Ancient Indian Historical Tradition c6.12

c6.12

Even contemporary historical notices in the Rigveda therefore remain chronologically vague, and by themselves yield little information that can be co-ordinated for historical purposes. Statements of an historical kind in the Vedic literature become serviceable, if they can be linked up with other statements from elsewhere, and that can be only from tradition. It is tradition that gives many of them a chronological position; hence the soundness and force of the counsel given in the verses prefixed to this chapter are manifest. Tradition therefore becomes all-important. It is the only resource, since historical works are wanting, and is not an untrustworthy guide. In ancient times men knew perfectly well the difference between truth and falsehood, as abundant proverbs and sayings show. It was natural therefore that they should discriminate what was true and preserve it; and historical tradition must be considered in this light. This will be noticed farther on.