As we trace the history and evolution of the practice of our religion, we can see that the faith has been well preserved for many generations. However, the religion was not practiced as it was written in our texts. So, we should also consider the darker side of our cultural practice which should be eliminated. In the past one thousand years, with alien rule and slavery, lots of secrecy were practiced in the study of this treasure of our knowledge. The religious practice confined itself to recitation and repetition of vedic samhitas, and rituals as given in the main Karma and Upasana part of Veda, as explained in Poorva Mimamsa, sometimes memorized and often recited without understanding the meanings or following the principles of teachings. Sometimes, the teachings and their meanings were modified to suit one's convenience. The treasures became personal possessions of a selected few educated groups who did not pass on this to others, even in their own community or group.

Most people blindly followed the faith and its rituals without understanding it. Large parts of all the Vedic writings, almost 90 percent, were thus lost for ever and no study or research was done on these subjects until the great Acharyas came to revive them. During the last 300 years, many Western scholars, who came to India, studied all these available texts of the four Vedas and took all the treasures of knowledge with them to benefit their thinking. It has altered considerable amount of Western logic, thinking and scientific works. Some of these scholars were Christian missionaries, who were often punished for blasphemy when they supported the theories of scientific evolution of life or the theory that the world is a globe that revolved around the sun. They distorted the history to suit the biblical teachings of creation and they had to give their own interpretations acceptable to their society. So, they often said that Hinduism was started 3500 years back by Western invaders from their Biblical land. In spite of this, the works done by these European scholars are really commendable.

We see the great neglect to Vedic studies and practice of Hinduism in the past century. It becomes very essential for the transplanted group of Hindus in the alien soil, to study the principles and practice of our faith. We need to study the teachings of our Sages to ensure a future for our people. Sri Sunder Raj in his book on 'Vedas and Vedantha' published by the 'International Society for the Investigations of Ancient Civilizations', has analyzed the situation well and says the following passages:

"Unfortunately, Hindus themselves, in India, did not show much interest in the study of the Vedic texts with a research into their full meanings and considered them as a matter of no interest to them and of no relevance to modern condition. There were some exception to this in the case of few small groups who did some study of Upanishad portions of Veda, who also did not get much support from the public or the government. Paradoxically and characteristically, Hindus always take pride in the interest shown by the Western research scholars as it boosts their morale and satisfies their ego. At the same time, in the same breath, they think and express an opinion that the findings of the Westerners are wrong and wanting in empathy; but they are not prepared to contradict them with concrete proof through research work except for few great persons and organizations."

"Contrary to the general notion that the Hindus in general are very spiritual in their thinking, the fact remains that their major concern is for the goods of material life in the immediate present. They are excessively demonstrative in their religious rituals which is mistaken for spiritualism. Living in the material present, they find no use for either the past or the future of life in this world. They fail to see that it is the past that made the present and it is the present that will make the future. Without entering into a discussion on this unfortunate situation, one can easily understand and see the urgent need to study our past and plan for our future."