Page:The history of caste in India.pdf/70

 What I have said regarding the attitude of the commentators toward the text will show that they were not, as is often urged, a class entirely wanting in critical spirit. Still, it must be admitted that their method of criticism was considerably defective. The main defect in their criticism is that it is not historical, nor did they aim to make it so. Their aim was not to produce a commentary for academic purposes, which would give the meaning of the text as it was understood by the author himself, but they wanted to explain the text in such a manner as would serve the needs of the society of their own time and place. Their attitude toward the text was the same as that of the judge toward the law, who really modifies it to suit new conditions under the pretense of interpreting it. If they want anything approved or condemned they approve or condemn it, provided they find any text which can be made to imply the desired doctrine ; and for this task they were very