A History of Ancient Sanskrit Literature, so far as it illustrates the Primitive Religion of the Brahmans c10.85

c10.85

The work of the Mantra period is not entirely represented by the collection of the ancient hymns. Such a work would be sufficient in itself to give a character to an age, and we might appeal, in the history of ancient Greek literature, to the age of the Diaskeuasts. A generation which begins to collect has entered into a new phase of life. Nations, like individuals, become conservative when they cease to trust implicitly in themselves, and have learnt from experience that they are not better than their account : (i. 3.) शान्तिपुष्यभिचारार्था ह्येकब्रह्म्विंगाश्रिताः क्रियास्तत्र प्रमीयन्तेऽचाप्येवात्मीयगोचराः॥ fathers. But though the distinctive feature of the Mantra period consisted in gathering the fruits of a bye-gone spring, this was not the only work which occupied the Brahmans of that age. Where poems have to be collected from the mouth of the people, they have likewise to be arranged. Corrections are supposed to be necessary; whole verses may have to be supplied. After collecting and correcting a large number of poems, many a man would feel disposed to try his own poetical powers; and if new songs were wanted, it did not require great talent to imitate the simple strains of the ancient Rishis. Thus we find in the Rig-veda, that, after the collection of the ten Maṇḍalas was finished, some few hymns were added, generally at the end of a chapter, which are known by the name of Khilas. We can hardly call them successful imitations of the genuine songs; but in India they seem to have soon acquired a certain reputation. They found their way into the Sanhitâs of the other Vedas; they are referred to in the Brâhmaṇas; and though they are not counted in the Anukramaṇîs, together with the original hymns, they are there also mentioned as recognised additions.