OR SACRED WRITINGS OF THE HINDUS. 389 



(Chan'da); each of which is subdivided into as 

 many lectures (axVhyaya). Another mode of di- 

 vision also runs through the volume ; distinguish- 

 ing ten books (mandala), which are subdivided 

 inio more than a hundred chapters (cimrcaca), and 

 comprise a thousand hymns or invocations (siicta). 

 A further subdivision of more than two thousand 

 sections (barga) is common to both methods : and 

 the whole contains above ten thousand verses, or 

 rather stanzas, of various measures. 



On examining this voluminous compilation, a 

 systematical arrangement is readily perceived. 

 Successive chapters, and even entire books, com- 

 prise hymns of a single author : invocations, too, 

 addressed to the same deities, hymns relating to 

 like subjects, and prayers intended for similar oc- 

 casions, are frequently classed together. This re- 

 quires explanation. 



In a regular perusal of the Veda, which is en- 

 joined to all priests, and which is much practised 

 by Mahrattas and Teimgns, the student or reader 

 is required to notice, especially, the author, sub- 

 ject, metre, and purpose of each mantra, or invo- 

 cation. To understand the meaning of the pas- 

 sage is thought less important. The institutors of 

 the Hindu system have indeed recommended the 

 study of the sense ; but they have inculcated with 

 equal strenuousness, and more success, attention 

 to the name of the Rishi or person, by whom the 

 text was first uttered, the deity to whom it is ad- 

 dressed, or the subject to which it relates, and 

 also its rhythm or metre, and its purpose, or the 



coniprehending most of these texts, is called the Ris^v/da; or, as 

 expressed in the Commentaiy on the Index, " because it abounds 

 with such texts (Rich)." 



Cc 3 



