4S2 ON THE VE'DAS, 



and Vedanta, illustrate and support every position 

 advanced in them, by ample quotations from the 

 Vedas. 'The object of the Mimansa is to estabUsh 

 the cogency of precepts contained in scripture, 

 and to furnish maxims for its interpretation; and, 

 for the same purpose, rules of reasoning, from 

 which a system of logic is deducible. The object 

 ■of the Vedanta is to illustrate the system of mysti- 

 cal theology taught by the supposed revelation, 

 and to show its application to the enthusiastic pur- 

 suit of unimpassioned perfection and m3'stical in- 

 tercourse with the divinity. Both are closely con- 

 nected with the V^das: and here, likewise, the 

 authenticity of the text is supported by ancient 

 references and citaUons. 



Numerous collections of aphorisms, by ancient 

 authors*, on religious ceremonies, contain, in 

 every line, references to passages of the Vcdas. 

 Commentaries on these aphorisms cite the pas- 

 sages at greater length. Separate treatises also in- 

 terpret the prayers used at divers ceremonies. Ri- 

 tuals, some ancient, others modern, contain a full 

 cktail of the ceremonial, with all the prayers which 

 are to ()e recited at the various religious rites for 

 which they are formed. Such rituals are extant, 

 not only for. ceremonies which are constantly ob- 

 served, but for otheis which are rarely practised ; 

 and even for such as have been long since disused. 



*The 6'wfrflr«of A's'wala'yana, Sa'nc'hya'yana.Baudd'- 



HA'YANA, Ca'TYA'YANA, Lat'a'YANA, Go'BHILA, A'PAS- 



TAMBA, &C. 



' Tiiese, appertainina; to various StkV/fJs of the FiW/7*, constitute 

 t'lU'.calpe, or svstcm of religious observances. I tiave ii^re enu- 

 nicnited a few only. The hst might be much enlarged, from my 

 .own collection ; and still more so, from quotations by varioii*' 

 compilers : for ti)e original works, and their commeutarjes, as well 

 as compilations from them, are very numerous;. 



