Arthur Anthony Macdonell traces the history of Sanskrit literature from its earliest roots in the Vedic period through the later developments of the epic and classical eras. The work opens with an introductory overview of the discovery of Sanskrit by Western scholars, detailing the pioneering efforts of researchers like Sir William Jones and Henry Thomas Colebrooke. Macdonell examines the Vedic age, distinguishing between the creative poetry of the Rigveda and the ritualistic prose of the later Yajur and Sama Vedas. He explores the mythological framework of the Rigvedic hymns, analyzing the personifications of natural phenomena such as Agni, Indra, Varuṇa, and Ushas.
The discussion extends to the philosophy of the Rigveda, touching upon cosmogonic speculations and the origins of Indian pantheism. Subsequent chapters investigate the later Vedas, the Brāhmaṇas, and the Sūtras, illustrating how religious ritual gradually consolidated into a complex sacerdotal system. The social conditions of the Vedic Aryans are reconstructed through careful analysis of tribal organization, family life, and daily occupations.
Macdonell then surveys the epic period, the court poetry known as Kāvya, lyric poetry, drama, and the rich tradition of fairy tales and fables. The study concludes with an assessment of Indian philosophy and the influence of Sanskrit literature upon the Western world. Throughout the text, the author addresses the chronological difficulties arising from the complete absence of historical records in ancient India. While noting the limits imposed by the lack of exact dates, Macdonell successfully illuminates the continuity of Indian culture and thought over three millennia.
