Vedic Hymns #248844

It is well known that Professor von Roth, one of our most eminent Vedic scholars, holds the very opposite Opinion. He declares that a metrical translation is the best com mentary, and that if he could ever think of a translation of the Rig-veda, he would throw the chief weight, not on the notes, but on the translation of the text. 'a translation,' he writes, 'must speak for itself. AS a rule, it only re quires a commentary where it is not directly convincing, and where the translator does not feel secure.' Between Opinions so diametrically opposed, no com promise seems possible, and yet I feel convinced that when we come to discuss any controverted passage, Professor von Roth will have to adopt exactly the same principles of translation which I have followed.