The Purana Index v1.c3.s5.5

v1.c3.s5.5

Though there are certain data which may bespeak of a higher antiquity, still the language and style of the Purāṇa preclude us from being guided by mere references, some of which might have been accidental. There are no archaic expressions and the Purāṇa indicates that it is far ahead of the Sūtra form of style employed by the authors of the Arthaśāstra and Kāmasūtras. The stanzas are couched in elegant literary style in conformity to the Pāṇinian standard. Though we cannot definitely fix a period for the upper limit of the age of this Purāṇa, still we would not be far wrong if we fix it at the 3rd century B.C. It is quite plausible that some of the Purāṇa texts are older; but we are actually concerned with the probable period during which the Matsya Purāṇa as we know to-day, took its shape.