Classical Indian Metaphysics

Our knowledge of the most ancient times in India rests mainly on tradition.

The Puranas, the Mahabharata, and in a minor degree of Ramayana profess to

give accounts from tradition about the earliest occurrences. The Rgveda

contains historical allusions, of which some record contemporary persons

and events, but more refer to bygone times and persons and are obviously

based on tradition. Almost all the information therefore comes from

tradition.

The results obtained from an examination of Puranic and epic tradition as

well as of the Rgveda and Vedic literature are set forth in the present

book, which happens to be a pioneering work in the area by an important

orientalist of the nineteenth century.