3o
it in writing and so the first means of transmission was in writing. The conjecture is that at the time of the composition of the Ramayana writipg was unknown or the practice of writing was in its embryo.
12. Lastly the racy and elegant style of Valmiki—a sign of antiquity—contrasts itself most favourably with that of the-rugged and laboured language of the Mahabharata.
These argurneiilfei then, must suffice to convince any nigativist of thi ftiliity of bis theory* "The Mrois of the Ramayana are spcEtfwhat tame aild common place .f &n$$ii$g@5*. very respectful to priests, very anxfoiis to c^nfecm to tli^ tules of decorum and etif»efcte^M^n If this wre i ®^ditlrfs argument, his counsel must only tlTOir ^tife^.-litlil*:/-:^; tile contrary that very taoieness of heroes and priest^ doBiin^tioa is a sign of antiquity* When people learn to; raa^u -and ajrgue, priests can no Icunger claifi p^id^mtoaia^ Priests can-only be "wits among lords" and not c||ogds gmong wits." Orthodox Hindu tmiitipl:is nD| aflit„,$& ai^ctption to the-eyes of a sober observer,
•'SiKStaxsr :-Ev^.,';^'. , "'" ' "" "'' : , . . Tbe Furap^s, •,;v,;:.y,., ..,'' -.,:.,-:-t^ . .•;; •' The. • Puranas now'- - deserve;:. '^igiatio% m :^m^j^^,i^m. important department of /SaiisJl^\|K^plt^.:-.^ -&^'-ji^^i^:
' fteii with 'the 'later^ phas^sj<jf ,l^»i»^.^:;« '
'• •fiJ^ldiiiS'^doetrine of einanatio&,:;;^^ ''.'
jliialioB* • • The terai '* Puram? siipxjj^ '
ai^fi^-l^a|^aitivps. eighteen 'm:.&tiiii^::>:®^
c0iopM;^;:tto yenefabfesage,;¥^
of .the .^€^tola-SchoQl;/of ^pWte ;.
I;1rt I A sense of sincere /