[Footnote 37: _Vedas_: The sacred books of the Hindus, in Sanscrit; probably written about six or seven centuries before Christ. _Veda_ means knowledge. The books comprise hymns, prayers, and liturgical forms.] There was certainly an historical basis for the Buddhist legend. In fact, the legends group themselves round a number of very distinct occurrences. At the end of the sixth century B.C. those Aryan tribes sprung from the same stem as our own ancestors, who have preserved for us in their Vedic songs so precious a relic of ancient thought and life, had pushed on beyond the five rivers of the Punjab, and were settled far down into the valley of the Ganges. They had given up their nomadic habits, dwelling in villages and towns, their wealth being in land, produce, and cattle. From democratic beginnings the whole nation had gradually become bound by an iron system of caste. The country was split up into little sections, each governed by some petty despot, and harassed by internecine feuds. Religion had become a debasing ritualism, with charms and incantations, fear of the influence of the stars, and belief in dreams and omens. The idea of the existence of a soul was supplemented by the doctrine of transmigration. The priests were well-meaning, ignorant, and possessed of a sincere belief in their own divinity. The religious use of the _Vedas_ and the right to sacrifice were strictly confined to the Brahmans. There were travelling logicians, anchorites, ascetics, and solitary hermits. Although the ranks of the priesthood were closed against intruders, still a man of lower caste might become a religious teacher and reformer. Such were the conditions which welcomed Gautama Buddha.