Vedic Metre in its Historical Development c14.85

c14.85

In Chapters IV and VI I have preferred to interpret verses either by hiatus or by syllabic resolution, rather than as decasyllabic verses, whenever the evidence appeared in any way adequate. In so doing I have followed a principle which commends itself by its simplicity both to Indian and to western critics of the Rigveda: but the present enquiry rather points to the conclusion that decasyllabic variations should be more freely recognized. The evidence of early date is very much the same, whichever be the explanation favoured in particular instances.