Vedic Metre in its Historical Development c5.s2.17

c5.s2.17

62. Last in order, but of well-recognized importance, is that part of the Rigveda which resembles in form and character the Atharvaveda. Its metrical characteristics are the ‘epic’ Anuṣṭubh and ‘contaminated’ Triṣṭubh. In many of the hymns, however, these variations are only occasional, and some hymns, though seldom such as contain more than four or five stanzas, shew the normal forms of the Anuṣṭubh and Triṣṭubh, and of other metres characteristic of the Rigveda as a whole. The only considerable group of hymns of this type recognized by the Saṃhitā text is that of the funeral hymns, x 14—19. Other hymns appear at the end of the respective Maṇḍalas, or of those sections which comprise the Agni or Indra hymns, or are appended to single hymns with which they are not homogeneous; whilst a very large proportion are included in the tenth Maṇḍala. These hymns, as we have already noticed (§ 10), are usually ascribed to a later period than the rest of the Rigveda, although there is good reason to think them earlier in date than the existing recension of the Atharvaveda. It does not, however, seem well to call them here by the name ‘late Rigveda,’ by which we should be pledging ourselves to conclusions that are merely provisional. The name popular Rigveda has recently been given to these hymns, partly on account of their subject-matter, which includes myths, dramatic colloquies, and charms, and may therefore be supposed to appeal chiefly to the common people : and partly because of the relatively modern form of language, which at the time must certainly have had a ‘popular’ character, in contrast with the ‘hieratic’ diction of the remaining hymns. We may use this convenient title, but must not forget to mention that in this part of the Rigveda are also contained some abstruse philosophical and cosmogonical speculations.