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The Religion of the Veda

early believers to say that they did not develop the idea beyond this stage of mere primary utility. A later text of the Yajur-Veda says: Faith is truth, and unfaith is lies:


"The creator (Prajāpati) having beheld two qualities separated truth and lie from one another. He put unfaith into lie, faith he placed into truth." (Vājasaneyi Samhitā. 19. 77.)


Next, faith is wisdom; faith is the sister of wisdom: The fool saith in his heart, "there is no god." In order to disprove his folly it becomes needful to couple the ideas of Faith and Wisdom. From a later time we have very interesting accounts of the initiation of disciples, and their instruction. in the Vedas. Teacher and pupil in a kind of dramatic dialogue carry on the solemn action: "Teach me the revealed books (of the Veda), my Lord!" saith the pupil. "I teach thee the revealed books," replieth the teacher. "Teach me the Vedic tradition, my Lord!" saith the pupil. "I teach thee the Vedic tradition," replieth the teacher. "Teach me Faith and Wisdom, my Lord!" saith the pupil. "I teach thee Faith and Wisdom."[1] In another text, as the pupil puts on the sacred girdle which he wears during disciplehood, he addresses it:

  1. ↑ See Çānkhāyana Grihyasūtra 2. 7, and compare Āçvalāyana Grihyasūtra 3. 9. 1.
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