Vedic Mythology (2 Vols.): Translated from the Original German by Sreeramula Rajeswara Sarma

Alfred Hillebrandtês Vedische Mythologie, together with his Ritual-Literatur: Vedische Opfer und Zauber forms a pioneering contribution to Vedic studies. Vedische Mythologie originally appeared in three volumes in 1891, 1899, and 1902. In 1910 Hillebrandt also brought out a shorter version entitled Vedische Mythologie, Kleine Ausgabe. Subsequently, he thoroughly revised the original edition, rewriting some parts quite afresh, and arranged the material in two volumes, the first of which was published in 1927 and the second posthumously in 1929. The present English translation is of this second revised edition. Following the method of philological exegesis and shunning unsubstantiated theories, Hillebrandt analyses and interprets here the concepts of Vedic gods.

Volume I contains a long introduction where he lays down his methodology and principles of interpretation. Then follow four chapters dealing respectively with Usas, Asvins, Agni, and Soma. The chapter on Soma occupies more than half of the volume, expounding his major thesis that Soma denoted the moon throughout the Rgveda. There is an extensive appendix on the preparation and offering of the Soma drink according to the Srauta Sutras and another appendix on the tribe of the Panis.

Volume II discusses the various classes of gods. It has six chapters dealing respectively with the Adityas; Savitr and the Rhus; Indra and the Maruts; Visnu, Pusan, and lesser deities; Manes, Demons, and Asuras; and Rudra. The second volume also contains the bibliography, a concordance of all the Vedic passages that are cited or translated in the work, an index, and a bibliography of Hillebrandtês works.

About the Author
ALFRED HILLEBRANDT was born on 15th March 1853, in Grossnaedlitz near Breslau. He began his Sanskrit studies under A.F. Stenzler at the University of Breslau. He continued his education at the University of Munich, where he became the chief pupil of Martin Haug, the great Avestan scholar, from whom he inherited his deep interest in Vedic ritual and mythology. Hillebrandt joined the University of Breslau in 1883 where he succeeded his teacher Stenzler as full Professor. He was also Vice-Chancellor of his University twice. His more than two hundred articles, reviews, and books deal with a vast range of subjects like Veda, Avest‘, _rauta Sµutras, Sanskrit Dharma, Poetry, Grammar, Ar-thaʑstra, and Indian History. The last major work he completed just before his death in 1927 was the revision of the Vedische Mythologie.