Editing Ribhus (section)

====Interpretation====
Bal Gangadhar Tilak then interpreted also in 1893 the Period of twelve days as the twelve [[intercalary day]]s,<ref>''The Orion'', p.168 f.</ref> to fix the difference between the [[lunar year]] of 354 days and the [[solar year]] of 366 days.<ref>''Dates and Eras in Ancient Indian History'' Vol. 1, p. 51</ref> While he interpreted the beginning of the year at the vernal equinox, [[Arthur Anthony Macdonell]] 1917 stated that the twelve intercalary days "in all probability" were inserted at the [[winter solstice]].<ref>''Dates and Eras in Ancient Indian History'' Vol.1, p.76, Note 86, referring to A.A. Macdonell ''A History of Sanscrit Literature'', p.106</ref> A.B. Keith 1925 also criticized Tilak's interpretation by pointing to "... the fact that a year of 360 days and 12 months is ... the only year clearly known to the whole of Vedic literature prior to the late Sutras".<ref>''Dates and Eras in Ancient Indian History'' Vol.1, p.56, referring to A.B. Keith ''Philosophy and Religion of the Veda and Upanishads'' Vol.1</ref> Because he also "admits that ancient Indians had knowledge of intercalation" his statements on that point are considered "confused".<ref>''Dates and Eras in Ancient Indian History'' Vol.1, p.57; 56</ref> But already 1895 a similar view in terms of the length of the year was stated by [[George Thibaut]]<ref>''Dates and Eras in Ancient Indian History'' Vol.1, p.56</ref> and W.D. Whitney<ref name="Ancient Indian History Vol p.57">''Dates and Eras in Ancient Indian History'' Vol.1, p.57</ref> in ''Indian Antiquity''. In 1960 Narendra Nath Law wrote in ''Indian Antiquity Quarterly'' that: "W<hitney> would be correct if the 7th season or the 13th month (presumably for intercalation) had not been mentionend."<ref name="Ancient Indian History Vol p.57"/> He was referring to [[Mandala 1|RV 1]].164.15 which was interpreted by [[H.H. Wilson]] as describing seven seasons.<ref>''Dates and Eras in Ancient Indian History'' Vol.1, p.55, referring to H.H. Wilson ''Rigveda'' (Translation) Vol.2, p.131 f.</ref> But according to the translation of [[Ralph Thomas Hotchkin Griffith]] [[Mandala 1|RV 1]].164.15 means the seven [[Rishis]],<ref>Ralph Thomas Hotchkin Griffith ''The Hymns of the Rigveda'' Vol.1, Benares 1889, Reprint USA 2012, p.286</ref> which according to David Frawley were actually eight seers, representing the [[Big Dipper]].<ref>''Gods, Sages and Kings'', p.167</ref> The eighth star of the big dipper is according to his later reference to [[Mandala 3|RV 3]].56.2 in connexion with [[Mandala 1|RV 1]].164.15 not the unseen fourth star of the handle forming a double star system  but the [[Pole Star]] around which the big dipper rotates.<ref>''Gods, Sages and Kings'', p.172, refer also p.167, the 8th seer</ref> Already [[Moritz Winternitz]] 1907 pointed "to the fact that there are certain passages in the Vedic texts which admid of various interpretations."<ref>''Dates and Eras in Ancient Indian History'' Vol.1, p.49, referring to M. Winternitz ''A History of Indian Literature'' Vol.1, German 1907, English translation 1927, p.30</ref> So A.B. Keith's and A.A. Macdonell's 1912 statement is still applicable, the 12 days were "merely the 'reflexion of the year' (samvatsarasya pratima) in the same way that they represent the twelve months and have no relation to chronology at all."<ref>''Dates and Eras in Ancient Indian History'' Vol.1, p.57, referring to A.B. Keith and A.A. Macdonell ''Vedic Index of Names and Subjects'' Vol.2 "Samvatsara", p.411-13</ref>