An Introduction to Satyarth Prakash

Hindu religion as it is practised today is very different in many ways from the religion of Vedic India. But it still retains the basic frame of that religion. It pledges its faith in the Vedas and it traces its lineage to the Vedas. This is true inspite of the many glaring contradictions which are so conspicuous between the Vedic religion as described in the Vedas and the Hindu religion which is practised today. This is natural for a religion which has a continuous history of thousands of years. The main current of the religious thought flows on while many streams stray away into new lands and continue to get sustenance from the main source.

However, it is very necessary to know the original source, understand it, appreciate its implications in present times and make suitable adjustments in personal life and social customs and traditions keeping in view the happiness of the individual and welfare of the society. The original source of all forms of Hindu religion is the Vedas. It is, therefore, essential to go to the Vedas and have an idea of the eternal truths which the Vedas contain and the secret of eternal freshness which the Vedas still provide to the enigmatic Hindu religion.