A History of Ancient Sanskrit Literature, so far as it illustrates the Primitive Religion of the Brahmans c10.9

c10.9

Here then we see that even so late a writer as Sâyaṇa is fully aware of the peculiar character of the Rig-veda, as compared with the other Vedas. In his eyes the collection of hymns, preserved in the Rig-veda, has evidently something anomalous. He, brought up in the system of a stiff liturgical religion, looks upon the Sanhitâs simply as prayer-books to be used at the sacrifices. The sacrifices as taught in the Brâhmaṇas and Sûtras, are to him a subject of far greater importance than the religious poetry of the Rishis. It is but natural, therefore, that he should ask, what is the use of this collection of hymns, in which there is no order or system, as in the hymn-books of the Yajur-veda and Sâma-veda? His answer, however, is most unsatisfactory. For if the other two collections of hymns can be used for private devotion although they follow the order of the sacrifices, why should not the same apply to the hymns of the Rig-veda?