Class and Religion in Ancient India

includes index and biblioraphy

1. Class formation in Vedic Society ...............9 The Sociohistorical context ..........11 Social and Cultural Bases of Class............16 Formation of the Ruling class............24 Formation of the Working Class..........36 2. Social Origins of Advaita Philosophy........51 Poverty and Inequality in Vedic Society .............52 Advaita metaphysics in the Samhitas .............59 Advaita Philosophy in the Upanishads...........64 Brahma as Governor of Social Order.........72 3. Political Sociology of Bhagavadgita ..........91 Origin and Development ........93 Historical and social Background .......108 Class, Swadharma and non -Attachment ...........122 4. Class Dynamics, Time Cycles and Avatar .........135 Cosmic Time or Kala .................137 Time Cycle and Working class.......161 5. State and Counter-revolution ..............183 Functions of the State ............184 Historical Dynamics..........198 State Persecution and Brahmanism ..........208 Class, State and Religion...........219