Vedic Metre in its Historical Development c14.6

c14.6

Between the historical developement of the metre and the individual taste of the poets no sharp line of distinction can be drawn: the history of the Vedic periods is in the last analysis the history of the hymn-writers who belong to each of them. But for practical purposes individual taste is characterized by comparatively abrupt variation. If particular features are found in one group of hymns for which we are not prepared by the groups which just precede it in time, and of which hardly any trace is left in groups that appear immediately to succeed it, it is a natural explanation that these variations represent the bias of a single poet, or perhaps of a small group of poets intimately associated in their work. This individuality has often been recognized in the subject-matter and general treatment of the seventh Maṇḍala, with the result that the family name Vasiṣṭha, alone amongst those of the ancient seers of Indian tradition, suggests to many Western critics also a striking personality. It will appear that the metre of this collection lends some support to this view.