Vedic Metre in its Historical Development c17.s2.2

c17.s2.2

261. As the parallel developement of language and metre affords adequate proof of the general chronological sequence of the Vedic hymns, it is unnecessary to trace the developement of ideas with any purpose of obtaining from this study a corroboration of our theory as a whole. It is perhaps peculiarly difficult to trace such a developement in a ritual literature, in which antiquated conceptions may easily linger for long periods by the mere force of daily repetition, long after they have ceased to express any genuine feeling or belief. In giving here a general sketch of the developement of the conceptions which form the subject-matter of the hymns, we can only attempt to point out that here and there such developement plainly runs parallel with that of metre and language, and that there is reason to suppose that closer investigation may lead to more definite results.