[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Literature, language and dating](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.literature) › [A History of Sanskrit Literature](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.literature.macdonell-1900) › c8.71 # A History of Sanskrit Literature c8.71 A History of Sanskrit Literature c8.71 - **Language:** English ### [c8.71](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.literature.macdonell-1900.c8.71) The thirteenth or intercalary month, contrasted with the twelve others conceived as pairs, is thus darkly alluded to: "Of the co-born they call the seventh single-born; sages call the six twin pairs god-born." The latter expression probably alludes to the intercalary month being an artificial creation of man. In the later Vedic age it became a practice to propound such enigmas, called "theological problems" (\*brahmodya\*), in contests for intellectual pre-eminence when kings instituted great sacrifices or Brahmans were otherwise assembled together. - [Previous: c8.70](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.literature.macdonell-1900.c8.70) - [Next: c8.72](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.literature.macdonell-1900.c8.72) - [Up: c8](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.literature.macdonell-1900.c8) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.literature.macdonell-1900.c8.71](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.literature.macdonell-1900.c8.71) · Pramāṇa