«With characteristic acuity, Bronkhorst analyses the early sources, mainly Dharmasutra texts, the early Upanisads, and the Mahabharata, and presents his arguments with admirable conciseness and clarity.The immensely important role which asceticism in a broad sense of the term has played - and indeed continues to play - in Indian religions (including Buddhism) certainly justifies the effort to arrive at a better understanding of its origins. Bronkhorst's study is a major contribution in this respect, and surely will not fail to stimulate further research.» (Per Kværne, Acta Orientalia).