The former class of writings (after 500 B.C.one may talk of writings) is represented by dates that reach from circa 600-500 B.C.nearly to our era.

Buddhism's _floruit_ is from 500 B.C.
to 500 A.D., and epic Hinduism covers nearly the same centuries.

From 500 to 1000 Buddhism is in a state of decadence; and through this time extend the dramatic and older Puranic writings; while other Pur[=a]nas are as late as 1500, at which time arises the great modern reforming sect of the Sikhs.

In the matter of the earlier termini a century may be added or subtracted here and there, but these convenient divisions of five hundreds will be found on the whole to be sufficiently accurate.[8] METHODS OF INTERPRETATION.
At the outset of his undertaking a double problem presents itself to one that would give, even in compact form, a view of Hindu religions.
This problem consists in explaining, and, in so far as is possible, reconciling opposed opinions in regard not only to the nature of these religions but also to the method of interpreting the Vedic hymns.
That the Vedic religion was naturalistic and mytho-poetic is doubted by few.

The Vedic hymns laud the powers of nature and natural phenomena as personified gods, or even as impersonal phenomena.