The History of Indian Literature c8.151

c8.151

Of the writings called *Anukramaṇí*, in which the metre, the deity, and the author of each song are given in their proper order, several have come down to us for the Ṛik-Saṃhitá, including an *Anuvákánukramaṇí* by Śaunaka, and a *Sarvánukramaṇí* by Kátyáyana.⁵⁷ For both of these we have an excellent commentary by Shaḍguruśishya, whose time is unknown,⁵⁸ as also his real name. The names of the six teachers from whom he took this surname are enumerated by himself; they are Vináyaka, Triśúláñka, Govinda, Súrya, Vyása, and Śivayogin, and he connects their names with those of the corresponding deities.—Another work belonging to this place, the Bṛihaddevatá, has been already mentioned (p. 24), as attributed to Śaunaka, and as being of great importance, containing as it does a rich store of mythical fables and legends. From Kuhn's communications on the subject (*I. St.*, i. 101–120), it appears that this work is of tolerably late origin, as it chiefly follows Yáska's Nirukta, and probably therefore only belongs to Śaunaka in the sense of having proceeded from his school. It mentions a few more teachers in addition to those quoted by Yáska, as Bháguri and Áśvaláyana; and it also presupposes, by frequently quoting them, the existence of the Aitareyaka, Bhállavi-Bráhmaṇa, and Nidána-Sútra. As the author strictly adheres to the order of the hymns observed in the Saṃhitá, it results that in the recension of the text used by him there were a few deviations from that of the Śákalas which has been handed down to us. In fact, he here and there makes direct reference to the text of the Váshkalas, to which, consequently, he must also have had access.—Lastly, we have to mention the writings called *Ṛigvidhána*, &c., which, although some of them bear the name of Śaunaka, probably belong only to the time of the Puráṇas. They treat of the mystic and magic efficacy of the recitation of the hymns of the Ṛik, or even of single verses of it, and the like. There are, likewise, a number of other similar Pariśishṭas (supplements) under various names; for instance, a Bahvṛicha-Pariśishṭa, Śáñkháyana-P., Áśvaláyana-Gṛihya-P., &c.