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Synopsis In the present work, which is a revised and enlarged edition of the earlier edition, a remarkable attempt has been made by the well known Indologist Dr. N.N. Bhattacharyya to understand the principles which led to the emergence of the rites of the life-cycle and their functional role in different spheres of human thought and endeavour. Analysis and correlation of the basic conceptual aspects as gleaned from the puberty rites and their derivative customs and institutions have been utilised to understand certain features of ancient Indian social and religious life. The facts derived from ancient literature, especially from the Sanskrit sources, have been studied in the light of what is known of the surviving tribal and popular customs and institutions. Like other works of Dr. Bhattacharyya, the present volume is also expected to evoke much interest among the readers and to become effectively helpful for those who are working in the field of Indian social history.