The Origin and Development of Religion in Vedic literature / by P. S. Deshmukh. With a Foreword by A. Berriedale Keith. by Deśamukha, Pañjābarāva, 1898-1965 - 2007

Mansfield Centre, CT, Martino Pub., 2007. A thoughtful book based on a large amount of material, dealing in four parts with: 1. Definition and origin of religion; 2. Indo-European and Indo-Iranian religion; 3. Vedic religion; 4. Brahmanism. The main idea is that religion does not owe its origin to magic, but springs directly from "belief in the powers beyond" (which is also the root of magic) and that both existed side by side in the most primitive times. Reprint; originally published London: Oxford University Press, 1933. Based on his D.Phil. thesis, University of Oxford. Includes bibliographical references and index. Stock#42565. Hard Cover. xvi, 378 pages; 23.5 cm. Fine, new in shrinkwrap from publisher.