[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Polity, law and society](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity) › [Republics in Ancient India, c. 1500 B.C.–500 B.C.](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1968) › c7.542 # Republics in Ancient India, c. 1500 B.C.–500 B.C. c7.542 Republics in Ancient India, c. 1500 B.C.–500 B.C. c7.542 - **Language:** English ### [c7.542](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1968.c7.542) We have examined the six central \*maṇḍalas\* (ii to vii) of the \*Ṛg Veda\* in order to see how various hymns are concluded by the \*ṛṣi\*-poets who composed them. After an analysis of 620 hymns which comprise these six \*maṇḍalas\*, we come to the conclusion that the manner of ending the hymn is a matter of individual style and no implicit faith can be put in such repetitions. The second \*maṇḍala\* contains as many as 23 hymns which end with the \*pāda\* quoted above.⁸ In the third \*maṇḍala\*, 12 out of 62 hymns end in "who slays the Vṛtras, wins and gathers riches," ¹ and seven end with yet another stock formula, while the remainder have individual final \*pādas\*. In the fourth at least 8 hymns end in a set style.² The fifth and sixth books also have hymns ending in the same words, and in the seventh \*maṇḍala\* we find as many as 65 hymns ending with the same \*pāda\*, "Ye gods, preserve us evermore with blessings".³ - [Previous: c7.541](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1968.c7.541) - [Next: c7.543](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1968.c7.543) - [Up: c7](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1968.c7) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1968.c7.542](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1968.c7.542) · Pramāṇa