508 Report on the " Vedas" 



the language, occurring in the text, are explained, and reference is made 

 to the interpretation of the same by ancient works of the Hindus. 



Secondly, the language of the Vedas in its grammar is explained by 

 Panini and other Hindu authors on Sanscrit grammars, especially by 

 Bhattogi Dixita in the Siddhanta Kaumudi, the works of whom are 

 partly printed and commented upon. The edition of Panini by Boeth- 

 linck will give all the assistance that is required, completely to under- 

 stand the grammatical forms peculiar to the Vedas. Further, the 

 language of the Vedas with regard to its style is simple, and in this 

 respect easy ; there are no unusual combinations of words ; the language 

 of the Sanhitas (to which I here only refer, as it is the most difficult 

 part) is that of prayer, connected with the daily routine of life. The 

 only difficulty consists in the occasional want of the connexion of the 

 ideas. This difficulty, however, is not of frequent occurrence, and will 

 be removed by an attentive perusal of the whole prayer in which such 

 passages occur. 



Thirdly, we have those commentaries of the Vedas which, from the 

 most ancient times until now, have been acknowledged as guides in the 

 interpretation of the Vedas. These commentaries give a full explanation 

 of the peculiar grammatical forms and obsolete words as well as of the 

 sense, when it is obscure, or when allusions are made to usages and 

 customs which disappeared at a later period, or the}?- supply omissions 

 in the text. They are at the same time not written in the dialect of the 

 Vedas, but in a language which every one, acquainted with the Sanscrit, 

 can understand. 



On these grounds I consider any objection, raised upon the ancient 

 form of the language against the publication of the Vedas, as of no 

 weight whatever. By study, application and perseverance, which are 

 required for the execution of every important literary undertaking, they 

 will assuredly be overcome. 



The second difficulty is to procure a complete copy of the Vedas. 



There is no complete copy of the same in Calcutta, and also not at 

 Benares, as appears from a statement of Mr. Muir which I have added 

 to this Report. There are, however, considerable portions of them 

 here, and still more at Benares, and judging from what we already 

 possess we have every reason to expect, that we shall be able to complete 



