PREFACE.

To the Benares Sanskrit College Now known as Sampurnanand Sanskrit University, this was a premier center for traditional Indian learning established by the British in 1791., I am indebted for the loan of the College manuscripts of the text and commentary.

I repeat the expression of my obligations to those scholars whose works assisted me in my translation of the Hymns of the Ṛigveda The oldest of the four Vedas, consisting of over a thousand hymns to the deities.. For help in translating the non-Ṛigvedic hymns of the Sâmaveda The Veda of Melodies or Chants; while most of its text is drawn from the Ṛigveda, it contains unique verses intended for singing during sacrifices. I am additionally indebted to the late Professor Benfey and to Professor Ludwig whose version will be found in his The Ṛigveda original: "Der Ṛigveda", vol. iii, pp. 19—25.

For further information regarding the Sâmaveda, Weber's History of Indian Literature, and M. Müller's History of Ancient Sanskrit Literature, or the article on the Veda in Chambers's Encyclopædia should be consulted.

Kotagiri, Nilgiri :
25th May, 1893.