The History of Indian Literature c8.90

c8.90

As regards European researches, the Ṛik-Saṃhitá, as well as the other Vedas, first became known to us through Colebrooke’s excellent paper “On the Vedas,” in the *As. Res.* vol. viii. (Calc. 1805). To Rosen we are indebted for the first text, as given partly in his *Rigvedæ Specimen* (London, 1830), partly in the edition of the first *ashṭaka*, with Latin translation, which only appeared after the early death of the lamented author (*ibid.* 1838). Since then, some other smaller portions of the text of the Ṛik-Saṃhitá have here and there been communicated to us in text or translation, especially in Roth’s already often quoted and excellent *Abhandlungen zur Litteratur und Geschichte des Weda* (Stuttgart, 1846). The entire Saṃhitá, together with the commentary of Sáyaṇa, is now being published, edited by Dr. M. Müller of Oxford, at the expense of the East India Company; the first *ashṭaka* appeared in 1849. At the same time an edition of the text, with extracts from the commentary, is in course of publication in India. From Dr. M. Müller, too, we may expect detailed prolegomena to his edition, which are to treat in particular of the position held by the songs of the Ṛik in the history of civilisation. A French translation by Langlois comprises the entire Saṃhitá (1848–1851); it is, of course, in many respects highly useful, although in using it great caution is necessary. An English translation by Wilson is also begun, of which the first *ashṭaka* only has as yet appeared.³²