Excerpt from Rivers of Life, or Sources and Streams of the Faiths of Man, in All Lands, Vol. 1: Showing the Evolution of Faiths From the Rudest Symbolisms to the Latest Spiritual Developments It is now nearly forty years since the author began to study the religions and languages Of India, and he was led to do SO in days when the latter was not compul sory, from a fervent belief in his own faith, and a sincere desire to save the lost. He approached the vast subject - how vast will be seen in page 290 Of Vol. II. - with all the usual zeal and no doubt dogmatism, which generally distinguishes those who are not only entirely ignorant of the Old religions they SO valiantly attempt to over throw, but who know very little even about the foundations Of the one they seek to propagate. Long years of careful study and many well fought encounters with the able adversaries of current creeds, had however, the usual effect when one determines to know and accept all truth, come from whatever book, Shrine or priest it may. He found it impossible to walk like so many of his good comrades, with neither eyes nor ears for the ancient faiths around him, and truly'there is nothing gained by shutting out facts, truths or comparisons however uncomfortable. Better far to know the real foundations of every story, doctrine and rite - the root from whence sprang every emblem, God or divine idea, than to believe implicitly the ancient writings Of more or less interested persons. The first scenes Of the author's study on entering the Army had been Madras, Central India, the Dekan, and then the high and holy places of the Western Ghats Of the Bombay Presidency,1 from whence above 2000 years ago had issued Budhists and J ains, pushing before them Aryan, and vastly ancient Turanian Nature worshipers. Afterwards he was called to civil duties on and around the Mysore High lands, where he gazed with amazement on the remains perchance Of the River drift or Cave man, and on Druid-like shrines, surpassing far those Of his native land. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.