Vedic Metre in its Historical Development c4.5

c4.5

In my view this question is to be answered in the affirmative. I believe that the formal scheme reached in this book, by which each hymn of the Rigveda proper is assigned to one of four successive periods, is a true adumbration of the historical development of the whole literature, and should be a real assistance to the study of its meaning. On the other hand, I do not for a moment suggest that the materials permit of any accuracy in details. At the same time, I think it is conclusively shewn (if it has not been shewn long ago) that the hymns of the ‘popular Rigveda’ are in a true sense later additions, and further that these too are spread over a long period of time.