Vedic Metre in its Historical Development c9.2

c9.2

89. It has been indicated above (§§ 57-62) that large parts of the Rigveda proper are on the whole metrically homogeneous, and that these parts can on general grounds be arranged in three periods. More precisely, the greater part of the Rigveda may be divided into ten groups of hymns as shewn on the next page, six of the groups being roughly equivalent to six of the Maṇḍalas, and the remaining four being of a more composite character. Of these ten groups, five have the characteristics of the *bardic* period: two are regular in metre, and therefore to be assigned to the *normal* period: two have the characteristics of the *cretic* or transition period: and the last group comprises the hymns of the popular Rigveda.