| Thus the theory of
Karma and the theory of Dharma together give us a theoretical and practical way of life in
which mental peace and quietude leading to liberation become possible, since a man’s
position in life, is conditioned by his own previous actions, and since whether he likes
it or not, his religion enjoins upon him to follow the avocations of the circumstances in
which he finds himself. In Hindu India, life and
religion are so entirely mixed up that it is difficult to separate them. Next in
importance to the Vedas, the Puranas, which are the records of the ancient history of
India, interspersed withreligious matters are the important sacred books of the Hindus.
The sage Suta is said to have expounded these to the sages assembled in the Naimisaranya,
which is the same as Nimsar of modern Oudh. It was the practice in ancient days for taught
scholars, to read out these works to ordinary people and explain their meaning. |
