But this is not the chief reason.

Granted that the object of study is simply to know the Rig Veda, rightly to grasp the views held by the poets, and so to place oneself upon their plane of thought, it becomes obvious that the farther the student gets from their point of view the less he understands them.

Nay, more, every bit of information, real as well as fancied, which in regard to the poets' own divinities furnishes one with more than the poets themselves knew or imagined, is prejudicial to a true knowledge of Vedic beliefs.

Here if anywhere is applicable that test of desirable knowledge formulated as _das Erkennen des Erkannten_.

To set oneself in the mental sphere of the Vedic seers, as far as possible to think their thoughts, to love, fear, and admire with them--this is the necessary beginning of intimacy, which precedes the appreciation that gives understanding.
DIVISIONS OF THE SUBJECT.
After the next chapter, which deals with the people and land, we shall begin the examination of Hindu religions with the study of the beliefs and religious notions to be found in the Rig Veda.