboriginals of the lowest type living in the
dense forests, and classed by the Aryans as Rakshasas,
or demons, but by a medley of other races in various
stages of civilization and with all manner of religious
beliefs. The Dravidians, who, like the Aryans, had
entered India from the north-west, were probably more
advanced in the industrial arts, and had developed
into petty kingdoms, with many of which the Aryans
formed alliances, both in the fighting which resulted
from tribal disputes, and in their foreign wars.
There were two political parties in the Aryan camp:
one headed by Vasishtha, a Rishi of the priestly caste,
who represented the school of orthodoxy and exclu-
siveness; and the other by Vishwamitra, a Kshatriya,
or warrior chief, who became the leader and spiritual
adviser of one of the larger non-Aryan tribes which
17
THE HINDU EPICS----HERO-WORSHIP
In order to follow the further development of Hindu
religion and society from the time the Kasis established
themselves in the valley of the Ganges, it is necessary
to understand the political situation which confronted
the Aryan settlers in northern India. They were by
no means a united people, but composed of numerous
tribes and clans, not all of pure Aryan stock, often
fighting with each other, and surrounded not only by
savage aboriginals of the lowest type living in the
dense forests, and classed by the Aryans as Rakshasas,
or demons, but by a medley of other races in various
stages of civilization and with all manner of religious
beliefs. The Dravidians, who, like the Aryans, had
entered India from the north-west, were probably more
advanced in the industrial arts, and had developed
into petty kingdoms, with many of which the Aryans
formed alliances, both in the fighting which resulted
from tribal disputes, and in their foreign wars.
There were two political parties in the Aryan camp:
one headed by Vasishtha, a Rishi of the priestly caste,
who represented the school of orthodoxy and exclu-
siveness; and the other by Vishwamitra, a Kshatriya,
or warrior chief, who became the leader and spiritual
adviser of one of the larger non-Aryan tribes which
17