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| The Hindu Phenomenon |
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A UNIQUE PHENOMENON |
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| Ramayana
and Mahabharata, the great Hindu epics, too have been interpreted in
symbolic terms.4
The reference to the continuity of our tradition has long been a commonplace. At the level of formulation, it can be traced back to the eighteenth century when Western scholars began to discover and translate Sanskrit manuscripts. The reference is legitimate on two counts. First, the continuity from the time of the Indus Valley civilization is evident in matters such as dress, means of transport, and even sculpture. The dancing girl from Mohenjodaro could, for instance, have been sculpted at any point in Indian history. Secondly, thanks to its faithful preservation, above all by Brahmins, we have access to an unbelievable amount of ancient knowledge in a wide variety of fields. Much of what must have been produced has doubtless perished; but what is left is enormous.
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