The Development of Hinduism

The Rig Veda begins with questioning into the origin of the world. Ka becomes a sound, a name that serves as the pat answer to a question of the beginning of the world.

During the hymns, there is what appears to be a progression. There is an increase in the gods. At first there is no god, nor goddess, but there is observation of the world. Then there is the first naming of a god.

Soon after there are rituals. The rites are, like the names, efforts to relate to these divine forces. There is an entire set designed to express ways in which humans strive to relate with these forces. One of these ways is to make sacrifices. The major sacrifice explained in The Rig Veda is called 'the Horse Sacrifice.' Another means of displaying desires to relate with the gods are the...