[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Reference works](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference) › [A Classical Dictionary of Hindu Mythology and Religion, Geography, History, and Literature](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.dowson-1879) › c5.2042.1 # A Classical Dictionary of Hindu Mythology and Religion, Geography, History, and Literature c5.2042.1 A Classical Dictionary of Hindu Mythology and Religion, Geography, History, and Literature c5.2042.1 - **Language:** English ### [c5.2042.1](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.dowson-1879.c5.2042.1) The Atharva-veda, the fourth Veda, is of later origin than the others. This is acknowledged by the Brāhmans, and is proved by the internal evidence of the book itself. It is supposed to date from about the same period as the tenth Mandala of the \*Rig-veda\*, and as Manu speaks of only “the three Vedas,” the Atharva could hardly have been acknowledged in his time. Professor Whitney thinks its contents may be later than even the tenth Mandala of the \*Rig\*, although these two “stand nearly connected in import and origin.” There are reasons for supposing it to have had its origin among the Saindhavas on the banks of the Indus. One-sixth of the whole work is not metrical, “and about one-sixth (of the hymns) is also found among the hymns of the \*Rig-veda\*, and mostly in the tenth book of the latter; the rest is peculiar to the Atharva.” The number of the hymns is about 760, and of the verses about 6000. Professor Whitney, the editor of the Atharva, speaks of it thus: “As to the internal character of the Atharva hymns, it may be said of them, as of the tenth book of the \*Rig\*, that they are productions of another and a later period, and the expressions of a different spirit from that of the earlier hymns in the other Vedas. In the latter, the gods are approached with reverential awe indeed, but with love and confidence also; a worship is paid them that exalts the offerer of it; - [Previous: c5.2041](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.dowson-1879.c5.2041) - [Next: c5.2042.2](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.dowson-1879.c5.2042.2) - [Up: c5.2042](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.dowson-1879.c5.2042) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.dowson-1879.c5.2042.1](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.dowson-1879.c5.2042.1) · Pramāṇa