OGY, BOPP.
There arc two great periods into which the history of the Sanskrit language may be conveniently divided: the first the language as contained in the Vedic hymns (see VEDA); and the second, that represented by die so-called classical Sanskrit. in which the epic works, the law codes, end the Inter literature arc written. Between the two there is a transition period of the lang,unge, to which the Brillunnn'a and ritual portion of the Vedas. and the Upanishads, may he nssigned. In the language of the Vedic hymns, the grammar is less developed find much less settled than in the classical San skrit; it contains, moreover, many forms which at the second period became obsolete, or altogether disappeared from use; the structure of its sentences. too, is simpler, though it is more elliptical than in elassk':il poetry. Another main difference between the two periods lies in the sense of its words. Though this is the same in milay words of the Vedic hymns and the classical liternture, still there are numerous words, whieli, though the same in form at both periods, have a sense which differs according nfi it belongs to the one or the other class of writings.• The din-1111y thus presented by the Vedic, hymns is in a great measure removed. by the cemmentators who explain the meanings of the Vedic words, and, in doing so, follow tradition, which, considering' the peculiarities of Hindu histoiy, and also internal evidence, is in all probability immemorial, and there fore the safest If not the only guide in the understandine of the oldest Vedic works. •
That their explanations may have become unsafe in some instances, would lie but natural; but it is certain that these instances are the rare exceptions; and it is likewise certain that when modern Sanskritists—dnd several of these only imperfectly acquainted with Sanskrit grantmare-shave attempted to supersede those traditional meanings by inter-,.
pretadons which they suppose better suited to the context, or to some assumed etymol ogy of their owit, their rendering may better adapt the Vedic to the classical VoCabilinry, but is sure to falsify that understanding the Hindu miud had of its oldest and most sacred works, and gm which its further historical development is based. In It.e tran sidoil period of the Brahman's and ritual portion of the Vedas and the Upanishads, grammar and vocabulary offer similar difficulties to those of the Vedic hymns; but tnoutra for this reason the aid of the commentaries is likewise iudispensahle, they are murk less numerous; and in those works of this extended period, which prol,ably were composed at the classical epoch, the difference between the two is even ineonsalerahlo. Iu tutu Mg Sanskrit with other kindred languages, it is therefore necessary not to lose sight of these periods of the language, and of the peculiarities inherent iu them.