the rank garden of Hindu superstitions arise, one after another, lofty
trees of an old seed, which is ever renewed, and which cultivation has
gradually improved.

We have shown, especially in the chapters on the Atharva Veda and on
Hinduism, as revealed in epic poetry, how constant in India is the
relation between these two growths. If surprised at the height of
early Hindu thought, one is yet more astonished at the permanence of
the inferior life which flourishes beneath the shady protection of the
superior. Even here one may follow the metaphor, for the humbler life
below is often a condition of the grander growth above.

In the Rig Veda there is an hymn of faith and doubt

To INDRA.[2]

He who, just born, with thought endowed, the foremost,
Himself a god hemmed in the gods with power;
Before whose breath, and at whose manhood's greatness,
The two worlds trembled; he, ye folk, is Indra.

He who the earth made firm as it was shaking,
And made repose the forward tottering mountains;
Who measured wide the inter-space aerial,
And heaven established; he, ye folk, is Indra.

Who slew the dragon, loosed the rivers seven,
And drove from Vala's hiding place the cattle;[3]
Who fire between the two stones[4] hath engendered,
Conqueror in conflicts; he, ye folk, is Indra.

Who all things here, things changeable, created;
Who lowered and put to naught the barbarous color,[5]
And, like victorious gambler, took as winnings
His foe's prosperity; he, ye folk, is Indra.

Whom, awful, they (yet) ask about: 'where is he?'
And speak thus of him, saying, 'he exists not'--
He makes like dice[6] his foe's prosperity vanish;
Believe on him; and he, ye folk, is Indra.

In whose direction horses are and cattle;
In whose, the hosts (of war) and all the chariots;
Who hath both S[=u]rya and the Dawn engendered,
The Waters' leader; he, ye folk, is Indra.

Both heaven and earth do bow themselves before him,
And at his breath the mountains are affrighted;
Who bolt in arms is seen, the _soma_-drinker,
And bolt in hand; ('tis) he, ye folk, is Indra.

Who helps the _soma_-presser, (_soma_)-cooker,
The praiser (helps), and him that active serveth;
Of whom the increase _brahma_ is and _soma_,
And his this offering; he, ye folk, is Indra.

Here _brahma_, which word already in the Yajur Veda has taken to
itself the later philosophical signification, is merely prayer, the