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Holy Vedas
Brief translation of The Vedas by Max Muller and T. H Griffith
287 pages, Hardcover
Published January 1, 2019
2 people are currently reading
22 people want to read
About the author
F. Max Müller
1,552 books133 followersFriedrich Max Müller, K.M. (Ph.D., Philology, Leipzig University, 1843)—generally known as Max Müller or F. Max Müller—was the first Professor of Comparative Philology at Oxford University, and an Orientalist who lived and studied in Britain for most of his life. He was one of the founders of the western academic field of Indian studies and the discipline of comparative religion. Müller wrote both scholarly and popular works on the subject of Indology and the Sacred Books of the East, a 50-volume set of English translations, was prepared under his direction.
Müller became a naturalized British citizen in 1855. In 1869, he was elected to the Académie des Inscriptions et Belles-Lettres as a foreign correspondent. He was awarded the Pour le Mérite (civil class) in 1874, and the Bavarian Maximilian Order for Science and Art the following year. In 1888, he was appointed Gifford Lecturer at the University of Glasgow, delivering the first in what has proved to be an ongoing, annual series of lectures at several Scottish universities to the present day. He was appointed a member of the Privy Council in 1896.
His wife, Georgina Adelaide Müller was also an author. After Max's death, she deposited his papers at the Bodleian Library, Oxford.
Müller became a naturalized British citizen in 1855. In 1869, he was elected to the Académie des Inscriptions et Belles-Lettres as a foreign correspondent. He was awarded the Pour le Mérite (civil class) in 1874, and the Bavarian Maximilian Order for Science and Art the following year. In 1888, he was appointed Gifford Lecturer at the University of Glasgow, delivering the first in what has proved to be an ongoing, annual series of lectures at several Scottish universities to the present day. He was appointed a member of the Privy Council in 1896.
His wife, Georgina Adelaide Müller was also an author. After Max's death, she deposited his papers at the Bodleian Library, Oxford.
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
October 9, 2022
It was under a whimsical mind that I had picked up this book from the bookstore. It had a beautiful cover and despite the popular notion of being voluminous, it was just under 300 pages. All of that including the fact that it was an English translation made me drift towards the book.
The four Vedas have been translated by Max Muller and Ralph TH Griffith. It's a quick read that has it's moments of engagement. The book is an abridged version, that has been translated by Western writers. These act as limitations which are quite apparent in the first reading.
According to the translation, the Rig Veda introduces the reader to many important deities like Indra, Agni, Soma, Varuna and others. It has a compilation of hymns that are singing praises to the Gods.
The Yajur Veda feels like a continuation of the same. It highlights many rituals and hymns. There is a rising importance of Yajna and sacrifices that indicate a rising complexity in the religion.
The next part is of Samveda which is the largest component in the translated work. The hymns in this section are again filled with rituals that seek help from the Gods.
The final section of Atharvaveda, was a more interesting read. It consisted of magical spells for a wide range of problems, from the king's accession and pardoning of criminals to protecting crops and treating diseases.
Unfortunately this translation, does not talk about the spiritual aspect of the Vedas, which is disappointing. That will surely leave the reader yearning for more! There are also some typing errors which was quite unexpected. The wide usage of archaic English in the translation can also serve as a hindrance to new readers.
The beautiful red and gold cover promises a lot but the translated work falls short of expectations. I myself will be looking to explore translations by Indian writers to get a more wholesome understanding of the Vedas.
The four Vedas have been translated by Max Muller and Ralph TH Griffith. It's a quick read that has it's moments of engagement. The book is an abridged version, that has been translated by Western writers. These act as limitations which are quite apparent in the first reading.
According to the translation, the Rig Veda introduces the reader to many important deities like Indra, Agni, Soma, Varuna and others. It has a compilation of hymns that are singing praises to the Gods.
The Yajur Veda feels like a continuation of the same. It highlights many rituals and hymns. There is a rising importance of Yajna and sacrifices that indicate a rising complexity in the religion.
The next part is of Samveda which is the largest component in the translated work. The hymns in this section are again filled with rituals that seek help from the Gods.
The final section of Atharvaveda, was a more interesting read. It consisted of magical spells for a wide range of problems, from the king's accession and pardoning of criminals to protecting crops and treating diseases.
Unfortunately this translation, does not talk about the spiritual aspect of the Vedas, which is disappointing. That will surely leave the reader yearning for more! There are also some typing errors which was quite unexpected. The wide usage of archaic English in the translation can also serve as a hindrance to new readers.
The beautiful red and gold cover promises a lot but the translated work falls short of expectations. I myself will be looking to explore translations by Indian writers to get a more wholesome understanding of the Vedas.
Displaying 1 of 1 review