a Western term for the stage of Indian religion prevailing during the time of the creation of the hymns up to about 900 B.C. It was succeeded by the period of Brāhmanism dominated by the supremacy of the priestly caste and a build-up of...

This article discusses the historical religious practices in the Vedic time period; see Hinduism and Indian religions for details of continued religious practices. See Śrauta for the continuing practice of performance of rituals by an oral passing of...