N. Gopala Pillai, M. A
from the Proceedings of the All-India Oriental Conference
Vol. IX (Trivandrum: Government Press, 1937), pp. 955-997
There are scholars like Hopkins[102] and Jackson who place the bulk of the Rg Veda hymns between 800 and 600 B.C. on the evidence of the very close affinity of the contents and language of the Rg Veda and the Avesta.[103]
But, whatever be the chronology of the Upanisads, it is admitted on all hands that the two Upanisads Brhadāranyaka and Chāndogya are of a composite character. Different books have been strung together – ill-strung though – to give us the present versions. And naturally enough, interpolations easily creep in.
If certain notions of the deification of a great foreign prince have been incorporated into legends concerning an Indian God it need not perturb us. The Bhagavad Gītā assures us –
“Ye Yathā mām prapadyante
tāns tathaiva bhajāmy aham”
and Gaudapāda says:
“Yam bhāvam darśayed yasya
tam bhāvam sa tu paśyati
tam cā’vati sa bhūtvā sau
tadgrahah samupaiti tam.”
Kārikā II, 29.
The fountain-head of all religions is the pure and devout heart of man, thrilled by the awe and mystery of the universe. The stream might course through diverse regions, carrying with it the various tributes of minor streams. But it cleanses and refreshes and strengthens all that seek it, and moves onwards to its final goal, the vast and mysterious ocean.
Bahudhā’ pyāgamair bhinnāh
panthānah siddhihetavah
tvayy eva nipatanty oghā
jāhnavīyā ivā ‘ rnave
Kālidāsa's Raghuvamśa
The culture and civilisation of India have always been assimilative. India, at heart knows no distinction of East and west. Well and truly has the noble Marquess of Zetland said:
“The legacy of India, how rich a heritage, drawing contributions, as it does, from diverse races and from many epochs both preceding and following the great Aryan incursion from the lands lying beyond the snow-capped ranges of Hindu Kush”.
Introduction to The Legacy of India
edited by G.T. Garatt, 1937
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SKANDA ŚATKAM
Skandah kumārah senānīh
Śaktibhrd raktaketanah
Aśvārūdhas tārakārir
Mahiśāsuramardanah
Devasenāpatir devah
Krauñcarandhravidāranah
Mayūravarasamsevyah
Sindhu deśa samādrtah
Naigameyaś chāgavaktro
Madhvadi vahninandanah
Apām suto dvijo divyo
Guhah śaravanodbhavah
Mahyā umāyāh pārvatyās
Tanayah krttikāsutah
Vallīvrto bhadraśākho
Bhūtakinnarasevitah
Nānāvāditra kuśalair
Nānā lāsya vilāsibhih
Bhaktamātrganaih sevyo
Murukaś śivanandanah
Ābrahma stamba samvyāpto
Yo brahmanyah sanātanah
Sankalpa kalpavrksāya
Tasmai sarvātmane namah