It has been urged that the humanity[45] and the accompanying silliness of the Brahmanic period as compared with the more robust character of the earlier age are due to the weakening and softening effects of the climate.

But we doubt whether the climate of the Punj[=a]b differs as much from that of Delhi and Patna as does the character of the Rig Veda from that of the Br[=a]hmanas.

We shall protest again when we come to the subject of Buddhism against the too great influence which has been claimed for climate.

Politics and society, in our opinion, had more to do with altering the religions of India than had a higher temperature and miasma.

As a result of ease and sloth--for the Brahmans are now the divine pampered servants of established kings, not the energetic peers of a changing population of warriors--the priests had lost the inspiration that came from action; they now made no new hymns; they only formulated new rules of sacrifice.