A History of Ancient Sanskrit Literature, so far as it illustrates the Primitive Religion of the Brahmans c6.196

c6.196

And if it be unsafe to use the epic poems as authorities for the Vedic age, it will readily be admitted that the same objection applies with still greater force to the Purâṇas. Although one only of the eighteen Purâṇas has as yet been completely published, enough is known of their character, partly by Professor Burnouf’s edition of the Bhagavat-purâṇa, partly by extracts given from other Purâṇas by Professor Wilson, to justify our discarding their evidence with reference to the primitive period of Vedic literature. Even the Mânava-dharmaśâstra, the law-book of the Mânavas, a sub-division of the sect of the Taittirîyas, or, as it is commonly called, the Laws of Manu, cannot be used as an independent authority. It cannot be said that the compilers of these laws were ignorant of the traditions of the Vedic age. Many of their verses contain a mere paraphrase of passages from the hymns, Brâhmaṇas, and Sûtras; but they likewise admitted the rules and customs of a later age, and their authority is therefore valid only where it has been checked by more original and genuine texts.