The Great Epic of the Bhārata dynasty 3.180.20

3.180.20

tatra yānyeva brahmavilakṣaṇāni tāni brahmavidyāsādhakānīti manvāno brahmavido lakṣaṇaṃ brahmasvarūpaṃ ca pṛcchati | brāhmaṇa iti ||

Here, thinking that the very characteristics distinct from Brahman are the means to accomplish the knowledge of Brahman, he asks about the characteristics of the knower of Brahman and the essential nature of Brahman with [the word] "brāhmaṇaḥ".