A History of Ancient Sanskrit Literature, so far as it illustrates the Primitive Religion of the Brahmans c8.s2.20

c8.s2.20

In another Anukramaṇî, Śaunaka gives a list of verses, arranged according to the metres in which they are written; and at the end he states the sum total of verses as 10,402; but here again, if we cast up the number of verses in each metre, according to his own statement, we get 10,409 instead of 10,402. These differences are startling if we consider the general accuracy of the exegetical works of the Brahmans; but they may arise either from faults in the MSS. of the Anukramaṇîs, or from the fact that some of the Khilas were included, though, according to their own professions, both Śaunaka and Kâtyâyana would seem to exclude these later hymns from their Anukramaṇîs. The following table will show the distribution of metres according to Śaunaka:—