No. 25—1882.] 



nikvAna, 



167 



IV. The platforms of the polities of exclusion and absorp- 

 tion or the Vedic and Buddhistic polities. — The doctrine of 

 worldliness was systematized. It was distinctly stated that the 

 duties of man — or rather A'ry an man — were to live in happiness 

 here and hereafter ; * but perfect liberty to do as one pleased 

 was not sanctioned. . The Veda was recognised as a codef of 

 ethical, social, and political conduct — the eternal Vedas.J 

 Truthfulness as among the A'ryas themselves was recognized 

 as a binding and paramount duty.§ Worldly happiness was 

 identified with heaven ; and worldly happiness in its variety 

 could be secured, they believed, by performing duly their 

 sacrifices in conformity with the Veda.|| Gods like Indra or 

 Mitra favoured their exclusive privileges, and it was a special 

 privilege of the A'ryas to lord it over the whole world and 

 specially over the non-A'ryas.lT The reformers made a new 

 •departure : they condemned worldliness, and opposed to it 

 spirituality: ** they condemned exclusion and opposed to it 

 universal benevolence: they condemned sacrifice and its arro- 

 gant superiority and opposed to it spiritual contrition of the 

 heart : they condemned caste and opposed to it universal 

 brotherhood : the schools were opened to all who sought 

 instruction. A distinction was made between individuality, 

 local in its grasp and earthly in its aspirations, and universality, 

 disclosing transcending views, and inspiring by its deep spiritual- 

 ity. This is the first view of Nirvana — a condition of positive 

 spiritual bliss as distinguished from worldly happiness or 

 temporal power or secular privileges. The Vedic sacrifice 

 pre-supposed worldly prosperity and encouraged secularity.jt 

 The Vedic A rya sought happiness by acting on external nature 

 and his surroundings. The reformer or the A'rya of the 



* The Pdrva Mlmansa (VI. 1,1, 8.) 

 t 7*. (I. 1,2.) 



J Id. See the discussion in (I.) 



§ This is inculcated or was interpreted fromTai. S. (II.. 5. 5, 6.) 

 || The Purva Mlmansa system. 



«f See the Aitareya Brahman,a (IV. 3. and VII. 29.) 



** The Upanishada teem with utterances in support of these statements, 



f f The Purva Mlmansa (VI; 1, 10.) 



