His academic specialism was in ancient Sanskrit epics such as the Mahabharata and Ramayana, together with Indian religious tradition and folklore.
degree from Haverford College, where he majored in religion and minored in English (1959-1963).
His doctoral thesis is entitled Gods, Heroes, and Krsna: A Study of the Mahabharata in relation to Indian and Indo-European Symbolisms.
[4] Hiltebeitel was an editorial assistant for Seabury Press in New York City during 1963–1964, and between 1967-1968 he held a similar post with the History of Religions Journal.
[4] Hiltebeitel has written several books, and acted as editor and translator for several others, as well as contributing numerous papers to academic journals.